Head of Secondary School

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A Gentle Rhythm

As we move to the end of our second week back at school, a gentle rhythm has been established in the Secondary School. Our Yr 11 cohort have been kindly welcoming students every morning at the school gates, whilst the Yr 12 student leaders are on camp. From most, there are smiles and a spring in the step. Many arrive at school after morning training and are awake and alert. Others are clearly still making the transition to a new school year, and struggling with the early mornings, after a lovely long holiday period. At recess and lunch, many are utilising the Fahl Garden to relax and chat, while others are accessing the basketball courts with friends, and more actively using their leisure time. The break-out spaces in the Redlands Learning Hub are also humming along nicely, with students collaborating or working independently, outside of timetabled classes. Our new students in Yrs 8-11 have also found a rhythm and are now more confidently arriving at school each day, finding their friends and locating their classrooms. It’s been such a pleasure to support our new students as they become part of our community.

Tomorrow we host the Academic Achievement Assembly to celebrate the High Achievers from the Class of 2020. We look forward to honouring those students in both the HSC and IB who performed at the top of their respective cohort. Alumni Alexandra York and Leo Colin will be sharing their experiences of study in 2020 and our Yr 11 students have the privilege of sharing in this wonderful celebration. The Academic Achievement Assembly will look and feel slightly different this year, due to limitations posed by COVID-19, however we are pleased to be able to host the parents of our 2020 High Achievers via Zoom.

This week and next are key highlights in a school calendar, filled as they are with camps! Tomorrow marks the final day of Yr 12 Camp. Ms Sarah Matthews, Yr 12 Year Advisor, has been keeping us updated about the group’s adventures and we look forward to sharing stories and photographs with the wider community.  I also know that Mr Atkins, Yr 7 Year Advisor, is eagerly anticipating the Yr 7 Camp, which leaves on Monday. The Yr 7 Camp is always such an exciting time for our new Secondary School students and forms a significant part of their transition experience. Friendship and connection are fundamental to a successful Yr 7 experience and the Camp offers them an opportunity to develop important social and emotional skills.

Another rhythm we seem to be enjoying at the moment is that of being able to move freely within our internal and external communities, as we continue to keep COVID-19 at bay. This success is due to a range of factors, and we have all played our part in suppressing this virus in our community. It was disappointing this morning to hear that our Victorian neighbours have had to reintroduce some restrictions and it serves as a reminder that we have not put this pandemic behind us yet. I was also disappointed this morning to hear that some of our students have not been complying with the Public Health Order which mandates that children over the age of 12 must wear masks on public transport and school buses. We have taken steps at school today to reiterate the mask message: all Secondary School students must wear masks on public transport and Redlands buses. Our community members are relying on us to abide by these rules as they exist to ensure our safety and that of others. If your child catches public transport or a Redlands bus to school, can you please ensure they have a mask on their person and they know it is their responsibility to wear this mask when travelling on public transport and Redlands buses.

Can I also remind you of our COVID-19 requirements. As per the Principal’s section of Note Day, in accordance with advice from NSW Health, parents and carers are reminded NOT to send children to school if they are unwell, even if they have the mildest flu-like symptoms. These symptoms include fever (37.5 or higher), cough, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of taste or smell. NSW Health has requested that schools ask anyone who is unwell or has even one of these symptoms, to arrange to be tested through their local medical practitioner or one of the COVID-19 clinics. Students with flu-like symptoms will need to be tested, provide a copy of a negative COVID-19 test result and be symptom-free before being permitted to return to school.

Full School Uniform on Before/After-School Training Days

From Monday 8 February, students must wear their full school uniform during the day at school (except on Thursdays). This means that if they arrive at school after early morning training, or attend after-school training, they must change into their PE/training kit. 

Please ensure that your child has all of the necessary uniform requirements, including proper school shoes, so that they can change at school, before Period 1, or after Period 6. In 2020 when hampered by limitations posed by COVID-19, students were permitted to remain in their PE uniform after training, but this temporary change has now concluded.

During the school day, except on Thursdays, when they have sport, students are required to wear their full school uniform. This expectation will be enforced from Monday 8 February. Please note: Redlands school fleeces should only be worn as part of the Sports uniform. Students should not wear the fleece over the top of the regular school uniform. On cooler days, students should wear their Redlands navy jumper and/or their blazer over their school uniform.

Yrs 11 and 12 HSC and IB Information Evenings

Each evening will present important information related to each course and Year Group, followed by a response to general questions.

Please email your questions prior to the evening:

For HSC, please email drandall@redlands.nsw.edu.au
For IB, please email dtaylor@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Study Centre: Redlands Learning Hub Study Spaces

The aim of the Study Centre is to provide students from Yrs 7-12 with the opportunity to receive shoulder-to-shoulder support or assistance in specific disciplines from Secondary School teachers. Study Centre sessions take place in the breakout spaces in the Redlands Learning Hub from Monday–Wednesday before and after school. Further information will be provided next week.

Students who require learning support can access guidance in H17 on Tuesday and Wednesday from 3.30-4.30pm.

Attention – Parents and Carers of Students with a Diagnosed Risk of Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and is potentially life threatening. If your child is one of the 33 students in the Secondary School with a diagnosed risk of Anaphylaxis, we require your support to ensure their safety.

All Secondary School students with a diagnosed risk of anaphylaxis are required to:

• keep a clearly labelled Emergency Kit containing a current Action Plan for Anaphylaxis and valid EpiPen in the Student Services Centre during term time, in addition to the EpiPen that they carry to and from school and to off-campus sporting activities and excursions
• demonstrate that they are carrying their Epipen and Action Plan prior to going on an excursion in keeping with our ‘No EpiPen, No Excursion’ guidelines
• take two (2) EpiPens to Camp

Thank you for consistently supporting our endeavours to keep children diagnosed as being at risk of Anaphylaxis safe at school and at external school activities.

Ms Gemma Van de Peer
Head of Secondary School
gvandepeer@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9869