Head of Junior School P-6

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The first day of school is always a special occasion, and this year was no exception. The air was filled with laughter as friends reunited after the long summer break, shrieks of excitement echoed from the playground, and there was a healthy dose of nervousness as students embarked on a new academic year. Nonetheless, it was a thrill to see the school come alive with energy and joy. Thank you to everyone who has already taken the time to introduce themselves; I encourage you to say hello if you see me at drop-off or pick-up in the coming weeks. If you can attend one of the morning teas planned in the coming weeks, it will be a wonderful opportunity to meet me and the new Junior School leadership team in a relaxed, informal setting. Building connections with our families is at the heart of our school community, and I look forward to meeting each of you.

The year started with an incredible buzz of energy and inspiration following three days of valuable professional development with our dedicated staff last week. Over this time, we explored the transformative application of AI in education and its potential to enhance learning experiences. There was also a strong emphasis on delivering excellence in literacy and numeracy from Preschool through to Year 6, ensuring that we provide the very best foundation for our students and meet every student at their point of need. Our middle leaders had the privilege of spending an entire day with Tracey Ezard, diving deep into leadership with ‘ferocious warmth’ and reflecting on how to foster a culture of collaboration and care. The enthusiasm and commitment from our staff have set a wonderful tone for the year ahead, and I am confident that these learnings will translate into exceptional outcomes for our students.

Our students have also begun the year with excitement and anticipation for the opportunities that lie ahead. This year is filled with chances for every student to embrace responsibility, grow in leadership and strive for their personal best. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the sports field or through creative and cocurricular pursuits, our students are encouraged to live out the values that define our School: honesty, respect, responsibility, fairness, compassion and moral courage. These values will guide them in making meaningful contributions to our school community and beyond. It is inspiring to see their enthusiasm as they set goals, take on challenges and work together to make this a year of growth and achievement.

Next week, we are looking forward to hosting our annual Meet the Teacher sessions. These sessions will provide an opportunity for families to connect with staff and learn more about the exciting year ahead. Years 3 and 4 will have their session on Tuesday 4 February; Years 5 and 6 on Wednesday 5 February; and K-2 on Thursday, 6 February. Each evening will begin with an introductory session from 4:15 – 4:45 pm in Dunnet Hall, presented by the Junior School Leadership Team. Following this, Classroom Teachers will host sessions in their respective classrooms from 4:45 – 5:30 pm, sharing key focus areas and expectations for 2025. If you have children in multiple Year Groups, please note that attending the introductory session more than once is not required. We encourage all families to attend and take advantage of this valuable opportunity to engage with our team and learn how we can work together to support your child’s success.

As we look ahead to 2025, I am filled with excitement for all that this year holds. Together, we will work in partnership to help every student let their light shine, ensuring they feel supported and inspired through a differentiated curriculum designed to meet the needs of every learner. By fostering a strong connection between home and school, we can create a learning environment where every child thrives and achieves their personal best. I am eager to see the incredible growth and accomplishments that await us this year, and I am grateful to be on this journey with such a dedicated and caring community.

Twilight in the Garden

Our Twilight in the Garden event provides a wonderful opportunity for our new families to connect with our school community on the Fahl Garden on our Senior Campus. We are expecting this to be another sold out event for parents and carers so please purchase your tickets early here.

Learning Plus Volunteers

Learning Plus (support) are looking for volunteers with weekday availability and a desire to contribute regularly to the Redlands student community working with Y7-12.

We need calm and confident community members who understand confidentiality. We need writers (scribes) and readers. You need to have legible handwriting and the ability to communicate in English.

Our volunteers find this a rewarding activity and a fantastic way to support students at Redlands.

We need volunteers to start training now! 

Contact sprovisions@redlands.nsw.edu.au to express your interest or request more information. 

Wayside Chapel Toiletries Collection

Redlands has a tradition of supporting those in our community who are in need. It is the essence of our school motto “Let Your Light Shine”, to do good for others. This year we will again partner with Wayside Chapel to help them provide services to those most vulnerable in Sydney. 

Donations of travel size toiletries can be made at each of the Junior School receptions till the end of Week 3. Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Fiona McKenzie Junior School Chaplain on fmckenzie@redlands.nsw.edu.au  

Michael Quach
Head of Junior School
mquach@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Deputy Head: Operations (P-6)

Sibling Carline

Beginning this Friday 31 January, we are pleased to introduce our K-2 / 3-6 Sibling Car Line service. This program allows K-2 students with siblings in Years 3-6 to remain in a supervised classroom after their school day concludes. Just before 3:20pm, these students will be escorted to the 3-6 Reception area, where their sibling can pick them up and proceed to the designated car line outside the 3-6 Reception. Please note that this service is available exclusively to K-2 students with siblings in Years 3-6. If your child in K-2 will be participating, kindly note this in their student planner so that their class teacher can ensure they are directed to the correct location.

Amber Wilson
Deputy Head of Junior School: Operations (P-6)
awilson@redlands.nsw.edu.au