Redlands House/Transition Gold

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A Message from Mr Guha

I hope that this message continues to find our community safe and well with increased measures now in place to protect our local and global community. There are some challenges that come with being at home on a more permanent basis, particularly where parents are working, but there may also be opportunities that have arisen out of this challenge. Each year, my family plays more board games over the Christmas holiday period than we do for the rest of the year and despite our best intentions, we never seem to find the time to continue this activity we all enjoy. This enforced quality time together has allowed us to continue this activity on a more regular basis and there has also been more baking than normal as my girls have sought to break up their daily routine at home. I’ve also enjoyed seeing them being more creative in both games that they are playing and also to simply while away the time. They have also found that, at times, it is fine to be bored, often the catalyst for a spark of creativity.

Likewise, as my wife and I enjoyed the new-found experience of virtually catching up with friends last weekend via FaceTime, our children did likewise in another room and explored and creatively problem-solved ways in which they could play a range of games via a connection through a screen.

I continue to thank the teachers for their reflective practice and openness to refinement and change to meet the needs of their students.

I also acknowledge and express my gratitude to all Redlands parents for your continued messages of support and helpful feedback and we appreciate your supportive role with your children now in their home learning environments.

Storypark Notifications

While we want you to remain up to date with Preschool activities, we completely understand that some families are being overwhelmed by the number of email notifications they are receiving from Storypark.

Please note that this feature can be turned off by going to the cog wheel in the top right hand corner when you are logged into Storypark. Once there, you will find a Notification Settings area. Here you can select the frequency and type of notification that you receive. It may be best to turn off all notifications at this time, and log into Storypark at times that suit you and your child.

Easter Hat Parade – It’s On!

Look out for communication and information from your child’s class teacher about the traditional  Easter Hat parade which will be on the last day of this term, next Wednesday 7 April. Teachers are encouraging students to look to reuse and recycle things in your own home and there is definitely no need to go out to purchase anything! Likewise, we understand that you may not have anything to hand so students could wear any hat or draw an Easter picture.

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is closed to customers until further notice. Parents may continue to place orders online through Flexischools or via email to uniformorders@redlands.nsw.edu.au.

Further information can be found on Redlands Pulse or by calling the Uniform Shop on 9968 9850.

Chaplain

Please visit the Chaplain article for information about Easter.

A Message from Mrs Huon

Thinking of the children at this time and the impact that the media and social isolation will have on them. It is interesting to consider their perspective on this, what do they understand, what will they remember about this time in their lives?

One of the Juniors coughed into her elbow in class one morning at the beginning of term, before turning to her teachers and laughing “Don’t worry, it’s not Coronavirus”. They are listening and absorbing information all the time. Most children’s memories of childhood are dominated strongly by recollections of holidays often due to the social nature of holidays and the time they get to spend with family and friends.

The location, the country, the money spent on holidays is inconsequential to children. They remember holidays because they have their parents and other family members’ complete attention with no one rushing off to work, scrambling to get things done, trying to get children to and from activities while cooking dinner and maintaining the status quo.

I do hope that the Preschool children will also look back on this time and remember quality family time, games around the table, books being read, kicking a ball in the backyard and long walks as a family. 

The teachers are missing children, parents, siblings and families. We do hope that children and families still feel connected and are enjoying the resources and activities that are being uploaded onto Storypark for you.

We would again like to thank all of the families for their ongoing support at this time. If you have any suggestions for activities or information please don’t hesitate to let us know. We are loving the feedback and videos of the children; it is also a great way for the children to see their classmates and stay connected. Please contact your class teacher should you have any issues, or need some extra support.

Mrs Chemane Huon
Redlands House and Transition Coordinator
chuon@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9904 1448

Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School (covering Head of Preparartory School)
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022