Head of Preparatory School
Emmy and Friends
During Term 2, Kindy and Year 1 students participated in the ‘Learn to Be Safe with Emmy’ program, run by specialist providers, Act for Kids. Each week educators came to school to facilitate conversations around personal safety, early warning signs of danger, personal body space and how to identify and articulate feelings. This invaluable program assists students and teachers understand key aspects of ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ situations at a time of growing awareness in a child’s development. Students learn lifelong protective skills using age-appropriate language, developing knowledge and confidence in identifying trusted adults, while teachers are supported with resources to enable the discussion of personal safety.
We Have Grown So Much in Prep!
As this term draws to a close, I look back at the semester and cannot help but be amazed at how far our little learners have come. Each day Prep students come to my office, clutching their work and brimming with pride. What amazes me every time is their development not only in their writing and reading capabilities but their creativity and willingness to try new things and to think ‘outside of the box’. I often look back through their books and marvel at the difference between that hesitant first entry to the piece I am now being shown. To me this is pure joy to witness risk taking where they try, get feedback, try again and then share their learning journey with me and others.
Our Prep student-led assemblies are another example of how our students have made huge strides with confidence to stand up and speak in front of their peers and staff. Each fortnight I watch on with amazement as our students plan and execute such a professional assembly where their message is always articulated so beautifully through role playing or sharing of stories. Another example of such beaming confidence is when I bring tours and visitors into their classrooms. I often will disturb the students and they are always so happy to share what they are learning.
I cannot wait to see what my special visitors will bring at the end of Term 4.
Sustainability in the Prep
A Message from Mrs Kim Chipper, Sustainability Manager
Students in the Prep School are very motivated when it comes to learning about the environment. This term, two Prep students have been named as the first Year 2 Environment Leaders, congratulations to Leelan Haines and Vivienne Cooksley.
Prep School students are currently learning the benefits of composting through using worm farms to collect food scraps from their Crunch and Sip. On top of this, students have a variety of recycling streams available, including a return and earn bin (to collect a recycle eligible containers), battery recycling and coffee cup recycling bins (for any hot chocolates). Once a week an Environment Club is run over lunchtime, where students can learn more about the environment.
Over the past 12 months, students in the Prep School have been involved in a Sustainable School Gardens program with David Harrington, an ethnobotanist. Some of the activities have included habitat audits of the school grounds, exploring what niches exist for biodiversity in our playgrounds and gardens, pollinator counts investigating the different types of essential pollinator species found in the School and an assessment of the soils found in the various gardens and vegetable beds. Hands on learning activities have included nature art from found materials, habitat restoration and construction using logs, rocks and mulch, creating bee hotels from sticks and clay and the communication of scientific data using novel methods.
Lost Property
As the term draws to a close, our pile of named and unnamed pieces of clothing, lunch boxes and drink bottles has grown. A table full of lost property will be placed outside the Prep reception next Thursday and Friday, anything unclaimed will be thrown away.
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 Terms 3 or 4 are required to give notice to the Principal via an email to registrar@redlands.nsw.edu.au by the following dates:
Term 3 Departure: Friday 23 June 2023
Term 4 Departure: Friday 21 July 2023
As per the 2023 Schedule of Fees emailed to all families in December last year, there will be fees in lieu payable for any notices of departure received after these dates.
Redlands Gala Ball – Final Early Bird Tickets Available Now
Mrs Ainslie Breckenridge
Head of Preparatory School
abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848