Head of Junior School
Where There’s a Will There’s a Way
This well-known proverb is often used to say that if someone has the desire and determination to do something, they would find a way to make it happen. In many ways, this could possibly be the mantra for the first half of 2020 as we all have had to think more creatively, adapt to new scenarios and pivot in ways that we may never have considered before. An exciting part of this next period of time will be to critically assess what changes we made that we might continue with as we return to both full schooling and in our everyday lives.
Many of these personal attributes and dispositions are captured in the learner attributes embodied within Redlands Three Pillars of Aspiration for all students, as outlined in our Redlands Learning Platform, in our support of their life-readiness beyond school.
As you look through the list of 21st Century competencies described in this overview, without question our students (and staff) have had to demonstrate and experience many of these ways of thinking and being during this unique semester. It might be a great holiday conversation at home to go through these and find examples where your children (and perhaps you) have had to demonstrate these attributes over this past semester?
As the semester draws to a close, it is very important for me to thank and acknowledge the support, efforts and flexibility of parents, students and of course our staff as we have all faced this new situation in our lives for the first time, with both an open mind and a growth mindset. I also encourage students, staff and families to take time for rest as these times away from school allow us to be at our very best when we are here. Rest, in whatever sense, is different for each of us which I acknowledge and hope that the mid-year break allows everyone to recharge.
Semester 1 Reports
We are expecting Junior School student reports to be available to parents via Redlands Pulse at the end of next week. Notification will be sent when they have been uploaded for you to access. Back copies of your son or daughter’s reports are also available via Redlands Pulse. To access the reports parents will need their Redlands Pulse username and password. Parents requiring assistance with their username or password should email pulse@redlands.nsw.edu.au as soon as possible.
Do take some time over the break to read through it with your child and acknowledge and celebrate areas of growth and progress. As students return for Term 3, their class teachers will also spend time with your child looking at aspects of goal setting for the second semester, which they will then share with you at the Student-Led Conferences next term.
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)
Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. For more information, please click here.
Student Wellbeing Vodcast
Our Junior Campus Dean of Students, Mrs Kourakis, has created a highly informative wellbeing vodcast which summarises the themes that have been covered over the term as well as some parenting tips to support children’s worry. The vodcast is available from Redlands Pulse by clicking this link.
I encourage families to watch this vodcast (a podcast with video content) over the break and would also suggest parts of it may be good to watch with your child.
International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) 2020
For over 30 years, International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS), have taken place in schools throughout Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, the Pacific region and South Africa. ICAS is an initiative of Educational Assessment Australia (EAA), a not for profit organisation owned by the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
At Redlands, it is optional for Junior School students sit these tests in Term 3. Assessments occur during class time within a supervised area of the Junior School. No particular preparation is required and all students receive a certificate and an individual student report indicating which questions they answered correctly, their total score as well as their average compared with the rest of the students in the state/region.
For additional information and registration details, please read the letter on Redlands Pulse and any questions should be directed to the Dean of Administration, Ms Atkins.
Lost Property
The shift to students wearing PE attire on days that they have PE and not having to change from school uniform and back has already seen a noticeable drop in lost property. That said, we are still finding belongings that are unnamed. Over the holiday, please ask your child to go through uniform items and make sure everything is labelled. This is certainly a job that they can do themselves and if they find something that belongs to another student, please do return it to the Junior School office.
Semester 2 Calendar
Towards the end of the holiday break, an updated Semester 2 Junior School calendar will be placed on Redlands Pulse after we have reviewed the current calendar in relation to the government health guidelines and restrictions. Key changes will be outlined in my Term 3 letter which will also be sent out before term recommences on Tuesday 21 July.
Term 3/4 Departure Notice
As we are approaching the mid-point of the year, this is a reminder that those families who are planning on leaving the School at the end of Terms 3 or 4 are required to give notice to the Principal via an email to registrar@redlands.nsw.edu.au by the following dates:
End Term 3 Departure: Friday 26 June 2020
End Term 4 Departure: Sunday 26 July 2020
As per our Conditions of Enrolment emailed to all families in December last year with the 2020 Schedule of Fees, there will be fees in lieu payable for any notices of departure received after this date.
If your family is experiencing current financial difficulties as a result of COVID-19, please contact our Chief Financial Officer at bweatherstone@redlands.nsw.edu.au to see how the School may support your child’s continued enrolment at Redlands.
Baby News
We were thrilled to hear of the safe arrival of baby Alice Clements, a second daughter for Yr 3 teacher, Mrs Snooks. Both mother and daughter are well and happily at home and Mrs Snooks is hoping to be able to bring Alice in at some point next semester.
Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022