Head of Junior School
A Collection of Connections
It was a joy to start the week by welcoming parents on campus for a Mother’s Day celebration and the buzz of having a significant number of parents and students together was palpable. The return of community events such as this one coupled with parents at sports fixtures and events continues to move us forward in every sense.
We are pleased to welcome parents back on campus for pick up, particularly those who have children in Prep School who can now wait on the grounds in the seating areas in either the Piazza or near Murdoch Street after they pick younger children up and wait for our students to depart at 3.20pm. Parents picking up for after school clubs and activities may also choose to wait on the grounds in these designated areas.
This should also further alleviate traffic congestion around our campus at pick up time. Parents are also reminded not to gather right outside the Junior School reception area at the end of the day, which is a designated student meeting point for our carline pick-up process. As has always been the case, please contact your child’s teacher to make a mutually convenient time if you would like to see them before or after school.
Another significant milestone was our first in-person, full Junior School assembly this year which was a joyous occasion with student performers and presenters in Dunnet Hall as we gathered collectively for the first time in 329 days.
Yr 4 Camp
As I write, this I am enjoying a day on Yr 4 Camp who are in the middle of their three-day camp to Milson Island and it has been wonderful to see the connection between students and between students and staff in an outdoor education setting. Just as was the case last week for Yr 6 camp, many students have shared how they have forged some new friendships and connections with peers in the groups by simply being in the same activity group.
We have posted some pictures of the trip so far on the Yr 4 page on Redlands Pulse for you to enjoy and get a feel of the trip so far and I look forward to joining families welcome the group back at approximately 2.45pm on Friday afternoon. I know you will also join me in thanking the amazing team of teachers here caring for the group. It is a huge responsibility, but the meticulous planning of Ms Cleary and the team has helped with the smooth organisation of the trip yet again.
Platinum Luncheon
As you may have read in the Foundation section of last week’s Note Day, The School was delighted to welcome just over seventy ‘Old Girls’ back to Redlands for a Platinum Luncheon. This was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the rich history and development of the School and connected to this, many of our Yr 6 students wrote cards full of warm wishes deepening connections across generations of Redlanders. The carefully written messages on each card brought great joy and delight to our Alumni and some have replied with personal messages to our students.
Lismore Appeal (until Friday 27 May)
This week our Student Representative Council (SRC) met to promote and encourage classmates to support The Northern River Children’s Services (NCRS), a not for profit organisation that is responsible for providing day care to over 2000 children in flood-impacted areas.
To help those in need, our students are creating boxes filled with donated school and art supplies to replenish materials lost during the floods. Students are also making cards for families that are going through the heartbreaking process of rebuilding their lives. We know that this project will provide the students with a sense of both empathy and purpose as we remind our NSW neighbours in Lismore, that they are cared for and not forgotten. We encourage families to support this opportunity in the coming weeks as we strive to make a difference to this community.
NAPLAN – Years 3 and 5
This week has seen students across Australia in Yrs 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy, or NAPLAN, as it is more commonly known.
I am proud of the way in which our students in Yrs 3 and 5 approached these assessments and I am grateful to the many teachers who have been preparing them and then looked after them during these national tests. With the assessments moving to an online format this year for the first time, we hope to get the students’ results back earlier than in previous years which will further support teachers’ planning and focus for each student.
My thanks are extended to Ms Wilson and Mrs Smith for their considerable work behind the scenes to ensure that everything is organised, ably supported by our IT team, and to our class and Learning Plus teachers for looking after the academic and pastoral needs of their students, both before and during these tests.
Sustainability Initiative: Water Bottles
Further to the many strategic sustainability initiatives shared last week in Note Day, from Monday 30 May (Week 6), our Junior Campus will cease all water bottle sales. In the last two years, we have installed numerous filtered water bubblers and refilling stations throughout the campus, which get very good usage from the students. We know that nearly every student brings a water bottle to school each day and they are permitted to drink and rehydrate in class, as needed. As is already the case, if students forget to bring a water bottle to school, they will be encouraged to use a bubbler or will be provided with a paper cup.
Trial Hip Hop Classes for Junior School Students
A reminder that the Redlands Dance Academy is delighted to provide a free trial Hip Hop Dance class at 3.30pm next Monday 16 May with a view to starting classes from 30 May. There is no need to register; just turn up ready to dance in comfortable clothing!
Year 6 Families
Looking forward to 2023, our Yr 6 families should have received this ‘Save the Date’ information connected to the transition process into Secondary School at Redlands. Please do contact the Registrar if you have specific questions on this process.
Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022