Head of Secondary School
As we conclude the term, I offer thanks to the entire community for such a joyful and productive term. Whilst it has been a marathon of a term, the optimism and energy of the students, staff and parents has been sustaining and created an authentic sense of belonging across the Senior Campus. A few highlights of the term for me have been the students’ diligent application to learning, reflected in the enhanced use of the Roseby Library as a study space from 3.30-7.00pm, the Year 12 Study Centre which is seeing approximately 80 students each afternoon and the students who have made a commitment to themselves and their learning via membership of the Illuminate Scholars program.
Illuminate Scholars Program
Our Illuminate Scholars Program has been going from strength to strength. The following video provides an overview of the benefits of the program and introduces you to one of our two Illuminate Learning Coordinators, Grace Bracks, Class of 2020, and some of the Academic Coaches.
Bookings are now open for Term 2, and you can book either a Day Pass or Term Pass for your child/ren via the QR codes at the end of the video or via the links below.
Moonbah Program
Another rewarding highlight for me this term has been witnessing the development of the Moonbah Program for Year 9 students in 2025. The Community of Design presented the draft program to the Community of Engagement on Monday afternoon, seeking feedback on the core curriculum pillars across Service Learning, Environmental Learning, Social and Emotional Learning and First Nations Learning. See below our Secondary School Academic Staff in deep discussion.
Early next term we look forward to running a week-long pilot of our Moonbah Program with a group of Year 8 students and teachers. More exciting updates to come in Term 2!
Learning About Learning
Our Secondary School Dean of Studies (7-10), Ms Anna Rolon, has been immersing herself in the diverse and enriching learning experiences across the campus over the past few weeks. She has been joining Faculty Meetings and hearing from subject teachers and coordinators about how they design and develop a range of learning experiences for Stage 4 and 5 students. She has also been shadowing classes across the campus, with a special focus this week on 9R, spending time with this group of students in several of their core classes.
Ms Rolon described how wonderful it was to witness such a dynamic and diverse range of learning happening for 9R. Students had a lot of fun experimenting with fractured sonnets in Ms Peschardt’s English class; participated in informative and mature discussions around consent education in Ms Berkeley’s PDHPE class and learnt many interesting facts and applied critical thinking skills around Communist China in Mr Skinner’s History class. Whilst the learning and the range of activities were interesting and varied, the real highlight was the brilliant students of 9R! Their enthusiasm, maturity, and eagerness to dive into learning was on full display as they inclusively welcomed Ms Rolon into their lessons across the course of this week. Mr Rolon was pleased to issue a number of Recognition of Growth RADS for their efforts. As we move into another rich term of learning after the holidays, Ms Rolon looks forward to shadowing more Stage 4 and 5 classes and sharing her experiences with the community.
9R with English teacher, Ms Peschardt
The Ethics Centre Writing Competition
Congratulations to Year 11 student Sophie Yu, who won a Highly Commended award (13-17 years) in The Ethics Centre’s inaugural Young Writers’ Competition. Introduced to the competition in the Term 4 2023 Christian Studies program, Sophie submitted her essay “I changed my mind about prisons,” and received praise and recognition from the judges for making a thought-provoking case for restorative justice. Drawing on research of best practice in the Norwegian justice system, Sophie presented as evidence-based argument for more humane methods of rehabilitation and community integration. Thank you to our hardworking Christian Studies staff – Ms Philips, Ms Tymoszuk and Ms Wilson – as well as Dr Poon (High Potential Learning Coordinator, 7-12), for supporting Sophie and all Year 10 students in Christian Studies lessons to compose their essays. Please click here to read Sophie’s submission. Looking ahead, we encourage all students to consider entering these upcoming writing competitions:
The Nan Manefield Young Writers’ Award – deadline: 14 April 2024
The Whitlam Institute What Matters? Competition (fiction, non-fiction, prose or poetry) – deadline: 17 May 2024
Mosman Youth Awards in Literature (prose and poetry) – deadline: 31 May 2024
Sophie (second from the left) with fellow writers at The Ethics Centre
2024 North Sydney Council Community Award
Last year a group of students started a club to visit the Bougainvillea Retirement Village during lunchtimes to interact with the residents.
The Bougainvillea Retirement Village has nominated these students for the North Sydney Community Award in the ‘Next Generation’ category for the work they did last year.
The award ceremony is taking place during the School Holidays on Friday 19 April – I am excited to be accompanying the students and quietly hoping their efforts are recognised.
Bougainvillea Club students
ISA Parent Survey – Please Contribute
As part of the ISA (Independent Sporting Association) Strategic Review of Sport, the ISA has engaged an independent consultant to prepare a survey covering themes such as parent satisfaction, expectations, and sentiment toward various elements of ISA, with key demographic questions also included. Secondary School students are also being surveyed. The parent survey takes 5-10 minutes to complete and all responses are anonymous. Parent and carer feedback is valued by the ISA and will be used to guide ISA into the future. Here is the survey link. Please note the survey will close at 4pm tomorrow, Friday 12 April.
Relationships Workshops 2024
This year, the team from In Your Skin will be visiting students from Year 7 to Year 12, presenting and hosting workshops on the topics of relationships and sexuality. These workshops are designed to be engaging and supportive, assisting young people in developing healthy relationship skills. Students are encouraged to actively reflect on their relationship values and expectations, fostering a healthy and realistic sense of self and others.
In May, students from Year 8, 10 and 12 will participate in a half-day workshop facilitated by the In Your Skin team along with Redlands staff, including PDHPE staff, Pastoral staff, and Tutors. Students from Year 7, 9 and 11 will attend a 1-hour presentation delivered by the wonderful Dr Tessa Opie.
Each year group will cover the topic of consent in formats appropriate to their age and stage of development. Additionally, other key topics will be addressed:
- Stage 4: Words & language, sexual activity & the law
- Stage 5: The media, communication & pornography
- Stage 6: Intimacy and relationships, relationship values & sexual rights
The programs and principles of sexuality and sexual health education at Redlands reflect the UNESCO International Technical Guidance. This guidance identifies key topics and learning objectives that are integrated into the Redlands’ curricula and can assist parents in guiding conversations at home with their teenagers. Resources from Raising Children Network and Reach Out Parents also offer a range of useful age-appropriate articles on discussing healthy relationships and sexuality with your teen.
Rest and Renew
On Friday we will be holding three special end of term assemblies for students across Stage 4, 5 and 6. We look forward to formally farewelling them for the holiday period, sharing the achievements of Term 1, and offering reminders of the best ways to rest and renew over the break. The formal uniform, including ties for boys, is required for tomorrow’s assemblies. I do hope all members of the Secondary School community have an opportunity to reflect and connect over the next two weeks.
We look forward to students returning to school at the start of Term 2 on Tuesday 30 April. Please note that blazers are mandatory during Terms 2 and 3.
Ms Gemma Van de Peer
Head of Secondary School
gvandepeer@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9811