Head of Early Childhood

Reports

Written reports are provided by the School twice a year, at the end of each semester. This report is confidential between the school, parents and student. Reports for each student are being finalised and these will be uploaded to the parent portal (Redlands Pulse/Student Details) when they are ready for accessing, which we estimate will be at the beginning of the first week of the holiday break. Parent teacher interviews will be offered again in Week 2 of Term 3 allowing for further discussion of learning growth.  The following information is designed to be of assistance in reading and interpreting this report.

In evaluating and assessing student learning, individual progress has been measured against specific learning expectations (skills or indicators) as outlined in the New South Wales Board of Studies syllabus documents. For each subject studied, your child has been given an academic descriptor which assesses them on the work that they have covered at the time the report is written.

As you read through the report this semester, it is important to celebrate and acknowledge areas of strength as well as discuss some areas for improvement with your child. Recognising academic achievement is significant, but even more essential is their approach to learning and citizenship. Research tells us that acknowledging the effort a student applies to their learning assists with motivation and self-confidence. A positive conversation filled with praise will always reap more reward and set the tone for a successful beginning to Semester 2.

Jump Rope for Heart

The Junior School, Preparatory and Redlands House have joined hundreds of schools across the country in the Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart, the largest and most recognised fundraising and physical activity program for young people in Australia. With 25% of Australian students considered unhealthy, it’s more important than ever for students to get involved in physical activity. After our incredible efforts of raising $66,000 in 2016, this year we have set ourselves a target fundraising goal of $70,000! 

Fundraising for Jump Rope for Heart works through an online platform, where you can create a secure fundraising page for your child. Please register your child under the correct section of the school. We are all fundraising towards the same target, however, we are having a bit of friendly competition amongst the sections and are following our target as it rapidly grows towards our overall fundraising goal. 

A note with extra information has been placed on Redlands Pulse for parents. Please see the below links to create a fundraising page for your child:  Preparatory School Redlands House

Thank you for supporting your children and the Heart Foundation in this year’s Jump Rope for Heart.

Clubs

All Wednesday Clubs for Term 2 finished on Wednesday 20 June. There are no Clubs on during the last week of term. Clubs will resume in the second week of Term 3 on Wednesday 1 August.

Lost Property

There are many jumpers, hats, drink bottles and lunch boxes that have no name in the lost property box. As we come to the end of Semester 1, any unnamed lost property will be disposed of, to begin a new semester with an empty box.

Library Books and Borrowing

All Lucy Hill Library books are due back on Thursday 21 June. There will be no children’s borrowing after this time, however, parents are welcome to borrow for the holiday period especially if you are still intending to complete the Premier’s Reading Challenge. A gentle reminder to complete your forms online for the beginning of Term 3.

Spring Fair Seedlings

You might have heard from your child that each class has been tasked with raising seedlings to sell at the Spring Fair later this year. A variety of plants will be grown, edible and ornamental, all with different germination periods. The children have started, and will continue in Term 3, to carefully sow seeds and tend to their seedlings, eagerly watching the first little shoots grow. The growing of seedlings has extended the practical learning of the Inquiry Units taught in Prep School this Semester.

Yr 2 Strings Performance

We are delighted to invite Yr 2 parents to Dunnet Hall on Monday 25 June for the Yr 2 Strings performance. This event will provide an opportunity for the students to showcase their learning this term. The performance will commence at 2.25pm and will run for approximately 15 minutes.  All parents of Yr 2 students are invited to celebrate in their child’s achievement in Strings thus far.

Yr 2 Sleeping Bag Day

As part of our preparations for Yr 2 Camp, we will be having a Sleeping Bag Day on Friday 29 June. On this day, all students will need to bring a sleeping bag to school. When we have our quiet reading time, we will unroll our sleeping bags, remove our shoes and climb in to curl up with a book! As well as being a lot of fun, this will give the children the opportunity to practice unrolling and packing up their sleeping bag in preparation for Camp. If you do not have a sleeping bag, please consider borrowing one for the day. Alternatively, your child can roll up a blanket and pack it in a pillow case. No pillows are permitted or needed. 

Prep Parent/Teacher Meetings

Parent/Teacher Meetings will be held for Redlands Prep School between Thursday 26 July and Tuesday 31 July (the first and second week in Term 3). Bookings will open at 9.00am on Monday 25 June. To book a time please go to www.schoolinterviews.com.au and follow these instructions:

• Enter school event code: cqv9g
• Choose teachers
• Choose times

When you click finish, your interview timetable will be emailed to you automatically – check your junk mail folder if you do not receive your email. You can return to www.schoolinterviews.com.au at any time and change your interviews until bookings close.

For parents who don’t have access to the internet at home, at work, at a friend’s house or on their phones, please send a note to school with the approximate times you require or phone the school on 9968 9848. Interviews are strictly 20 minutes and spaces are limited. If you require more time, please contact your teacher directly to make alternative arrangements. Parents can change their meetings, any time prior to the closing date, by re-visiting the www.schoolinterviews.com.au website, and using the event code. Remember to use the same name and email address you used when you made your original booking. Parents wishing to change their meeting times after the closing date should contact their child’s teacher.

Term 3/4 Departure Notice

As we are approaching the mid-point of the year, this is a reminder that those families who are planning on leaving the School during or at the end of Term 3 or Term 4 are required to give notice to the Principal via an email to registrar@redlands.nsw.edu.au by the following dates:

• Term 3 Departures: Friday 22 June
• Term 4 Departures: Friday 27 July

As per our Conditions of Enrolment emailed to all families in December last year with the 2018 Schedule of Fees, there will be fees in lieu payable for any notices of departure received after the relevant date. 

Mrs Audrey Fellowes
Head of Early Childhood
afellowes@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848