Head of Junior School
COVID-19 Update
As mentioned in the Principal’s report, in accordance with advice from NSW Health, parents and carers are reminded NOT to send children to school if they are unwell, even if they have the mildest flu-like symptoms. These symptoms include fever (37.5 or higher), cough, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of taste or smell. NSW Health has requested that schools ask anyone who is unwell or has even one of these symptoms, to arrange to be tested through their local medical practitioner or one of the COVID-19 clinics. Students with flu-like symptoms will need to be tested, provide a copy of a negative COVID-19 test result and be symptom-free before being permitted to return to school.
The Classroom Learning Environment
We have now enjoyed a full week of learning and I have been so impressed by the students’ engagement, enjoyment of learning and support of one another. I have had a few messages from teachers commending classes or groups of students and just yesterday, our Senior Campus Chaplain, Ms Lihou, shared how involved and well-mannered the Junior School students had been in her first Chapel services on our campus. I also acknowledge how well our Yr 3 students have transitioned up from the Prep School and our many new students.
One of the joys of my week is always time spent in the classrooms. I have loved spending some time with students in this first week and have observed them settled, engaged and inquisitive in rich learning experiences and conversation.
As many of you will be aware, Redlands has a long association with Project Zero at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education in developing how we create, nurture, embed and sustain a culture of thinking in our School and the Eight Cultural Forces that the philosophy says exist and defines every learning environment has been visible in my classroom visits this past week.
These eight forces are listed below with a brief explanation of their significance and as teachers, how we aim to explore how best to leverage them to maximise learning opportunities and experiences for our students remains a key focus for Redlands teachers and will be a language that you will see and hear from teachers and your children.
Meet the Teacher Information Evening (Zoom)
As you will have noted from last Friday’s letter, our class teachers are looking forward to this evening’s Meet the Teacher information session at the times listed below.
Yrs 3 and 4: 5.00-5.45pm
Yrs 5 and 6: 6.00-6.45pm
The letter which is on Redlands Pulse contains each class’ Zoom link and passcode and a copy of the slides will be posted on to the relevant Year Group page of Redlands Pulse tomorrow.
Class Parent Representatives
Thank you to those parents who have already volunteered to take on a class parent representative role in 2021 which is very much appreciated. Class teachers will seek interest for this role at the Meet the Teacher evening where we still have spaces and if you have any questions about the role, please do feel free to contact either of our Junior School Parent Contact Group Coordinators, Rebecca James, or Becky Gait who will be only too willing to assist.
School Photographs
Our School photos were taken today in glorious sunshine and you will have received the letter with additional details of ordering this week. This letter is also on Redlands Pulse for reference.
Traffic Safety
I continue to remind all of our families about the importance of choosing safety over convenience when dropping off or picking up your child. We have a pedestrian crossing on either side of our campus and encourage families to use them where they can but also ask drivers to be particularly vigilant around these crossings. North Sydney Council provides us with a traffic supervisor on the Murdoch St side but currently not on the Allister St side, which we will take up with them again.
Please continue to be mindful that many families are new to Redlands and getting to grips with new parking and pick-up arrangements. For families using the car line process, please remind your child to wait with the duty teacher at the Junior School gate and follow the guidelines clarified in the letter sent last week. It is also important to arrive as close to 3.20pm as possible to avoid additional congestion to our younger Prep School students’ departure times.
Thank you, in advance, for your cooperation and support.
Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022
