Head of Preparatory School

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We’re Back

This week has been filled with joy as we welcomed back our Kindergarten and Yr 1 students to the campus. Balloons greeted the many smiling faces walking through the door and hopping out of cars. Our staff have enjoyed reconnecting with students as they share stories of lockdown experiences, playing games and returning slowly to the routine of school.

This week has reminded us about the resilience of children and their ability to bounce back from situations. It is too early to fully understand the impact that these months at home will have on specific learning goals, but we do know that we have so many staff on hand to help each individual student return to school in a way that is comfortable to them. As Head of the Prep, I am so proud of the way our smallest of learners have been able to say goodbye to their parents each morning and walk with confidence back into a school full of people who care for them deeply. I am also proud of the way that some of students have said that they aren’t okay and that they would like to talk about how nervous and worried they are. The Zone of Regulation language certainly helps us provide the structure needed to have these conversations.

Our online learners continue to demonstrate resilience. Each day they are supported in their learning while our counsellors work to create online social support circles next week.

The students have been doing a great job of wearing their masks and I would like to thank all our families for supplying them. It is amazing how creative and colourful some masks are! Please know that the staff are always considering the needs of the students when they are providing explicit phonics instruction

Monday 25 October – Yr 2 Return to On-Campus Learning

We can’t wait to welcome Yr 2 back to campus next week. If you have chosen to continue online learning, please log on to the Seesaw page as per normal for the first Zoom session of the day. Mrs Kent will be your online support teacher. The role will be taken during that first Zoom session so please ensure your child is present or they will be marked absent on the day.

Car Line

For those returning to campus, please revisit the drop off and pick up times for Week 4. If you happen to miss the pick-up window, your child will be kept in the car park area with their class teacher until you arrive.

If you have siblings in TG-2, they can be picked up together with the older child in car line.

At this stage to avoid movement around the School, there is no Junior School sibling car line. I do thank you for your understanding with this.

Families who walk to school, please drop your child off at the Prep Reception doors. Please ensure that social distancing is maintained when dropping off and picking up your child. Can you please place a note in your child’s diary if they are going to be walking home with you so they can be directed to the Prep Reception.

Library

The Lucy Hill Library is now up and running for Prep families. If you would like to borrow books, please email Mrs Roberts directly and she will gather books for you and have them ready for you to pick up from Prep Reception on a Tuesday and Thursday.

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