From The Principal
Last Friday evening we held our 2nd Annual Redlander Alumni Awards where we recognised the achievements of ten Redlanders for their outstanding contributions in their various fields of endeavour since leaving school. It was also a special opportunity to bring our community together in celebration: Board and Executive; current staff and former staff; current parents and former parents; and most of all, graduates from across the years (1959 through to 2019).
Over the past few years it has been wonderful to see our alumni connections strengthening, with an increasing number of Redlanders returning to the School to lend their support in many different ways, whether it is coaching, tutoring, mentoring, speaking at assemblies or hosting students at their workplaces.
Like previous alumni events I have attended in recent years, what struck me most about the evening was how when asked what they valued most about their Redlands education, our alumni reflected on many of the same principles and themes that our students share today. This was best summed up in the speech from Redlander Max Glanville (Class of 2009 who excelled in sport, music and innovation both at school and in life after school), who reflected that what he valued most about his Redlands education was community, service and opportunity – three hallmarks we are still proud of today.
On Tuesday we held our Year 12 2024 Leadership Induction Assembly where we formally recognised the Class of 2024 as the new student leaders in the Secondary School. I always love our leadership assembly, as, after feeling a tinge of sadness at the end of Term 3 each year when we farewell a departing Year 12 class, I get excited seeing our new student leaders step into this space.
In the assembly I specifically spoke to all Year 12 students, not just those who hold formal leadership positions, as by the nature of moving into Year 12, they will all be seen as leaders in our school community, and the legacy the Class of 2024 leaves behind this year will not be determined by the impact of a few, but rather, by the collective influence of many.
Our two new School Captains, Jasmine and Isaac, Ms Van de Peer and I all focused on two aspects of leadership we feel are so important, not just here at Redlands but outside of school, as well: servant leadership and authentic leadership.
As I shared in the assembly, true leadership is a selfless act. It is about serving others; serving the wider community; making sacrifices for the greater good; and letting their light shine for the betterment of others. I also told all Year 12 students that they are respected and valued as a leader because of who they are, not what others think they are or should be, and this is something that makes Redlands special.
As I have popped into the leadership training sessions being run for our Year 12 students over the past two days, it has been wonderful to see this focus on service and authenticity shining through from our new student leaders already.
2024 Parent Midawarr Trip
A reminder that bookings are now open for the Redlands Parent and Carer Midawarr Arnhem Land Trip scheduled from Sunday 26 to Thursday 30 May 2024. Places on this exclusive trip can now be reserved by completing the booking form HERE. Further details about the trip can be found in the Community Section of Note Day.
Photo Captions:
Cover: We were delighted to celebrate the achievements of the 2023 Alumni Award Winners and Young Alumni Award Winners at the 2nd Annual Redlander Alumni Award ceremony.
Above: Our Year 12 2024 Leadership Induction Assembly formally recognised our 2024 Student Leaders including Portfolio Captains (pictured), House Captains and Captains of Activities.