From the Principal
A warm welcome to the 2025 school year after what I hope was a restful and joyous holiday season for you and your families. I would like to extend a special welcome to all the new families who are joining the Redlands community this year. It was great seeing many of you at the new student orientations on Tuesday, and I am sure you will be embraced by our warm and supportive Redlands community as many other families have been before you.
Personally, I spent part of the recent holidays attending the Round Square Heads Symposium in London connecting with over 160 leaders from Round Square schools around the world. It was a stimulating week, and I look forward to sharing further reflections about our Redlands involvement with Round Square in an upcoming Note Day article.
Before travelling to London, my wife and I spent a week visiting my family in Ireland. This time spent with my father’s side of the family in Ireland – cousins, uncles and aunts – reminded me of the importance of community and, in particular, our Redlands community. A strong community is built on connection, trust and support and I do not take for granted the strength of our Redlands community.
Two weeks ago the new Executive team gathered to prepare for the year ahead and to sharpen our key strategic objectives and actions which we will share throughout the year. I would like to warmly welcome Mr Glenn Ollerton, our new CFO, and Mr Michael Quach, our new Head of Junior School, who have already made a significant positive impact in their short time at Redlands as part of our Executive team.
Last week the teaching and professional and operational staff returned to school for their professional learning week. It was a great week of planning and preparation, but also learning and sharing. Some highlights included a day of looking into how we can best utilise AI at Redlands led by Leon Furze; leadership development for our senior and middle leaders led by Tracey Ezzard; and a session for all staff to feed into the development of our new strategic plan. Staff, students and parents will continue to have opportunities to provide input into our next strategic plan this year so that it is a truly co-created vision that sets up Redlands for a successful future.
It has been wonderful to have the students returning to school this week bringing their positive energy to the campuses. At the Secondary School opening assemblies, I reminded students of the three messages I shared with them at our Speech Night at the end of last year:
- to show kindness, civility and grace, even when others around you do not;
- to live “with heart” (the Class of 2025 motto) illustrating empathy, passion and authenticity in all that they do at school; and
- to be hopeful and to try frame things positively, even when they might look bleak.
Building on these messages, I have also shared some further focus areas to ensure we have a successful year. Some of these include:
- an emphasis on our Redlands value of respect to ensure that all of us – students, staff and parents – live our school value of respect in all that we do and in all of our interactions with each other;
- an aim to improve communication to ensure that we as a school are clearly communicating our initiatives to eliminate rumour, misinformation or “alternative truths” in the community; and
- a continued focus on nurturing and deepening our culture of innovation at Redlands so that students are best prepared for the rapidly changing world they are moving into.
I look forward to seeing parents and carers at upcoming events, including our Twilight in the Garden on Friday 21 February, and sharing an exciting year ahead with you at Redlands in 2025.
Mr Sean Corcoran
Photo Caption: Our Round Square Club in action, exploring areas of leadership, service, adventure and inclusivity.