Head of Junior School

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End of Term

It has been another term of highlights and achievements and I extend my gratitude and appreciation to students, staff and families for the various roles we play in our School community. Both individually and collectively, the students continue to grow and in our final assembly at the start of the week, it was wonderful to reflect upon another purposeful and enjoyable term of learning and successes. Our Principal, Mr Webber, spoke to the students and recognised the staff for their sterling efforts over the semester and it was heartwarming to hear students share one word that best described their teacher as he walked around the hall with a roving microphone.

As we approach the mid-year break, I hope that families are able to take time for rest, relaxation and renewal. As is also the case for our staff, these times away from Redlands are very important for all of us as they then allow us to be at our very best when we are here. Rest, in whatever sense, is different for all of us which and I hope that the mid-year break allows you to relax and recharge. We also say goodbye to a few students and families and wish them all the very best and much happiness in the next chapter of their schooling. 

As travel has opened up considerably, I know that many in our community will also be reconnecting with loved ones after an extended period of time so to those of you travelling near or far, I wish you safe travels and we look forward to welcoming all students back to school on Tuesday 19 July. Please note that the Junior School Office will reopen on Monday 18 July and I will send a detailed Term 3 letter towards the end of the holiday break.

Buddy Picnic Event

Gallery Walks

On Wednesday, we were delighted to welcome Yr 3 families into classrooms as the students were able to showcase their learning with parents and celebrate a wonderful semester of learning. With every classroom brimming full of parents, the students were visibly enthralled to be able to share their thinking and learning experiences with both peers and adults. My thanks are extended to the Yr 3 teachers and students for their efforts to organise this opportunity.

Equally, we look forward to welcoming our Yr 5 parents in tomorrow morning and then Yrs 4 & 6 parents at the end of Term 3 (see Term 3 dates later in this section).

Staffing News

Currently on Long Service Leave, Literacy support teacher, Mrs Cheeseman will be leaving Redlands after 14 years of dedicated service to so many students in our learning support program and we have truly valued her expertise with countless students over this time. Mrs Cheeseman has been offered a wonderful opportunity with a new company to support students with learning difficulties across the wider Sydney area and further into regional and rural NSW and I know this new challenge is something that she is excited about. As has been the case this term, Mrs Melinda Griffin and our Learning Plus coordinator, Mrs Kate McAliece, will continue to teach the students that Mrs Cheeseman has been working with for the remainder of the year.

Due to his partner’s relocation to Darwin, we say goodbye to Mr Batten after a relatively short time at Redlands teaching in Yr 4 but wish him well on this unexpected adventure. Equally, we are delighted to welcome Ms Alison Taylor who joins us from Neutral Bay Public School, where she has led the Opportunity Class for many years.

We thank Ms Sawyer who has taught Yr 3 this semester whilst Mr Latimer has been on Long Service Leave and Ms Sawyer will be around from time to time as a casual teacher next semester. Mr Latimer will also resume his Yr 3 Coordinator responsibility and I thank Mrs McPhillips for stepping in so capably and assuredly in his absence.

We also wish Mrs Benneyworth well on her Long Service Leave next term and simultaneously welcome Ms Kennedy Proctor to teach her class in Yr 4.

Semester One Reports

Junior School student reports will be available to parents via Redlands Pulse next week. A notification will be sent to you when they have been uploaded for you to access. Back copies of your child’s reports are also available via Redlands Pulse.

To access the reports, parents will need their Redlands Pulse username and password. Parents requiring assistance should email pulse@redlands.nsw.edu.au as soon as possible.

Do take some time over the break to read through the report with your child and acknowledge and celebrate areas of growth and progress. As students return for Term 3, their class teachers will spend time with your child looking at aspects of goal setting for the second semester, which they will share at the Student-led Conferences in Week 5 (15-19 august).

Junior Campus Master Plan – Student Voice

Over the past week, Junior School students were given an opportunity to share their ideas and perspectives on the exciting possibilities of a future Junior Campus. From an optional activity, we were able to share the thoughts of 188 students with the project team at EPM who then facilitated an in-person workshop with a cross-section of students from each year group. Both Mr Webber and I attended this session too and along with EPM, we were highly impressed with the level of thinking and rich discussion amongst the group.

Save the Date – Junior Music Festival: Thursday 4 August 4.30pm – 6pm

All Junior School students in Yrs 3-6 are busily preparing for the return of our annual Junior Music Festival to be held in Week 3 of next term. With hits from Queen, A-ha and a range of other famous rock artists, it promises to be a spectacular show.

Please note that the event will be staged in Dunnet Hall and every student will be involved in this show. On the day itself, students will remain at school from 3.20pm until the end of the concert at around 6pm. Detailed information including ticket sales will be distributed at the very start of next term.

Term 3 Dates

Looking ahead to Term 3, please note some early key dates for your diary and additional details will be sent closer to the time in Term 3.

Redlands Snowsports

Over the break, many Redlands students and families will head down to the snow and I extend my best wishes to all of our Junior School students involved in a variety of events and competitions at the snow over the upcoming break. I look forward to getting updates from Junior School staff attending including Mr Carter, Mr Latimer, Mr Watkins and Mr Sharma and celebrating these efforts and successes next term.

Allister Street Access (27 June – 1 July)

For any parents using Vacation Care next week, please note that North Sydney Council have scheduled roadworks for non-term time and this will take place between 7am – 5pm all week. Access will still be provided during the work hours but there may be a slight delay in traffic flow.

Young Investigators Science Club Term 3

Registrations have just opened for Eye Heart Science’s Young Investigators Term 3 program at Redlands and parents can book places using the QR code within the flyer.

View Flyer Here

Term 3/4 Departure Notice

As we are approaching the mid-point of the year, this is a reminder that those families who are planning on leaving the School during or at the end of Terms 3 or 4 are required to give notice to the Principal via an email to registrar@redlands.nsw.edu.au by the following dates:

Term 3 Departure:  Friday 24 June 2022 (tomorrow)
Term 4 Departure:  Friday 22 July 2022

As per the 2022 Schedule of Fees emailed to all families in December last year, there will be fees in lieu payable for any notices of departure received after these dates.

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