Head of Secondary School
It’s been an enriching term – and a long one! I know the students (and staff) are looking forward to a well-deserved break from school. It’s great that the Easter weekend arrives as soon as we finish school because hopefully, students and staff can find some immediate release from the pressures of the term.
This afternoon we held two large assemblies; Yrs 7 to 9 followed by Yrs 10 to 12. Students from across all Year Groups actively engaged in these assemblies, showcasing not only their skills but also their courage and spirit.
Isobel Campbell recalled some of her experiences so far this year as a member of Yr 7. Camp was a highlight and while she had to endure the bull ants and the powdered milk, she also climbed to the top of Mt Kosciusko, and spent time laughing and having fun with her friends. Isobel also shared her feelings about surviving her first few days of Secondary School, navigating the campus and enjoying her spacious locker. She told us that she hopes to survive the year. I am pretty sure that Isobel will survive the year – clearly, she is a strong young woman. She got up, in front of 500 students, and she talked about her experiences – which is a pretty scary thing to do when you are in Yr 7, and you’re talking to students who are older than you. Getting up and speaking in front of a large group of people is actually a pretty scary thing to do – full stop. What if you trip up the stairs? What if you stumble over your words? Speak too fast? Forget your words? Start shaking uncontrollably? Burst out crying? Burst out laughing? These are often the fears which swirl around your head before you get up to speak, and so overcoming them does take strength. It takes courage and determination. Isobel demonstrated this today. She took her fears, she bundled them away, she believed in herself and she survived. The worst didn’t happen. And even if it had – even if she had made a mistake – even if she had stumbled over her words – who cares? We all make mistakes, we all stumble – it’s the stumbles, the trip-ups, the errors, which make us stronger. Isobel beautifully represented Yr 7 today – she represented their fears, their joys, their energy, and the strength they have demonstrated in their first term of Secondary School.
Our Yr 9 speakers today also reminded us of our capacity to achieve great things – to overcome barriers and to thrive, as a collective with a shared goal. They too demonstrated courage – the courage to stand up and speak up for what they believe in. To have a voice is such a privilege and they reminded us all today that it is our responsibility, as human beings, to use our voice to ensure that we treat each other with respect, and compassion, and dignity. Gendered language, gendered insults and gendered bias have sadly been part of the fabric of Australian society for far too long. But what Anhu, Annie, Charli and Sholto reminded us is that we do not have to accept this. We do not have to sustain this sexist way of thinking and being any longer. We can halt it in its tracks, right here at Redlands. Their sexism project highlighted how sexism exists on many levels. Sometimes, we engage in sexist behaviour in benign ways, without meaning to harm the other. But sometimes, sexism exists in very overt and harmful ways, when one individual or a group of individuals, purposefully sets out to exclude, minimise or trivialise another. They likened this to bullying – and I would have to agree. Using words, insults or stereotypes to unsettle someone, to make them feel small, or to lessen their personal power and agency is not acceptable and does indeed constitute bullying. In challenging us to be the best versions of ourselves, they highlighted the best versions of themselves.
During the Yrs 10-12 Assembly I spoke to the students about integrity. I used Brene Brown’s definition: Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast and easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them.
Lara Stanbridge, Jack Murray and Callum Wardman-Browne (Yr 11) demonstrated integrity in their reflection at today’s assembly. They asked their peers to collectively work together to bring about change. They reiterated for us that meaningful change can come from anywhere.
In challenging us to be the best versions of ourselves, our student speakers today highlighted the best versions of themselves. What they said, how they said it – might have made some students feel a little uncomfortable, at times. That’s okay. Change doesn’t happen without a little discomfort. I know that, with me, you will appreciate the courage it takes to speak up and challenge others to be better.
One of the best aspects of today’s assemblies was that there were led by our students. Our Yrs 7-9 Assembly was led by Charlotte Humphreys and Angus McInnes. Our Yrs 10-12 Assembly was led by Sabrina Blasco and Oliver Talbot. All students were superb ambassadors for their Year Groups and the Redlands community. They were ably supported by Hugo Baird and Lucinda Bentley who led the community in Easter prayers, and Filip Feller and Rex Markman who led the Acknowledgement of Country. As always, our assemblies were punctuated by beautiful musical items. The standouts today were delivered by Ahnu Guan in Yr 9 and Bethany Richardson in Yr 12. Assembling together to celebrate our many achievements for the term was a wonderful way to dismiss the students.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Easter. I know you will value, with me, the time Easter provides to rest and renew.
Ms Gemma Van de Peer
Head of Secondary School
gvandepeer@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9870