Head of Preparatory School
Welcome back to Term 3, I hope that everyone enjoyed a relaxing holiday and were able to spend some quality time with friends and family. This lovely, long, three week break gives teachers and students the ability to recharge their batteries and prepare for another busy term. The reuniting of friends on Tuesday morning in the Piazza was delightful to see. I would like to extend a welcome to the new students and their families who are joining the Redlands community this term. I look forward to continuing to lead the Preparatory School this semester, working collaboratively with students, staff and families and seeing everyone at the many exciting events we have planned, including the much-anticipated Gala Ball in August and later in the year, the K-6 Bush Dance.
Once again, the Preparatory section of the School had a large proportion of students who participated in the 2019 Redlands Cup at Thredbo. Together with some Redlands colleagues, my family and I enjoyed time down in the snow and thoroughly enjoyed watching race day with parents. With heavy snow falls the weekend prior, many Redlands students achieved wonderful results. Congratulations to Annabel Bailey, Georgia Bailey, April Oatley, Sebastian To, Oliver To, Aidan Schlederer, Kyler Simpson, Charlie Halliday and Sammy Halliday who competed in Division 6 Alpine Skiing and the Interschool’s Skiing competition with some 3,000 competitors. In a few weeks, some of these students will go on to represent Redlands at the State Championships. I must acknowledge Friends of Snowsports President, Lisa McDonald, and the team of parents whose energy and devotion in the lead up to the events and during was outstanding. They patiently guided me through my first bib-rolling session. Thank you to Mr Bruce Campbell, Mr Tom Kindred, Mr Adrian Carter and many dedicated Redlands staff, who ably and enthusiastically led this event and each year continue to provide a wonderful opportunity for all students to show their enormous talent and dedication to this sport.
Prior to the students’ return to school on Tuesday, the staff had the opportunity to learn together from the wide knowledge and expertise found within our school. Over 70 staff facilitated workshops in a range of learning opportunities across P-12, and I extend my thanks to the many Prep staff who gave their time to the organisation and delivery of these sessions.
I am excited to announce the upcoming Book Week theme, Reading is My Secret Power!. Each year across Australia, the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) brings children and books together celebrating CBCA Book Week. During this time schools, libraries, booksellers, authors and illustrators celebrate Australian children’s literature. Book Week will be held in Week 5 this term and our teacher/librarian, Mrs Roberts, has organised some exciting activities both in class and in Library lessons, including a Secret Power Dress-up Day on Thursday 22 August (P-6). Further details will be forwarded in upcoming Note Day issues.
Staffing News
This term we are pleased to welcome Mr James Duncan, who is replacing Miss Pierce who will be in Jindabyne for Winter School in Term 3. Mr Duncan is already known to some students as he taught classes during Term 2. We are delighted to welcome back Mrs Anderson from Long Service Leave and look forward to seeing all the exciting things she has in store for Music in Redlands House and the Prep School.
We welcome Ms Courtney Karpin to the Counselling team on the Junior Campus. Ms Karpin has worked previously at Moriah College with primary-aged students and we are pleased that she will be joining Mrs Foster and Mrs Kourakis, Dean of Students, beginning Week 2 of Term 3.
Parent Teacher Meetings
Parent Teacher Meetings for Preparatory parents who would like to discuss their child’s Semester 1 Report will be conducted during Week 3 of this term. These conferences are an integral part of the complete reporting process and this communication may help clarify any areas of your child’s learning. Please refer to previous email correspondence to access the online booking system before it closes on 31 July.
Jeans 4 Genes Day
On Friday 2 August, Redlands (P-12) will be supporting Jeans for Genes Day. This worthy cause was established in 1994 by the Children’s Medical Research Institute to fund revolutionary research that helps diagnose, understand, and find cures or treatments for conditions affecting children, including genetic diseases, cancer, and epilepsy. Students are asked to bring a gold coin donation to wear jeans and mufti on this day. A reminder that sneakers are to be worn.
Who do I Contact?
As we begin a new semester, it seems timely to remind families of who to contact when questions arise.
Prep Administration: Mrs Claire Hunt (M, T, W) and Mrs Wendy Rosling (Th, F), at Prep Reception can assist with any questions or information you need concerning daily events in Prep School earlychildhood@redlands.nsw.edu.au.
Preschool Administration: Mrs Tait, at Redlands House Reception, can assist with any questions or information you need concerning daily events in the Preschool. dtait@redlands.nsw.edu.au.
Class Teacher: The class teacher is the first person to contact when you have any questions or concerns in relation to your child’s school day.
Year Coordinator: If you need further advice in relation to a pastoral or academic matter, the Year Coordinator would be the best contact for this.
Redlands House – Mrs Huon chuon@redlands.nsw.edu.au
Kindergarten- Miss Hurley klhurley@redlands.nsw.edu.au
Year 1- Ms Finlayson vfinlayson@redlands.nsw.edu.au
Year 2 – Mrs Sharp nsharp@redlands.nsw.edu.au
Head of Preparatory: If matters have been to the class teacher and you require further clarification, please contact Mrs Hunt or Mrs Rosling at Prep Reception, who will assist you in making an appointment with Mrs Audrey Fellowes, Head of Preparatory School.
Clubs
Clubs will operate again this term for all students in Yrs 1 and 2. They will be held from 3.00 – 4.00pm on Wednesday afternoons and commence Wednesday 31 July. Clubs will finish on Wednesday 18 September. All students were allocated a Club through the online booking system last term. New students wishing to join a Club, please email earlychildhood@redlands.nsw.edu.au
Please note there will be no Clubs in Week 3 due to Parent Teacher Meetings.
Uniform Expectations
As we begin a new term, could I remind our Prep community of the uniform expectations, which also extends to hair requirements. These can be found on pages 16-18 of the Student Planner. Teachers will be following this up with a note in the Student Planner. Thank you for your close attention to this.
Term 4 Departure Notice: Final Reminder
This is a final reminder that those families who are planning on leaving the School during or at the end of Term 4 are required to give notice to the Principal via an email to registrar@redlands.nsw.edu.au by this Saturday 27 July. As per our Conditions of Enrolment emailed to all families in December last year with the 2019 Schedule of Fees, there will be fees in lieu payable for any notices of departure received after this date.
Grandparents and Special Friends Day
Trading Cards – Yrs 1 and 2
Previously, students have been given the responsibility of bringing in trading cards to enjoy with their friends during Lunch. If you would like your child to bring in trading cards, please complete the note found on the Redlands Pulse and once signed, send to Mrs Hunt or Mrs Rosling at earlychildhood@redlands.nsw.edu.au. I encourage you to read this note together with your child, especially the conduct section. There is a chance that cards are lost or damaged; therefore, if the card is too valuable I strongly suggest you don’t bring it to school. If a student has reoccurring issues with the trading of cards, the privilege of trading will be withdrawn. I hope that allowing students to trade cards will result in the development of cooperation, turn taking, negotiating and discussion skills that can be promoted through this activity.
Giving Back
You may notice in the Reception area a little red bin with a sticker “Every Little Bit Helps”. After every holiday we aim to collect and redistribute unused and unwanted sample-sized hotel toiletries and amenity kits to people in need including Women’s Refuges, Homeless Shelters and Youth Shelters. If you have collected these items on recent trips and would like to donate them, please feel free to drop the items into the red bins. Thank you.
Yr 2 Sleeping Bag Day
As part of the students’ preparation for Yr 2 Camp towards the end of Term 3, students brought their sleeping bags to school for Sleeping Bag Day on the last day of Term 2. The children thoroughly enjoying spending time with their Yr 5 buddies reading and taking part in activities, whilst curled up in their sleeping bags. It was wonderful to observe the older students assisting the younger ones with packing away their sleeping bags, which is always a challenging activity!
Special Commendation – Milla Cullen Two Purple
In the holidays, Two Purple student, Mila Cullen was the youngest ever Australian to be chosen to represent her country at The Dance World Cup held in Portugal this year. Mila, aged 7, competed in the 10 and Under age division. She received a remarkable 3rd place in Lyrical and 5th place in the Broadway Jazz section. Milla also qualified for the World Hip Hop Battle finals. With over 6000 competitors, this is an outstanding achievement. Upon her return to Sydney, Mila placed 3rd in Jazz Dance at the prestigious Sydney Eisteddfod, dancing in the 9 Years age division. She has worked extremely hard and achieved commendable results.
Mrs Audrey Fellowes
Head of Preparatory School
afellowes@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848