Head of Junior School
And so here we are at the end of 2021; another extraordinary year in so many senses and one that has again seen a series of wonderful highs and achievements alongside some disappointments with missed opportunities and experiences due to lockdown. As we have often said to the students and tried to model as staff, it is often how we bounce back from the challenges that define us most and I am very proud to be part of our resilient and community-focused school.
In this final Note Day of 2021, please take time to read through reminder information about the final events of the term and staffing updates.
If I do not see you in person between now and the end of the term, I wish you all a restorative and rejuvenating Christmas holiday break and hope that you can enjoy time with loved ones, particularly knowing that interstate and international travel will allow many in our Redlands community to travel overseas to reconnect family for the first time in over two years; a true Christmas gift.
Year 6 Debating Team Reach National Final
Earlier this week, we were notified that the national semi-final debate our Yr 6 team had completed in last week had been reviewed by an independent arbiter and after noting any discrepancy, issues or other points of interest from the original verdict, confirmed that the debate should have been awarded to Redlands.
As such, our team has been reinstated to compete in the Grand Final of the AIS Online Debating Competition in the Primary Division next week against St Hurmizd School, also from NSW. This is a truly remarkable achievement and the team will compete in the National Grand Final next Tuesday morning. Congratulation to the team for their efforts over the course of the year and I look forward to sharing the result at Speech Day.
Staffing News
After twenty-one years of dedicated service to Redlands, we say farewell to our departing Dean of Administration, Ms Leonie Atkins. Ms Atkins has been an inspiring teacher, colleague and leader at Redlands during her time at the School and leaves a significant legacy behind. She has held various leadership roles in her time here, most recently as the Dean of Junior Campus Administration, which she has held since 2016. Whether it’s overseeing the complex nature of timetabling for 30 primary classes each year, managing the day-to-day casual teacher covers, organising logistics for major events, her problem-solving and flexible thinking has always come up with the right solution. A valued friend and colleague to many of us, we will miss her presence and collegiality and graciously thank her for her service to our School.
We also say thank you and goodbye to Mr David O’Farrell who takes up a Year Coordinator leadership role at Central Coast Grammar School next year. Mr O’Farrell is relocating to the Central Coast after his second teaching stint at Redlands and we wish him and his young family all the very best.
After four years at Redlands, Mrs Stacey Clarkson, will return to New Zealand with her family. Mrs Clarkson has been an integral part of our staff team and we wish her and her family all the best in this next chapter of their lives.
Two Junior School teachers who have been on maternity leave in 2021 have confirmed that they will not be returning in 2022. Mrs Leila Snooks is now expecting her third child in February and Mrs Jessica Richards is relocating to the Sunshine Coast. Both teachers have made significant contributions to our School and enriched the lives of many students and leave with our best wishes.
After finishing maternity leave cover roles, we say farewell and thank you to Ms Jemima McGahey and Mrs Kate Rouse who have accepted permanent positions at new schools next year.
We say goodbye to our Gap Year student, Ms Lucy Wrigglesworth, after a wonderful experiential year of her ahead of her commencing her tertiary teacher training studies.
After fourteen years of service at Redlands, Mr Peter Latimer is taking some well-earned long service leave in Semester One next year. We are fortunate to have an experienced replacement in Mrs Clare McPhillips who has held this role previously for many years and look forward to welcoming Mr Latimer back to lead Yr 3 in Term 3, 2022.
Finally, I am thrilled to confirm the permanent appointment of Ms Katherine Moses as the Head of Junior Campus Music. Ms Moses has been fulfilling this role in an acting capacity this semester following the promotion of Mrs Amy Richardson to Director Of Music (P-12) at Redlands and was the leading candidate from a strong field. I know that she will continue to lead this important area of the School with passion and vision into next year and beyond.
I look forward to sharing our 2022 staffing information and new staff in my ‘Welcome to 2022’ letter in mid-January.
Final Week Events
Junior School Water Slide Day – Monday 29 November
Next Monday, each Year Group will enjoy time on the inflatable water slides we have arranged for them and Yr 6 will stay on for an after school social gathering in the piazza as part of their final week of primary schooling celebration, which Mrs Robinson will send separate information about.
The day will be a mufti day for students who will need to bring appropriate swimmers, a rash vest/T-shirt, board shorts and a towel. We ask that students apply sunscreen at home in the morning and it will also be provided in advance of the students’ session. 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.
We ask that each child brings a gold coin donation which will go to support our donation to Anglicare this year.
Year 6 Graduation Assembly – Tuesday 30 November
Our Yr 6 Graduation Assembly is at 12.15pm on Tuesday 30 November. This is a student only event with Yr 6 and some teachers in the hall and all other Junior School students and staff watching on livestream, which has been set up for Yr 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
Speech Day – Wednesday 1 December
In addition to the detailed letter sent to all families this week, parents of prize winners who received a separate email are reminded to confirm which ONE parent or carer is able to attend no later than 3pm this Friday 26 November.
As a formal School occasion, all Junior School students are expected to attend this event in full school uniform including blazers.
The event will be livestreamed using the link and password below and a final reminder and a digital copy of the Speech Day program will be emailed to all families on Monday.
Please click this Vimeo Link at 10am
Password: RedlandsJunior21
Please note that there is no after school care after Speech Day on Wednesday 1 December.
Kids Giving Back
Kids Giving Back is a charity whose mission is to create the next generation of generosity. In recent years, I have been contacted by the organisation when our students have contributed their time to this charity and due to lockdown this year, I know that many of our students were unable to attend the face-to-face programs they had booked which included Cook4Good and School Holiday Programs.
This year, Kids Giving Back ran many online programs instead where students connected with the elderly in aged facilities with conversation and a game of bingo, as well as made and donated wonderful animal toys and treats for abandoned animals.
It was lovely to hear that the Stevens family (Freya Yr 5, Leo Yr 3 and Zoe Yr 1) participated in these online programs during the September school holidays, and who, despite the isolation of lockdown, stepped forward to give back to others during such a difficult time.
We hope you can publicly acknowledge these young people for the example they send to others, not only in their service to the community, but in their spirit of volunteerism, especially in these challenging times.
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’ n’ 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.
Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022