Head of Preparatory School

Go Open

This week our staff have been participating in Go Open classrooms. Go Open is a time where our staff across the Junior Campus open their doors to celebrate the dynamic and highly professional culture of learning that flourishes at Redlands. Staff are encouraged to visit other classes outside their Year Group and across the campus to provide a wide variety of experiences to reflect and learn from. The theme this year is Learning Environments for Thoughtful Interactions. Each staff member was asked to visit a colleague’s classroom when they are open for visitors. I saw some fabulous Music and French lessons and watched Numeracy groups in Kindergarten, watched our Yr 1s write about their visits to a magic beach and I also was able to participate in Yr 1 Reading groups. When visiting classrooms, the staff are encouraged to reflect upon the following points and then provide feedback.

The Learning Environment:

How was the arrangement of space used to facilitate thoughtful interactions?
How was student thinking and their development of ideas made visible to one another?
Impressions and highlights from the lesson?
What was the purpose or learning goal of the lesson you observed?
How you could apply your “learnings” to your own teaching?
Further questions you might have?

It truly is a wonderful way to celebrate the diversity of teaching and to learn from each other.

Staff Update

As you would have heard by now, Samantha Kourakis, Dean of Students (Junior Campus), has been appointed to a wellbeing consultancy role at AISNSW and will be leaving Redlands at the end of this term. Sam has been with the School for 13 years and has played a significant leadership role in developing our wellbeing programs across the Junior Campus. She has provided exceptional care to students and their families and played a key support role for staff in all areas of pastoral care, in her roles both as Counsellor and Dean of Students. As part of the School’s SWAT (Student Wellbeing Action Team), Sam has contributed significantly to the development of our Student Wellbeing Framework and Scope and Sequence. Sam’s new role at AISNSW will enable her to provide support to a broad range of schools of varying demographics, in enhancing their wellbeing programs and student support. Whilst she will be missed, I know that Sam is looking forward to the new challenge and we wish her every success in the future.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Our K-6 parent teacher interviews begin next week via Zoom links. This 15 minute snap shot conversation will be an opportunity to talk to your child’s class teacher about their learning, where they are at and what are the next steps for them. Please email me directly for a time if you would like to have a conversation with me and I will arrange a Zoom link with you.

Sport

After school sports are additional opportunities for students to participate in year round sport after school. It is a positive way for our students to socialise and to develop their gross motor skills. Places are limited and enrolment is required. Please be aware that after school sports incur a charge which is billed termly. For more detailed information on each program, please refer to Redlands Pulse.

Calendar Update

Yr 2 swimming has been cancelled for this term. The opening times at Lane Cove Pool Complex adjusted this week which meant we were unable to continue our commitment.

Tuesday 8 October: Drama, Ballet and dance Photos
Thursday 10 October: Yr 1 Caines Arcade Day (more information to follow)

Please note the most up to date calendar can be found on Redlands Pulse.

Lost Property

This week we had the Yr 6 leadership team come to Prep to clear out and organise our Lost Property cupboard. They were able to distribute clothes back to their owners and anything that was unnamed we have kept for spare clothing. This will become a repeated activity so it is really very important that all names are clearly displayed on pieces of clothing.

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