Head of Secondary School
Deep in the Learning and Activities
Now that we are in Week 4, students are deep into their learning and associated activities such as Sport and Cocurricular. Yr 8-12 are heading into their first round of assessments for the year and should now be following a disciplined routine or schedule at home, to support their success as learners this term. On Monday morning, all Yr 8 to 12 students met with their Tutor to discuss their strengths and areas for developments and identify suitable goals for the term. These Coaching Conversations, supported by iGrow data, are crucial to students taking responsibility for their learning and support their capacity to be data literate. As part of the iGrow Coaching Conversations and Goal Setting process, students are encouraged to create a ‘Life-School Fit Schedule.’ These schedules can be weekly or termly and should make visible the balance required for students to realise their academic habits-based goals and engage in out-of-school ‘life’ including social life, family life, sporting/co-curricular life and digital life as well as ensuring that they are giving attention to the amount of time they sleep, unwind and rest. A disciplined schedule enables students to identify imbalances and make adjustments, a life-ready skill. Many students have indicated that they enjoy and ‘need’ a schedule as it provides them with a supportive structure and makes them feel confident and in control of the various commitments and priorities they are managing at this point in their lives. If any student would like some help in creating a ‘Life-School Fit Schedule’ they are encouraged to reach out to their Tutor or to the appropriate Academic Dean. Ms Rolon has been busy all week meeting with Yr 9 students and co-negotiating schedules with them.
Below are some images of students setting goals with their tutor or Year Advisor as part of the coaching conversations held on Monday, prompted by iGrow data.
Yr 7 Camp – our Yr 7 students are enjoying their first Secondary School Camp experience. They return from High Country Campus on Friday.
What Else has Happened this Week?
Yr 12 HSC and IB students have engaged in their Core learning sessions. HSC students all attended an informative and student-led presentation on Wednesday morning where they learned about the HSC Service program from Service Captains, Charlotte Scamps and Simone Franceschi.
Yr 10 students engaged into a deep dive of their identity and friendships this week. The Man Cave and Tomorrow Woman events saw them singing, fun-fighting, collaborating, sharing and generally enjoying each other’s company.
Yr 10 boys had the privilege of spending the day with a passionate team from Man Cave, breaking down stereotypes and developing lifelong skills to promote healthy relationships with others. The activities involved team building, competitions, group discussions and reflection time. It was a truly inspiring day which empowered the boys to be the best versions of themselves and to be role models within their school and community.
Tomorrow Woman
It was a privilege today to be part of an all-women panel sharing experiences and advice with Yr 10 girls. Hearing Yr 12 students, Josie Simpson and Maya Little, share their stories with the Yr 10 students was an emotional experience – their messages were powerful and resonant.
On Tuesday, our Yr 12 student leaders led a Yr 10 to 12 Assembly, providing positive and inspirational messages about key issues and events taking place in the Secondary School.
CIS Cup Football Win
The CIS boys football team were victorious against Penrith Anglican College on Wednesday morning. A huge congratulations to the team!
Financial Literacy Opportunities for Yr 9
Article from our Innovation and Entrepreneurial Learning Strategist, Ms Green
In early January, an article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald declaring Australia’s youth are precariously positioned when it comes to financial literacy. It’s fascinating that one of the wealthiest counties in the world can also have such low levels of nous when it comes to their money. The masthead went on to claim that more than one-third of Australians are financially illiterate and the most impacted group are those between 15-24.
The business of school is to improve ‘literacies’, whether they are foundational literacies, wherein students apply core skills to everyday tasks, competencies such as the ability to solve problems or character qualities such as initiative. In our digital age, it can feel like the literacies are ever more complex. It comes as no surprise then that Redlands is taking a proactive stance on financial literacy by extending upon the core curriculum. Indeed, ‘life readiness’ must include a level of personal responsibility when it comes to managing our own finances.
Our Yr 9 Commerce students were introduced to Elladex founder and CEO Shivani Gopal as part of their Term 1 study of ‘Consumer and Financial Decisions’. Shivani ran a 90 minute workshop with the cohort where they canvassed the history of money by tracking its evolution from bartering to the gold standard to cryptocurrency. They applied the five principles of money to its various iterations to investigate why particular forms of currency succeeded where others failed. Finally, she took the students through the basics of investment, that is, what to do with money when you have it.
One of the most interesting myths Shivani tackled is that having money must mean you are financially literate. Earnings are one piece of the puzzle, as Jess Irvine put it in the Sydney Morning Herald, navigating an increasingly sophisticated and complex world full of financial risk and temptations, like cryptocurrencies and buy-now, pay-later schemes demands early intervention. Add to that understanding insurance and superannuation as mechanisms to plan for unexpected life events and increased longevity as well as building the broader contextual awareness necessary to weather periods of economic instability. It was pleasing to hear that students retained key messages after the incursion, such as ensuring they are on the same page financially as any potential future partner and to discuss early and often their plans and aspirations.
I have also been interested to learn about the enterprising spirit that is alive and well at Redlands. Many students have shared their ‘side hustles’ whether it’s neighbourhood jobs, drop shipping or online platform operations. We look forward to continuing to guide and grow their budding entrepreneurialism.
Shivani concluded the session by asking students to set a long term financial goal for themselves. I had no idea that so many Redlands students aspire to boat ownership! Shivani encouraged students to think less about the actual goal and more about the conversations and planning required to get there. By articulating your goals you are more likely to connect into the networks that will help you get there. It’s also vital to temper the huge aspirations with one eye on the realistic. Our Yr 9 students will undertake a learning task later in the term that asks them to research and plan for their first year out of home. I hope it makes for some interesting dinner time conversations as students begin to think about their financial futures.
Rapid Antigen Tests Available
To help protect our community, each student will be given a box of 5 test kits. We encourage the use of these kits over the coming months. Please remember to keep your child at home if they are unwell, regardless of the test result.
Careers and University Messages
Students thinking about applying to attend university overseas should book into see the Careers Advisors before the end of this Term. Bookings are made via the Pulse page.
Upcoming Redlands Events
Week 6 HSC and IB Core – Careers Sessions
Covering UAC, early entry, gap years, international applications and more.
Years 11 & 12 Students and Parents UAC Presentation
27 March, 5.30 – 6.30pm, Redlands Hall
Presentation by Trudy Noller from UAC – ATAR and applications via UAC. Register here
Other Upcoming Events
ADF Navy Open Day
25 February
The Australian Navy offers a multitude of career opportunities in trades, hospitality, logistics, aviation, healthcare, engineering – and much more.
Find out about serving, living and learning in the Navy by joining us at the HMAS Penguin Navy Open Day. Speak with current serving members about their own experiences and advice and discover how the Navy can shape your career. Find out more
University of California
1 March, 7-8.30pm Pacific Time
UC will offer a free virtual event on Wednesday, March 1, for students and families who are interested in learning more about UC admission and our nine undergraduate campuses.
University of Sydney Why Study Project Management
1 March 4pm
Join us to learn more about the Bachelor of Project Management – a course that opens the door to a wide range of careers in industries including engineering, computer programming, healthcare, construction, major events management, mining, and finance. Be the go-to person to get the job done in any industry! You’ll learn the fundamentals of project management in an industry context, from theory to technical application in real-world environments.
Oxford University Webinar for student and parents
8 March
This session will be a focus about Oxford University and course choices. Parents and guardians are also welcome to join. They can book here for a webinar at a suitable time.
Ms Gemma Van de Peer
Head of Secondary School
gvandepeer@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9811