Head of Preparatory School
PREP SCHOOL UPCOMING EVENTS
Week 9 Learning Conversations 22-26 March
Prep School Learning Conversations will take place during Week 9, 22-26 March. These meetings will allow teachers and parents to discuss student learning to date and will also be an opportunity to outline “where to next” in your child’s learning journey.
The feedback from the COVID period was that parents appreciated being able to have their meeting with their teacher via Zoom so this term, parents will have the choice of a face-to-face meeting or a Zoom meeting. Zoom meetings will occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays and face-to-face meetings will take place over the other days during the week.
Time slots will be 15 minutes but as some of you may have already made time to meet with your child’s class teacher this term, there is no expectation to meet again at this point in the term.
When can I book a time? At Redlands, we use School Interviews, an online booking system, which allows you to make multiple bookings for your Prep School child(ren) at one time. Bookings will open at 7.00am on Monday 15 March and close at 6.00pm on Thursday 18 March.
A full letter outlining the steps to take to book will be sent to you on Friday morning.
If you would like a conversation with a specialist or Learning Plus teacher or with myself, please contact us directly via email.
We all look forward to having meaningful discussions about your child’s learning.
Lifted COVID Restrictions
With the new legislative changes that came into effect last week in NSW schools, we are very pleased to advise that Prep School parents can now come on to the campus without having to use the QR scan to drop off and pick up students.
As has already been the case, parents must continue to use the QR code to scan in for any meetings or appointments with teachers including the upcoming Learning Review Meetings in Week 9.
Parents are still not permitted to enter the Prep School Library for family borrowing. Please keep communicating with the Library staff to continue this service.
After School Pick Up Times
Having our pick-up times back to normal has certainly been a blessing. Staff and students have loved the extra time to finish off the day well and to have a full lesson in the last session of the day.
Can I please remind everyone that once the time window closes for each Year Group, the next stage will begin. Staff will no longer be waiting for every child to be picked up before allowing the next grade in. If you miss your window, please don’t worry. Your child will remain in the car pick-up space with staff until you come through in the car line. They will be supervised and safe.
Please may I remind all families also that the underground car park gate needs to close at 3.20pm in order for the Junior School carline to begin. If you have been delayed, your child will be taken to OOSH until you can pick them up. This also applies to all after school activities throughout the week. Thank you for your understanding.
Prep Music Orientation Session
We are pleased to advise that although our ‘in person’ attendance quota is full for tomorrow morning’s session, we have set up a Zoom session for those who were hoping to hear more about our offerings. We look forward to having you log in with us on 12 March from 8.30-9.00am.
Zoom link Password: PrepMusic
International Day: Tuesday 30 March
Redlands will once again celebrate International Day on Tuesday 30 March in the final week of term. This will be a time for our community of 51 different nationalities to join together to celebrate both our rich, cultural diversity and international awareness. The event aligns with similar events on the Senior Campus and Year Groups will also be incorporating international perspectives in curriculum lessons. Teachers will also be contacting parents who may be able to share their knowledge and experiences through a range of activities on the day.
As always, I am sure that the school will be awash with vibrant colour as we celebrate the day with students encouraged to wear national costume or colours from any chosen country on this day with a reminder that enclosed shoes and sun-safe clothes should be worn.
April Vacation Care
If you would like your child to attend the April Vacation Care program, please visit the OOSH page on Redlands Pulse in order to preview all information pertaining to the holiday activity schedule and daily requirements.
The Flexischools website will be open for bookings on Friday 12 March from 12.00pm. Please use the Prep and Junior Vacation Care icon for children in K-6. If you have any Vacation or After School Care queries, please contact our OOSH Coordinator, Trinetta Newbond.
Bandaged Bear Teddy Bears’ Picnic
We are delighted to support the Bandage Bear Appeal again this year, a charity that has a poignant place in the hearts of many at Redlands. There is something special about children helping other children and we look forward to supporting the charity raising money for The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Next Friday 19 March, all of our Junior Campus students from Preschool to Yr 6 will enjoy a Teddy Bears’ Picnic with buddy classes enjoying lunch together and students are encouraged to make a gold coin donation.
This is a particularly special fundraiser for many in our community and having visited the Children’s Hospice, Bear Cottage, which is affiliated to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and the hospital itself, I know that our collective donation will have a significant impact on the lives of many families.
Belinda Oxley Scholarship – Design a Card Competition
As you may be aware, our next Redlands means-tested Scholarship has been named after Belinda Oxley, a much loved teacher from Redlands who influenced so many students in the pursuit of the Arts, and more closely the Visual Arts.
A fundraising Luncheon for Belinda’s scholarship will be held on Wednesday 26 May. The Prep and Junior Schools have been asked to participate in a Design a Card Competition to assist. Please click here for more details about the Competition. I strongly encourage as many students as possible to participate in this very important event.
All submissions must be received by the Junior or Preparatory School office by Wednesday 21 April (Term 2, Week 1). Artwork selection will take place on Thursday 22 April. Selected artworks will be announced in the following week’s Note Day and all artworks will be featured on Redlands Pulse in Term 2.
Students who have their artwork selected will receive a free pack of cards and surprise gift!
Mrs Ainslie Breckenridge
Head of Preparatory School
abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848