Head of Junior School

Four More Sleeps

After 63 days of remote learning, we are so excited about the on-campus return of the vast majority of Junior School students next Monday 25 October and I trust that you have found the ‘Return to School Information Booklet’ and Wednesday’s parent webinar of assistance.

This week, we have also carried out a short survey with the students to gauge both what they are excited about but also any apprehensions or questions that they might have. This has been very helpful for us and allowed class teachers to quietly check-in with individual students as necessary.

We know that the students will be thrilled to see their friends and teachers, but we also recognise that some students may require additional preparation and adjustment as they return to On-Campus Learning. Here are some quick pointers from our counselling team on how you might wish to prepare your children for next Monday:

Start getting your child to go to bed at a time that they would normally do on a school day.
Talk to them about mask wearing in a positive way and answer any questions or concerns they might have.
Go for a drive past the school before Monday to get your child to think about what they are looking forward to.
Make time to explore their feelings and to assist them in overcoming them, for example, “It’s okay to be nervous or worried about returning to school; many children are.” Investigate their feelings and coping strategies. “What makes you feel better when you’re worried? Let’s try one right now: let’s take three deep breaths.”
Get ready for Monday on Sunday – this includes school/PE uniform, backpack, lunches, etc. Try your best to make Monday morning as relaxing as possible.
Please be mindful that on Monday and throughout the week, when they come home their social batteries might be drained or they may appear more tired than normal. This is to be expected so just support them and monitor them over the week. Talk to them about their day, for example, the friends they saw, what they learned and any other highlights or concerns they want to share with you.

Day 1 Return Plans: Monday 25 October

As Junior School students return on Monday, please note some key information to assist you and your child for the first day back, which you may like to talk through with them over the weekend.

Student arrival is between 8am and 8.20am and students should be wearing a mask and sanitise their hands at either the Allister St or Murdoch St gates. Please don’t worry if you are a few minutes late as we envisage that traffic will be busier than normal around the School.
Students will be greeted at the gates and will then proceed directly to their classroom where their class teacher will be excited to greet them.
We will be looking out for our new students who started in Terms 3 or 4 to greet them and show them to their classroom knowing that this will be their first
Class teachers will talk to students at roll call about key changes for them to note on campus.
We have a first Junior School Assembly via Zoom at 10am.
Recess and lunch orders can be made via Flexischools and will be delivered to classrooms.
At the end of the day, parents can pick up from an arranged point outside the campus (can I suggest slightly away from the main gates) or our car line will be in process from 3.20pm.
Please do not arrive before 3.20pm as Year 2 will be dismissed earlier which will impact their pick up.
Students will be waiting in Year Groups and again, please do not worry if you are late or about the traffic which we envisage to be busy, particularly if North Sydney Council haven’t quite completed the roadworks outside the School that should have been completed.

What if my child is not coming back on Monday 25 October?

As communicated, online learning resources will be provided this term for students who may remain at home. With teachers leading face-to-face learning, there will not be the live connection via Zoom but class teachers are already planning on novel ways to keep these students connected.

To assist with our planning, please could any families planning to keep their child(ren) at home complete this form by 12pm on Friday to allow teachers to be notified.

ICAS Assessments Yrs 3- 6 Cancelled

Due to the lengthy period of remote learning and the ensuing impact upon the School calendar, ICAS assessments will not be administered in the Junior School this term for those who had signed up for this optional opportunity.

To receive your full refund, please email the ICAS customer service team at icasassessments@janison.com with the following information:

1. Subject line: Refund request (SCECGS Redlands Junior School)

2. A copy of the order confirmation that you received from ICAS when you registered and paid for your child’s ICAS tests

Please contact Ms Leonie Atkins (Dean of Administration Junior Campus) should you require any further assistance.

Term 4 OOSH

A reminder that bookings can be made via OOSH bookings as our after school care program also resumes on Monday.

Year 6 Families – Request for Student Vaccination Status for students aged 12 and above

Thank you to the many parents who have already uploaded their children’s COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates to Pulse or advised us of the date that their child’s second dose is due.

If your child has had only the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination and you haven’t yet contacted the School regarding the date of the 2nd dose, parents can now include a note advising this 2nd dose date directly in Pulse.

Thank you for your consideration in providing us with this important information.

Year 5 Families – Year 7 2023 Scholarships

Applications for our Year 7 2023 Scholarships Program (Academic, Merit, Music, Ballet) are now open to both current Redlands students and those at external schools.

For more details of our 2023 Scholarships program or to apply, please click here.

Applications for all Scholarships close on Monday 7 February 2022.

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