Head of Junior School
Understanding Generation Alpha (Born 2010 – 2024)
Last Friday, I enjoyed a morning of professional learning with Mrs Breckenridge (Head of Prep School) and several other Primary Heads from independent schools across NSW in our termly meeting, the first time that this group has met in person for over a year. We enjoyed an excellent, thought-provoking presentation from Ashley Fell at McCrindle Research who spoke about Generation Alpha, children born between 2010 – 2024. This is a generation that comprises more than one in seven people now and by the time they have all finished being born in 2024, they will be the largest generation in the history of the world.
Five overarching words the research used to describe this age group which captures our primary-ages students now were: digital, mobile, global, visual and social and we the discussed possible effects of COVID (positive and negative) on this generation and some of the character qualities, challenges and opportunities of this group as they grow and their possible future of work.
The research indicated that to raise Generation Alpha to live a life of impact, we should encourage, equip and entrust them with one example citing that 80% or parents have had their actions or consumption decisions influenced to be more environmentally aware by their Generation Alpha children, something I also see glimpses of in our students here at school.
As this generation grow, skill groups that were identified to be of increasing importance were: technology use and development, critical thinking and analysis, problem-solving, self-management, working with people, management and communication of activities, core literacies and physical abilities.
Character qualities that were identified as important for Generation Alpha included curiosity, initiative, persistence, adaptability, leadership and social/ cultural awareness.
The opportunities and challenges with screens were also discussed and the tension between wanting children to have a high degree of digital literacy and intelligence but also wanting to limit their screen time.
As both schools and parents, our role will be to equip and entrust this generation with the skills and competencies that will enable them to thrive in this era of change knowing that how we equip them will be different to how it has been done in the past.
Year 5 Camp – 22-25 March 2022
We are looking forward to our first Junior School camp of 2022 taking place next week as our Year 5 group head to the Southern Highlands. Yr 5 families should have received a detailed updated letter today outlining our planning and Covid protocols and I look forward to joining the group during their time away.
Monday 21 March: Parent Cybersafety Webinar – registration essential
It has been great to see so many Junior School parents register to join us and our partner ySafe for a Cybersafety Webinar between 5.30pm – 6.30pm next Monday 21 March. The session will be led by Yasmin London, who was very well received by parents, staff and students last year when she led workshops and seminars for the Junior School.
The webinar will focus on specific challenges and opportunities in the digital environment which Junior School students may encounter, what parents should know and how to support your children’s digital safety and wellbeing.
Yasmin will spend time with staff after school too and if you have not already had a chance to do so, please explore Redlands’ Cybersafety Hub which was set up last year with ySafe.
Registration is essential via this link as only registered parents will receive a Zoom link 24 hours prior to the event.
Remote Learning for Students in Mandatory Isolation
As has been the case all term, we will continue to provide Remote Learning options for students in mandatory isolation but just as would be the case for any unwell student, please know that there is no expectation to complete this learning if your child needs to rest and recover. At present, we are not offering a hybrid model of teaching for families to choose if they want their child to learn at school or at home and class teachers will continue to focus their teaching on the students in class.
iPad/iPhone Check
From time to time as per our School ICT Student Responsible User Guidelines (listed in the Student Planner and signed by students and parents), we do occasionally carry out spot checks and audits on student devices to ensure that they are being safely and appropriately used. This is a practice that ySafe talked about last year as something that parents should also do periodically to check that your child is safe online and we would strongly recommend too. If you need assistance with this process, please do contact our IT team who will be only too happy to help.
2022 Premier’s Reading Challenge
The Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) website is now open for 2022 and over the past fortnight. Our Teacher Librarian, Mrs Wiebe, has provided students with their usernames and passwords in library lessons. These are also glued into their student planners, and all class teachers also have a copy of each class’ usernames and passwords for reference.
In class, students have been shown how to view the student site and a great new way to enter PRC books. We have been looking at the discover function of the PRC and saving books to read in the future as well as adding books they have read.
The PRC is a great way to further develop our students love of reading and enjoyment of all sorts of books. For any inquiries please do email our Junior Library team who will be only too happy to help.
Masks on Buses
A reminder that ALL students require a mask on Wednesdays for Sport when they are likely to travel to and from a venue on a bus. This remains a mandatory protocol currently.
Harmony Day – Monday 21 March
Students are encouraged to wear a ‘splash of orange’ next Monday as we recognise Harmony Day, a day that recognises diversity, inclusivity, respect, and the idea that people of all different cultures can make a valuable contribution to our society.
Students will also be involved in activities to promote this day and our library team have also created a book display connected to this week for students to access and read.
Mosman Youth Awards in Literature 2022
Over many years, Redlands students have enjoyed participation and success in the annual Mosman Youth Awards in Literature, a competition in prose and poetry writing. Now in its 30th year, I share this year’s details for parents and students to consider and class teachers will also encouraging student involvement with this literary opportunity ahead of the closing date of 31 May. Please note that entry forms must be signed by a parent or guardian and not a teacher if the entrant is under 18 years of age.
For an entry form or more information, please click here or call Barry O’Keefe Library in Mosman on 9978 4091.
Holiday Code Camps
As also mentioned last week, in a new initiative, we have partnered with Code Camp to host two three-day camps in the second week of April holiday break as per the flyer below. The camps is exclusively for Redlands students between the ages of 7-12 yrs and will be run by their staff who run our after school Drone Club in the Junior School. Please note that Creative Kids rebate vouchers can also be utilised.
NAPLAN 2022
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills. Students in Yrs 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in these annual tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. All NSW schools will sit NAPLAN online in 2022.
Our school will be participating in NAPLAN between 10 and 13 May 2022.
In preparation for NAPLAN, our Junior School students in Yr 3 and Yr 5 will also be participating in practice tests on Thursday 31 March. The practice test is a trial run and key preparation activity for NAPLAN in May. It is not an assessment of student ability, and the tests will not be marked.
Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not recommended and our students will be appropriately prepared for the types of questions that they might face and guidance on how best to manage their time in a timed situation. Students can use the public demonstration site to familiarise themselves with the types of questions and tools available in NAPLAN.
If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact our Dean of Teaching and Learning, Mrs Stacey Smith.
Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022