Redlands Parents and Friends

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Introducing the 2024/25 RPFA Committee

Two weeks after our AGM, the Redlands Parents and Friends Committee held their first meeting of the year. We welcomed new members and sadly farewelled a long serving member (see the week in pictures).

On behalf of the Committee and School we would like to send a heartfelt thank you to Karen Nicholson who has tirelessly served on the Committee and been instrumental supporting the Friends of Groups for 13 years! We also extend our thanks to Nancie Pageau for her three years as Senior School Parent Coordinator. Big cheers to Monika Crennan for her efforts last year to make supporter gear a reality and Lisa Middlebrook for her support. Jenny Krallis is also rolling off from serving as Prep Parent Coordinator but is now serving on the Friends of Dance Committee, so still in the RPFA fold!

Very pleased to add another member to the crew on the night welcoming Alli Levitch-Edwards, who was voted in at the meeting.

The Principal and Vice Principal joined us for this special kick off meeting and provided School updates.

Dates for the Diary

Second Hand Book Sale

2 December 2024 and 21 February 2025

To will raise funds for our much loved Twilight Drinks (and minimise landfill!), second hand book sales will be taking place on 2 December 2024 and 21 February 2025.

Uniform Recycling Week

Next week of 18 November is Uniform Recycling Week. Students can bring in their old uniform items for recycling. Large uniform recycling bins will be placed outside the Junior School Reception and the Student Services Office on the Senior Campus.

Please ensure that ONLY the following items are brought in for recycling:

Other items, such as shorts and shirts, can be sent to your local charity shop for reuse.

All sports uniforms and new uniform items can be donated to the RPFA’s Second Hand Uniform Sale. Please keep these separate and place in the yellow bin at the Uniform Shop during opening hours.

Upcoming Parent / Family Get-togethers 

Contact us to list your event.

Walks on Tracks

Weekly guided walks around the northern Sydney area are organised by Ann Marie, a wonderful RPFA volunteer. This is a great way to meet other Redlands parents and get in shape, plus a wonderful way to spend a morning discovering the many paths of the Sydney area.

The invitation for walks is open, so if you have friends or family who you think would like to come along, please feel free to bring them. Dogs are also welcome on most walks, look for the ???? below .

Walks start at 8.40am and are roughly 1 1/2- 2 hours. For those with the time, we love to stop for a coffee afterwards. In case you’re running late, just text Ann Marie so they can wait for you. Walks for the remainder of the year:

Any questions, please contact Ann Marie on 0406 691 533. See you walking!

Book Club

The Redlands Book Club is a group of Redlands parents – past and present – who share a love of reading. New members are always welcome! The Book Club meets twice each school term to discuss a book, rotating among members’ homes. Occasionally, outings are also organised to events, movies or shows that are tied in with books. If you would like to join Book Club, and learn where we are meeting this month or simply want to know more, please contact Monica or Sabiha.

The last meeting of the year will be Monday 2 December at 11am as a Christmas lunch. We will be discussing Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. 

For some summer holiday reading inspo and the planners the books planned for Terms 1 and 2 of 2025 are:
·         Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
·         Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum
·         The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
·         At the Foot of the Cherry Tree by Alli Parker

Unplugged AI

This Term, two of our wonderful Class Parents, Daniella Aburto and Anita Fonseca will be facilitating an “Unplugged AI” lunch club for Prep school kids! Over six fun-filled sessions, students from K-2 will explore the basics of Artificial Intelligence through engaging games and hands-on activities – no devices needed! They’ll develop key skills like critical thinking while having fun with friends. They’d love for your kids to join them on Fridays at lunchtime as they dive into AI in a playful, screen-free way!

Supporter Gear

NEWS FLASH: FREE DELIVERY to the Uniform Shop for pick up now available!

Summer sports and co curricular comp season has started! For the first time we can represent our students in supporter gear!! Order your cap and polo here. Can’t wait to see all the supporters carrying the blue and gold. Go Redlands!!   

SHINING A LIGHT ON…FRIENDS OF AFL

Our newly-formed Friends of AFL Group was created out of an end-of-season friendly discussion on the team WhatsApp Group between returning parents who were keen to positively contribute to AFL next year.

About AFL at Redlands

• AFL is part of the AFL Independent Schools competition with all games being played within the Sydney Basin against other independent schools.
• The Redlands AFL teams have a mixed ability of skilled players whereby allowing some to develop their leadership qualities whilst others can focus on mastering the game’s fundamentals.
• Macquarie Uni Sports Fields is both our Training and Game Day venue, and it’s currently undergoing exciting major upgrades which will ultimately benefit both the game and the player.
• AFL is a low expense winter sport. A player simply needs footy boots and a mouthguard (headgear is optional) in addition to the Redlands AFL uniform.

5 Questions with the Friends of AFL Chair

Name: Jo Beck

Role: Friends of AFL Chair

Children: Sammy Yr 9 and Owen Yr 7

1) Which superhero would the Friends of AFL be:

I would chose the “superhero” name for the Friends of AFL to be The Sidekick as our Group works alongside the Redlands AFL department whether it be by assisting with organising, simply supporting or helping out behind the scenes.

2) Why you decided to be FoAFL Chair:

Our family of 4 has been directly involved in local club AFL for 10 years – first with Lane Cove Cats, then Mosman Swans and now North Shore Swans. We’ve experienced first hand the importance of volunteers within sporting communities, particularly AFL in Sydney. I felt now was a great time to lend support to AFL at Redlands as it’s a growing sport within the school & my son played this year and will play again next year!

3) Why you would encourage others parents to volunteer:

I’d encourage other parents to consider volunteering as it’s a rewarding experience which also helps demonstrate to your children the value of giving-back and getting involved. I think it’s also important to help “share the load”.

4) Trading places with my children:

If I could trade places with my children for the day, I’d love to experience not having to think about what to cook everyone for dinner!

5) What are you volunteer survival tips:

1. Don’t be afraid to ask. There’s so much support at Redlands for these Groups.
2. Be kind to yourself. Volunteering can be exhausting.

The Week in Pictures

RPFA President Brittne Whitelaw and Sean Corcoran thanked Karen Nicholson for her 13 years of service to the school with beautiful flowers and messages of thanks at the RPFA meeting.

Book Club had a great meeting last week discussing Safe Haven by Shankari Chandran. 

Do you have event pics you want to share? Please send them to RPFA Note Day.

Community Christmas Carols – Sunday 1 December, 5pm

RPFA Committee

President: Brittne Whitelaw
Vice President: Carrie Taylor
Secretary: Jennifer Mast
Treasurer: Joe Russo
Committee: Daniella Aburto, Tara Boris, Alli Levitch-Edwards, Michelle McDonald, Emma Okhovat, Kathryn Parsons, Sophia Stewart-Kasimba.