Head of Secondary School
Term 1 Wrap
It has certainly been an action-packed week which has concluded an action-packed term.
It was wonderful to see so many students from Yrs 7-12 involved in the School Musical, Return to the Forbidden Planet, last week. While I congratulate all of the students who shone on the stage, I would like to make a special mention to the large number of students who were involved in the crew, worked backstage or were in the orchestra. It is very special to see so many students leading these production areas of a school musical and while they might not be “in the bright lights”, their contributions are truly appreciated. I would also like to thank the many staff members and parents who have given so much of their time and effort in making this year’s Musical such a success.
On Monday night our contemporary music scene burst into life with the Battle of the Bands. Students from Yrs 5-12 performed a variety of numbers, displaying their talent and passion on the stage. We look forward to hearing the Intermediate Band Section Winner (Lifeless) and the Unplugged Section Winner (Ella Burgess – Yr 10) perform at Friday’s assembly.
On Tuesday we celebrated International Day with a special assembly, various activities and fundraising efforts. We raised over $500 from the international themed mufti day with the proceeds going to UNICEF’s Change for Good campaign, delivering life-saving health care, clean water and education to children wherever the need is greatest in more than 190 countries worldwide. Some of the other events and activities on the day included an Aboriginal incursion, French and Japanese cooking, Tai Chi, Chinese painting, Japanese fan design and Spanish salsa dancing. Students in Yrs 7-9 also completed activities in Tutor groups over the past two weeks on the United Nations’ Declaration of Human Rights. Walking through the Liggins Courtyard surrounded by students in international dress with a multitude of different countries’ flags hanging overhead, I was reminded that we are truly an “international school for Australian students, and an Australian school for international students”. A special thank you to the Languages Department for all of their efforts and organisation of the day.
Yes, it certainly has been a busy week to conclude an enriching and fulfilling term. I continue to be impressed by the passion and commitment of our students and they have certainly earned a relaxing break. A reminder that students will need to be in Winter uniform from the beginning of Term 2 and are required to wear blazers to and from school throughout Terms 2 and 3. I wish Yr 12s all the best on their Half Yearly Examinations which will take place over the first two weeks of next term and look forward to seeing the rest of the students back at school, refreshed and rejuvenated, on Tuesday 1 May for the beginning of Term 2.
Term 2 Staffing Updates
I would like to inform you of some staffing updates for Term 2. Ms Kim Hurley will be returning to the Science Department after her Long Service Leave and we thank Ms Eliza Peirce for covering these classes in Term 1. Ms Karen Martin will be taking Long Service Leave in Term 2. Ms Katharine Boase will be acting Subject Coordinator during Ms Martin’s absence and Ms Angelique Mavromatis will be joining the Dance department as a teacher. Ms Mavromatis has experience teaching Dance at Davidson High School and has previously been involved with our Dance Academy. Ms Jaimee Kennedy will be going on maternity leave at the end of Term 1. To cover her Sports Administration duties, Ms Kate Seebohm will be moving from part time to full time and Mr James Petering and Mr Jack Gooding will be taking on additional Sports Administration duties.
Reports
Term 1 Approaches to Learning Reports will be available at the end of the term for all students in Yrs 7-12. This report will be the same as the Approaches to Learning Reports which were instituted last year for students in Yrs 7-10. The aim of these reports is to bring parents in to conversations which have already been happening for the past few years between students, teachers and Tutors in tracking students’ effort. Parents will see both student self-reflection and teacher feedback on Engagement, Diligence and Behaviour. There will be no marks, teacher feedback on outcomes, teacher comments or Tutor comments on these reports as these will constitute reports later in the year. More information can be found on the cover pages of this upcoming report.
Congratulations
We want to congratulate Yr 9 students, Theo Mirrless-Black and Harrison Winton, for performing exceptionally well in the Gifted and Talented Discovery Program and Examination. Over 1500 students across Australia in Yrs 8 and 9 sat the examination and both Theo and Harrison placed in the top 5% earning them an opportunity to participate in the Gifted and Talented Discovery Program at Sydney University. Congratulations, Theo and Harrison!
ANZAC Day
Redlands will be participating in the Mosman RSL ANZAC Dawn Service at Georges Heights commencing at 5.30am on 25 April. Two of our senior Prefects will be reciting readings and laying a wreath during the ceremony in commemoration of this solemn day. All members of the community are invited to join us at this dawn service. (Parking is available at Georges Heights, entering from Middle Head Road up Suakin Drive or Best Avenue.)
Secondary School Girls’ Pants (Trousers) Trial
As part of ongoing consultation with students and parents regarding the School uniform, we are trialling Secondary Girls’ Pants (Trousers) this winter, Terms 2 and 3. There are samples at the Uniform Shop.
We will be sending an email to Secondary School students and parents to express their interest in being part of the Girls pants trial by Friday 4 May.
Uniform Shop
Students are reminded that Winter uniform including blazers will be required from the start of Term 2. The Uniform Shop is now fully stocked for all Year Groups and would like to remind parents to check their children’s uniform in case they have outgrown or were new to Redlands in 2018. We are open every weekday except Tuesdays from 8am – 4pm and Thursdays until 6pm.
Blazers requiring embroidery will need to be at the Uniform Shop before 3.30pm on Friday 13 April. As usual, we will have parents collecting blazers outside the Hall following the final assembly on the last day of Term. Please ensure all blazers are clearly named so they can be dry cleaned before being sent for embroidery.
Holiday opening hours and bookings at the end of Term 1 are 9am – 3pm on Monday 16 April, Thursday 26 April, Friday 27 April and Monday 30 April. If you wish to come to the Uniform Shop during the holidays, please make an online appointment by clicking here. We will also open the first day of Term 2, Tuesday 1 May at 8am.
22nd Redlands Parents’ Art Prize and Cocktails
Thursday 10 May, 6.30pm, National Art School
All parents are invited to view and experience the exceptional artwork by Australia’s most renowned contemporary artists exhibited at the Redlands Konica Minolta Art Prize, while enjoying cocktails with other Redlands parents. Drinks and canapés will be served during the evening and return transport is available to book as parking is limited around the venue. For more information and video, please visit our website. Book here to join us for this event.
Thinking Skills for Life
T
T
he Principal, Dr Peter Lennox, invites you to a Redlands community event –
The Inaugural Redlands Life-Ready Symposium with Mark Church of Harvard University, Graduate School of Education.
When: Tuesday 1 May
Time: 6.00-7.30pm
Where: Redlands Hall, Senior Campus
Please join us as Mark Church (Harvard University) shares a short presentation on the thinking skills your children will need to be successful in their future lives. This will be followed by a panel discussion facilitated by Head of Teaching and Learning, Dr Emma Burgess with Mark Church, and Deputy Principal, Ms Sarah McGarry, Head of Secondary School, Mr Sean Corcoran, Head of Junior School, Mr Ari Guha and Head of Early Childhood, Mrs Audrey Fellowes.
Light refreshments from 5.45pm. Book here.
Mr Sean Corcoran
Head of Secondary School
scorcoran@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9870