From the Principal
On Monday afternoon I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to attend the Year 12 Music Showcase performance, which highlighted the exceptional talents of our HSC and IB musicians. Whilst I always enjoy attending performing arts events, I must admit to having had an extra spring in my step, as like the rest of our community, I have missed these events during our extraordinary year. The individual performances were outstanding, and I thank all staff involved in making a live stream possible for family members and friends to view at home, given the audience restrictions.
We are very conscious of the need to support all of our students during this challenging period, and in particular, have been focused on doing all we can to lift the spirits of our Year 12 students in their final year. I thank our Year 12 Year Advisor Mr Atkins and our counsellors Ms Luitingh and Ms Fullarton for organising a Wellbeing Workshop held online this week for our students. I appreciated the chance to address the students regarding ways that they can enhance their wellbeing and support each other as they lead into their final examination period and remaining days at the School.
Mr Corcoran and his team have been working collaboratively with our Year 12 leaders to plan a range of alternative events to celebrate and acknowledge the students’ contribution to the School. There are numerous fun-filled events planned for the final few weeks of this term, as well as alternative arrangements being made for Valedictory and other celebrations immediately following their examination period. Throughout this time, I have greatly admired the resilience and character of our students and the trust that they place in our staff, knowing how much they care for them.
I again encourage all parents and carers to please complete the strategic planning survey that you would have received via email. The feedback that we will gain from our school community is essential as we progress through the development of next strategic plan and collectively look ahead to our future. In due course, I look forward to providing updates on how the feedback has helped shape the key elements of our next strategic plan and our collective aspiration for Redlands.
Like all organisations we have had to think flexibly at this time, and I thank the Marketing and Enrolments team for their creative development of an online virtual tour, which incorporated staff leading video tours of the Senior and Junior Campuses as well as real-time Q and A sessions. You may be interested to see the final product or wish to direct people interested in the School to view the tour on our website.
I am delighted to announce that the Peter Lennox Scholarship has been awarded to Phoebe Meers, who will commence at Redlands in Year 7 2021. Phoebe is a School Captain in her primary school and is a very strong all-round achiever in her academic studies and in Sport, Ballet and Dance and Service. Phoebe and her family are thrilled to have this opportunity to join our learning community next year.
I sincerely thank all parents, Alumni and the Class of 2019 whose very generous donations made this means-tested scholarship and opportunity for Phoebe possible. We look forward to being able to provide the opportunity of a Redlands education to another exceptionally talented student by awarding another means-tested scholarship for Year 7 2022.
I recently enjoyed the opportunity to join one of our Year 7 Science classes for the launching of water rockets as part of their Space unit of work. It is quite remarkable the force that air pressure can exert and the students were certainly impressed with the results.
Finally, I wish once again to acknowledge the wonderful support provided by the RPFA, the PCGs and FoGs in a situation that has been most challenging, given the ever-changing plans related to events. All involved have remained focused on what is possible and have continually reflected on how best we can support each other at this time. The RPFA is continuing to explore creative options for the community to connect and for this I am most thankful.
Mr Stephen Webber
Photo caption: The Junior Division winners of the Paper Plane competition which was part of National Science Week.