Head of Secondary School

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At our Stage 5 Assembly this week, adeptly led by our Year 12 School Captains Student Leadership Team, we prepared for International Day, which takes place next Tuesday 9 April. The Languages team have been readying themselves for this day, ably assisted by a range of students, including Mischa Barack and Henry Moate who made a wonderful video to celebrate the School’s love of languages and international focus. A range of students and staff shared their experiences of language learning, highlighting our shared pursuit to thrive, prosper and care about each other across borders in mutual global cooperation and understanding.

We also discussed the power of our community here at home, especially in relation to our capacity to look up and outside of ourselves in support of those in need. As Head of Secondary School, I sometimes receive reports from members of the public which require me to remind students of the appropriate expectations when they are out and about in the community. Standing back at the bus stop, letting others on the bus first, standing up on the bus or train to offer a seat, looking up from the phone when walking along the pavement, being aware of others in close proximity – all of these are regular reminders we give the students, in support of their development of appropriate self-management, self-awareness and social awareness skills – part of our Social and Emotional Learning framework. This week I was able to applaud our Stage 5 students for their assistance of an elderly couple who found themselves in a car accident on Military Rd one afternoon last week. The couple spoke glowingly of Redlands students who came to their assistance, waited with them for help to arrive and provided a compassionate anchor while they navigated the shock of being in a car crash. It was a pleasure to receive such a positive report from members of the public who offered a genuine experience of our students being their best selves out in the community, demonstrating responsibility and compassion.

Senior Cross Country Carnival

The Cross Country Carnival took place at Macquarie University last week and was a fabulous morning of participation for students in Year 7 and 8 and across the senior years of the School. It was sunny and hot and the students enjoyed a barbeque lunch prepared by the Sport department after the race. Congratulations to the students who placed in the event and to all for having a go and stepping beyond!

Results

Looking Ahead to the Final Week of Term 1

Next week is the final week of a fulsome 11-week term. While students and staff are undoubtedly fatigued and deserving of some dedicated relaxation and rest, their capacity for focus and engagement this term has been outstanding. Personally, I have never seen a school community begin a year as well as the Secondary School has this term. With exceptional role modelling from Year 12 and an array of events taking place across the term, the students have managed themselves and their learning with exceptional vigour and engagement. Next week, the following events are taking place:

• International Day (Tuesday)
• Year 10 Career Profiling (Wednesday)
• Year 11 Student-Led Conferences (Wednesday afternoon/evening) Teachers and students are looking forward to sharing their key takeaways from the term. The 5-minute format is short and sweet so Year 11 parents are encouraged to reach out to Year 11 tutors or the Year Advisor, Ms Lisa Vale, if there is a particular subject or area of study that requires deeper consideration or a longer conversation, which can be arranged at the commencement of Term 2.
• Student Silent Evacuation Practice (Thursday Period 6) which is taking place in lieu of Sport Training. We anticipate students will manage this successfully and be dismissed early from school on Thursday around 3.00pm.
• Final Term 1 Assemblies (Friday) which will be followed by locker clean-out.

Embroidery of Pockets, Term 1 2024 Update

With the introduction of the new uniform we are currently reviewing our policy for embroidery of Pockets, Half and Full Colours. Updated guidance will be issued early next term, which will outline the opportunities for embroidery on blazers along with updated criteria providing for greater transparency, equity and clarity.

This will not affect the current Year 12 students, who will be issued with their final set of awards for Summer Sport, Winter Sport and Cocurricular activities in Term 2, for embroidery over the mid-year holidays. This will be the last chance for Year 12s to have blazers embroidered, and they will be able to request past awards for inclusion. Look out for further information next term.

Ms Gemma Van de Peer
Head of Secondary School
gvandepeer@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9811