From the Principal
There is no doubt that this term has been action packed, with a number of events rescheduled to the latter part of the year. As we look ahead to the many end of year celebrations next week, it has been wonderful to see students enjoying a variety of activities on campus.
My thanks to all staff involved in the STEAM Year 7 and 8 project days held earlier this week, during which Year 7 students investigated the topic ‘Powering A City Through Sustainable Energy’ and the Year 8 students tackled the theme ‘What Can We Do To Protect Our Coral Reefs?’ It was fantastic to note the involvement and leadership of the Year 11 students in the STEAM days and the collaboration of staff members across a range of academic disciplines involved.
We enjoyed welcoming Year 7 2021 students to the Senior Campus this week and it was great to hear the buzz of energy and anticipation as they embark on a new and exciting stage in their education. Year 10 students were involved in the day as Peer Support leaders and we look forward to the ongoing support that they will provide to the younger students next year. Staff were very positive about the feeling amongst the group, with strong messages on the day reinforcing School Values and the importance of inclusivity and valuing diversity.
There has been vociferous support and many laughs on campus as Year 10 students have run their Dodgeball competition as a fundraiser for Headspace, in support of promoting the importance of mental health and wellbeing. It has been clear that a few staff teams need to work on their technique and strategy!
My thanks to the RPFA Executive group for organising a thoughtful farewell afternoon tea for Deputy Principal, Sarah McGarry. Unfortunately, due to current circumstances, we had to keep the group small and gather off-campus; however, I know that Sarah greatly appreciated the RPFA farewell gesture and gift. We will farewell Sarah in style at our end of year events next week.
The official opening of the New Learning Hub tomorrow afternoon will provide a wonderful celebration of this most significant project and its positive impact on the learning environment of the Senior Campus. My thanks to all who have contributed to bringing this project to reality.
As we look ahead to Christmas and time with families and friends, I give thanks for our community’s support of Anglicare’s Toys ‘n’ Tucker program and the sale of Christmas cards designed by Preschool, Preparatory and Junior School students. Whilst in a very different format, it is also pleasing that we have been able to run year level Carols services on Thursday and Friday.
I look forward to celebrating what has been an extraordinary year at a number of year-end events next week and thank all members of the school community for your incredible support and encouragement during my first year as Principal at Redlands. It has been a memorable one!
Mr Stephen Webber
Photo caption: A beautiful scene from the Redlands Ballet & Dance Academy’s end of year production Dance on Film.