Head of Early Childhood

Kindy Gymnastics

As a new curriculum initiative for 2018, we were pleased to introduce a Gymnastics lesson into the Kindergarten program. The integration of Gymnastics is widely known to improve body management and control, and aids in the development of gross motor and manipulative skills. Gymnastics promotes coordination, flexibility, agility, muscular strength, endurance and bone strength; all essential in the physical development of young children. Extended participation in Gymnastics classes also provides many additional cognitive and psychological benefits that will continue to benefit an individual throughout their life, such as social interaction and discipline, improved mental focus and concentration. All students are thoroughly enjoying their one hour per week sessions with a dedicated team of Gymnastics coaches.

Music Centre and Visual Arts Exhibition Opening Night

I had the pleasure of attending the dedication and official opening of the Music Centre and Visual Arts Exhibition on the Senior Campus on Wednesday evening. Mr Kevin Brown along with Dr and Mrs Edwards, all serving on the School Board and members of the parent school community for many years, were honoured with a plaque and a room dedication. The new building will be named after Mr John Roberts, founding Secretary and Treasurer of the School. Mr Roberts was one of three trustees instrumental in enabling the School to be a fully independent governance in 1976. Mr Roberts’ wife, Mrs Margaret Roberts, was an active contributor in the School, a past member of SCECGS herself and a life member of the Old Girls’ Union. She held a continuous parent association from 1958-1974 and our magnificent Preparatory Building was named to commemorate her life and work and also to symbolise recognition of the valuable contributions to the School of all mothers past, present and future. The evening gave reverence to the special place that Music holds in the history of Redlands. A very poignant moment was when Head of Music, Mr Darren Kuilenburg, conducted a piece of music composed by ex-student, Jack Frerer (Alumni 2013, now at The Julliard School) who explored the lyrical content of a poem that resonated with him through conversations with his former English teacher at Redlands. The piece was performed beautifully by the School’s Chamber Choir and Piano Quartet, tutored by Ms Anne-Marie Braid. Dr Lennox and Chair of the School’s Board, Mrs Glenda McLoughlin, made special mention of the many people who contributed to the building of the Music Centre and I add my appreciation for the generosity of our whole school community.

Following on from the Music Centre opening, the Arts Department, led by Mr Mark Harpley, shared some meaningful reflections about the Yr 12 art works along with a spectacular exhibition from Yrs 3-12. From a performance and arts perspective, the Prep students have so many wonderful things to look forward to as they journey through the School.

Ski Champions

Last week 60 Redlands teams participated in the NSW State Interschool Championship for multi-discipline snowsports events. 80 students from K-12 were courageous in the face of ever increasing strength of competition from more than 300 schools in NSW. We are very proud of the 48 individuals qualifying for the National event next week in Perisher. I particularly congratulate our youngest competitors: Pauline Korolev, Melanie Korolev, April Oatley, Aiden Schlederer, Ellie To and Jake Mears, who proudly represented Redlands. It is such a wonderful achievement for these students.

Flexischools and Healthy Canteen Menu

The Canteen moved to the Flexischools online ordering system a number of weeks ago and we are pleased with the effectiveness of the system and the positive feedback that has been received. As we begin to look at the second iteration of our Healthy Menu on the Junior Campus, we welcome all feedback in regards to the new online ordering and menu to afellowes@redlands.nsw.edu.au.

Kindy Construction

Kindergarten are undertaking woodwork this term, as part of the Kindergarten Science Unit Let’s Build, derived from the Australian Curriculum Early Stage One section What’s it Made of?. Woodwork provides the students with a hands-on, shared experience discovering the properties of materials. The woodwork unit also builds all-important learning dispositions, Responsible Risk Taking, Persistence and Creating, Imagining and Innovating. Thank you to the parents who are volunteering with this experience and donating materials, without whom valuable activities such as these wouldn’t be possible.

Father’s Day Morning

Tomorrow we are hosting a Father’s Day breakfast and activity morning beginning at 7.45am. A continental breakfast will be served in the Piazza with a short activity morning to follow in the Prep classrooms. 

Clubs

A reminder that the last Clubs for Term 3 will be held on Wednesday 12 September. Clubs will not be held in Week 9 and 10 due to Yr 2 Camp.

Yr 2 Curriculum Camp (Thursday 20 – Friday 21 September)

The detailed letter regarding the Yr 2 Curriculum Camp was emailed to families earlier this week. It has also been uploaded to Redlands Pulse, as have the additional medical forms that you may need for your child (eg. asthma, allergies, dietary needs etc.). These documents can all be accessed here. The Redlands Permission form was sent home with your child this week. Please finalise the Redlands Permission form, the online consent for Land’s Edge as well as any additional medical forms needed specifically for your child by Monday 3 September.  

Jump Rope for Heart

At the Preparatory assembly this week, students were very lucky to have a visit from Maia Healey, Yr 7 Redlands student. Maia has just returned from competing in the World Skipping Championships in China and demonstrated some fabulous techniques to the Preparatory students, along with giving them a few skipping tips. It was a wonderful occasion for Maia to show the students that skipping provides so many opportunities as well as health benefits and can even take you all over the world.

It has been delightful to see the students enthusiastically practising their skipping tricks at any given opportunity throughout the day, showing so much improvement over the course of the term. They have also been busy fundraising and have currently raised $33,003 for the Heart Foundation. Now we have reached over $30,000, the students are very excited to welcome Skipping Australia in towards the end of term for a short performance. Thank you for your fundraising efforts for this worthwhile cause and please continue to share your child’s Jump Rope for Heart page with friends and family. The students are very eager to see teachers skipping at assembly when we reach the $40,000 mark!

Spring Fair

The Redlands Spring Fair is less than three weeks now and I encourage all families to ensure that 15 September on the Junior Campus is in your diaries. The Spring Fair has always been one of the school’s largest and most joyful events, and 15 September is going to be a fantastic day of carnival fun and enjoyment overflowing with food, rides, games, markets and prizes for the whole Redlands community – staff, students, families and alumni.  

This year we have nine rides and many carnival games that are suitable for a range of ages, including adults. Bubble soccer is back due to popular demand – so grab your team of six and register now. Be ready to launch into Carnival Fun and beat the queues on the day of the Fair by pre-purchasing your wristbands and coupons. The Spring Fair is largely cashless and all stalls accept coupons.

This Saturday, donations for second hand clothing and toys will be accepted in the undercover Prep carpark on Allister Street. You will notice a car spot allocated for these donations. Thank you to the parents who are organising the collection, organisation and storage of these goods.

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