From The Principal
“What we learn with Joy is never forgotten”
I shared this quote during the opening of the Harvard Project Zero Australia Network virtual conference last week, which was hosted by Redlands, with Matthew Bentley, Head of Teaching and Learning, playing a key organising role.
In 2019, the School provided me with the opportunity to attend the week-long Project Zero conference at Harvard, along with the then Deputy Principal, Sarah McGarry. It was a most memorable experience which provided the opportunity to connect with a diverse range of outstanding educators from around the globe. It also enabled a structure and process to reflect creatively on the key aspects of education in schools that would enable students to thrive in our complex global society.
For the opening address last week, it was enjoyable to go back to my notes from 2019 and to highlight the key themes explored that would enable students to thrive and school culture to be enhanced. Student agency, student wellbeing, inclusion, embracing diversity, civic responsibility and service, culture of thinking, teaching for understanding and solving complex problems were some of the key essential focus areas.
The quote above framed the challenge linked to all of these aspects and the importance of making learning relevant and a powerful experience for students. The Australian conference this year was inspiring and it was wonderful to share with staff from around Australia, and across the globe, about the strategies they were utilising to ensure learning was infused with ‘Joy’.
As we look ahead to this term and the return to On-Campus Learning, we do so with anticipation for once again being together onsite. This morning the new Premier announced changes to the road map for the return to On-Campus learning. We look forward to welcoming back all students in Years 2-11 on Monday 25 October and Heads of Section will advise further details next week. (As previously advised, students in Redlands House, Transition Gold, Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12 will return to On-Campus Learning on Monday 18 October).
School-Wide Parent/Carer Survey
The input and feedback from our community are important to the success of our continuous school improvement process as we aspire to enhance the learning experience for everyone at Redlands. All parents and carers were sent a letter on Tuesday confirming that Redlands will be once again using the Perspectives: Your school in focus suite of surveys developed by AISNSW to support our school improvement endeavours as the School successfully conducted this survey with all stakeholders in 2019. The information gathered will assist in furthering the growth and development of our school community, and the survey results will be used to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. These surveys have been specifically designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of stakeholders’ perceptions of five important areas: School Environment, Teaching and Learning, Student Wellbeing, Leadership and Community. All parents, carers, staff and Year 5-11 students will be invited to participate.
The parent/carer survey will be available from 25 October to 7 November and is conducted online, taking approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. A reminder that, as outlined in this week’s letter, if you wish your child to opt-out, the deadline for opting-out is 12pm tomorrow Friday 8 October.
Mr Stephen Webber
Photo Caption: Extra-curricular Music students in action filming their AMEB Examination Repertoire for video upload.