From the Principal
This week all of our Yr 8 students were involved in a STEAM challenge in which they had to address the challenge of improving the current environmental impact on the world’s oceans. The four team finalists from each House presented to the judging panel and the Year Group. The topics included addressing the large number of bioplastics in the oceans, filtering waste from stormwater with a unique system, saving turtles from being caught in nets using speakers and utilising technology to support the growth of coral nurseries, which was the overall 1st placed presentation from Roseby White. My thanks to Secondary School eLearning Coordinator, Wendy Duckworth, our STEAM team and Yr 8 Tutors for their work in encouraging the students to think creatively and laterally when addressing key issues.
Other highlights included the Yr 8 and Yr 10 Science Symposiums, where students presented their Science Research projects to their peers and staff judging panels. It was most enjoyable to have the opportunity to speak to various groups of students regarding their scientific method, the challenges they encountered and the evaluation of their research.
The Redlands Ballet and Dance Academy celebrated the achievements of our students through three exceptional performances at The Concourse last week, from our youngest Preparatory School performers through to the Seniors. I attended on Friday evening and was ‘blown away’ by the quality of the dancing from our students. The applause and comments from the audience reinforced how exceptional the level was and some disbelief that this could be achieved by a school-based program. It was worth waiting three years for and will always remain a highlight of my time at Redlands.
My sincere thanks to Gilly Revie (Director and Head of the Ballet and Dance Academy) for her leadership, creative vision and passion for the program and also a special acknowledgement to our Secondary School Dance teachers Katharine Boase (Subject Coordinator of Dance) and Ashleigh Moore for their creativity, dedication and commitment to our senior students, which was so evident in the quality of their curriculum-based performances.
The Yr 2 Disco also occurred last Friday and the footage sent through from Ainslie Breckenridge demonstrated how much fun the students had on the night. Evidently the parents also demonstrated some talented moves when they enjoyed dancing with the students at the pick-up.
Thank you to the many students and families who have generously donated gifts for those in need this Christmas – for Anglicare Toys ‘n’ Tucker on the Junior Campus and the Northern Rivers Children’s Services, supporting those families affected by the recent flooding in Lismore, on the Senior Campus. If families would still like to be involved, you can still make donations by Monday 28 November on the Senior Campus and Tuesday 6 December on the Junior Campus. You can read more details about these very worthy causes in the Secondary, Junior and Preparatory Sections of Note Day.
Mr Stephen Webber
Photo caption: Our Redlands Ballet and Dance Academy dancers in action during one of the three exceptional performances at The Concourse last week.