Head of Secondary School

Sports Expectations

While some sporting matches were cancelled last weekend with the wet weather earlier in the week, many other sports kicked off their winter seasons. On Saturday, I enjoyed watching our Yr 7 Rugby players run out for their first competitive match for the School against St Andrew’s and there was a great spirit on display both on the field and on the sidelines.

With the winter sports season commencing, it is a good opportunity to remind our community of the expectations in regards to spectators at sports matches. Over my time at the School, I have often noted that the behaviour and support on display from our spectators at sports is usually exemplary; however, I am a firm believer in the motto I often share with students, that we are “too good not to be better”, so it is a good time for a few reminders.

Some of these expectations include:

Students who are not competing in sport on the day are expected to wear their winter school uniform if they are attending sports matches in support of their peers. Students who are playing a sport on the day should wear their sports uniform if they are supporting other matches. Students should not wear casual attire attending sporting fixtures.
Spectators are to remain behind the barriers of playing fields at all times and are not to interfere with the matches being played. (For example, at Macquarie university please remain behind the fence at Campbell Field and the roped off areas on other fields, such as Gwilliam Field.)
As per the ISA Code of Conduct, spectators “should barrack in a supportive and positive manner and not to unsettle or denigrate opponents; never express disapproval of an umpire’s or referee’s decision; and are discouraged from actively coaching on the sidelines”. (The full ISA Code of Conduct can be found on the ISA website.)
As mentioned in last week’s Note Day, Macquarie University last year moved to a digital parking platform across the Campus and at the same time, introduced paid parking for all Sport and Aquatic Centre users. As part of this change, paid parking will also be applied to the Sport Fields as the last stage in this strategy. As of 1 May, all parking at the sport fields will attract a fee of $1.50 per hour.

Again, let me once again applaud the wonderful atmosphere that I regularly see on display at our competitive sporting fixtures and I look forward seeing this type of sportsmanship and support continue in the weeks and months ahead.

NAPLAN

Next week our Yr 7 and 9 students will be sitting the NAPLAN tests. More detailed communication around the NAPLAN tests has been sent to parents of these Year Groups. There has been a lot of press this year around NAPLAN and its purpose and validity. Last year it was announced that these tests would no longer be linked to minimum standards in literacy and numeracy for the HSC. While we believe the NAPLAN tests are a useful diagnostic measurement of literacy and numeracy skills for individual students, we do not see them as a definitive summative judgement on the academic ability of individual students. We encourage students to try their best on these tests so the data allows us to have a targeted approach to student skill development moving forward. However, we do not want students to feel unduly stressed and remind parents that these results will not contribute to school reports.

Professor Tim Flannery Presentation

To launch our National Careers Week in Week 3, Redlands invites all parents and students to a presentation by eminent scientist and 2007 Australian of the Year, Professor Tim Flannery. Professor Flannery will be giving a 30 minute presentation on the topic: ‘Where are the jobs in the future clean economy?’ followed by a Q & A session. He has been recently appointed to the Australian Museum as Distinguished Visiting Fellow in Climate Change and the presentation focuses on the need for science and innovation in a whole of economy transformation as we address climate change.

This special event will take place on Monday 13 May at 6.30pm in Redlands Hall. We look forward to seeing you there.

Redlands Konica Minolta Artist in Residence 2019

Redlands is excited and honoured to have esteemed contemporary artist, Cameron Robbins, as our Artist in Residence in Weeks 2 and 3 of Term 2. Not only will Cameron will be working with students during this time, but he will also be creating a site responsive artwork on the Senior Campus. We will be hosting a celebration of Cameron Robbins and the Redlands Konica Minolta Art Prize Collection on Thursday 16 May from 6.00 – 8.30pm at the John Roberts Centre. The Collection was created as a direct result of the acquisitive Prize over 22 years and is a remarkable collection of artworks which provides a unique and valuable teaching tool and includes pieces from Imants Tillers, Ben Quilty and Lindy Lee, amongst others. We hope to see you at this special event which will showcase many works from this collection. Book here.

Attention

Parents and carers of students with a diagnosed risk of Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and is potentially life threatening. If your child is one of the 33 students in the Secondary School with a diagnosed risk of Anaphylaxis, we ask that you help us keep them safe during the school day.

All Secondary School students who suffer from Anaphylaxis are required to keep a clearly labelled Emergency Kit containing a current Action Plan and spare EpiPen in the Secondary School Office during term time.

While most parents readily comply with this requirement, there are some who unfortunately do not.

Not unregularly, a student’s spare EpiPen is signed out to them to enable them to attend an excursion or outside school activity –“No EpiPen, No Excursion or External Activity.”

It is absolutely essential for those students affected by Anaphylaxis to have, in their possession, an EpiPen at all times.

For any student participating in their Year Camp, two (2) EpiPens are mandatory to be taken with them. On their return from Camp, every student is required to return their spare EpiPen and kit on the next school day. ie. Camps returning on Friday, students will hand their spare to the Secondary School Office on the following Monday.

A big thank you to all those parents who consistently support our endeavours to keep their children with a diagnosed risk of Anaphylaxis, safe at school and at external school activities.

Mr Sean Corcoran
Head of Secondary School
scorcoran@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9870

Photo caption: Students enjoyed a presentation by Meet the Ocean learning about their research expeditions and threats to our oceans.