Community Update
A very warm welcome to the school year to our new families and welcome back to our current families as we celebrate Redlands 140th year in 2024 #Redlands140. This significant milestone will be marked through and with our community of current and former students, staff and wider community as the year unfolds. We trust that you were able to enjoy a happy, healthy and peaceful time with your family and friends over the holiday period.
It’s been exciting to see our new school uniform in and around the School this week as our two year transition period commences. The feedback from new and existing families has been overwhelmingly positive. As we transition to our new uniform, we are delighted to advise that a sustainable recycling program for your unwanted ‘old’ uniforms has been developed with the details to be communicated in the coming weeks. This timeline provides our community with the opportunity to consider their uniform requirements following the commencement of the Term 1.
We are delighted to be able to come together as a community early in 2024 through a number of key and much loved Redlands events including Twilight in the Garden on Friday 16 February and our Year 7 Meet and Greet on Monday 26 February. Our Twilight in the Garden event provides a wonderful opportunity for our new families to connect with our School community on the Fahl Garden on our Senior Campus. We are expecting this to be another sold out event so please purchase your tickets early here.
The Redlands Parents and Friends Association (RPFA), Parent Contact Groups (PCGs) and Friends of Groups (FoGs) all come together as passionate and dedicated volunteers to selflessly support our School and the wider Redlands community. All of these important groups highlight the vital role our wider community plays in the growth and prosperity of Redlands. These community groups provide a wonderful opportunity for us all to stay connected, included and informed.
The best place to stay up to date on what’s happening at Redlands is through Pulse. Pulse can be accessed through the Redlands App that is available for download in the App Store for Apple users and Google Play for those using Android. The App, like Pulse, provides a quick and easy connection with the School for all of the important information our community seeks – contact information, term dates, events, sport fixtures, school and absentee notices and other key links. It also allows parents to subscribe to specific groups of interest without having to see information that is not of interest to you. After downloading the App, you simply enter your Redlands login to access and personalise your settings.
It should be noted that the WhatsApp groups used by some parents and carers are not formal channels of School communication. All communication from the School is shared via email, Pulse and Note Day. While WhatsApp groups may be considered an easy and quick reference point, this platform should not always be considered as a trusted source of information. Where information is sought or clarification is required, we encourage parents to contact the relevant section of the School directly or through feedback@redlands.nsw.edu.au, as early as possible to avoid confusion and inconvenience.
During my time at Redlands, I have often heard said that our strength is our community, and I have personally witnessed and experienced that warm, welcoming and supportive Redlands community over the past three years, as both a staff member and current Redlands parent.
I remain grateful for the continued guidance and support our community provides and, as ever, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly or the wider Community Engagement team should you have any feedback, suggestions or questions.
All the best for 2024.
Mr Grant Birse
Head of Community Engagement
9908 6406
gbirse@redlands.nsw.edu.au