Head of Junior School
Positive Behaviour For Learning and Playground Environments
Positive Behaviour Support for Learning (PBS4L) is a comprehensive, integrated whole school approach to student wellbeing and behaviour. It focuses on building student commitment and understanding of the specific behaviours that contribute to safe, organised and respectful learning and playing environments. At the beginning of the school year, each classroom on the Junior Campus developed a set of behavioural expectations under the pillars of Learning, Respectful Relationships and Safety and Organisation. These have been published and are visible throughout our classrooms and learning environments. Following this, our Junior School Student Representative Council, under the guidance of Ms Christina Cosolito, conducted class meetings focussing on the behaviours that contribute to a positive playground environment. Teachers and students from Kindergarten to Yr 6 were consulted and their ideas summarised, resulting in a campus-wide agreement.
These playground expectations were launched at Preparatory and Junior School assemblies earlier this week. In support of student awareness and understanding, Ms Jacqui Lofgren, along with a group of student volunteers, produced a film demonstrating the behaviours under each pillar. If you would like to view this film and learn more about the social, emotional and behavioural competencies that support positive relationships and student wellbeing, please feel welcome to attend a parent information session on Thursday 20 June at 8.30am in the Arnold Library, Junior School. For further information contact Ms Sam Kourakis, Dean of Students, Junior Campus.
The da Vinci Decathlon
Last Thursday, over 1300 students from across the State in Yrs 5 and 6 participated in the annual Knox Grammar NSW da Vinci Decathlon. The Decathlon celebrates the academic gifts of young people by providing a stimulating and challenging competition run in the spirit of an Olympic Decathlon. Students competed in teams of eight across ten disciplines; Engineering, Mathematics, Code Breaking, Art and Poetry, Science, English, Ideation, Creative Producers, Cartography and General Knowledge.
With the day divided into three sessions and many tasks running concurrently, both the Redlands Yrs 5 and 6 teams demonstrated excellent collaboration and took a group approach to problem solving. With more than 50 teams in each age group, the Yr 6 team placed 12th overall and successfully achieved 2nd place in Cartography, 3rd place in Code Breaking and 7th place in Science. Well done and congratulations to all participating students and my thanks are also extended to Mrs Hibbert, Mrs Ling and Mrs Rugg, who prepared and accompanied the students. Pictured at top.
Primary A ISDA Debating Success
Congratulations to the Primary A (Yr 6) Debating team who won their Quarter Final against St Aloysius last Friday. They are off to the Semi Finals next week against St Ignatius College. We wish them the best of luck and look forward to hearing how they go!
Yr 5 Antarctica Presentation and Taronga Zoo Excursion
Last week, Yr 5 were lucky enough to listen to Deb Shoosmith (mother of Luke Shoosmith), share her experiences of living and working as an Oceanographer in Antarctica. Yr 5 learned about the Antarctic environment, flora and fauna as well as the challenges of living and working on the most remote continent on the planet. The presentation was brought alive by many visuals. This experience enriched the children’s appreciation of the fragility of Antarctica and how we can protect it moving forward. Many thanks to Deb for this wonderful presentation.
Yr 5 also took part in a full day excursion to Taronga Zoo, where they participated in a workshop led by Taronga’s Education Department, Surviving in a Changing World. This complemented their current inquiry topic of Fragile Environments in Geography and also their study of Adaptations in Science. The students had a close encounter with some of the animals and were also able to see the new baby elephant. The Yr 5 team would like to thank the 18 parent helpers who came along on the day and helped make it such a resounding success.
Mrs Samantha Kourakis
Dean of Students
on behalf of
Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022