Head of Junior School

Head of Junior School

HICES Music Festival

Last night, along with Coordinator of Music, Mr Kuilenburg, I thoroughly enjoyed the culmination of the Head of Independent Coeducation Schools (HICES) Music Camp, the HICES Concert in the wonderfully fitting setting of Sydney Town Hall.

Over the past few days, 26 students from Yrs 5-8 represented Redlands at this year’s HICES Music Camp and Festival. After completing a thorough audition process last term, students were selected by an external panel of conductors to participate in this three day intensive Music Camp held at Stanwell Tops. Alongside with 330 musicians from similar schools from around NSW, 26 Redlands students prepared a wide range of repertoire which was joyously and expertly present at the Festival concert last night.

In concluding the concert, the massed finale of the Festival, accompanied by Redlands Music teacher, Mr Mathew Owen, was commissioned work, A Hope for The Future, with words and music composed by leading Australian choral composer, Mr Dan Walker.

Congratulations to our Junior School students involved: Finlay Meijer (Trumpet), John Natilli (Trumpet), Leonardo Vaccarezza (Male Vocal Ensemble), Joel Daily (Cello), Marlon Giacco (Cello), Lily Wainberg (Violin), Sophia Natilli (Trumpet), Aneke Golowenko (Vocal Ensemble) and Charlee Kwintner (Vocal Ensemble). I was exceptionally proud of their efforts and accomplishments amongst such a high calibre of student peformers.

I also extend my gratitude to Assistant Coordinator of Music, Mrs Luck and Music teacher, Mr Owen, for sharing their passion and expertise for Music with all 360 students involved from 34 different schools. Their care of our students whilst away for the last three days was also appreciated.

Gala Ball

Last Saturday’s biennial Redlands Gala Ball was a stunning success and It was a delight to join more than 600 Redlands community members in enjoying a splendid evening of entertainment and friendship. As well as being a wonderful community event, the proceeds of the evening will go towards the means-tested Redlands Scholarship Fund and the evening raised a staggering $133,000 towards this goal. Photos of the wonderful evening can be found here and my thanks are extended to our wonderful Foundation team and Organising Committee and all who contributed in so many different ways.

Lower North Shore Science Competition

Once again, the Junior School will be hosting this year’s Lower North Shore Science Competition which takes place on Thursday 12 September.

Primary school aged students from schools in the area have been invited to enter and present a Science experiment they have completed (see Entry Guidelines for more details). At the event our young scientists will be provided with a small desk to present their entry and attendees will be able to engage with our entrants and view their submissions (Ideas and Examples). At the closure of the event, prizes will be awarded and all participants will be acknowledged for their submissions.

  • Who: entries are open to Primary School aged students
  • Cost: entry to attend and participation in the event is free. 
  • Prizes: There will be a number of prizes up for grabs at the event – stay tuned for more information closer to the event!

Budding scientists who are keen to participate or attend and haven’t registered yet should do so here and we will be promoting this again amongst our students, many of whom thoroughly enjoyed being part of the event last year. Photos of last year’s events can also be seen on the Eye Heart Science website here.

Operation Christmas Child

In our assembly this week, Yr 4 student, Alexis Mar, spoke to the students about her hope in supporting Operation Christmas Child, a project run each year where gift-filled shoe boxes are sent to children in poverty around the world. Alexis has done this for a number of years and has asked other students to consider helping this year too. The shoe box the child receives is likely to be the only gift in their lifetime. Within each shoebox is: 

  • Something to wear;
  • Something for school;
  • Something to play with;
  • Something for hygiene, and 
  • Something to love.

Alexis will be holding a bake sale later this term to support this and additional information will be circulated to classes next week and Alexis has provided shoe boxes for students to fill.

Student Health Notice

Parents are reminded to keep children at home if they are unwell. There has been a spike in student sickness, particularly flu-like symptoms, and apart from the obvious spreading of germs when they are here, students are also not in a good state of mind conducive to learning. Thanks, in advance, for your support of this matter which NSW Public Health have also advised us to communicate.

Book Week

Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022