From the Principal
After weeks of being on campus preparing for the school year ahead, it was wonderful to welcome back the students this week and feel the positive energy they bring to our campuses. Even though I have had many years of teaching and working in schools, I still get that giddy, nervous excitement on the first day of school and am sure many of the staff and students felt the same.
This year is a special one in the history of our School as we will be celebrating our 140th anniversary. I look forward to the many events this year in celebration of this milestone, starting with the Twilight in the Garden parent welcome on Friday 16 February.
On Tuesday I loved getting around to all three sections of the School and having the opportunity to speak to students at five different opening assemblies: Prep; Junior; Years 7 and 8; Years 9 and 10; and Years 11 and 12.
At the Prep School Assembly, I reminded the students of my message from the end of last year that not only is it OK to make mistakes, but it is also important to embrace these as we often learn the most from our failures.
At the Junior School Assembly, I was impressed that some of the students remembered my three words I asked them to think about over the holidays in preparation for the school year ahead: Wonder, Curiosity and Teamwork. I also had the opportunity to formally welcome our new Acting Head of Junior School, Mr Ian Holden, at the assembly.
For the Secondary School assemblies, I focused on the theme of trust and how a focus of mine this year is further fostering a culture of trust across Redlands as it is the glue that successfully binds a school together. I believe we have an incredibly trusting and supportive community, but as I often say, it is “too good not to be better”.
Trust is also embedded in our Redlands values of:
- Honesty – being open and truthful with each other;
- Responsibility – being accountable for our actions;
- Compassion – showing care and empathy for one another;
- Fairness – treating others justly and impartially;
- Moral Courage – being able to stand up for what we know is right, even if it is hard; and
- Respect – both in ourselves and others.
Therefore, I am proud to be a part of a trusting community that does not stereotype or discriminate others based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity or sexuality, but instead celebrates everyone’s individual differences.
I am proud to be part of a trusting community that encourages students step beyond their comfort zones without fear of failure or ridicule.
And I am proud to be a part of a trusting community that is full of gratitude not spite; selflessness not selfishness; and hope not cynicism.
I am truly excited about the year ahead and look forward to seeing many of you at various events in the weeks and months ahead.
Student Achievement
We were thrilled to hear the news last weekend that Daisy Thomas (Yr 12) won the silver medal in the Big Air Freestyle Skiing event, representing Australia at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea. This podium finish, which was Australia’s first ever medal in Big Air Freestyle Skiing, follows her 5th place in the Ski Slopestyle final the previous week. Congratulations Daisy on such exceptional achievements.
Mr Sean Corcoran
Photo Caption: Welcome back to all students for the start of 2024 – a new year and a new uniform.