Head of Junior School
Thank You
These two simple words can and should always carry great weight and importance in how we connect with each other but, at times, the words can carry even stronger meaning and significance. Now is one such time.
I express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to everyone in our special school community for their unwavering support, efforts, adaptability as well as the deep sense of school community spirit.
Our teaching and support staff have been nothing short of phenomenal in their commitment to their students and in embracing the changing landscape of learning and as I mentioned in our remote assemblies this week, I am equally proud of our students and their ability to adapt and be open to new ways of thinking and learning.
On Monday, one of our Yr 3 students, Viraj Tandon, popped in to drop a painting he had created as a ‘thank you’ to the School. The image entitled Mother, was of Mother Theresa and on the reverse, Viraj had written the following message, “In this time of universal care and need, a beacon of hope that binds humanity together”
As I said to students in our online assembly on Monday, we can either go through this or we can grow through this and I believe that our community’s response thus far will see us in a far better position for this experience when we get back to school and our everyday business.
Many of you will have heard the Queen speak to the Commonwealth this week and her final comments really resonated with where I think we are at Redlands:
“Better days will return; we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”
With continued best wishes to you and your families at this time and the very best of wishes for the Easter period.
Students’ Video Message
On behalf of the staff at Redlands, I also acknowledge and express appreciation to all Redlands parents and students for your continued messages of support and feedback and the video message created by Junior School families and crafted with love and expertise by parent, Annie Flynn, was deeply moving for us all and tears of gratitude were shed by many of the staff.
The video contains some beautiful contributions that have poured in over the last few days and I know that families and our students will love seeing the final creation too (tissues might be needed).
The video can be privately accessed via this link and the password is light123
Thank you.
Parent Webinars
It was just wonderful to connect with over 500 Junior Campus families as we hosted four separate webinars this week for parents in the Preschool, Prep School, Yrs 3 and 4 and Yrs 5 and 6. Alongside our Principal Mr Webber, Deputy Principal Ms McGarry, Dean of Teaching and Learning Mrs Smith, Dean of Students Mrs Kourakis and Redlands House Coordinator Mrs Huon, it was wonderful to be able to share information with Redlands families through this medium and have real-time connection with our families. As I mentioned, as well as missing the students, I have missed daily interactions with families at times such as morning drop-off, pick-up or on the sidelines of sports matches so it was great to see so many friendly faces on screen.
We will seek to place the recorded video links to the sessions on Redlands Pulse during the upcoming holidays.
School Assemblies
Our final assemblies this week saw us continue to explore new ways of connecting with our students and joined again by Principal Mr Webber and Deputy Principal Ms McGarry, it was a joy to host remote Junior School assemblies this week for all of the students. It was lovely to see the many faces that make up our student group and we will continue to ensure that these types of connections continue next term.
Extra Art Activities Google Classroom Page
Students are invited to explore a range of activities from drawing, to outdoor art and art activities that the whole family can get involved in on the Google Classroom page. There are also links to virtual tours and art galleries that have built sites specifically for children to navigate and discover art. Ms Reinhold will be adding to this page which is open to students of all ages who would like to do some extra art in their own time. Class Code snvwvu4.
Student Wellbeing Matter
In preparation for the school holidays and in support of wellbeing, a resource list has been placed on Redlands Pulse. Here you will find a range of ideas, suggestions, links and activities centred on the Five Ways to Wellbeing: Staying Active, Keeping Connected, Learning New Things, Taking Notice and Being Kind.
Baby Abilene Jewel Clanfield
We were thrilled to hear of the safe arrival of baby Abilene Clanfield, a fifth child for Junior School Christian Studies teacher, James Clanfield. We wish James and his family all the very best at this time and both mum and bub are happy and healthy and her older siblings are positively smitten.
Term 2 Staffing News
We are delighted to welcome back Mr Brad Hemopo to our Junior Campus PDHPE team for the rest of the year. As some of you may recall, Mr Hemopo left us at the end of 2019 to commence a professional Rugby contract in the US but has returned after just four games with the abandonment of the season until 2021. As Mr Hemopo returns, we thank Mr James Duncan for fulfilling the role in Term 1.
Some Possible Holiday Non-Screen Activities
Term 2 Start
Please note that Term 2 commences on Tuesday 28 April. We look forward to resuming our remote and online learning program and we will be in touch again ahead of this date.
Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop will remain closed to customers until further notice. We will continue to place orders online through Flexischools or via email to uniformorders@redlands.nsw.edu.au during Term 2.
You can choose to have your order delivered to your house via Australia Post or request a pick up from the Shop on Mondays and Thursdays only.
Further information can be found on Redlands Pulse or by calling the Uniform Shop on 9968 9850.
Chaplain
Please visit the Chaplain page to read their interesting article.
Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School (covering Head of Preparartory School)
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022