From the Principal

What a wonderful community celebration last weekend with the Redlands Spring Fair! I was delighted to join around 3000 students, parents, staff and neighbours to enjoy the carnival fun and entertainment on a beautiful spring day. I sincerely thank all of the parent, staff and alumni volunteers for their exceptional contribution and efforts in making the Fair such a successful and enjoyable day for the whole community, and pay special tribute to Trudy Waterfield and Jean Martin, the Fair’s co-convenors, and their organising team members, who have worked tirelessly over the past months on this event. I thank our Spring Fair major sponsors Croll Real Estate, Ski Japan and GM Photographics and stall sponsors Chemist Warehouse Neutral Bay, Orangetheory Fitness Mosman and Nespresso for their very much appreciated support. I also acknowledge our internal teams for their work before, during and after the Fair: Foundation, Alumni, Facilities, Canteen, AV, Archives, Marketing and Finance; and the following teams for organising the splendid entertainment: Dance, Music, Drama and Innovative Design. Finally, I recognise the exceptional efforts of Director of Development Dana Casimaty, Deputy Principal Sarah McGarry, Head of Junior School Ari Guha and Head of Early Childhood Audrey Fellowes, who worked in conjunction with the Spring Fair organising team to ensure the success of the day. Due to everyone’s hard work and support, over $60,000 was raised from the Spring Fair and will be put towards outdoor equipment on both the Junior and Senior Campuses.

Last night our 2018 Captains attended the September Board meeting and reflected upon the year, the achievements of all those who have led in many roles and areas during the past year, and expressed their thoughts on what they consider is very special about Redlands. The thoughtful and articulate manner in which they spoke and their honest and respectful answers to questions from Directors greatly impressed us all. They spoke from the heart about the preparation for adult life which Redlands offers through a coeducational environment, the interconnected culture which spreads across the Year Groups, a well-balanced curriculum with many options, both academic and cocurricular, through which they could explore and discover their passions and talents, and the pastoral care which offered them a variety of staff members to whom they could turn for support and help.

With next week being the final week of Term 3, there will be much happening as we celebrate the final days of school for our graduating Year 12 students. Their last day of school will be on Wednesday and will conclude with their Prize Giving and Valedictory Dinner. Our new School Leaders for 2019 will be announced at the final assembly on Friday week.

This will be my final Note Day for the term, as I shall be visiting High Country Campus on Thursday and Friday to attend the Official Opening of Building 4, which has been restored to operational use as a recreation space for students, and following that the annual end of Winter School dinner. The building has been in use this winter season and has provided a fine addition to the facilities there, thanks to the very generous support of Mark and Tracey van Weelde who are great supporters of Redlands and of the HCC program. The building will be named for them in recognition of their support.

I wish all families a restful break over the school holiday period and look forward to welcoming students back to school at the start of next term.

Dr Peter Lennox

Calling all Redlanders

Our inaugural international reunion will be held in London on Saturday 6 October. If you know of any Redlanders residing in or visiting the northern hemisphere, please spread the word. We look forward to seeing as many Redlanders as possible on the evening. Please click the invitation below to book. 

Photo caption: A great day of carnival fun for the whole community at the Redlands Spring Fair last Saturday