Head of Preparatory School
Teacher Appreciation Day
A big thank you to the RPFA for providing our wonderful teachers with delicious treats today to mark Teacher Appreciation Day. Every day I am in awe of what our teachers do for our students and our wider community. They are the glue the binds us altogether and today we say a big thank you to all of them.
Big Hearts Program
Big Hearts Project: Empowering Our Children’s Emotional Understanding
A message from our Counsellors
We are thrilled to share that we’ve successfully concluded the first session of the Big Hearts Project, a program designed to empower children with the knowledge and skills to understand and manage their emotions effectively. We’re excited to provide you with a quick recap of the activities.
Psychoeducation on Emotions
We introduced the students to the fundamental concept of emotions and how they can significantly impact their behaviour. To reinforce this learning, we showcased a valuable video that you can watch together with your children. This video serves as an excellent tool for deepening their comprehension of emotions.
Balloon Breathing Exercise
We also engaged the students in a soothing visualisation breathing exercise known as “Balloon Breathing.” They discovered a creative way to visualise their breath inflating and deflating, just like a balloon. This technique equips them with the skills to relax and effectively respond to their emotions.
Zones of Regulation
We also explored the “Zones of Regulation.” They learned how various emotions can place them in different “Zones” and how they might behave in the different “Zones”. This knowledge is designed to enhance their self-awareness and emotional literacy.
We encourage you to play an active role in reinforcing these activities and strategies with your children at home. By doing so, you can help them to develop their emotional literacy, and strengthen their ability to regulate their emotions.
Principal for a Day
Last week I had the privilege of welcoming Olivia Hepple (1 Yellow) and Jonathan Burton (1 Yellow) to my office as Principals for the Day! Both students were the lucky recipients of the 2024 Gala Ball prize to spend a day in my shoes and my goodness did we have fun together. The days began with a hot chocolate for Olivia and a Chai tea for Jonathan followed by a walk-through Redlands House to check on staff and students and to re-engage with their old teachers. The rest of the time was spent attending meetings, conducting zoom interviews, endless walking around the Prep School and most importantly, ringing the bell.
Both students gave writing new school rules a red-hot go, but this did come to an end when they both realised that by letting lunchtime extend all day would mean no learning would take place.
I believe that the highlight for Jonathan was using Jacqui’s water gun to spray students at lunchtime while Olivia’s highlight was being so busy at lunchtime that she had no time to eat as there was so many ‘Principal things to do’.
I thoroughly enjoyed both these experiences with Olivia and Jonathan, we had fun and being able to spend quality time with such amazing students is an experience I certainly will treasure. Thank you, Olivia, and Jonathan, for being fabulous Principals for the Day.
Swimming Program
Year 2 concluded their intensive swimming school last week at Lane Cove Aquatic Centre. Excited and brave swimmers boarded the bus with a few nerves to begin with but by the second session they were full of confidence.
In Australia and especially in our location here is Sydney, we tend to take knowing how to swim for granted and our intensive swim program is, for some, the first time they may have experienced formal swimming lessons. With summer just around the corner, learning to swim and to be safe in the waves is very important for young children. Please reach out to the Lane Cove Aquatic Centre for details about their learn to swim program if you would like more information.
Welcome Kindergarten Class of 2024
It was lovely to have not only our 2024 Kindergarten cohort on campus on Wednesday for orientation but also their parents for a meet and greet session in the Arnold Library. Key staff members were able to share information and stories to help inform families. Mr Corcoran was able to empathise with new Kindy parents’ nerves by sharing stories of his children starting school. After the session, parents and staff shared a cup of coffee, formed connections, and even organised some Christmas holiday playdates.
We are very excited to welcome the class of 2036 into our Redlands family next year.
OOSH News
The good news never stops coming from us! We are thrilled to announce some exciting events and opportunities for your children at OOSH.
- Vacation Care Survey:
We value your input, and we want to make sure your children continue to have the best experience during our vacation care program in December and January. We have just opened a survey where you can indicate which activities you would like to book for your children. Your feedback will help us plan activities that your children will enjoy. Please take a moment to click on the link below and choose as many activities as you’d like to see in our program.
Click here to take the survey.
- OOSH Football Match and BBQ:
Get ready for a fun-filled evening of sports and delicious food! Our OOSH Football Match is scheduled for 17 November at 4:30pm. Join us for an exciting game where parents, grandparents and friends will be able to play against our OOSH educators. After the match, we’ll be hosting a BBQ, to finish the day in great style. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the children to see their families in action!
To participate, all you need to do is add your name to this Google Doc form. We can’t wait to see you on the field, ready for some serious fun!
Thank you for being a part of our OOSH community. We look forward to your participation in these events!
Mrs Ainslie Breckenridge
Head of Preparatory School
abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848