Head of Early Childhood
Happy Birthday Redlands!
This week the School proudly celebrated 135 years of excellence in education at Redlands. In addition to this it celebrates 120 years on the Military Rd Campus and 30 years since the first International Baccalaureate cohort graduated. A delicious birthday cake was shared amongst staff with a culminating Foundation Day Service on Friday 7 June. For some new families beginning at Redlands, you may not have been aware that our school has its origins in the College for Girls in 1884. Of interest is the history page on our website where the School’s archivist has gathered some wonderful pictures and information of the School’s history.
Gala Arts Festival
A joint initiative of the Secondary Arts Captains and House Captains, the Gala Arts festival was created to showcase the artistic talents of Redlands students whilst at the same time promoting inter-House competition and House spirit. Last Friday’s concert certainly highlighted the extraordinary talents of many of the Secondary students and equally the skill of the numerous staff who assisted the students with their pieces both on stage and behind the scenes. One would be forgiven for thinking that the students were professional performers and I am continually impressed with the expert skills exhibited by such young adults. Highly accomplished Redlanders Hannah and Eliza Reilly, Jack Frerer, Luke Haberecht, Jordan Auld and Dr Nicholas Xiradis were tasked with the very difficult job of adjudicating for the evening. I urge you to read their biographies and those new to our school might gain an understanding of the quality of students that Redlands continues to produce. Flynn Henry’s (Yr 11) exceptional Tap dance won him the coveted Overall Winner of the night. At the conclusion of the Vocal, Theatre, Instrumental and Dance components, an additional section this year was the inclusion of the Visual Arts finalists’ pieces. Congratulations to Sebastien Griffith (Yr 8) and Stephanie Ng (Yr 12) who were awarded overall winners in each section.
Positive Behaviour for Learning and Playground Environments
Positive Behaviour Support for Learning (PBS4L) is a comprehensive, integrated whole school approach to student wellbeing and behaviour. It focuses on building student commitment and understanding of the specific behaviours that contribute to safe, organised and respectful learning and playing environments. At the beginning of the school year, each classroom on the Junior Campus developed a set of behavioural expectations under the pillars of Learning, Respectful Relationships, and Safety and Organisation. These have been published and are visible throughout our classrooms and learning environments. You may have noticed your child come home with a Positive Learning certificate after Assembly upon receiving three nominations for following behavioural expectations under any of the pillars. The Junior School Student Representative Council, under the guidance of Ms Christina Cosolito, conducted class meetings focussing on the behaviours that contribute to a positive playground environment. Teachers and students from Kindergarten to Yr 6 were consulted and their ideas summarised, resulting in a campus-wide agreement.
These playground expectations were launched at the Preparatory and Junior School assemblies earlier this week. In support of student awareness and understanding, Miss Jacqui Lofgren, along with a group of student volunteers, produced a film demonstrating the behaviours under each pillar. If you would like to view this film and learn more about the social, emotional and behavioural competencies that support positive relationships and student wellbeing, please feel welcome to attend a Parent Information Session on Thursday 20 June at 8.30am in the Arnold Library, Junior School. For further information contact Mrs Sam Kourakis, Dean of Students, Junior Campus.
Queen’s Birthday
Redlands will be closed on Monday 10 June to observe the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. A reminder, if you are taking students out on a school day, it is the School’s policy to request permission by emailing the Head of Early Childhood, afellowes@redlands.nsw.edu.au prior to your leave dates. If you are planning a trip over this long weekend, we wish you safe travels and look forward to hearing all about your adventures.
Illness
Winter is here and with the increased number of students absent and being sent home due to illness, it would seem timely to remind you of the part you play in keeping our community healthy and well. If your child is unwell with a fever, runny nose and/or cough, please keep them at home to reduce the chance of spreading their infection to others. Most coughs and colds are caused by germs called viruses and they are passed on by coughing and sneezing the virus into the air. Thank you for your close attention to this matter.
Student Drop Off
Students are not permitted to be alone on the school grounds before 8.00am. School begins at 8.20am and between these times when there is a teacher on duty, students are allowed to play on the Piazza or visit the Library for some quiet reading time. A bell will ring at 8.20am guiding students to wait for their teacher at their meeting place. We understand from time to time your arrival to school is delayed; however, we do ask that you be mindful of continual late arrivals, especially as role modelling good time management skills is a valuable message. If you arrive after 8.20am, please do not go directly to the classroom, rather, see the Prep Reception and a member of staff will sign your child in and escort them to their classroom causing the least amount of disruption to the beginning of the day.
Uniform
I would like to remind all Preparatory families of the winter uniform expectations for Term 2. The school blazer is a winter requirement and must be worn to and from school and during Assembly and Chapel. Each classroom has hanger space where students can hang their blazers if they would like to take them off throughout the day. If it is a PE day, then blazers are not required. The Student Planner has more information on correct Uniform Guidelines. Staff will be reminding students of these guidelines via a sticker in their Planner.
OOSH
Information pertaining to the upcoming July Vacation Care program for Prep and Junior School students can be found on Redlands Pulse/OOSH for families to view. Flexischools is now open for bookings with a cut-off date of Wednesday 26 June at 5.00pm, after this time no further changes or bookings can be made.
As a reminder, OOSH at Redlands is open from 11.00am to 6.00pm daily. If you would like to make a general enquiry, booking or alter a permanent booking please email OOSHbookings@redlands.nsw.edu.au. If you need to contact the OOSH team to relay a message affecting the day your child is in attendance, please call 0413 764 443 between 2.30-6.00pm only. Email messages are unable to be read between the hours of 2.30-6.00pm because staff are looking after the children in their care.
Redlands Gala Ball – Early Bird Closes Next Friday!
Tickets are selling fast to this not to be missed event on the Redlands social calendar! Fantastic entertainment and a band to dance to as well as incredible prizes to be won.
Early Bird Tickets are open until Friday 14 June. All proceeds raised will be dedicated to the means-tested Redlands Scholarship Fund. This Fund creates life-changing opportunities for exceptional young people to realise their full potential, when a Redlands education would otherwise be out of reach. For further enquiries, please visit our website or contact Jenni at jdejager@redlands.nsw.edu.au.
Mrs Audrey Fellowes
Head of Early Childhood
afellowes@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848