Head of Preparatory School
Yr 2 Strings Performance
We are delighted to invite Yr 2 parents to Dunnet Hall on Monday 24 June for the end of term Strings concert. This performance will provide an opportunity for the students to showcase their learning this term. It will commence at 2.25pm and will run for approximately 15 minutes. All parents of Yr 2 students are invited to celebrate in their child’s achievement in Strings thus far. A reminder that there is no parking permitted on the school side of Allister St from 2.30pm onwards.
Environmental Action at Redlands – Mufti Day Friday 28 June
Throughout Term 2, the Student Representative Council (Yrs 3-6) has been focusing on environmentally friendly strategies to help Redlands become eco-friendlier. In an effort to help our Australian community, students have come up with the idea of raising funds for farmers experiencing the detrimental effects of drought. To help raise awareness for Australian farmers, the Student Representative Council will be hosting a mufti day on the last day of Term 2, Friday 28 June. Students from Preschool to Yr 6 are invited to dress in earthy colours and to bring a gold coin donation for farmers in need. All funds will be donated to Rural Aid Australia, an organisation which strives to provide support to farmers and rural communities in times of need.
As a reminder, could all students wear enclosed footwear and appropriate clothing for continuing with Sports classes and outdoor play.
Preparatory Clubs Term 3
Clubs have now finished for Term 2. Prep will once again be using the Trybooking system to organise the registration of Clubs for Term 3. Clubs are run by teachers on Wednesday afternoons from 3.00–4.00pm for Yrs 1 and 2 students only. An additional offering this Semester of a morning club beginning at 7.30am will also be available. Designed to be an hour of fun activity, Clubs provide children with an opportunity to mix with students in a new group, made up of both Year Groups. If you would like your child to take part in the Clubs program next term, for which there is no additional cost, please refer to the letter emailed to families on Monday 17 June. The letter outlines how long the Trybooking system will be available for you to make bookings and the Club choices on offer. Clubs will commence in Week 2 (Wednesday 31 July) and will finish in Week 9 (Wednesday 18 September).
Yr 2 – Sleeping Bag Day
As part of the preparations for Yr 2 Camp, Yr 2 will be having a Sleeping Bag Day on Friday 28 June (last day of Term 2). On this day, all students will need to bring a book of their choice from home and a sleeping bag to school. During the day, students will have quiet reading time, unroll their sleeping bags, remove shoes and climb in and curl up with a book. As well as being a lot of fun, this will give the children the opportunity to practice unrolling and packing up their sleeping bag in preparation for camp. If you do not have a sleeping bag, please consider borrowing one for the day. Alternatively, your child can roll up a blanket and pack it in a pillow case. No pillows are permitted or needed for this event.
Yr 2 Camp – Parent Information Session
On Thursday 19 and Friday 20 September (Week 9, Term 3), Yr 2 will be heading off on their first Redlands Camp! This experience is part of the progressive, sequential outdoor education program at Redlands which is designed to maximise social and emotional growth. On Tuesday 6 August, we will be holding a Parent Information Session to provide you with more detail around the outdoor education program at Redlands and the specifics of Yr 2 Camp itself. This way, we can work together to prepare your child for a successful and enjoyable camp experience. Please note the details below if you wish to attend:
- Date: Tuesday 6 August
- Time: 8.30-9.30am
- Venue: Arnold Library, Junior Campus
Preparatory School Reports
Written reports are provided by the School twice a year, at the end of each semester. This report is confidential between the School, parents and student. Reports for each student are being finalised and these will be uploaded to Redlands Pulse/Student Details. We expect this will occur during the first week of the holiday break. Parent teacher meetings will be offered again in Week 3 of Term 3 allowing for further discussion of learning growth. Information pertaining to these meetings will be emailed before the end of this term.
In evaluating and assessing student learning, individual progress has been measured against specific learning expectations (skills or indicators) as outlined in the NSW Board of Studies syllabus documents. For each subject studied, your child has been given an academic descriptor which assesses them on the learning that they have covered at the time the report is written.
As you read through the report this semester, it is important to celebrate and acknowledge areas of strength as well as discuss some areas for improvement with your child. Recognising academic achievement is significant, but even more essential is your child’s approach to learning and their qualities of mind and character. Research tells us that acknowledging the effort a student applies to their learning assists with motivation and self-confidence. A positive conversation filled with praise will always reap more reward and set the tone for a successful beginning to Semester 2.
Cashless Canteen
The Junior Campus Canteen has been using the very popular online ordering platform, Flexischools, for 12 months. Recently, the Canteen acquired an Eftpos machine which will assist families if they would like to buy hot chocolates and breakfast in the morning. The overarching goal for the Canteen is for it to run completely cashless, in order to improve efficiencies and allow for better planning of requirements by having all menu items on the Flexischools platform. Beginning at the start of Term 4, all students who would like to purchase a snack or a Recess and Lunch order will be required to order this on Flexischools. An option for families with older Junior School students is to acquire a prepaid debit card giving them the opportunity to learn important budgeting skills. Spriggy is an example of one of these cards.
Lost Property
There is an accumulation of jumpers, hats, drink bottles and lunch boxes in Lost Property. As we come to the end of Semester 1, any unnamed lost property will be disposed of, to begin a new semester with an empty box.
Library Book Returns
All Lucy Hill Library books are due back this week. There will be no children’s borrowing after this time; however, parents are welcome to borrow for the holiday period especially if you are still intending to complete the Premier’s Reading Challenge.
Term 3/4 Departure Notice
As we are approaching the mid-point of the year, this is a reminder that those families who are planning on leaving the School during or at the end of Term 3 or Term 4 are required to give notice to the Principal via an email to registrar@redlands.nsw.edu.au by the following dates:
- Term 3 Departures: Friday 21 June
- Term 4 Departures: Saturday 27 July
As per our Conditions of Enrolment emailed to all families in December last year with the 2018 Schedule of Fees, there will be fees in lieu payable for any notices of departure received after the relevant date.
Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop will open during the school holidays on Monday 1 July, Thursday 18 July and Friday 19 July 8.00am – 4.00pm.
Appointments are essential and can booked online here.
Kindergarten Bush School
Another fabulous year of creativity, friendship and learning has seen the children delight in all the bush setting has to offer. This year the children have spent time going on adventures with their friends, climbing rocks and making cubby houses out of sticks where each group collaborated to see how big they could make their shelters. Wednesday’s group saw the children creating artworks and installations, making ‘Girl Powder’ and drawing with charcoal. Friday’s group have seen the children’s incredible imagination shine. Two islands were created, The Island of Liberty and the Throwing Island, where wonderful team work and discussions took place. A small group created interviews for the new ‘Kindergarten Current Affair’ describing what goes on at Bush School. The Preparatory staff would like to extend their thanks to the dedicated team of parents who assisted each week to watch over the Kindergarten cohort whilst they played and learned. Thank you to Matthew Bruggen, Mimi Robinson, Mayumi Staley, Jonathan Morgan, Andrew Blackett, Cathy Chen, Matthew Willis, Libby Quick, Inder Aney, Breeanna Lee, Addy Pong, Nadene Thatcher, Gabi Ratcliffe, Jonty Monopoli, Kaisey Hulsbosch, Lydia Cesco, Caroline Nochar, Rachael Tamblyn and Brittne-Aspen Whitelaw for their guidance and support. Equally, to Kate Hurley, Kindergarten Year Coordinator, for her organisation and overall management of this program.
Redlands Gala Ball – Only a Few Tables Left!
Tickets are selling fast to this not to be missed event on the Redlands social calendar! Fantastic entertainment and a band to dance to, as well as incredible prizes to be won.
All proceeds raised will be dedicated to the means-tested Redlands Scholarship Fund. This Fund creates life-changing opportunities for exceptional young people to realise their full potential, when a Redlands education would otherwise be out of reach. For further enquiries, please visit our website or contact Jenni at jdejager@redlands.nsw.edu.au.
Mrs Audrey Fellowes
Head of Preparatory School
afellowes@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848