Head of Preparatory School

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The Importance of Sleep

On Wednesday we welcomed K-6 parents and carers to the Arnold Library to hear our School Counsellors discuss the importance of sleep for children. They shared tricks and tips to help families establish a calm and structured bedtime routine that encourage a deep sleep for their child.

One tip was for families to consider how many cocurricular activities that their children participate in during afternoons. With so many options for after-school activities available at school and in the community, I do worry at times that some Prep aged children can become over scheduled. The cycle of tiredness, late mealtime and disrupted and abrupt bedtimes can really impact on a calm bedtime routine, and it can also mean a young child at the end of a school day has no free time to just play. I am always happy to talk further with any parent about this before signing up a prep student to an activity.

The presentation slides containing information and shared resources can be found on the Preparatory School Pulse page. The school counsellors are also available for a further conversation.

Upcoming Events 

Prep Parent Technology in the Classroom Workshop

When: Wednesday 8 March
Time: 8.45-10.00am
Where: Arnold Library

Book your place

We are excited to invite our parents to our Technology in the Classroom Prep Parent Workshop on Wednesday 8 March. Join our eLearning Coordinator and Year 6 Student Technology Leaders as they introduce parents to the why, what and how we use technology as a tool for learning in the Prep classrooms. Parents will have an opportunity to experience how students use iPads at school through hands-on activities with various Apps on school iPads. Places are limited to 50 participants and parents can book via the link below.

Volunteers Discussion

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help in classrooms and in Wellbeing Lunchtime Clubs. Nadine Fiebiger and I will be holding a Volunteers Discussion next Tuesday morning.

When: Tuesday 7 March at
Time: 8.30am
Where: Lucy Hill Library

We will be going through the volunteer guidelines and processes. Nadine will also be outlining what the Term 2 lunchtime commitment will look like. Thanks again to all those who have been able to volunteer their time.

International Day

Tuesday 4 April

International Day is one of the most important days here at Redlands. We are a school of many nationalities and cultures so let’s celebrate that this year without any restrictions.

This year we would like to ask you, our international community to help us organise a wonderful day full of activities, food, talks, music, and any other fun activities that you would like to share.

If you are a parent who identifies with another culture, we would love you to join our ‘Prep International Day think tank’ group.

When: Wednesday 15 March
Time: 8.30am.

Together with Katie-Louise Clinton, Argiro Anagnostu and myself, let’s pull together everyone’s ideas and hopefully provide our Prep students with a day full of wonderings and appreciation about other cultures and places. Please email me directly or catch me in the playground to let me know if you are interested in coming along. 

Prep Music Orientation Session

A reminder that we are hosting an information session for Prep parents in our community to learn more about the music happenings on the Junior Campus in two weeks’ time. We warmly invite you to the session on Thursday 16 March 8.30am in the Prep Music Room (Level 2 – above Prep Reception).    

OOSH News

OOSH Late Pick Up Notice

Parents and carers are reminded that children are to be picked up by 6pm sharp from OOSH. Unfortunately, some children are not getting picked up until 6.15pm and in some cases even later. This is unacceptable and unfair for our OOSH staff who have their own families and activities to go to at 6pm.

If you are running late to pick up your child, please call OOSH by 5.45pm to inform the staff. For families who consistently arrive late to pick up their children, OOSH registration for your child will be cancelled, and the child’s spot given to a family on the wait list.

OOSH Autumn Vacation Care

Our K-6 Vacation Care program will be available from 6/3 to all families to book via HubHello. Parents will be able to download the weekly activities and book their children on the days they would like to attend. 

Our Autumn Holidays will focus on cultural experiences from different countries and backgrounds and families are welcome to join some activities with us. More information comings soon!

Playground and Allister Street Safety Concerns

Parents and carers are not to park across the Prep School driveway at any time during or after school hours. Staff and other drivers with a disability who use the underground carpark have been unable to leave on occasions this term. Please be considerate of our staff and of the parking rules on Allister Street.

The playground equipment in the Prep and Junior School playgrounds are not to be used after school hours please by Redlands students unless they are registered with OOSH.

Can I also reiterate again, that for safety and security reasons, the Prep Reception Area is not to be used for picking up and exiting in the afternoons for OOSH. The Prep Reception is closed from 4pm. Please park on Allister Street outside the Junior School entrance and enter and exit via the Reception door please.

Mrs Ainslie Breckenridge
Head of Preparatory School
abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848