Head of Secondary School

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Moonbah Connection Week

32 Year 8 students are very excited to be heading away next week to High Country Campus for our inaugural Moonbah Connection Experience next week. Heading off with them are Ms Jansons, Dean of Students, Ms Matthews, Assistant Dean of Students, Mr Nathan Lange, Science Teacher, Ms Meagan Barr, English Teacher, Ms Libby Busch, Assistant Subject Coordinator Mathematics and Year 8 Tutor and Mr Mathew Owen, Director of Musical Performance and Year 8 Tutor. Mr Atkins, the Head of High Country Campus, will be there to welcome them when they arrive. We look forward to sharing some stories and photos with you next week.

Redlands Da Vinci Success!

Redlands students have won a record number of Top 3 placings in the Da Vinci Decathlon. The Year 11 team came third in the NSW State competition overall. To gain an overall placing among 32 schools is an incredible achievement and attests to their excellent teamwork and collaborative skills. In terms of subject prizes, Year 11 came 2^nd in Code Breaking and Ideation and 3^rd place in Cartography.

Year 9 came 3^rd in Science, and Year 8 came 2^nd in English and 2^nd in Art and Poetry. Congratulations to all the students involved for their dedication, demonstrated in their commitment to weekly lunchtime training sessions. In addition to being our highest performing team, Year 11 were expert coaches and mentors of younger students, sharing knowledge and skills to boost the team’s confidence and creativity.

The School thanks Dr Phoebe Poon and supporting staff – Mr Holden, Ms Joo, Ms Kang, Ms Bailey, Ms Cleghorn and Ms Wilson for their ongoing support and guidance of the Da Vinci students. A fantastic team effort by staff and students alike!

Our Da Vinci Participants

Year 12 Festival on the Fahl pursues $50,000 for the McGrath Foundation this 30 May!

2024 Festival on the Fahl takes place on Thursday 30 May. This year we raise money for the McGrath Foundation. Our Year 12 Captains are currently planning a fun day of activities and community building events to secure a Redlands record sum for their chosen charity.

If students can raise $5000 before the day, they wear mufti.

On the day, students can purchase a BBQ lunch and delicious treats.

There will be a range of fun activities spread out across the afternoon.

Prior to the day, teachers will be auctioning off their classes to Year 12 students who will then pick up the teacher baton and take responsibility for delivering the curriculum in an engaging and enjoyable lesson.  

To ensure the day is smooth and easy to facilitate, with over 1000 students on the Senior Campus, the event will be ‘cash-only’. All students are advised to bring sufficient gold coins so they can engage in the prepared activities and contribute to this worthy cause.

A Go-Fund Me Page has been set up to generate awareness and support. All funds raised will go directly to the McGrath Foundation.

Please support the students and their fun-d raising initiatives.

National Reconciliation Week

This National Reconciliation Week, the theme “Now More Than Ever” resonates deeply, serving as a reminder that the pursuit of justice and the acknowledgment of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are ongoing imperatives. At Redlands, our classrooms reflect our commitment to truth-telling, listening carefully, and understanding our shared histories, as well as tackling racism. From exploring Aboriginal astrology in Science to attending performances by Bangarra Dance Theatre, our curriculum is diverse. Our Art students examine contemporary Aboriginal artists, and our Computing Technology students draw knowledge from Aboriginal social connections. In English and History, we confront uncomfortable truths about dispossession and the Stolen Generations. Our immersive Midawarr Camp in Arnhem Land underscores our dedication to a deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures by walking with the Yolngu people on their Country.

During National Reconciliation Week, the Redlands Secondary School will engage in various initiatives to spotlight and contribute to reconciliation efforts. Redlands Hall will host an exhibition showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks from our collection. Inspirational talks by individuals dedicated to reconciliation will take place, and the Roseby Library will feature works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and intellectuals. Our Week 5 Student-led assembly will focus on this year’s theme, featuring a talk by a representative from Welcome to Country, a social enterprise that promotes economic self-determination and champions the growth of wealth and success within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Now more than ever, the call for respect, action, and change echoes strongly. Redlands proudly supports this week, aiming to empower our students as the next generation of leaders in the reconciliation journey. 

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