Year 11

Welcome Back

This week, Yr 11 students returned with maturity, poise, strength and energy. Conversations between students and staff have been meaningful, positive and energetic and their approach to school expectations and rules has been refreshing and appreciated. It is evident this cohort is now a group of senior students.

This year, students will focus on gaining leadership experience and leading by example. In Tutor, we will also focus on supporting students in self-regulating their own learning and managing their own distractions and study routines. This year’s theme is Enrich. Students will aim to enrich their interactions with others, their learning experiences, their engagement in community and their outlook on school and life after school.

Students were asked to return this week both physically and mentally ready for the new year. A few key reminders shared with students this week:

School bags must remain in lockers throughout the day.
Hair needs to be kept back in a ponytail if long enough to do so.
Hair that is kept short, needs to be cut away from the face, ears and collar. In no way can hair represent a mullet (shorter on the sides and longer across the top and back).
Black leather belts must be worn with trousers.
Earrings may be worn as a silver or gold stud or sleeper in the lowest hole in your ear.
Smart watches may be worn as long as they are not connected to the internet during classes.
Phones are allowed throughout the day and may be used at Lunch and Recess. Please ensure they are not taken out during class time unless prompted by a teacher.
Necklaces and bracelets are not allowed.
Bags must be kept in your locker throughout the school day.
No facial hair is allowed.

Thank you for your support from home and for your ongoing support and communication throughout the year. It is valued, appreciated and essential for encouraging our young people to be the best versions of themselves every day.

Key Dates

3 February Debating Trials for New Students

3 February Principal’s Commissioning

7 February Swimming Carnival

10 February Secondary School Photos and Sibling Photos

10 February Yr 11 hosts a Move Night for Yr 7 & 8

1 March 6-7pm Yr 11 HSC and IB Information Session

6 April End of Term 1

Principal’s Commissioning

For Yr 11, this will be a special experience our students have not had a chance to participate in throughout their schooling. The Fahl Garden will be used for this more formal event and Yr 11 students will be sitting in the front rows. They will also be sitting outside Friday morning for approximately an hour. Students have been asked to bring with them a water bottle, a Redlands hat and sunscreen. Students will report to Tutor Friday morning prior to the commissioning to prepare for the event. Thank you for reminding your teens to prepare appropriately.

Yr 7 & 8 Movie Night

Next Friday, Yr 11 students will be hosting a Movie Night fundraiser as an opportunity for younger years to spend time outside of lessons together. They will be running a Bake Sale after school, organising a few games and showing a movie in the Learning Hub. The event will run from 3:30pm – 5:30pm and it has been entirely planned by our Yr 11 Service Students. More volunteers are needed to join the Yr 11 Service students, we will be seeking more volunteers this week. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to step outside of their comfort zones and further develop their leadership skills.

Yr 11 Peer Support Leaders – Yr 7 Transition Day

On Monday, 64 Yr 11 students took on their first duty as a Peer Support Leader by welcoming and guiding the new Yr 7 cohort throughout the Yr 7 Transition Day. Yr 11 leaders were described as engaging, helpful, reassuring, calm and enthusiastic as they balanced various emotions of the Yr 7 students, helped them feel connected and settled as well as spreading their excitement and enthusiasm for being in the Secondary School. Yr 11 students were exhausted by the end of the day yet they came back the next morning smiling and ready to start themselves. Peer Support Leaders will be working with Yr 7 students every other Friday throughout the first semester and more information and photos will be coming out throughout this term.

Swimming Carnival – Yr 11 Expectations

As a Yr 11 student, it is expected that the entire cohort attends the Swimming Carnival and participates in at least one event throughout the day. As a senior leader, students are seen as role models for younger years and they have the ability to influence and inspire younger students and their peers. As many of our students are embracing the opportunity to be a leader and eager to engage in leadership this year, the first step to leadership is to be a leader in school events. On Tuesday, our Yr 11 students have the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to lead and their desire to step into that role.

Secondary School Individual Portraits and Sibling Photos – Friday 10 February

Secondary School Sibling Photos will take place on 10 February from 7.15 – 8.20am in Redlands Hall. To order Sibling Photos, please click here, enter the password ‘ALLISTER’ and select Siblings Order Form before 8 February. Parents/Carers who have children at both the Junior and Senior Campus and may attend the sibling photo and should accompany their Junior Campus children to school afterwards.

On 10 February Yr 7 to 12 students will present to the Redlands Hall in classes to have their portrait photo taken between 8.20am – 12.55pm. If your child is unable to have their portrait taken, or if they have an external appointment scheduled during the school day please inform the Year Advisor.

A catch-up date for missed sibling photos and portraits will be offered on 3 March at 10.10-11.05am in the Learning Hub Level 2, or by appointment with Melba Studios, located in Artarmon.

All students are required to be wearing their full school uniform, including blazers. Boys must be clean shaven with hair that has been cut so that it is away from eyes, ears and collar. Boys and girls with a hair length touching the collar is to be styled and tied-up neatly so that it is away from eyes, ears and collar. Hair is to be tied back with navy and hair coloured accessories. No hair dye, mullet style haircuts, make-up or nail polish is permitted. No jewellery is to be worn other than one pair of plain gold or silver studs in ear lobes.

Our Standard Portrait and Year Group Package will be automatically billed to your school account and posted directly to your primary contact address following the Year Group photos taken on 7 June. If you do not wish to receive a standard package, please click here to opt out before 10 February.

The Standard Package will cost $40 and consist of:

Year Group Photograph 20 x 30cm
Portrait packages containing 7 portraits:

1 – 15 x 20cm

2 – 10 x 15cm

1 – 10 x 7cm

1 – 7.5 x 5cm

2 – 5 x 3.5cm

Online access to a high-resolution digital portrait download

If you have any questions, alterations or additional orders, please contact Melba Studios directly on (02) 9438 4566 or email sales@melbastudios.com.au.

Redlands School TV – The Wellbeing Barometer

Our students have now had a full year in school post the COVID pandemic. However, the significance of the pandemic during impactful years of development continues to unravel for students, parents and teachers as they learn the implications of these two years. School TV has requested for parents to take a moment and reflect on their child’s disposition, engagement and mental health since the pandemic by completing this anonymous survey to assist School TV in providing appropriate resources for parents, staff and ultimately to assist our youth.

The survey can be seen here.

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Will Andrew, Will Algar and Andrew Kinghorn for all successfully completing their Bronze Medallion in Surf Life Saving at the end of last year. They are now officially Surf Life Savers and you may see them at Manly when you are out for a swim.

Marcus Cooper-Hor was accepted to the Griffin Ambassadors Program for 2023. He will be able to access workshops, performances and access industry professionals to continue developing his love for acting and theatre.

Congratulations to our very own James Stuart, who posed and acted for the new Duke of Edinburgh Be Your Own Champion Campaign. Well done to James for showcasing his talents in multiple ways as he was also completing his Silver Duke of Edinburgh at the time of shooting.

See it here for yourself.