Head of Secondary School
Covid-19 Update
Our Principal, Mr Webber, has been sending out regular communication about the School’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak in Australia, and in the Secondary School we appreciate your continued support and patience during this time. The health and safety of members of our community is, as always, paramount when making decisions and we are regularly receiving advice from external bodies and organisations as we review our practices and scheduled events. Unfortunately, we have already had to cancel the Yr 9 Market Days scheduled for Monday 16 March and Tuesday 17 March due to possible risks associated with food preparation and handling, as well as increased social contact during the market itself. In Tuesday’s Assembly, I gave our students an update of the current situation and reminded them of the importance of personal hygiene practices such as washing hands, covering coughs or sneezes and avoiding any unnecessary physical contact such as shaking hands. Our staff are also preparing for the possibility of more remote learning and teaching practices in the case of a campus closure which has already been the case in a few schools. If this eventuality occurred, we would aim to maintain as much of a regular teaching and learning program as possible, using iLearn as our online classroom and Zoom for video conferencing of lessons. We will also be evaluating any impacts on student learning and scheduled assessments, especially for senior students, if there were any disruptions to the regular program. We once again ask parents to keep any students who are unwell at home and to follow the latest Department of Health advice in terms of any necessary testing and a return to school.
International Women’s Day Assembly
During Tuesday’s assembly we celebrated International Women’s Day at Redlands to both acknowledge the achievements of women and reflect on some of the gender inequalities and injustices still present in Australia and around the world. During the Assembly, we heard from our guest speaker, Mary Jerram, who is the former State Coroner of NSW and who was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2018 Australia Day Honours: “For significant service to the law in New South Wales as State Coroner, and as a role model for women in the legal profession”. She spoke to the assembly about the challenges and obstacles she has faced in her career and how she has overcome these in her lifetime. We also heard from our Service Captain, Maya Auld, who shared some of her reflections after attending the Mosman Council’s International Women’s Day Breakfast the previous week, and we also heard from our Principal, Mr Webber, who shared with us some of his views and insights, in particular around the benefits of everyone learning together in a coeducational environment.
ISA Swimming
Yesterday we had over 50 Secondary School students representing Redlands at the ISA Swimming Championships. There were a number of excellent results on the day with the Intermediate Boys placing 3rd overall in Division 1 and the Senior Girls placing 4th overall in Division 1. Individually, we had a number of place getters across the age groups. However, I would like to especially acknowledge Olivia Donoghue (Yr 11) who finished 1st in the 50m Freestyle, 1st in the 100m Freestyle and 2nd in the 50m Butterfly. I would also like to thank the many Yr 10 students who spent the day volunteering at the Carnival as Redlands was the host school for this event. They represented themselves and our School admirably.
Summer Sports Update
On Saturday, 13 of our boys and girls Basketball teams competed in their respective Grand Finals in the ISA competition. It was a great day of competition with many exciting finishes and a few heartbreaking defeats. Our 1st V girls team had a tough contest against Central Coast Grammar before pulling away in the final quarter to be crowned ISA Division 1 Girls Basketball Champions – a wonderful achievement. In addition, overall Redlands won the ISA Girls Basketball Shield which is given to the most successful girls Basketball program across the age groups of the ISA. This is the first time Redlands has taken out this prestigious title. I would also like to congratulate the 17A, 15A, 15C and 15D boys teams for winning their respective Grand Finals, as well as all of the teams who competed admirably on Saturday. I would also like to wish our rowers all the best as they had down to Canberra to compete in the Head of the Lake this weekend.
Uniform Update – Shorts
Please note that shorts for Secondary School boys have arrived in the Uniform Shop. These can be purchased from Friday for boys to wear as part of the summer uniform in Terms 1 and 4. Please note boys will also need to wear the long grey socks with shorts as part of this uniform.
Jazz in the Basement
We are excited for our 2020 Music launch event, Jazz in the Basement, this Saturday 14 March from 6.00- 8.00pm. Come and bring a meal while hearing our musicians perform in the Undercroft – which for the evening will be transformed into a New York jazz club! Tickets can be purchased through the Music Department or TryBooking.
Parking and Drop Off/Pick Up
We appreciate the challenges of parking, as well as the drop off and pick up of students, around the Secondary School, and thank the majority of parents who follow proper guidelines. However, we have had recent reports of some unsafe practices during drop off and pick up of students around the Campus before or after school. Once again, we ask parents to use the designated drop off and pick up zones on Waters Road or Winnie Street and not to double park in local streets or pull into the bus parking lot in front of the Adams Centre. The safety of our students, members of our community and members of the wider community is paramount. Lastly, please may I remind you to be respectful and considerate of our neighbours. It is not acceptable to block or even park in someone’s driveway. Please also be mindful of noise on local streets, especially during early morning drop offs for before school activities. Thank you, in advance, for your cooperation and support.
Mr Sean Corcoran
Head of Secondary School
scorcoran@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9870