Head of Junior School

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Debating Team National Semi-Final

This morning, the dream run of our Yr 6 Debating team came to an end in the semi-final of this year’s National Independent Schools Virtual Debating competition. The team came up against strong opposition in previous winners, Northside Montessori School, but should feel incredibly proud of the robust debate today and their combined achievements this year, particularly given the challenges of virtual debating. Congratulation to the team for their efforts over the course of the year.
Sam Ashby , Caroline Brown, Kai Feldman, Alex Heller, George McIntosh, Chloe Petering and Rafael Rolon,  

NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Annual Writing Competition

In exciting literary news, Andrew Brown (Yr 3), has won a prestigious Silver Award in WriteOn 2021 – the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) annual writing competition for students in Years 1 to 6.

Andrew received his certificate this week recognising this achievement and we acknowledged him in assembly too. His name has been be published on the NESA website. Andrew’s writing will be featured in The Best of WriteOn 2021 anthology and we will purchase copies for our Junior School library so that all students can also enjoy this collection of student writing.

Willoughby Festive Art Competition Winner

We were excited to hear the wonderful news that Aimee Kang (Yr 5) had her artwork selected as one of the winners at the recent Festive Art competition organised by Willoughby Council.

Aimee’s artwork, A Night at the Christmas Village, will be reproduced and displayed in the Willoughby area and Aimee will be receiving her award from Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney at the Christmas Light Up event this Friday at the Chatswood Concourse. Congratulations, Aimee.

Speech Day – Wednesday 1 December

Further to the letter sent to all families by our Deputy Principal, Mr Corcoran, our Junior School Speech Day is confirmed to take place at 10am on Wednesday 1 December in Robert Dunnet Hall here at school instead of at The Big Top, Luna Park.

All Junior School students are expected to attend this final formal occasion of the year in full school uniform including blazers and a separate letter with timings and all additional details will be sent early next week.

How will I know if my child has received a prize?

This Friday, class teachers will announce their six class prize recipients as below based on theirs and specialist teachers’ observations over the year.

2 x Academic Effort and Achievement 

2 x Outstanding Approach to Learning 

2 x Citizenship 

In addition, there are some major prizes awarded in Yr 6 only and these will be announced to the cohort on Friday afternoon too. All of these prizes will be presented on Speech Day which will also be the occasion for the eagerly-anticipated announcement of our 2022 Student Leaders from our current Yr 5 cohort.

As per the current restrictions outlined in the letter from Mr Corcoran, only ONE parent per prize winner will be able to be on campus subject to them being healthy on the day, being fully vaccinated and pre-registering. The event will be livestreamed to all in our community to watch and as was the case last year, could allow interstate and overseas family to watch too.

Year 6 Graduation Assembly

As shared last week, another significant event at the end of this term will be our Year 6 Graduation Assembly on Tuesday 30 November. This will be a student only event with Year 6 and some teachers in the hall and all other Junior School students and staff watching on livestream, which we have set up for all Year 6 family members to also enjoy as well. The link and passcode are embedded in the flyer but are also below. A final reminder will be sent the day before.

Webinar link: click HERE

Passcode: 011006

Junior School Water Slide Day – Monday 29 November

 Having also shared this with students in assembly this week, we are excited to also let families know that we have organised for three large water slides to be set up on the oval for the Junior School students to enjoy on the final Monday of term. Each year group will have a designated time on the slides to ensure year groups do not mix and after their afternoon time slot. Yr 6 will stay on for an after school social gathering in the piazza as part of their final week of primary schooling celebration.

The day will be a mufti day for students who will need to bring appropriate swimmers, a rash vest board shorts and a towel. Sunscreen will be provided in advance of the students’ session and I know that this will be a joyful activity for the students to enjoy at the end of a big year. A reminder will be in Note Day next week too.

Supporting Others at Christmas

We are committed to continuing to support Anglicare and the Matthew Talbot Homeless Hostel as we always do at Christmas and Ms McKenzie has outlined ways in which our community might consider doing this in the current climate.

Anglicare

Supporting Anglicare’s Toys and Tucker is online due to COVID. The way we give is different but the need is the same, if not greater this year. You have an opportunity as a family to choose what you might buy for another family this Christmas. For more information about this watch Anglicare Toys and Tucker video here. The shopping link is here: Toys ‘n’ Tucker website – have fun online shopping! 

Matthew Talbot Homeless Hostel 

Matthew Talbot strives to make the people feel welcome at their service. One easy way to do this is to provide for their basic needs. Help them have a warm shower and clean clothes so they know someone cares. 

This is where we come in – we are collecting basic toiletries, socks and underwear at each of the Receptions on the Junior Campus if you would like to contribute. Deodorant isn’t just deodorant – it is love, soap is respect, shampoo signals hope. Toothbrush and paste equals welcome. Imagine what a difference we can make for those who need help this season. 

Thank you for your consideration of supporting those less fortunate, a value we have always highlighted in our community at Redlands.

Yr 6 Allwell Assessments for Yr 7, 2022

Parents are reminded that Yr 6 students who are moving to Yr 7 at Redlands will be undertaking Allwell assessments next Thursday 25 November on site in Yr 6 classrooms. These assessments will provide the Secondary School with some excellent current data on each child to plan for their learning moving into Yr 7. Students not continuing at Redlands will engage in other learning tasks here at school on this morning.

December and January Vacation Care 2021-2022

If you would like your child to attend the December 2021 – January 2022 Vacation Care program, please visit our OOSH page on Redlands Pulse from Friday 12 November in order to preview all information pertaining to the holiday activity schedule and daily requirements.

The Flexischools website is open for parents to make any bookings. Please use the Prep and Junior Vacation Care icon for children in K-6.

Please contact the Acting OOSH Coordinator, Trishna Rai,  with any Vacation Care or After School Care queries. 

Twilight in the Garden – Save the Date: 25 February 2022

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