Foundation
Tribute to all our Donors and Volunteers
Redlands has a long history of a community generously giving to the School in many different ways.
We value contributions made by all members of our vibrant community – current and past parents, and Alumni – contributing their time and serving in various groups.
Throughout our history, significant developments of our campuses have been undertaken so our children can enjoy studying in inspiring learning and teaching spaces, including some of the more recent developments:
- Acquisition, refurbishment and restructuring of the Junior Campus
- Development of the Science block on Senior Campus
- the Redlands Leaning Hub on the Senior Campus
- Acquisition of land by Parents & Friends Association to develop High Country Campus
We greatly appreciate everyone’s contribution, large or small and ongoing support of Redlands. Acknowledgment of all our donors in 2023 is included in this report.
Redlands Learning Hub – Four Years since Opening
This week we are acknowledging four years since the Redlands Learning Hub was opened to our students who came back on campus after the first Covid lockdown in May 2020. School Captains at the time, James Reid and Isabel Simpson, welcomed students to these new, state-of-the-art learning and teaching spaces.
This five level building, a home to the core subjects of Visual Art, Innovative Design, English, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Visual Arts, Innovative Design, with a Sustainability Garden on the roof top, has transformed the learning and teaching on Senior Campus.
These large, open and flexible spaces have been very much appreciated by our students, staff and also guests who attend our various community events.
We are grateful for the support from our community for this development. Independent schools fund their developments from savings, loans and donations. If you wish to join us and contribute this year towards the High Country Campus Appeal or Scholarship Appeal, please contact me directly or visit our website HERE.
High Country Campus Tours
Please see invitation poster below at the end of this article.
Redlanders Volunteer at University and Careers Support Program
Our Year 11 & 12 students are fortunate to have the opportunity to opt in to hear from a number of Redlanders over the course of a year as part of a University and Careers support program.
Dr Shannon Hayne RL 2008
We were thrilled to hear from Dr Shannon Hayne, RL 2008, who recently reached out wanting to ‘give back’ to Redlands to support current students. During her time at Redlands, Shannon was Dux of IB (shared), a Prefect and received Full Colours for Water Polo and Concert Band.
Today, Shannon is an Emergency Medicine Registrar and serves as a member of the Care Flight team. She shared her incredible knowledge and relevant experience with our Year 11 and 12 Students who are interested in learning more about pathways into Medicine.
Shannon’s unique understanding of the variety of university and career entry (and exit) points was exhaustive and incredibly helpful, engaging students in a Q&A.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to all our amazing Redlander volunteers, including Industry Day business partners, guest judges and performers, to our dedicated Alumni Association Committee Members and so many more. Your commitment and passion make a world of difference to our Redlands Community.
Alumnae Parents reflect on their Volunteering at Redlands
We were privileged to reflect on our long history with our Platinum Luncheon guests. In this photo taken at last week, there is a group of past parents, including a former Head of the Mother’s Canteen, a former President of the Redlands Association (now Parents and Friends), and a Former President of the Redlanders Alumni Association and others who worked long hours to ensure successful Spring Fairs, Musicals and Plays, and a thriving school community.
Special acknowledgement to Marguerite Gillezeau Redlands Archivist for preparing a wonderful story about Service at Redlands
The Coeducational Era, 1978 to present
The School was incorporated as SCEGGS Redlands Ltd in 1976 (later SCECGS Redlands Ltd), with former parents John Lang, John Roberts and Bruce Adams acting as the first trustees and board members. The Board, staff, students and parents worked together to ensure the success of Redlands’ move to coeducation in 1978. By 1980, every Year Group in the Secondary School from Years 7 to 11 had a dedicated Charity for which they raised funds, including the Guide Dogs and Greenpeace, while Year 12 raised money for the school facilities. The Mothers’ Canteen ran the Spring Fair in 1980 and 1981, raising money for A/V equipment for the library and science equipment.
Since the 1980s and the ‘modern’ era of Redlands, staff, parents and students have worked in service for the School, fundraising for charitable causes. Service is embedded in the School’s fabric and a glance at the annual prize list is a testimony to this, with prizes including the Wark Prize for Service, awarded to a student in every Year Group from Year 7 to 12 since 1983. The President’s Prize has been awarded to the ‘quiet’ achiever among the student body since 1987 and the Isobel A Humphery Prize for Leadership for the most outstanding Secondary School leader was first endowed in 1988 in honour of former Headmistress Mrs Humphery. She was awarded an OA for her work in service to war widows and dependents after she left Redlands, until her death in 1988. In the Junior School, there are citizenship prizes awarded in each Year Group. For many years there have been dedicated staff running the Service program, with Service Captains in the Secondary School and Environment Captains in both the Secondary and Junior Schools with many service programs and events. Every student has been expected to complete a certain number of hours of service that over the years have included Duke of Edinburgh Award, excursions to Cambodia and Arnhem Land among many other programs that change and evolve each year.
In the past three decades, fundraising, donations and volunteering has resulted in the gift of the land for High Country Campus by the RPFA in 1990, followed by the donation of buildings and working bees at High Country Campus to make it operational in time for its opening in 1996. Gifts continue to be given towards building works, school equipment and scholarships, fundraising through the Gala Ball, Melbourne Cup, Spring Fair, as well as the hours given by the volunteer parents who run the many Friends of Groups for every activity from Netball to Debating. The students too are encouraged to engage in social causes and lead meetings and assemblies, discussing opportunities to see Service as a vital part of school life.
High Country Campus Tours
Mrs Dana Casimaty
Director of Development
dcasimaty@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9858