Head of Junior School

What do you do with a Problem?

In our assembly this week, I read a story to the students entitled, What do you do with a Problem? written by Kobi Yamada. The book helps to scaffold how to approach challenges that we come across and when the child in the story finally musters up the courage to face his problem, it turns out to be something quite different than it first appeared.

As I shared with the students, our path in life is not a linear one and there will be things that crop up that will challenge us, shape us, push us, and help us to discover just how strong and brave and capable we really are. This is a short video link to the story that you might also be interested to watch with your child and we also have copies of the book in the library for students to borrow.

Principal’s Commissioning

Last Friday morning, it was a privilege to join our Junior School Captains, our Head of Prep School and two Prep students at the official Commissioning of our new Principal, Mr Sean Corcoran. It was both uplifting and moving to be part of this significant event in the School’s history to mark the commencement of Mr Corcoran’s principalship as only the 12^th in the School’s 139 year history.

Meet the Teacher Evening

It was wonderful to be able to welcome parents in again for this start of year connection opportunity between parents and teachers. As I mentioned in my start of year letter, clear and positive lines of communication are central to developing the important partnership between home and school as we work together to support your child’s social, emotional and academic needs and growth over the year.

Murdoch Street Pedestrian Crossing

Please note that we have been advised by Transport for NSW that they have not been able to replace the previous School Crossing Supervisor on Murdoch Street as of yet. In the interim period, we have placed a Redlands staff member on the school side of the crossing before and after school to supervise the crossing area but also note that teachers are not authorised to manage the traffic or carry the lollipop sign. We hope that this position can be filled quickly and thanks for your understanding and continued awareness driving around the campus.

Where Can I Pick My child Up From?

Please can parents collecting students from the Allister or Murdoch St gates find a space on the campus away from the reception area and gates to meet your child. The car line pick-up area is already busy and the added congestion of parents right standing outside the Allister St gate is creating more confusion.

Parents are encouraged to come onto the campus and find a seat in the area near Murdoch Street or near the play equipment to meet your child and then go from there. Hopefully this small change will make departure a lot smoother and safer so we thank you for your awareness and support.

School Photos – Extra Junior School Sibling Photo Time

Next Thursday 16 February, we have our formal school photos as per the letter sent at the start of the week. All students will need to wear their full school uniform including blazers and they will have individual as well as a class photo.

Whilst there is still the opportunity to have sibling photos on Wednesday morning as communicated, with this being a Sport day, the photographers have agreed to add an option for Junior School siblings to have their sibling photo before school on Thursday. This will take place in Parkes Hall from 7.30am.

I appreciated the feedback and perspective on this from a parent and hope it will support other families where you only have Junior School students.

Year Group Parent Contact Lists

Year Group Parent Contact lists will be emailed to all Junior School families by the end of this week. Please be reminded that these are strictly for school-based purposes and not for any aspect of commercial use.

School Representative Sport

This weekend sees our first round of Summer Representative Sport as no fewer than 15 Redlands Junior School teams compete against other independent schools in basketball, tennis, touch football and girls’ football.

Our overarching aim is to get students to enjoy being active whilst developing as individuals and as teams in their respective sports. The focus on improvement and effort has always superseded winning but we know that if we get the first two in place, the third can often look after itself.

Connected to this, as we start the school year, please take a moment to read the Independent Primary Schools Heads of Australia (IPSHA) Codes of Behaviour for School Sport below, which is based on the IPSHA Aims and principles of Junior School Sport.

COACHES’ CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

Basic skills should be taught to all team members.
Children should be encouraged to play hard and win fairly.
Teach your players that rules of the sport are mutual agreements, which no one should evade or break.
Children should participate for fun and enjoyment and winning is only part of their motivation. Never ridicule or yell at the children for making mistakes or losing a competition.
Coaching during games should not interfere with the control by the referee or umpire, nor should it be offensive to opponents.
Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the players.
Develop team respect for the ability of the opponents as well as for the judgment of officials and opposing coaches.
Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed of sound coaching principles and the principles of growth and development of children.
Make it positive experience for the children.

PLAYERS’ CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

Play by the rules.
Never argue with an official.
Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is not permitted in any sport.
Work equally hard for yourself and/or for your team. Your team will benefit, so will you.
Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays, whether they are by your team, opponent or the other team.
Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat.
Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another player.
Co-operate with your coach, teammates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.
Place in proper perspective the isolated incidents of unsporting behaviour rather than make such incidents the ‘highlight’ of the event.
If a player is sent off during the game, a one-week suspension is recommended.
Thank the opposition and officials at the end of a game.

SPECTATORS’ CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

Children play organised sports for fun. They are not playing for the entertainment of spectators only, nor are they miniature professionals.
Applaud good performances and efforts from each team. Congratulate all participants upon their performance regardless of the game’s outcome.
Respect the officials’ decision.
Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during a competition.
Positive comments are motivational and encourage continued effort.
Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by spectators, coaches, officials or players.
Show respect for your team’s opponents. Without them there would be no game.
Encourage players to follow the rules and the officials’ decisions.
Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour by not using foul language, harassing players, coaches or officials.
Comments should not interfere with the running of the game.
Focus on the efforts and performance of the children rather than the result. Praise
is encouraged at all levels.

As parents, the joy of being a positive supporter of your child and their team on the sidelines is an important role and is one that both Redlands and your children value immensely. Supporting our many sports teams each weekend over the course of the year is one of the most enjoyable parts of my role and I look forward to seeing students and families over the year in this environment too.

Twilight in the Garden

The first social gathering for all Redlands families is edging closer; our annual ‘Twilight Drinks’ cocktail evening between 6-8pm on Friday 17 February on the Fahl Garden on the Senior Campus.This is a wonderful opportunity for new and existing families to connect with our community. You can purchase your tickets here or via the Book Now button on the flyer below. It’s a popular event and as such I would encourage you to get your tickets early.

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