Head of Junior School
It has been wonderful to both see and feel an increasing sense of normalcy in our school day whilst still maintaining the important safety measures in place. On Wednesday, the revised guidance for sport allowed year groups to take part in activities on and off campus for the first time this term and today saw an online version of our annual Musica Viva Incursion for students.
We have one eye on events towards the end of term including Speech Day and Yr 6 Graduation Assembly and will communicate the details of these events once finalised and confirmed with both external venues and our own COVID-safe protocols.
Student Health Reminders
As we continue to prioritise the safety of our community, please be reminded of the following points:
- If students have any COVID symptoms, they should be tested and only return when they are symptom-free.
- All students should have a mask each day.
- Students should bring their own water bottle leach day which can be refilled at a number of filtered water bottle stations.
Thank you for your continued support in ensuring the safety of our School community.
Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Prize
Congratulations to Eleanor Flatman (Yr 5) who has been selected as a finalist in the Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Prize – Young Artist Category.
The 2021 Environmental Art & Design Prize invites audiences to explore the diverse ways artists and designers have interpreted our unique Australian landscape, responded to issues impacting us and contributed to a positive future. This year there were over 220 finalists across nine categories whose works shine a light on renewal, regeneration and our shared human experience in the world.
Eleanor’s work is entitled ‘Rock Pigeons’ which are endangered due to mining operations destroying their habitat and the threat from feral cats. She has been invited to participate in the ‘Meet the Young Artists/Designers’ Event and we are thrilled to share her achievement.
Call to Earth Day
Next Wednesday 10 November, Redlands is celebrating Call to Earth Day. One way we are acknowledging this is through encouraging a ‘Waste Free Wednesday’ for all students. As a valuable learning experience, we will encourage all students to pack their own lunch on the day.
This would allow each student to consider what foods do not have any packaging and allow them to experiment with new ways of packing lunches, for example, through using containers and not plastic wraps). Students will be provided more information closer to the time.
We will engage in other actions during the day such as turning off air conditioners and lights in the classroom when possible and class teachers will record students’ ideas for how Redlands can be more sustainable moving forward, an arm of our School Strategic Plan recently shared with our community by Mr Webber.
Yr 5 and Yr 7 2022 BYOD Device Requirements & JB Hi-Fi Purchase Portal on Redlands Pulse
As parents with students entering Yr 5 and Year 7 in 2022 at Redlands consider Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) requirements for next year, please note the links to our updated BYOD requirements on Redlands Pulse.
Redlands has negotiated a special education deal for parents purchasing their child’s new device, through one of its partners, JB Hi-Fi, which includes warranty and servicing options. Parents of course still have the option to purchase their device from any vendor.
Our suppliers are encouraging parents to make device decisions as early as possible due to COVID-related supply shortages and shipping delays.
- Junior School BYOD link (going into Yr 5 or Yr 6)
- Secondary School BYOD link (going into Yr 7)
For any queries, please do contact our iSupport team who will be only too happy to assist.
Helping your Child Deal with Emotions Post Lockdown
This week’s tips from our Student Wellbeing team might be of assistance if you have noticed changes in your child’s emotions after lockdown. Many children may find the rest of this school year strange or unfamiliar, but by working together, schools and families can assist to alleviate any fears that children may have. Students may have grown accustomed to their remote learning lifestyle, which included spending more time with you, and losing this may cause them to have mixed emotions. While many students are excited to spend time with their friends and to see their teachers, it’s important to remember that some may be struggling with the transition. Below are a few summarised key recommendations to help your child deal with possible separation post lockdown.
Reflect
Take a look back at the time you spent with your child in lockdown. Consider what you’ve accomplished together, what you’ve learned about each other, what was challenging, and what was enjoyable. Make plans with your child to keep some of those activities going even now that they are back at school. For example, if you enjoyed going for bike rides during the lockdown, schedule one for the weekend after school starts as a special treat; or if you enjoyed playing Uno together as a family, make sure that continues.
Positivity and Connection
When talking about school, try to be as upbeat as possible, especially if your child can hear you. Teachers are working hard to keep children at school and to help them connect with their friends. Children are alert, and they may pick up on any tension or negativity that you are experiencing, so be mindful of how you talk about school or themselves at school. We understand that some students may be slowly settling back into on-campus learning, and this is completely fine. Just remember that while their educational goals are important, a lot of them are craving connection with their friends and teachers. Encouraging this is more beneficial at the moment than their academic progress.
Staying at School
It’s natural for students to feel a little wobbly or fatigued now that they are back at school. This could come as a result of social or even physical fatigue. We encourage students to build resilience by coping with difficult emotions and remaining at school. They may need to speak with someone briefly or reset and refocus their attention. There are lots of teachers or staff members who can help your child get through any shaky times, and staying at school and working through the feeling can help them to boost their resilience, as long as it’s not urgent.
School-Wide K-12 Parent/Carer Survey Closing this Sunday 7 November
This is a reminder to those parents and carers of students in Kindergarten to Year 12 who have not yet completed our School-wide Perspectives Survey that the survey will remain open until this Sunday 7 November at 11pm. The survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete and will help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. The survey can be completed via this link. Thank you to the parents and carers who have already shared their views.
International Families Returning to Redlands: COVID-Safe Requirements
As we are now starting to welcome back international families returning to Redlands, we can confirm the COVID testing and isolation requirements for returning school students which were communicated by NSW Health this week. The requirements are as follows:
- Students who are under 12 and thus not vaccinated, must not attend school or childcare until they have a negative result from their day 7 test after their arrival to Australia.
- Students who are 12 and over and not vaccinated or partially vaccinated cannot return to campus until after completing 7 days home quarantine and returning a negative COVID-19 test to the School on Day 5 or 6 after their arrival to Australia.
- Students who are 12 and over and fully vaccinated are required to get a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of landing back in Australia. They can return to campus after returning a negative test result to the School.
Second Hand Summer Uniform Sale
Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022