Head of Junior School

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Return to On-Campus Learning (Week 3)

We are very much looking forward to the phased return of On-Campus Learning next week as you will be aware from the letter sent last Friday which can be found on Redlands Pulse for your reference, which also details the Week 4 schedule.

Thank you to families who have confirmed that their child(ren) will not be returning in Weeks 3 and 4 and for other families who may opt for this choice, please be reminded to complete this link which was in the letter as we have a central point of recording this information.

From the letter, I have summarised some key points below. I did explain some of these to the students in our assembly this week but it would be helpful to go through these with your child too.

• All students and staff will have their temperature checked upon arrival. Please explain this to your child beforehand so that it is not a surprise for them when they arrive.
• Drop off is either by car drop off at Allister St or at Murdoch St for foot passengers or students arriving by bus.
• If you are arriving by car, please ensure your child is sitting on the passenger side of the car where their temperatiure will be taken through the car window. They should also have their bag beside them so that there is not a delay in getting out as we aim to make this as quick a process for everyone.
• Unless essential, parents will not be permitted on campus at this time.
• Students should go straight to their classroom as there will be no play before school.
• Physical distancing guidance and regular hygiene practice will be in place.
• An ongoing cleaning timetable will operate throughout the day in all areas.
• All students should bring a water bottle to refill as the bubblers will not be accessible but the bottle refilling stations will be.
• Recess and lunch orders can be ordered via Flexischools
• In the event of a child becoming unwell during the day, they will be isolated and parents asked to collect them.
• For car line pick up, all parents are asked to have an A4 size name in the front windscreen for car line duty staff to read out and communicate via walkie talkie rather than have to stop at every car.

While the plans are scheduled for Weeks 3 and 4, we will be regularly reviewing this rapidly changing landscape and will adapt these plans as necessary. We are also planning that there will be an increase in On-Campus Learning from Week 5 onwards, which will be communicated in advance again.

Uniform Week 3

While students are expected to wear formal Winter uniform, we appreciate that families may not have had the opportunity to visit the Uniform Shop over the past few weeks. Therefore for Week 3, students are permitted to wear their PE uniform to school if they have been uable to purchase Winter uniforms from the Uniform Shop.  

Here are the details of the Uniform Shop opening hours next week for purchase of Winter uniforms.

Uniform Shop

Student Wellbeing Return to School

Prior to our students returning to school on their allocated day, our teachers will prepare them for some of the changes to normal routines. The drop-off procedures and the temperature checking process, amongst other things, will be explained so that students will be aware and comfortable with what to expect when they arrive at school.

We recognise that there may be some excitement, as well as some anxiety amongst the children, and this will also be acknowledged and addressed. Returning to school may also trigger renewed questioning about COVID-19 at home. A parent resource can be found on Redlands Pulse containing lots of helpful tips to reassure children and support conversations about COVID-19 using child-friendly language, correcting any misunderstandings. In addition, our weekly wellbeing sessions across each Year Group have focused on developing personal and social capabilities, in particular supporting our children’s emotional awareness and resilience. If you have particular concerns about your child’s wellbeing, our Dean of Students, Mrs Kourakis, and our Chaplain, Ms McKenzie, continue to be available for you.

Connected to Student Wellbeing, our Deputy Principal, Ms McGarry and our Dean of Students, Mrs Kourakis, were invited to be panellists on a webinar this week hosted by the Association of Independent Schools in NSW, where they were able to share the School’s various approaches to student, staff and community wellbeing and engagement in this time of remote and online learning.

Mr Guha’s Challenges

In assembly this week, I presented the students with three optional challenges to consider, which I have also placed on their Google Classroom page for reference. It has been fantastic to receive many responses already and I wanted to share these with parents too as it might stimulate conversation at home and do encourage your children to consider this reflective opportunity; I was also excited to hear of some students and families who have created time capsules to remember this time in our lives.

Junior School Sport (Wednesdays and Saturdays)

I enjoyed seeing and being part of our first Saturday Sport live training sessions last weekend which drew over 80 students for Fitness and Football sessions. Following that, over 200 students took part in Wednesday’s Sports session and further details of this weekend’s sessions, which will also include a Netball session, will be circulated by Mr Dunne.

Mother’s Day

Sadly, our annual Mother’s Day breakfast which was scheduled for next Monday will not take place this year but I extend warm wishes to all the mums in our community for Sunday.

Chaplain

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