From the Principal

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New Learning Hub Building Project

Following my last update in the final Note Day of 2018, I am now in a position to provide some additional information about the series of events which led to the School’s severance of its contract with Ichor and to the tendering process to appoint a new head contractor.

Ichor were appointed through a competitive process the latter part of 2016. Early last year the School took possession of the first phase of the project, which was formally opened last August. The John Roberts Centre was welcomed by staff and students for the splendid new Music facilities which are housed in that Centre.

In late September last year, Ichor were forced into voluntary administration due to a legal dispute between its two partners. Upon legal advice to protect our rights, Redlands formally terminated the contract and retook possession of the site from Ichor, ensuring the construction site was secure and safe. In November Ichor went into liquidation.

It was only at that point that we could commence approaching other builders. The School ran a contractor review process that was coordinated by specialist external parties and, post the end of the school year, they recommended to the Board a builder who was formally engaged at the end of 2018.

The preferred builder is currently in a due diligence phase: reviewing all documentation, work undertaken, and obtaining prices for work moving forward. This process is due to be completed mid-end March when Redlands will look to formally engage the builder on a fixed price contract with an agreed program. Subject to all going smoothly, we are expecting that work on the New Learning Hub will recommence in earnest at the start of Term 2.

Redlands has undertaken this conservative approach to protect its rights and to formally close out the remaining contractual aspects of the previous contractor.

Once the new contract, contract price and program are formalised and agreed, the School will communicate specific information about the revised work program and other details which will then be finalised. I anticipate this communication will be at the beginning of April. In the meantime, much preparatory work has been underway in the background since mid-January.

From the Deputy Principal

Dr Judith Locke

This week, Dr Judith Locke presented to Redlands Secondary School and Primary School parents, focusing on building resilience and independence in children. This connects into our whole-school focus on Wellbeing, and the development of Social and Emotional Learning Skills across all year levels. Dr Locke also spoke with our teaching staff on Monday afternoon, and will return to work more closely with them at the beginning of Term 2. It was so heartening to hear Dr Locke affirm the message, consistently upheld at Redlands, that the development of the 5 Essential Skills of Resilience, Self Regulation, Resourcefulness, Respect and Responsibility is far more important than school results – for it is these things which truly prepare our young people with life-readiness.

There was a high level of parental interest and attendance at these sessions and we are very keen for feedback about this event to help us inform our planning for future events. We would appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to answer some simple questions by clicking here (even if you were unable to attend).

We offer these types of information sessions, with presenters from Redlands and guest speakers, to support parents, share resources, and to strengthen further the essential partnership between home and school.

The next such session will be held on Tuesday 5 March 2019, with the topic of Positive Behaviour Support for Learning, presented by our Junior Campus Dean of Students, Mrs Kourakis, and Dean of Teaching and Learning (P-6), Mr Coutts.

RPFA Twilight in the Piazza…well, Hall

What a lovely evening we enjoyed last Friday, with this annual event to connect parents across the School, particularly welcoming new families to Redlands. Whilst the weather did not permit the event to proceed in the Piazza as planned, the rain did not dampen the spirits and it was a credit to the organising parents of the RPFA that the wet weather plan was able to be enacted so effectively. Sincere thanks to the parents, volunteers and staff who contributed to this successful event.

Ms Sarah McGarry

Photo caption: Year 10 students performing titrations (neutralisation chemical reactions) for the first time ever and managing to achieve very accurate results!