Head of Secondary School

Head of Secondary School

First Day of School 

Yesterday at around 2:25pm, I started having that twinge of excitement and nervous energy in my stomach. Even after over 20 years of teaching, the feeling was still palpable as I was about to head into my first English lesson of the year to meet my new Yr 7 class. As I walked through the Liggins courtyard, I met two other teachers who shared their similar feelings of excitement and anticipation as they were on their way to their first lessons of the year, as well.

There was certainly a buzz around the Campus on Wednesday as the school year commenced. I know I can speak for many teachers in saying days like yesterday make this profession of ours so special. Some highlights from the day for me were:

  • Seeing two Yr 9 girls sprint across the top gardens for a warm embrace after not seeing each other over the summer break.
  • Watching one of our Yr 12 students escort a lost Yr 7 student to the gym for their opening Year Group Meeting.
  • Throwing a “proper” football (that is an American gridiron ball) with some Yr 12 boys on the courts after school and hearing about their holiday activities and plans for the year ahead.
  • Meeting my Yr 7 English class and starting to learn a little more about them.
  • And being the first recipient of the Redlands C.O.W Award for Crazy Outstanding Work by the School Captains at yesterday’s assembly. (I have already fulfilled part of my pledge – which, mind you, I had to recite in front of the student body – by posting an image of me with the award on Twitter!)

At last year’s Speech Night, our School Captains, Chloe and Josiah, shared their C.O.W emoji with the Redlands community in the hope we would all display a little more gratitude towards each other. There has been much recent research published on the importance of expressing gratitude not just for the wellbeing of others, but for our own wellbeing, as well. Interestingly, during one of our professional learning days last week, all staff across the School were treated to an uplifting presentation by renowned speaker Amanda Gore on the Power of Joy and one of the key strategies she shared with us to help find the joy in ourselves and bring it out in others was through expressing gratitude.

So, while I was humbled and embarrassed to be singled out in assembly as I know there are so many other staff and students more worthy of the Redlands C.O.W. Award than I, maybe the real power of this presentation was not the award itself, but instead that our student community was able to witness our School Captains expressing gratitude publicly so that they could hopefully learn from their example. Maybe some already did as my final highlight of the day was at the end of my Yr 7 English class in Period 6 as the students were leaving the classroom, they individually said “thank you” as they left the classroom – illustrating once again that a simple expression of gratitude can bring joy to someone else.

Welcome Letter 

Last week I sent home a Welcome Letter for 2019 to all Secondary School families with lots of information relevant to the commencement of the year. This letter has been published on Redlands Pulse under the Secondary School section if you missed it last week.

Tutor Meetings 

On Tuesday we also had our second year of Tutor meetings for returning students. Parents and students were able to have ten minute meetings with their Tutors to reflect on 2018 and develop goals and strategies for 2019. We hope this initiative further strengthened the strong partnership between students, parents and teachers in the education of the boys and girls in the Secondary School. If you have any feedback on this day, please email Susan Jones in the Secondary School Office as we hope to continue to strengthen this program in future years.

Yrs 11 and 12 HSC and IB Information Evenings 

Next week we will be offering HSC and IB Information Evenings for students in Yrs 11 and 12. These evenings are valuable sessions for both students and parents to learn more about their individual academic programs for the year ahead. These evenings will commence at 6.00pm in Redlands Hall on the following days:

Monday 4 February: Yr 11 IB Information Evening
Tuesday 5 February: Yr 12 IB Information Evening
Wednesday 6 February: Yr 11 HSC Information Evening
Thursday 7 February: Yr 12 HSC Information Evening

Judith Locke Presentation 

In our continued efforts to build a stronger partnership between school and home in the development of our Pastoral Care and Wellbeing programs, we are delighted that author of The Bonsai Child, Judith Locke, will be presenting to our Secondary School parent community on the evening of Monday 25 February from 6.00pm. She will explore modern parenting trends and their impact on children, and she will offer practical strategies to assist us in developing confidence and resilience in our children. We look forward to your attendance.

Uniform

Could I ask parents to assist in ensuring students’ dress and appearance (hair and uniform, for example) meet our high expectations as they return to School this week. Please refer to the Student Planner if you are uncertain of our expectations. Please note that while blazers are optional for students in Terms 1 and 4, students are still not permitted to wear fleeces or hoodies to and from school. If, on cooler days (hard to believe with the current weather), students want to wear an outer garment, they are required to wear their blazers both to and from school.

Please note that the Uniform Shop has moved into more spacious surroundings at 286 Military Road.

School Photos Yrs 8-12: Monday 4 February

School photographs are scheduled to be taken on Monday 4 February for students in Yrs 8-12. It is important that students wear proper school uniform on this day, including their blazers.

A range of packages are available and orders should be completed online prior to photographs being taken. Should you have any queries concerning school photographs or online ordering, please direct them to enquiries@advancedlife.com.au. To order, please go to advancedlife and enter the code NWL 4NR ETY.

Activities Fair

Today at lunchtime the Liggins quad burst into life with our Activities Fair. The aim of the Activities Fair is for students to see (and hear) all of the clubs and activities that Redlands has on offer. Student and staff representatives from the various activities shared information and answered questions throughout lunchtime. We encourage students to sign up and get involved in these clubs and activities this year. An overview of the clubs and activities on offer for 2019 has been made available through Redlands Pulse on the Extra/Cocurricular page in Special Programs.

2020 Scholarships – applications close Monday 4 February

Students in Year 7 2020 or Year 11 2020 are invited to apply for 2020 Scholarships via the School’s website. 

2020 Scholarships available:

Yr 7 – Academic, Merit/All-Rounder, Music, Ballet – open to all current Redlands Year 6 students.

Yr 11 – Academic, Merit/All-Rounder – open to current Redlands Yr 10 students on a demonstrated needs basis involving means testing.

All candidates are required to sit for the ACER Scholarship exam at Redlands on Saturday 23 February.

All Scholarship information and details on how to apply can be found on our website in the Enrolments section: https://www.redlands.nsw.edu.au/enrolments/scholarships/scholarships-2/

Notice of Departure end Term 1

Required by Friday 8 February 

This is a reminder to any families who are planning to leave the School at the end of Term 1 and have not yet given notice. Please email registrar@redlands.nsw.edu.au before Friday 8 February, in order to avoid fees in lieu.

Mr Sean Corcoran
Head of Secondary School
scorcoran@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9870