Head of Early Childhood

Head of Early Childhood

Junior Campus Oval

After weeks of anticipation and watching the construction and re-design of the Junior Campus Oval, students were excited to be a part of the opening with a cutting of the ribbon. This new surface together with a larger, open area for the students to play will be a wonderful addition to the Campus playground spaces. Before the rain came, Prep students participated in an AFL incursion and enjoyed playing on this new surface. I extend my appreciation and thanks to Dr Lennox, Sarah McGarry, Brad Weatherstone, Robyn Rolfe, Keith Cookson and Lachlan West for their support of this project and through them, the Redlands School Board of Directors. I also thank Ari Guha, Adrian Carter and Tom Kindred for their involvement in the planning stages.

Bugs and Reptiles

Last week Kindergarten and Yr 1 were up close and personal with some interesting reptiles and insects. Together they shared in the importance of conservation and sustainability, and gained an understanding of the Earth’s diverse ecosystem. Students were given the opportunity to interact with reptiles and insects and learn about the vast array of unique animals that call Australia home.

“On Wednesday, we went to a bug incursion. We saw lots of bugs. We saw lots of spiders and a praying mantis’ also a stick insect and a wolf spider. When I was sitting down an insect flew on to my dress. The huntsman spider was camouflaged on a log inside a container. We also saw caterpillars.” Milly Wu Yr 1

“I held a praying mantis. It kept on jumping off me. I even saw a scorpion, but it was only small. There was a spiny leaf insect which was very soft. Just before we left we talked about caterpillars that either change into moths or butterflies.” Sahana Saraf Yr 1

Inspirational Teachers

As teachers of very young children, we often wonder about the impact we have on the students we teach and in what direction their lives have taken them. Ms Cooper was delighted with a surprise visit from a student who was in Two Purple in 1998. After graduating from Redlands, Rupert Perry completed a double degree in Philosophy and Astronomy. He now works in design and technology recently building an experiment called Semi-Conductor for Google Creative Lab. Rupert kindly sent this article in to share his thoughts about the important role his teacher played in his life.

“I’ve always had a pretty poor memory (that’s one thing that even Redlands couldn’t fix), but as soon as I saw Ms Cooper it was as if no time had passed at all, and I was taken back to my childhood. She taught me in Junior School, and was an inspiration for me learning about science, and viewing the world as something that could be played and experimented with. It kind of stuck — I since followed that up with a degree in philosophy and astronomy, and now work in design & technology, programming and building experimental prototypes for a creative lab. It was so lovely to visit again and catch up on old times, and shows that a great teacher in childhood is something that reverberates warmly through your life as a so-called adult. Thanks Ms Cooper!”

 

Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Redlands will again be supporting the Children’s Hospital at Westmead through their Bandaged Bear appeal. On Friday 22 March, the Junior Campus will hold a Teddy Bears’ Picnic (Preschool included) with buddy classes enjoying lunch together as part of the day’s events and they are encouraged to make a gold coin donation. The Prep School are asked to bring in a teddy, while the older Junior School students will have the opportunity to purchase merchandise. This is a particularly special fundraiser for many in our community and I know that our collective donation will have a significant impact on the lives of many families.

International Day Celebrations

On Wednesday 10 April, Prep will be celebrating International Day. Students may wear any costume or clothing of their choice that reflects another country or culture. A reminder that closed-in shoes and sun-safe clothes are required. The Prep School will be participating in an international dance and cultural incursion, where each Year Group will choose a country to focus on and learn a particular dance.

Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC)

As mentioned in previous correspondence, the Lucy Hill Library staff have placed information on Redlands Pulse about the 2019 Premier’s Reading Challenge. The NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge has begun for 2019 and Mrs Roberts and Mrs Bertinshaw have placed log in details in the back of all Student Planners. Parents are encouraged to go to the online link to start entering books and students have until the last day of August to have all their books entered. Students are encouraged to experience 30 books, either by reading themselves, shared reading of the book or having the book read to them.

The Library staff and all teachers look forward to promoting and supporting students with this reading challenge for 2019.

Easter Hat Parade and Classroom Walk Throughs

On Friday 12 April at 11.30am, Prep classrooms will be open for viewing for parents and caregivers to see some of the wonderful learning that has been taking place already this year. Your children can show you their journals, discuss the displays on classroom walls and guide you through the different learning spaces in the rooms. After this, at approximately 12.00pm, Prep will be holding their annual Easter Hat Parade and parents are very welcome to come and watch the classes. If you wish to participate, we ask that parents create Easter hats with their child at home, prior to this event. The hats can be brought to school on the day and stored in the classroom.

If parents wish to take their child home at the conclusion of the Parade, please inform your class teacher via the Student Planner or Prep Reception in writing. If you are leaving school after the Parade, please collect your child from their classroom and make sure you see the teacher first.

As a reminder to our community, although children giving each other chocolate eggs at school is a lovely idea, we ask that no chocolate eggs or sweets be brought to school. This is to ensure the health and safety of all our students and avoid the sadness associated with missing out or losing a gift. In lieu, hand-made cards would be welcomed.

Mother’s Day Classic

Interested Redlands families are encouraged to register for the Redlands team on the Mother’s Day Classic website. There are 52 days to go until the big day on Sunday 12 May. This is a wonderful family-oriented event with categories for serious runners through to fun runners of all ages. All proceeds from this event are donated to Breast Cancer Research.

Don’t forget to purchase your Redlands pink caps and a new pink Team Redlands tshirt from the Uniform Shop, with all profits going to the Mother’s Day Classic charity. 

To register your interest in joining the Redlands team, please click here. Please note that you will need to complete the registration process, nearly all the way to the payment stage before you can select to join the Redlands team and the password is ‘Shine’.

Thank you to the Redlands Parents and Friends Association who will again have a tent at the event as a meeting point.

Uniform Shop

Redlands Uniform Shop are pleased to announce the launch of online ordering through Flexischools. We understand some of our busy parents often struggle to get to the shop during opening hours and we hope this service will make it easier for you to order and pay online.

We will offer three delivery options:

  • Pick up from the Uniform Shop
  • Delivery to your child’s classroom in Preschool, Prep and Junior School
  • Delivery to your home address (additional costs and conditions apply)

Those of you who have used the School’s Canteen and Vacation Care online ordering will know how easy it is. If you have an existing Canteen account with FlexiSchools, you will have immediate access to commence ordering uniforms.

If not, you will need to register. Simply go to www.flexischools.com.au and follow the prompts. Or download the Flexischools app and register. You will be asked to enter your children’s names and classes – it only takes a few minutes. No need to top up your FlexiSchools account as payment can be made for the order by credit card at checkout. If you have any problems, please give us a call on 9968 9850.

Vacation Care

If you would like your child to attend the April Vacation Care, please visit the Flexischools website www.flexischools.com.au and make a booking using the Prep and Junior Vacation Care icon. All calendars, information pertaining to activities and requirements can be found on the FlexiSchools website. Please contact Brooke Lytham, OOSH Coordinator, with any Vacation Care or After School Care concerns.  

School Musical

Our annual School Musical is a highlight in our Performing Arts calendar and next week around 120 students from Yrs 7-12 will bring Baz Luhrmann’s beloved and award-winning film, Strictly Ballroom, to the stage. Strictly Ballroom – The Musical will run from Thursday 28–Saturday 30 March at The Concourse, Chatswood. Tickets are still available for Thursday and Friday nights from the box office.

Redlands Inaugural Sports Luncheon

The Redlands Inaugural Sports Luncheon, celebrating 120 years of Redlands Sport, will be held towards the end of this term on Friday 5 April between 12.00 – 4.00pm at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Kirribilli.

This Luncheon is open to all Redlands parents and alumni and provides a great opportunity to celebrate the integral value of sport to the Redlands community and its students of the past, present and future. We are delighted to announce our guest speakers, all past Redlands students, who will share their very inspiring journey during this luncheon:

  • Karyn Gojnich (née Davis), Class of 1978 (Olympic Sailor, Redlander and former Redlands parent)
  • Janusz Hooker, Class of 1987 (Olympic Rower)
  • Lachlan Mackay, Class of 2000 (Rugby: Australian Wallaby)
  • Holly Crawford, Class of 2001 (Olympic Snowboarder)

Tickets are $130 per person and include a gourmet two course meal and beverages. Limited spaces are available and bookings can be made here. I hope to see many of you there as we recognise this milestone in the history of Redlands Sport.

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