Head of Secondary School
Sprint Finish
I have remarked to a number of staff over the past week that I have been truly astounded and overjoyed to see all of the “good stuff” that has been happening in the Secondary School over the course of this term and especially over the past week. I am aware that in some schools at this time of the year, there is a “wind down” as students begin to coast into the summer holidays. However, that is certainly not the case at Redlands as over the past week alone we have seen the stirring conclusion of the Yr 9 Midawarr cultural immersion program; Yrs 7 and 8 STEAM project-based learning days; Yr 10 organised dodgeball fundraisers at lunch to raise money for Headspace and awareness for mental health issues; Ballet and Dance final performances filmed in Redlands Hall; our final Yr 11 student-led assembly for the term; the Yr 7 2021 Orientation for new students to the Secondary School next year; Yr 7 performances for the Bougainvillea Retirement Village; Rock in the Quad with bands performing at lunchtime; and tomorrow our Christmas services for each Year Group. While I think we will all enjoy a break after the busyness of Term 4, I know that our students are having many varied and fulfilling educational experiences to conclude what has been a challenging year.
Yr 9 Midawarr Program
Last Friday the Yr 9 Midawarr indigenous cultural immersion program came to a stirring and moving conclusion with a closing ceremony on Friday afternoon. Our students participated in a remote Bungul, led by members of the Yonglu community via Zoom in Arnhem Land and then “gave back” to the Yolngu community to thank them for the week with our own performances and reflections. I was struck by the personal reflections of our students where they shared how much of an impact the week had on them. The week finished with a crying song performed by one of the elders of the Yolngu community which allowed all of us one last opportunity to reflect on the powerful and profound experience we had all shared together.
Yrs 7 and 8 STEAM Projects
On Monday and Tuesday this week, Yrs 7 and 8 had two full days where they participated in this year’s STEAM Projects in their Tutor Groups. These STEAM days were cross-disciplinary, collaborative opportunities for students to engage in a solution fluency model where they worked through specific steps to develop possible solutions to real world problems. Yr 7 students used Minecraft to explore how they would create and power a city using sustainable energy sources. They were also assisted by Yr 11 students in their projects over the two days. Yr 8 students tackled the dilemma of what we can do to protect our coral reefs and developed video presentations to pitch their solutions. I was so impressed by the engagement, collaboration, problem solving and creative thinking skills on display from our students last week and would like to thank all of the teachers who worked to organise these projects, in particular Ms Duckworth, Mr Kuilenberg and Ms Nastase.
Ballet and Dance Concert
While disappointed we have not been able to hold our annual Ballet and Dance Concert at the Concourse in Chatswood this term, it was been wonderful to see our dancers performing throughout the week in a transformed Redlands Hall. Congratulations to all of our dancers for their perseverance throughout this year, and we look forward to seeing the final video of this concert when it is released shortly.
Gala Arts
Like many events, Gala Arts has been quite different this year, and while we were disappointed to not be able to have these performances at The Concourse in Term 2, we were thrilled to be able to film all of the finalists’ performances at the end of last term. We are pleased to now be able to release the final video of the Gala Arts performances here (Password: Gala), and the winners of each category, as well as the overall individual winner and House winner, will be announced on Speech Night.
Yr 7 2021 Orientation
Yesterday the Senior Campus was buzzing with excitement and energy as our incoming Yr 7 students for 2021 had their Orientation Day. Students were in their Tutor Groups for the day and enjoyed a variety of activities including pastoral games, sports opportunities, campus tours and demonstration lessons in a number of different academic disciplines. It was wonderful to see how next year’s Yr 11 student Peer Support leaders, as well as many of our new Yr 12 student leaders, so positively engaged and interacted with our incoming Yr 7 students.
Speech Night
Wednesday 2 December is a pupil free day at the Secondary School; however, Speech Night is compulsory for all Secondary School students in Yrs 7-11 that evening as we celebrate prize winners, enjoy the talents of our performers and come together as a school community of students and staff for the first time since March. Information has been sent home over the past few days so please read this carefully to confirm specific arrangements.
Second Hand Book Sale: Monday 30 November
On Monday 30 November, we will hold a second hand book sale in the Secondary School for students to sell their used current edition textbooks and to buy second hand books for next year. Students will also be able to donate recent textbooks no longer in circulation at Redlands. These will be distributed through Lifeline to NSW communities who will continue to derive value from them. This initiative was sparked by a growing interest among parents and students to reduce waste, consider the ways we can positively impact our community and offset financial expenditure for families. More details can be found here.
Tutor Meetings 2021: Wednesday 27 January
We will once again commence the new school year with Tutor meetings in 2021. Please note that the first day of school for returning students is Wednesday 27 January and all students are expected to have a meeting with their Tutor on that day. We would like parents to attend this meeting, as well, so that they can collaboratively reflect on the previous year, as well as develop goals and strategies for the year ahead. We are determining whether or not these meetings will be held in person as in previous years, online via Zoom meetings or a hybrid approach, and we will communicate further information about these meetings and the sign-up process for these early next year.
Blazers
The Uniform Shop will be open on Thursday 3 December from 9.00am to 3.00pm to take blazers for embroidery of pockets and half colours. Please ensure that all pockets are emptied, all badges removed and the blazer is clearly labelled with student’s name visible. All blazers dropped in will require the relevant certificate of the award. Students will require blazers for Speech Night on Wednesday 2 December. Blazers can be collected from the Uniform Shop from Monday 18 January 2021.
Staffing Updates
With the conclusion of the academic year fast approaching, I would like to update you on some staffing changes for next year in the Secondary School. As recently announced by Mr Webber, with Mr Tom Kindred moving to the Head of Sport and PDHPE role at Oxley College in the Southern Highlands next year, we are excited to welcome Ms Alison Cox from Barker College as our new Head of Secondary School Sport commencing in 2021.
Also, our current Subject Coordinator of Christian Studies, Mr James Clanfield, will be taking up a position leading Yr 9 academic and pastoral programs at the Scots College’s outdoor education facility at Glengarry. We are pleased to announce that Ms Rachel Wilson will be stepping into the role of Subject Coordinator of Christian Studies for 2021. Accordingly, Ms Jessica Howard will be taking on the Acting Assistant Yr 12 Year Advisor role for the first two terms of 2021.
In addition, we are pleased to announce that Ms Emma Rothwell will be joining the English Department next year to take Ms Wilson’s English classes. Ms Rothwell has recently been working as a casual teacher in the Secondary School and has vast experience teaching English at independent schools in Sydney.
Computing Teacher and Assistant Subject Coordinator of Innovative Design, Helena Niranjan, will be leaving Redlands at the end of this year to take on a leadership position at Trinity Grammar School. We are currently advertising to fill this role for next year.
Dr Amanda Michels will be returning to the Maths Department after her one year sabbatical at UNSW this year, and we thank Ms Brigida Nocera for her efforts this year in an acting Maths teacher position.
Ms Saralie Pincini recently finished up in her support role for the Learning Plus Department, and we thank her for her contributions across many areas of the school during her time at Redlands.
In addition, after almost ten years of providing tireless support for students, staff and parents in the Secondary School Office, Ms Vivienne Hoile will be resigning from this position at the end of this year. I know many of you join me in thanking Vivienne for her dedication to Redlands during her time at the school. We are currently advertising for both of these positions.
Furthermore, with Ms Amy Richardson continuing in her role as Head of Music on the Junior Campus next year, we are pleased to announce Mr David Linehan as the new Head of McDouall House.
Finally, I would like to personally thank Deputy Principal, Ms Sarah McGarry, for everything she has done for Redlands during her time at the school and especially for the support she has provided me. Our loss is Frensham’s gain and I know I have large shoes to fill following her in the Deputy Principal role. However, I am excited to welcome Ms Gemma Van de Peer as Head of Secondary School commencing in 2021 and look forward to working closely with her in this role.
Happy Holidays
As this is my last Note Day as Head of Secondary School before moving to the role of Deputy Principal next year, I would just like to express my gratitude and appreciation to you, the parent community, for all of your efforts and support during my four years in this role. Over these past four years, I have seen the partnership between the School and home grow stronger as we all remain committed to best nurturing the young people under our care. Despite all of the challenges that we have faced in 2020, this year I have seen that partnership truly come to the fore. I wish departing families all the best on the next stage of their schooling journeys and look forward to welcoming new families to Redlands next year. While this year’s Speech Night for parents on Wednesday 2 December will be virtual, and I will not be able to see you in person, I wish you a safe, relaxing, joyous and family-filled holiday season and hope to see you in person back on campus at various events next year.