Head of Junior School

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Looking Ahead to Term 4

It has been wonderful to reconnect with the students and staff this week as Term 4 got underway. It was exciting to see the positive reaction on the faces of many of the students in our Zoom assembly when I updated them on the return to On-Campus Learning dates which had been brought forward and of course since our assembly on Tuesday, the goalposts have been moved again following this morning’s announcement by the new Premier that all students will return on the revised dates below:

• Preschool, TG, Kindergarten, Yr 1 & Yr 12: Monday 18 October (Week 3)
• All Yrs 2 -11: Monday 25 October (Week 4)

We have been planning for the students’ return for some time and are well underway with our preparation for this staggered return and I also shared with the students that ensuring that they were feeling safe, prepared and happy to return would be an absolute priority for our staff.

Many were here last year as we transitioned back after lockdown but we also know that many were at different schools or even in different countries last year.

In the week preceding Junior School students coming back, I will send a detailed letter to Junior School families with an overview of our specific return to school plans and guidelines keeping community safety at the forefront of our thinking.

Music Examinations

Congratulations to the dozens of Junior School students have been busy recording their AMEB exams at home this week and forwarding their videos for upload. I know that there has been much practice for you all ahead of these exams and it was also lovely to see students in our full uniform again after quite some time! Well done on all of your efforts and commitment, ably guided and supported by our team of tutors and administration staff.

Be the Reason Someone Smiles Today

At the end of last term, I shared that the story of the Flynn family (Grace Yr 3, Alice Yr 5 and Thomas Yr 7) who prepared 60 individual cards of support for the residents of the Bougainvillea Retirement Village, our Senior Campus neighbours on Waters Rd, during this difficult time of isolation for many of them.

Over the break, the children received a bundle of personal thank you cards from the residents of Bougainvillea, including one from a Redlander and another resident who mentioned the School’s motto, Luceat Lux Vestra, in her reply. Some residents shared that they had displayed the cards to cheer them up each day and others wrote about their own families overseas.

Receiving this unexpected package; the Flynns said that it felt like opening a parcel at Christmas. 

Resources Collection

Teachers have communicated with parents when there have been student learning resources to collect and these have been placed outside the Junior School reception for collection. Only one parent or child should come onto campus and should use the hand sanitiser and wear a mask. With no entry to the building needed, there is no necessity to check in via the QR code.

Request for On-Campus Learning for Children of Essential Workers: Week 2, Term 4

Parents of students wishing to be considered for on-campus supervision are asked to submit the online request form for the first week of Term 4 using the link below. This should be completed by 8pm on Friday 8 October to allow sufficient time for staffing to be organised based on the numbers ahead of the weekend.

Please click HERE to submit a request for Week 2, Term 4

Term 4 OOSH

K-6 OOSH will not be available from 5 – 15 October (Weeks 1 and 2) but will return as year groups stagger their return from 18 October onwards. Bookings can be made via OOSH bookings from Monday 11 October. Please be aware that numbers will be capped.

OOSH K and Yr 11          Students can access from 25 October
OOSH Yrs 2 – 6                Students can access from 25 October

School Sport

As was the case last year, our Sports Department are exploring various ways in which our students can be active as they return on campus. Interschool sport will not take place this term but similar to last year, we are exploring ways in which we can host our own internal House sports events, subject to the guidelines of the time. Further details will be communicated in due course to students and families.

School-Wide Parent/Carer Survey

The input and feedback from our community are important to the success of our continuous school improvement process as we aspire to enhance the learning experience for everyone at Redlands. All parents and carers were sent a letter on Tuesday confirming that Redlands will be once again using the Perspectives: Your school in focus suite of surveys developed by AISNSW to support our school improvement endeavours as the School successfully conducted this survey with all stakeholders in 2019. The information gathered will assist in furthering the growth and development of our school community, and the survey results will be used to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. These surveys have been specifically designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of stakeholders’ perceptions of five important areas: School Environment, Teaching and Learning, Student Wellbeing, Leadership and Community. All parents, carers, staff and Year 5-11 students will be invited to participate.

The parent/carer survey will be available from 25 October to 7 November and is conducted online, taking approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. A reminder that, as outlined in this week’s letter, if you wish your child to opt-out, the deadline for opting-out is 12pm tomorrow Friday 8 October.

Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School 
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022