Head of Junior School

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Wellbeing Day

Last Friday, our Junior School students and staff enjoyed an uplifting day of activities and fundraising focused on the wellbeing of our students, teachers and our wider community. From Science incursions to aerobics classes to art workshops led by alumni artist Antonia Houben to initiative games to name but some of the activities, the students actively engaged in sessions together.

We were thrilled to raise almost $4,000 for Bear Cottage, a children’s hospital in Manly with whom Redlands has had a long connection and they were so humbled to receive the money from us this week.

My thanks to all involved: teachers, Secondary School students, parents who ran a BBQ and helped make fruit kebabs, and of course the students who fully embraced the day which had been coordinated by Mrs Clinton as Dean of Students.

View the Staff Dance Off Video here

Yr 6 2023 Student Leadership Nominations

On Monday, our Yr 6 2022 student leadership nomination process took place for our current Yr 5 cohort ahead of their transition into Yr 6 and the student leadership opportunities that come with this move. I am grateful to Mr Brakell and the Yr 5 team for the meticulous planning and organisation of the session, which it was a pleasure to be part of. I also enjoyed listening to the types of questions that Yr 5 asked teachers and some of our current Yr 6 students about student leadership as well as hearing the values that they looked for in leaders and hoped for themselves as a cohort.

The students were provided information on the various roles and then presented with the opportunity to self-nominate for any of the leadership positions listed below for which the students were encouraged to consider putting themselves forward for at least one.

• Junior School Captains (one girl and one boy)
• Arts Captains (one girl and one boy)
• Sports Captains (one girl and one boy)
• Environmental Captains (one girl and one boy)
• House Captains (one girl and one boy per House – 8 in total)

Students were also able to nominate themselves for leadership involvement in areas such as technology, wellbeing and library as we aim to provide every student with an experience to lead in some form or another.

As I said to the Yr 5 cohort, I know that we have no shortage of potential school leaders who would be very capable representatives of the student body in 2023. Yrs 5 and 6 students, as well as teachers who know the group, can confidentially vote this week and then the captains will be announced for the first time at Speech Day on the last day of this term and presented with their leadership badges by our Principal, Mr Webber.

End of Term Events

We have a number of final events in the last fortnight which have been communicated previously and can be found on Pulse too. Please note the overview below for reference.

Christmas Mufti at Redlands

Next Tuesday, we are celebrating Christmas with our Junior Campus Carols. This is a student only gathering and to get into the Christmas spirit and raise funds for Anglicare Toys ‘n’ Tucker, all students and staff have the opportunity to wear Christmas Mufti on Tuesday and bring a donation.  

Students are asked to remember to be both sun and shoe safe ready for recess and lunch. Ideas for Christmas Mufti might include:

• Wearing Christmas colours: white, silver, gold, green, red 
• Santa Hat or other Christmas decorations or tinsel 
• Any Christmas accessories
• Christmas shirt
• Angel or nativity costume
• Christmas character 

Anglicare Toys ‘n’ Tucker

The gifts at Junior School reception for Anglicare is testament to the giving nature of our Redlands families. Thank you for your generous support as we once again support Anglicare’s Toy’s ‘n’ Tucker Campaign, knowing the positive impact donated gifts will make to so many in need. If you would still like to be involved, please bring your gifts and food items no later than Tuesday 6 December. Please remember to make sure all items are new and remain sealed. 

Lost Property – Final Call for 2022

Please remind your child of the importance of looking after their belongings and ensuring that their items of clothing and belongings are named, a task that they can do themselves.

We have a large amount of unnamed plastic lunchboxes and lunch bags in Junior School lost property and these will be recycled or cleared at the end of term.

Science Club in 2023

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