Head of Junior School

Head of Junior School

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please note that all Upcoming Events for the Junior School are now on their own Note Day article/page. 

This Head of Junior School page will consist of general information from the Head of Junior School. 

Welcome Back to Term 4

It has been a joy to welcome the students back for the start of Term 4 and begin the countdown towards the end of the academic year. As I mentioned to students in our first assembly, there is still much for them to achieve and our aim is for them to finish the year on an upward trajectory. Connected to this, I asked them to focus on four things, in particular:

  • Bringing a positive attitude to school each day
  • Putting in 100% effort in all that they do
  • Having a growth mindset in all that they experience
  • Being kind to each other and themselves

Combined, I have no doubt that these traits will result in each student finishing the year strongly and the teachers and I look forward to playing our roles in supporting the students.

Revision to 2020 Term Dates

Please note there has been one revision to 2020 Term Dates.

  • Term 3 2020 will now end on Thursday 24 September (previously Friday 25 September)
  • Term 4 2020 will now commence on Monday 12 October (previously Tuesday 13 October)

The 2020 Term Dates have been updated accordingly on our website and on Redlands Pulse.

Yr 5 Bathurst Excursion

Yr 5 wasted no time heading out on Tuesday in search of gold as part of their Units of Inquiry topic. The Bathurst Goldfields was the destination for their overnight visit and this opportunity to experience the goldfields will serve as an important part of their study of this significant era in Australian history. My thanks are extended to Mrs Benneyworth for his organisation of the trip and to the team of Yr 5 teachers and Mrs Parton for accompanying them on this experiential learning opportunity.

Volunteer Appreciation Evening

Tonight, I am looking forward to joining  Senior Executive staff, Board Directors and Junior School teachers at our annual School Thank You to our many parent volunteers, whose positive contributions make such an important difference to our school community.

The voluntary roles that so many of our parents play, particularly as Junior School Class Parent representatives, has a significant role in fostering and strengthening the palpable sense of school community that embodies Redlands. As well as our class parents, I also thank the many parents who have also volunteered time and contributed expertise in helping to provide support for students’ learning in both curriculum and extra curricular opportunities over the course of the year.

My sincere appreciation is extended to all of these parents and our Redlands Parents and Friends Association for both their dedication and service to our community; it truly makes a difference.

Outdoor Furniture – RPFA Thank You

Over the break, a significant amount of outdoor furniture for students was installed by our Facilities team on the Junior Campus. These items were generously donated by the Redlands Parents and Friends Association (RPFA) from funds raised at events such as the Spring Fair and have already been enjoyed by our students. On behalf of the students, I add my gratitude to the RPFA for their donation and support of our School.

iPad Spot Checks – Message Function

In line with our ICT Responsible User Guidelines, specifically our supervision and monitoring responsibilities, we routinely conduct spot checks of student iPads. This has been previously communicated to families in Note Day and is part of regular communication to students.

As part of our ICT induction, students are advised that iMessages are to be turned off while they are here at school. Our teachers, ICT and eLearning team regularly remind students to switch off the iMessage function to avoid possible interruptions to learning.

In response to some parent feedback for guidance, below is a short summary explaining how to turn off iMessages on an iPad. Your support with this is appreciated in our partnership of guiding our children’s responsible usage at school. 

  1. Go to the Settings App.
  2. Scroll down to the Messages App.
  3. In Messages, slide the iMessage button to the off position. 
  4. The iMessage button will show as white when it is not on.
  5. The iMessage button will show as green if on.

There is also an option to disable the iMessage feature on the iPad using parental controls. Click here for further information, including parental controls for phones, or come and see our friendly ICT Helpdesk near Reception for guidance.

Please also be reminded that if you do need to contact your child during school hours, you should call Reception on 9953 6022.

TEDx Talk Opportunity

Further to the information presented to students and families last term, this is a reminder  of a unique and exciting opportunity for our Junior School students to take part in.

In her role as a speaker coach, Junior School parent, Kat Collins, has been fortunate enough to work with various TEDx events over many years. At the moment she is currently helping with one that will take place in February 2020 called TEDxBlighStreet. Kat and her team are currently curating the speaker list and with the theme of Interconnection, they thought it would be excellent to be able to involve the younger generation in some way.

Whilst not having to present a full TED talk, our Junior School students have been asked to consider submitting a one minute video which will be interspersed between the speakers under the theme of Interconnection.

The opportunity has already sparked a lot of excited conversation amongst the students and the key information for students and parents is below for your reference too. At least one Redlands Junior School video will be showcased at this event, which is very exciting for the School and more importantly, the students.

Key Information

  • One minute video
  • Theme of Interconnection
  • Students can produce individually, as a pair, small group or as a class
  • Submissions are due no later than 4pm next Friday 25 October (Week 2, Term 4) on a USB to Junior School Reception 
  • A panel of our teachers will shortlist up to 10 videos which will then be sent to Kat Collins and her team at TEDx to select from.
Yr 6 Legacy Fair

As has now been tradition, our Yr 6 students will be organising a lunchtime fair for the Junior School next Friday 25 October. More details can be found in Upcoming Events.

Melbourne Cup Luncheon

Early Birds tickets will be closing on Friday 18 October

This year the tradition continues as we host the event that stops the nation at the Sergeants Mess in Chowder Bay overlooking stunning Sydney Harbour.

This is a great opportunity to spend an afternoon with your friends, with French champagne and a cocktail on arrival, a gourmet three course luncheon, fine wines, raffles and sweeps, live band and entertainment, and fashions on the field. There is a shuttle bus service organised to take you back to the Buena Vista Hotel (Mosman Junction). Main formalities finish straight after 3.00pm so you can leave earlier if you need to collect your children.

It is easy to book, just select your Year Group or name guests you would like to be seated with. Tables of 10 are available and one last tables of 12. 

Book here

For any event enquiries, please contact Jenni foundation@redlands.nsw.edu.au.

Festival of Mosman 2019 

Mosman Council have sent through information for us to share about their upcoming biennial Festival of Mosman from Friday 18 – Sunday 27 October.

This year, the Festival promises to be bigger than ever, with a busy ten day program of over 60 events including old favourites and exciting new additions. Highlights include a Traditional Sunset Ceremony on Balmoral Beach, an Italian Feast on the Village Green, the October Feast night market and an outdoor cinema movie marathon. Popular favourites include outdoor concerts at Balmoral, the Children’s Fair and a Pet’s Day Out. The Festival showcases the best of Mosman, its stunning beaches and natural environment, harbourside living, music, fine dining, and unique performance and art experiences. For additional details, please visit the festival program.

Opal Cards

2020 school travel applications are now open. Students progressing to Yrs 3 and 7 no longer need to re-apply if they are:

  • are continuing at the same school
  • are residing at the same address
  • have not been sent an expiry notification from Transport for NSW.

Where a student meets the new distance eligibility, the system will automatically update their entitlement. If they do not meet the new eligibility, they will receive an expiry notification via email.

Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply. Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply. 

If students need to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails. Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2019. 

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