Year 11

Key Dates

2 May:  Secondary School Counselling Parent Workshop
10 May:  Paul Dillon – Drugs and Alcohol
12 May: Respectful Relationships Presentation with Dr Opie
1 June:  HSC and IB Careers Expo
8 June:  Secondary School Athletics Carnival
9 June:  Foundation Day Assembly
23 June:  End of Term 2
18 July:  First day of Term 3

Welcome Back!

While the last two weeks may have looked like rest, sleep and relaxation for many students and their families, some students were restoring their energy through various work experiences, university trips, cultural immersion experiences or sport-related programs. Hopefully, however your teens spent their break, they felt energised and ready to begin classes this week. While Yr 11 students did seem tired returning yesterday, the buzz quickly picked up as students saw one another and began their classes, clubs and activities throughout the day.

Students participated in the Anzac Day service on their first day back. Further information regarding our incredible speakers and messages of the day is included in the Head of Secondary School section. We had several Yr 11 students participating in the day. Indi Hindmarsh delivered the Opening Prayer, Mikaela Sanger Larsson led a reading, Halcyon Hunt and Sholto Mirrlees-Black led the National Anthem and School Hymn, respectively, Thomas Jackson and Jack Stevens were wreath bearers and Luca Solgaard was a candle bearer. Will Howard played The Last Post and the Advanced Concert Band played beautifully throughout the assembly. As this was a formal assembly, it was wonderful to see the many ways each student contributed to the overall assembly and they did an incredible job. 

Yr 11 students are also filling in for Gate Duty as Yr 12 Half-Yearly Examinations are taking place. A huge Thank You to all Yr 11 students who have put their hand up already for the opportunity for leadership and community involvement as they welcome students to campus in the morning or wish them a fantastic afternoon as students leave in the afternoon. Students already signed up to help these first two weeks include: Liam McFarlane, Hugo Little, Ruby Voyce, Antonia Morgan, Winter Penney, Anabelle Cullen, Will Howard, Melinda Wright, Sunny Ho, Jaiden Confessore, Alfie Leach, Noah Berbic, Marcus Cooper-Hor, Scarlett Meijer, Isla Dawson-Damer, Conor Petersen, Charlie Hugman, Ahnu Guan, Kabir Yohannan, Olive Scown, Caitlin Preece, Oolan Margon, Charlie Parker, Tristan Wong, Christopher Szeto, Anna Otto, Ella Smith, Sophia Rolon, Lachlan Collyer, Jack Keogh, Emma Noes, Daisy Thomas, River Stefanovic, Scarlett Thorp, Mikaela Sanger Larsson, Zara Naismith, Harry Winder, Miles Eden, Apoorv Pilani, Lockelyn Kraus, Alex Tanner, Chloe Auyeung, Indi Hindmarsh, Summer-Eve Smyth, Charli Waterland and Zac Creighton.

Next week, the Yr 11 Year Meeting will be student-led and allow for the sharing of the many unique experiences that students have engaged in recent weeks.

Through Redlands, the following students embarked on a cultural immersion trip to Arnhem Land:

Sophia Rolon, Charlotte Hugman, Alfie Leach, Antonia Morgan, Conor Ikin, Hamish Campbell, Marcus Cooper-Hor, Melinda Wright and Sholto Mirrlees-Black.

Also through Redlands, the following students engaged in an intense two-day trip to the University of Melbourne: Anneka Steele, Frederick Yates, William Algar, William Andrew, Ahnu Guan, Andrew Kinghorn, Janes Stuart, Charlotte Wrigglesworth and Annie Zhang.

Further reflections of these programs and more will be included in next week’s Note Day.

We warmly welcome all students and their families back to Term 2 and we look forward to an exciting 8.5 weeks ahead!

SS Counselling Parent Workshop – Tuesday 2 May – LH2.7 and LH2.8

After the success of the first, our counselling team will be hosting their second of four parent workshops this term. Titled ‘Understanding and Responding to Emotions in Adolescence’ the parent session will cover:

  • What to expect and develop your understanding of the normal course of adolescent emotional development  
  • Managing emotions by helping your teen to express their emotions and helping them regain emotional control  
  • Recognising unhealthy emotional expression and responding appropriately

Parents are able to register HERE. The workshop runs from 5.30pm – 6.30pm, with nibbles and the chance for parents to chat and connect until 7.00pm. 

Uniform Reminder

The cohort is looking very sharp as they returned this week in Winter Uniform. A few reminders include:

  • Navy Blue tights to be worn with skirts in Yr 11.
  • Skirts must be knee length. Students have until Monday to hem their skirts appropriately.
  • Shirts must be tucked in throughout the day. During Recess and Lunch, this is not enforced while students are playing games. However, students are expected to sort their uniform as they leave Recess and Lunch and begin to prepare for class.
  • Gum is not allowed to be chewed throughout the day.
  • School bags should not be with students throughout the day. They are brought to school and should be kept in lockers between 8:20am and 3:20pm. 

Paul Dillon Yr 11 Presentation

This presentation reviews and builds upon the practical strategies introduced in the Year 10 session. Information on cannabis will be provided, once again focusing on ‘positive norms’ i.e., most young people do not use the drug and fewer teens are using it than in the past. Potential cannabis-related harms, with an emphasis on mental health will be discussed, as well as some of the possible warning signs that could indicate a person may be experiencing problems with their cannabis use. An update on vaping and e-cigarettes will also be provided. Finally, the impact of alcohol on the adolescent brain will be discussed, highlighting the potential risks of drinking during the teen years.

Learn More

Sport Acknowledgements

Welcome back to Daisy Thomas who was involved in numerous ski competitions in Europe in the last few weeks of Term 1.  We are very glad to have her return and to hear of her incredible accomplishments. Further information coming soon. 

Welcome back to Noah Berbic who participated in the Turn and Burn Program in Jindabyne in the end of Term 1 to work on his remarkable ski jumps.

Congratulations to Xander Halfen who competed at the 2023 Australian Age Championships in Queensland over the holidays. Xander competed in the 16 Boys 100m Freestyle, 16 Boys 100m Backstroke, 16 Boys 50m Freestyle, 16 Boys 100m Backstroke as well as the 4x50m Freestyle Club Relay and the 4x50m Medley Club relay in which he finished 3rd!  

Congratulations to Isaac Brooks who competed during the holidays at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships held at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre. Isaac finished 14th in the U18 Boys 800m (a personal best) and 26th in the U18 Boys 1500m!

Good luck to Jess Van Extel as she competes in the U18 State Championships for Hockey this weekend and ISA Trials this week!

Good Luck to Alissandra Braden competing a the State Sailing Competition in Queensland this weekend.

Ms Alissa Ynson
Yr 11 Advisor
aynson@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9865