Head of Secondary School
Welcome Back to Term 3
Welcome back to Term 3. I hope the mid-year break was refreshing and relaxing for students and families after a sometimes challenging first semester. On Monday we had an excellent teacher-led Professional Learning Day to commence the term for staff. The day started with Dr Peter Ellerton giving a keynote address via Zoom on Critical Thinking and Classroom Practice. We then had 80 staff across both campuses present 33 different workshops where we shared our Bright Ideas with one another and celebrated our Culture of Thinking and classroom practice here at Redlands. It was certainly an invigorating and stimulating way to kick off Semester 2. However, it was also wonderful to see and hear the actual students return to school on Tuesday, bringing their energy back to the Campus.
During our opening assembly I shared some of my reflections on how we in the Secondary School have been facing the challenges posed by COVID-19 and some encouragement for students for this upcoming semester. An excerpt of this address is below.
“Now, in talking to a number of staff and students over the past week, I know many of us were pretty exhausted by the end of last term. The disruption, uncertainty and worry brought about by COVID-19 was certainly challenging. I do hope that all of you, over the holidays, were able to do those things that not only bring you joy, but also recharge your batteries, whether that was spending time with friends, taking part in the activities or sports you enjoy, enjoying the outdoors or getting away on a family holiday.
For me personally, being able to get back down to the South Coast of NSW and spend some time fishing, was just the tonic I needed.
As we start this second semester, unfortunately, we are seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases, predominantly in Victoria and now also in NSW. It is a reminder for all of us to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to stop the spread of the Coronavirus.
This rise in cases also illustrates to us that, unfortunately, COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon, and this reality can be challenging for all of us as our worries about the disruptions and uncertainty for the rest of the year return. So, I want to leave you with some encouragement as we start the second half of the year.
Firstly, I want to let all of you know that it is OK to feel worried or down at times. However, it’s important to also remember we are all going through this together and we have each other and the strength of our community bolstering us. So, if you are going through a tough time, make sure you reach out and talk to trusted staff, friends or family members.
Secondly, we are often the toughest people on ourselves and can be our own harshest critics. So, remember to be kind and forgiving to yourself, especially as we face new challenges over the remainder of the year.
Third, focus on improving the things that we can control and do not waste our energies focusing on the things out of our control. While we cannot control some of the effects of this pandemic, such as missed holidays, cancelled events or changed routines, we can control how we approach these realities. I urge all of you to approach this term with a positive mindset and see any changes as opportunities for further growth.
And finally, I encourage all of you to start this semester with a sense of hope. Hope can give us meaning and purpose and it is important we start the semester with this optimistic outlook. I have previously shared a quote that has resonated with me from one of my favourite movies, Shawshank Redemption and it is pertinent today. Andy Dufresne writes to his friend, Red, “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.”
Over the next few periods you will have the opportunity to reflect on the first semester and set goals and aspirations for the remainder of the year. Whether you are a Yr 7 student who has just finished your first semester of Secondary School or a Yr 12 student about to embark on your last, as you set your goals, I urge you to also reflect on your hopes and dreams. What will give you a true sense of meaning and purpose for the remainder of this year and beyond? And how will you achieve this?
So, to conclude, I challenge all of us to remember that:
- It is OK to feel worried or down at times, but make sure we reach out to others when we need a helping hand;
- Be forgiving and kind to ourselves, as we can be our own harshest critics;
- Focus on improving the things we can control and don’t waste our emotions and energies on things out of our control, and finally;
- Start this term with a sense of hope for the days, weeks and months ahead.
Legacy Gift Fundraiser
On Tuesday a number of our Yr 12 boys returned to school with moustaches and beards (or valiant attempts at beards) and some of our girls had crazy hair for the day. No, they were not breaking the School’s uniform rules, but instead were raising money for their Legacy Gift which will be an outdoor ping pong table for future student recreational use and a contribution to the School’s means-tested Scholarship Fund, in honour of Dr Peter Lennox. I would like to thank the students who participated with colourful hair and beards for the day, the students who made donations and especially the Legacy Gift team who has been organising a number of different fundraising events this year. Fortunately, all hair was back to normal and beards were shaved off by Wednesday.
Staffing Updates
Ms Abigail Walker has stepped down from her position as Assistant Yr 9 Year Advisor before she commences her maternity leave later this term. We are pleased to announce that Ms Eleanor Martin will be the Assistant Year 9 Year Advisor moving forward and that Ms Walker will be looking after Ms Martin’s Yr 9 Tutor Group until further notice.
CIS Girls Basketball Championships
As many of you would remember, our Girls’ 1st V Basketball team won the ISA competition in the summer season. As ISA Champions, they then went on to represent the ISA in the NSW Combined Independent Schools’ Championship yesterday. In their first game our team beat Pymble Ladies’ College to essentially advance to a final against a strong St Luke’s team. Our girls put up a great effort to draw level in the 3rd quarter before St Luke’s pulled away in the last quarter to win the game. This result essentially means our Girls Basketball team finished runner up in the NSW Independent Schools’ Competition. This is an outstanding achievement and I would like to congratulate the team consisting of Emilie Bessell, Meera Coburn, Olivia Hatch, Sasha Jansz, Phoebe Rathbone, Yola Reinecke, Julia Saunders and Kate Stanbridge. I would also like to thank the coaches, Ms Kate Seebohm and Ms Renae Camino, for their efforts with the team this year.
COVID-19 Arrangements
As mentioned in my letter last week and outlined to students at our opening assembly on Tuesday, we will be commencing Term 3 with many of our COVID-19 arrangements from last term still in place such as temperature testing, staggered recesses and lunches and regular cleaning and disinfecting of high touch surfaces throughout the day. (A more detailed list of arrangements can be found in my Start of Term 3 letter here.) We also continue to ask parents to keep their children at home if they are unwell and to contact the Secondary School Office, the relevant Pastoral support person and/or the School Nurse with any queries or updates. Specific arrangements for the commencement of Winter Sports have been sent out by the Sports Department and we look forward to seeing students return to their competitions this weekend. We will continue to evaluate our arrangements and communicate regular updates to parents this term and, once again, thank you for your continued support.
Term 4 Departure Notice
This is a final reminder that those families who are planning on leaving the School during or at the end of Term 4 are required to give notice to the Principal via an email to registrar@redlands.nsw.edu.au by this Sunday 26 July 2020.
As per our Conditions of Enrolment emailed to all families in December last year with the 2020 Schedule of Fees, there will be fees in lieu payable for any notices of departure received after this date.
If your family is experiencing current financial difficulties as a result of COVID-19, please contact our Chief Financial Officer at bweatherstone@redlands.nsw.edu.au to see how the School may support your child’s continued enrolment at Redlands.
Mr Sean Corcoran
Head of Secondary School
scorcoran@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9870