Head of Junior School

Lower North Shore STEM Competition

Yesterday afternoon, we were delighted to host the inaugural School Lower North Shore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) competition where 150 students from twelve local schools presented STEM experiments that they had designed and created.

The young scientists from Yrs 1-6 came up with some wonderfully creative, scientific thinking and the notion of them being problem finders rather than problem solvers, which we frequently talk about, was plain to see. With over 75 entries, the judging panel which included our Head of Secondary Science, Ms Harrisson, and our Dean of Teaching and Learning, Mr Coutts, had their work cut out to evaluate all of the experiments and it was enriching for me to see the level of thinking and reflection of the students present. This opportunity was presented to all of our Junior School students and it was wonderful to see many of them take this chance to challenge themselves in this forum and present and respond to questions from over 200 parents, teachers and guests. Congratulations to our Redlands entrants: Jay Roger (Yr 3); Julia Cooper-Hor, Kira Delaney, Freya Stasko (all Yr 4); Oliver Cooke, James Gray, Angus McInnes, Alessandro Scali (Yr 5); and River Stefanovic and Charlotte Waterland (Yr 6). Charlotte was also placed 3^rd overall, which was a highly commendable achievement. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Dr Alana Wylie and Eye Heart Science into the future. Dr Wylie has been a wonderful scientist in residence for us over the last seven years.

11^th Annual House Poetry Recital

Monday saw our 11^th annual House Poetry Recital, a wonderful enrichment opportunity that has involved every single Junior School student in the preliminary stages. With one representative from each Junior School class, the rest of the school enjoyed a truly memorable start to the week with our performers showing poise, charisma and confidence as they delivered their respective poems to the audience of students, teachers and their parents. Well done to all of the students for their involvement this term and in particular the students listed below who performed so marvellously on Monday.

2019 Orientation Day

Last Friday saw us welcome over fifty new students who will join the Junior School in 2019 as part of their process of orientation into Redlands. Our students welcomed their soon-to-be peers with warmth and friendship, as many of the new students commented on to me in the final session I had with just them. All of them left having made a new friend or two which was wonderful too. As part of the day, we also moved Yrs 2, 3, 4 and 5 up a year to the Year Groups they will be in next year. This allowed them some time with different teachers and softly begin to get a feel of new learning spaces and expectations. Students rotated around each classroom doing a series of fun activities and I know that this was also hugely beneficial for many of our students.

Remembrance Day Service

Last Sunday, our Junior Voices group were privileged to sing as part of St Peter’s Church Service of Remembrance. Led by Head of Music, Mr Kuilenburg, the group also sang for the Junior School on Monday morning as we spent time reflecting on the significance of this centenary remembrance date.

Speech Day 2018

As you would have seen in the calendar, our Junior School Speech Day takes place at 11.00am on Wednesday 5 December and will again be held at The Big Top, Luna Park. All students are expected to attend this final formal occasion of the year and further details of student arrival times for rehearsals and the event will be published in coming editions of Note Day and communicated to families in the next fortnight.

Tabitha Galvin

Congratulations to Yr 5 student, Tabitha Galvin, who has been selected to join the Royal Ballet School of London’s Spring Intensive program next April in Hong Kong. Part of the Redlands Ballet and Dance Academy, Tabitha is extremely excited at this opportunity and we look forward to hearing of her experience next year.

Surf Education

Our Junior School students will complete their Term 4 Surf Education program this week, which has been an unmitigated success with a new venue and provider. Our students have enjoyed rotating through eight different activities in groups of 10-12 with which have been:

• Resuscitation and beach first aid
• Tube rescues
• Board paddling and board rescues
• Beach flags racing
• Boogie boards – learning the wave
• Beach soccer
• Beach volleyball
• Float and survive – identifying a rip

As well as being great fun, an important aim of this program is to ensure that our students feel comfortable and safe in the ocean ahead of the summer holidays. My thanks are extended to Ms Robinson from our PDHPE department who has coordinated the program and changes for the students to enjoy at Freshwater Beach.

Anglicare’s Toys ‘n’ Tucker Campaign

Redlands Junior School will again turn its focus to ‘letting our light shine’ by sharing the joy of Christmas with children in need in Sydney by participating in Anglicare’s Toys ‘n’ Tucker Campaign.

If you wish to participate, please bring your gifts the Junior School Reception and place them under the Christmas tree. Christmas is a wonderful time to reflect on God’s generous gift to people and on the joy, we can share by giving.

While our focus in Junior School is the Anglicare collection, many families at Redlands also like to support our Secondary School collection for Matthew Talbot Homeless Shelter. Our staff and Yr 11 students serve breakfast there every Monday of the year and it is wonderful to be able to know that the people we meet each week will be the recipients of our gifts.  Our Yr 6 students have also been keen to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness in a practical way. There will be a box for items in both Prep and Junior School Receptions. Collections begin on Monday 12 November and conclude Tuesday 4 December.

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