Head of Secondary School
Week 2 has surfaced many awesome examples of our students’ talent, commitment and service. Their care for each other, thoughtful behaviours and academic focus have been apparent to their teachers and tutors.
Our new Yr 12 students returned from a successful Camp experience this week to commence their Yr 12 studies. On Monday, the Class of 2023 were officially inducted into Yr 12, and those representing the School in Leadership roles, took a leadership pledge in front of the School community. The leadership pledge is below for your information:
“Today, we commission you as Redlands Captains of Activities for 2023.
We embrace your leadership of our community and know you will demonstrate and nurture the Redlands values in all you do.
As servant leaders you are called to be a light to those around you – to support, guide and inspire. We encourage you to ‘let your light shine’ so that others may see your good deeds and be motivated by your words and actions.
May God guide and bless you to lead with humility and hope.
Student Response: I hereby pledge to lead the School community according to the Redlands mission, vision and values.”
Following the Leadership Induction Assembly, Captains have been able to access leadership training via Burn Bright, a leadership company that specialises in working with young people.
Yr 9 have effectively managed their examination block this week, utilising study time effectively and testing their employment of study schedules to assess learning and skills. Their camp to Arnhem Land in Week 3 will be a welcome opportunity to further develop their experiential learning and leadership skills. I know the staff, including Ms Vale Mr Gray and Mr Atkins have been working tirelessly to ensure an enriching camp experience. We wish them well.
Next week, Yr 7 and 10 commence their examination block. Both groups of students will be experiencing some typical exam nerves and we are working with them to normalise these feelings and embrace them. Due to their age, Yr 10 have the opportunity to study at home when they are not required to be at school sitting an exam. They are reminded to arrive promptly and then make their way straight home after an exam, as establishing a helpful routine will be a supportive factor in their success.
Our Yr 12 IB students commence their final examinations next week. They are ready and we wish them well. Meanwhile, Our Yr 12 HSC students are well into their final exams now and on the path to completion.
Today in a Yr 10 Year Assembly Ms Ynson spoke with the cohort about their positive start to the term. She mentioned the recent success of two students, Gianmarco Pradel and Daisy Thomas, who have both seen success in their chosen sports arena this term.
Daisy was recently awarded an NSWIS Scholarship for Park & Pipe Freeskiing which is a major achievement for a 15 year old athlete. Over the course of this year, Daisy was awarded the Australian Junior Freeski Athlete of The Year, nominated for the Junior Snow Athlete of The Year, won the Open Female Division of the Thredbo Snow Series, finished a close 2nd in the FIS Australian New Zealand Cup and won both of the Big Air ski events in New Zealand and Australia – she is now ranked in the top 50 in the world for the event. Her goal is to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Gianmarco Pradel has been selected to head to Italy for the Ferrari Drivers Academy World Final. He and his family are hugely excited and you can read more about his success here.
Yr 10 were engaged by an Assertive Behaviours Workshop this week. Officer Brent Sanders connected with students in a firm and direct way. He was approachable and affirming. Brent navigated real and sensitive topics around the legal definition of sexual assault in NSW and unlawful sexual touching. His key message to our Yr 10 students was that most people are genuinely good and when educated and provided with accurate information, can make responsible decisions. To illustrate his talk, he shared current statistics – one in particular was confronting but also important to hear – young people between the ages 15-21 are most at risk of sexual crimes from someone in the same age bracket as themselves – and this is usually a friend or friends from the same social setting.
Vaping – Support for Parents
If you are a parent of a student in Yr 7-9, we strongly encourage you to find out as much as you can about vaping – the risks and the preventative measures you can take in support of your child. Details of a webinar may be found below:
Teen Vaping: An update for parents
Webinar for Teachers
Monday, 14 November 2022
7.00-8.30pm (AEDT)
Vaping (the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or ‘vapes’) continues to be an issue that attracts a great deal of attention as well as debate across the country. Vaping is a new phenomenon, with the first e-cigarette being invented in 2003. As a result, many parents have little or no experience with the issue as the devices simply weren’t around when they were in their teens.
This session will examine what we currently know about the use of e-cigarettes and vaping amongst Australian school-based young people. This is an area that is constantly changing and parents attempting to make sense of the information provided by both the ‘pro-vaping’ and ‘anti-vaping’ lobbies may find it extremely difficult to navigate. As we move towards the end of the school year parents are likely to need as much assistance as possible.
Cost: $25 plus GST
This event will be live streamed and for those unable to attend live, a recording of the event will also be made available for a period following the event’s conclusion.
To register for the event please go to the following link.
Transport for NSW School Travel Applications for 2023
Please see this communication from Transport for NSW regarding School Travel Applications for 2023.
Ms Gemma Van de Peer
Head of Secondary School
gvandepeer@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9811