Head of Preparatory School
27 May 27- 3 June 3 is National Reconciliation Week. This is an important week to stop and reflect on our journey as educators and parents on how we can teach our children about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s history and culture.
Exploring reconciliation in childhood helps children learn about and value Australia’s Indigenous people and their rich culture and history. Reconciliation involves developing our understanding of how these histories continue to shape contemporary Australian society and ensuring that our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are always treated with dignity and respect. Reconciliation is often best understood as a journey. The key to this journey of reconciliation is education. It is everyone’s responsibility.
With this in mind, we arrive at this year’s Reconciliation Week theme: Now More Than Ever. These four impactful words summon Australians, urging their dedication to improving outcomes for Indigenous people.
This week, we emphasise the significance of sharing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture with the children through Literature and Art. Please visit the vibrant display of library books in the Junior and Preparatory school foyers showcasing Indigenous authors and artists will. Please take time to share the books, artwork and examples of the teachers work on display.
Through our work with children, Redlands will continue to inspire and build relationships, respect and trust between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians, committing to this important educational journey.
“Reconciliation is a decision you take in your heart”.
Ingrid Betancourt
Library News
A message from Mrs Roberts
National Simultaneous Storytime
National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 24th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children’s book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.
This year NSS took place on Wednesday at 12:00pm. The Book was Bowerbird Blues. Our Prep learners either read the book online or read the actual book. They also participated in a ‘hunt for the bowerbird’ around the school which was a lot of fun.
In a society that is so busy all the time, it is nice to stop and do something altogether like reading a book!
Premiers Reading Challenge
It is not too late to start the Premier’s Reading Challenge. If your child is in Kindergarten or Year 1, remember your child’s log in detail are in the back of their planner. You have until August to read thirty books…one a night for four weeks! It is not onerous, but rather it should be enjoyable. Any questions, please visit the library. We are happy to help.
World Bee Day
We were very excited to welcome Beekeeper David to the Prep School on Monday to help us celebrate World Bee Day. Our Kindergarten and Year.1 students enjoyed learning about how honey ends up in the jar! They were able to experience how a beekeeper extracts honey from the hive, where wax comes from and even experienced the ‘smoker’ that helped the bees calm down.
A few lucky students even got to wear a beekeeper’s protective suit and helmet. I think the highlight for many was the tasting of the honey at the end, so many students commented on how sweet it was and how different it was to the honey in shops!
Having real life hands on experiences are so very important for our young learners to make authentic connections to their learning. David did comment on how many students said that they and seen beehives on you tube or the TV, this made the real experience so much more rewarding on Monday.
Year 2 Excursion
On Monday 16th May, Year 2 went on a Sydney Harbour Cruise excursion. We met our tour guides at Circular Quay before we boarded the boat. While we were on the cruise, we saw many special places such as The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. We travelled to Watsons Bay where we had time to complete some fun activities. We went line fishing and we also built animal habitats on the beach. We learnt about how to care for special places. Finally, we got back on the boat and travelled back to the Opera House. We had a group photo on the stairs on the Sydney Opera House. Then we walked back through Circular Quay and the Rocks to head back to the bus. We had an excellent time on our excursion.
By Evelyn and Freya
Mrs Ainslie Breckenridge
Head of Preparatory School
abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848