From The Principal
A key focus this term has been on the wellbeing of students and ensuring that we provide opportunities for connection and a variety of engaging and interactive learning experiences. The leadership training organisation Burn Bright has been running a range of workshops for various Year Groups, which have enabled age appropriate development for students and the chance to connect in a different forum. On Tuesday this week, Year 9 students participated in a Design Thinking Day run by Young Change Agents, which supported them to explore innovative solutions to a range of societal challenges, such as our impact on the environment and alternative energy sources. Tables that produce light through utilising phosphorescent algae was one of the more creative solutions for reducing the School’s energy consumption!
Year 7 and 8 students have been involved in STEAM projects over the last two weeks and I was honoured to welcome Dr Charlie Veron as a guest speaker for the Year 8 program, focused on the Great Barrier Reef. Dr Veron is known as the Godfather of Coral, through his work in identifying new coral species and was the subject of a recent Australian Story episode. His life story is inspirational, from someone who really struggled at school, then gained a scholarship at university through an aptitude assessment. His passion for the natural environment is infectious.
One of the most impressive aspects about Redlands is the genuine engagement of staff in their professional learning and desire to improve practice. In a new initiative this year, Head of Teaching and Learning, Matt Bentley, led the formation of collaborative Professional Learning Teams, in which staff selected a key research question to investigate, focused on improving student outcomes. The program was run in partnership with support from UTS researchers regarding methodology and data analysis. Given the extra demands on staff this year, it was inspiring to attend the session on Monday, when group findings and outcomes were presented to colleagues. Groups were enthusiastic about their projects, had obviously enjoyed the collaboration and could clearly articulate how they could apply what they had learned to assist student learning and outcomes. We are looking forward to continuing this program into 2022.
Junior School Speech Day and Secondary School Speech Night
As communicated by letter yesterday, due to the Public Health Order requirements for external venues, we have had to move the Junior School Speech Day and Secondary School Speech Night events on campus in Dunnet Hall.
Here are the details for the events:
Junior School Speech Day
10:00am Wednesday 1 December
Dunnet Hall, Redlands Junior Campus
Secondary School Speech Day
2:00pm Wednesday 1 December
Dunnet Hall, Redlands Junior Campus
Due to the current venue capacity restrictions, only those Junior School students receiving a Prize and Secondary School students receiving a Prize or Scholastic Button, as well as some student musicians and speakers, will be in attendance in Dunnet Hall. All other students are expected to attend School and engage with the live-streamed event in their classroom (Junior) or Tutor classroom (Secondary). We anticipate each event to run for approximately 1.5 hours.
With the scheduled changes to restrictions governing schools from 1 December, we are pleased to be able to welcome one (fully-vaccinated) parent or carer of each student receiving a prize or scholastic button to these events. For all other parents and carers, the live-stream links will be communicated shortly.
The parents and carers of Junior School Prize recipients will be informed of this tomorrow, while the lists of Secondary School Prize and Scholastic Button recipients will be posted on iLearn for students and on Redlands Pulse for parents and carers on Monday 29 November. More specific information on each of these events will be communicated by Section Heads shortly, including a link to the Prize Giving Programs for parents and carers to access remotely.
While we are disappointed that we are unable to bring our whole community together in person to celebrate the end of the school year, we look forward to sharing these special celebrations with students, parents, carers and staff in this revised format.
Mr Stephen Webber
Photo caption: It was a day of entrepreneurial and innovative thinking with the Year 9 Design Challenge Day. Students worked collaboratively in developing some very innovative projects to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals.