From the Principal
I have been conscious that in my first year as Principal at Redlands, with our COVID-19 restrictions in place, I have missed out on some of the normal opportunities to connect with parents and carers at school events. To provide the opportunity for the broader School community to get a stronger sense of who I am and what is important to me, our Year 6 Junior School Leaders recently interviewed me. The questions they selected were thoughtful and insightful and I thoroughly enjoyed our discussion. Please click here to view the video.
As part of the process in appointing a new Deputy Principal, I took the opportunity to review the key responsibilities of the role. Through this process and my discussions with staff and parents, it became apparent that the School would benefit from having an additional Executive role, that provided strategic leadership for the community engagement functions of the School; Marketing and Communications, Development, Enrolment, Alumni, Events and Archives. We are now moving to advertise this new role of Head of Community Engagement this weekend, with the position planned to commence at the start of 2021. The position will provide direct support to the RPFA and will work closely with the President and RPFA Committee.
My sincere thanks to the RPFA team for their organisation of the recent Family Fun Trivia event, which created a wonderful connection for our families across all sections of the School and a great sense of fun and enjoyment. The RPFA also created a new online process to offer secondhand uniforms to over 100 Redlands families this term. The online sales have already generated over $5,000 for the means-tested Scholarship Fund. The team have worked creatively to enhance connection with our Redlands community during this challenging year.
We have enjoyed celebrating the last week of school for our Year 12 2020 cohort, through a range of fun events. I have been proud to see our students embrace the opportunity to enjoy themselves appropriately, whilst stopping to give thanks to the staff who have worked closely with them. On Tuesday they enjoyed a fun activity day at the Macquarie University playing fields, dressing up in creative costumes, competing on the giant inflatable obstacle course and slide, along with other games. The group shared lunch together on Wednesday and then enjoyed watching their Year 12 revue, followed by a moving assembly during which video messages of best wishes and support were shared. Not only were these from the staff and students, with guests even including the former Prime Minister Paul Keating! It was wonderful to have Emma Reid share a message on behalf of the Year 12 parents, with links provided for students to view the large number of messages from parents following the assembly. It was special to have several prominent alumni also wishing the students well. We now look forward to supporting our Year 12 students through their study period and examinations and celebrating with them in style at the Formal, Final Assembly and Valedictory evening after their examinations.
COVID-19 Update
Around lunchtime today, schools began receiving updated information about the relaxation of some restrictions going into Term 4. We are very heartened to hear this and as we have been doing all year, we will consider the implications of these in terms of our school community. We will be writing to all parents and carers before the end of the school holidays to advise the specific COVID-19 measures that will be in place for Term 4.
I wish all families a restful break over the school holiday period and look forward to welcoming all students back to school on Monday 12 October.
Mr Stephen Webber
Photo caption: Fun and enjoyment during the last week of school for Year 12 2020.