Year 11

Key Dates

1-3 November A Midsummer Night’s Dream
7 November  Chat & Connect with Junior School
22 November Peer Support Training for New Yr 11
5 December Last Full Day of Term 4
6 December Speech Night

Yr 11 Camp

Last week marked a memorable and unique experience for the cohort at Yr 11 Camp. Students embraced new groups, new friendships, new teachers, new experiences and learned to be flexible as the camp environment always lends itself to changes. Students modelled their incredible ability to pivot, support one another and make the most of these experiences on offer to them. There was an overwhelming sense of appreciation and positive energy from the students and it truly resonated throughout the cohort over the week.

Thursday evening’s celebration was especially memorable. Each group shared out their best moments on camp, their worst moments on camp and the hardest challenges they faced. Students enjoyed an incredible meal, prepared by a chef who spent all week preparing for them. Jasmine Black and Isaac Brooks also spoke to their cohort to frame this experience and to wrap up the week as they prepare to return to school. They said to “cherish these moments as this year will fly by and we want to remember Yr 12.”

Student camp reflections included –

“I saw snow for the first time! We made a snow angel!”

“We learned that you don’t really learn or appreciate anything unless you step out of your comfort zone. It was hard and challenging but fun!”

“I loved how our group bonded throughout the week and we remained close through the last day.”

Each and every day, I learn something from these students. As groups were sharing what they were taking away from camp, I shared what I take away and learn about them on a daily basis, including:

• How passionate they are and when they put their mind to something they are absolutely unstoppable
• How they have huge hearts and they demonstrate their compassion for others constantly
• How they can manage more than they give themselves credit for at times
• How when they think they are demonstrating a weakness, they are actually showcasing their strengths in being honest and vulnerable and these are some of my favourite moments and memories with them

Over the term break, I was reminded of some advice that I also shared with students at camp around how to set a goal and reach a goal. One piece of the advice I focused on was to ” learn how to get where you want to go.” Oftentimes, students may know what they want to accomplish, they may even have an idea of how to get there. However, when plans change or issues arise, the roadmap suddenly looks different, unfamiliar and students can disconnect and lose focus. Students were encouraged to LEARN what needed to be done, speak to their peers, speak to their parents and teachers and actively organise a Plan A, Plan B and Plan C for when Plan B does not work out. In that moment when plans go astray, each student will have a choice to learn another way to get to their destination or to sit back and wait for life to happen. They may not always know how to reach their goal yet being willing to LEARN is essential to accomplish their goal.

Thank you to our Head of Outdoor Education, Edward Atkins, our Dean of Activities, Jon Gray, support staff at camp, Wendy Duckworth and Lisa McDonald, our incredible teacher leaders, Tom Ragell, Igor Srbinovski, Alex Thomas, Joe Montz, Chris Allen, Charlotte Berkeley, Brigida Nocera, Phoebe Poon, Michael Andreatta, Kim Novokmet, Rosie Peterson, Gen Comino and Kirsten Philips. Also, thank you to the incredible OEG staff, led by Michael Hall, who worked with Redlands staff to make last week a success for our students.

Yr 12 Induction

Thank you to all parents who joined the celebrations on Tuesday this week to induct the new Yr 12 students and the new Yr 12 Student Leadership team. Students have embraced this new position in the school and there has been a really positive energy across the cohort and campus. Student uniforms have never looked better and the Yr 12 Jerseys have not been taken off since receiving them last Thursday. It’s an exciting time on campus for our students.

Thank you and a job well done to Hamish Campbell for reading the Acknowledgement of Country, Sholto Mirrlees-Black for performing an incredible piece by Antonio Vivaldi and Hallie Hunt and Olivia Everingham for leading the National Anthem and School Song. 

As a reminder, Yr 11 IB Assessment Booklet 2023 continues into Term 4. Any changes to this schedule have been communicated with students through classes. Yr 12 HSC 2024 Term 4 Assessment Calendar is linked in Pulse on the Yr 11 Page.

Science Recognition

The 2023 International Competition and Assessment for Schools (ICAS) in Science is undertaken by over 400,000 students across Australia and the region and is a rigorous test of scientific thinking. Participation in the competition provides our students with excellent examination practice and an opportunity to see how they fare in competition with students of their own age from across the country. Scientific skills such as experimentation, empirical observation, logical reasoning, scientific analysis and critical thinking not only help you do well in STEM subjects – they are critical components of humankind’s most successful system for pursuing knowledge: the scientific method. A High Distinction in this competition represents the top 1% of the participants while a Distinction is the next top 10%.

Congratulations to the following Yr 11 Students: 

Nisya Sashpal – Distinction Biology and Chemistry
William Cooper – Distinction Biology
Alexander Arnold – Distinction Chemistry
Aditya Sarkar – Distinction Chemistry and Physics
Jocelyn Wang – High Distinction Chemistry 

Australian Science Olympiads                            

The Australian Science Olympiads are a national enrichment program for secondary science students offered in the areas of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth and Environmental science. High achievement in the program can lead to students being selected to represent Australia in the International Science Olympiads. 

Throughout the year, students’ study one or more of these scientific disciplines and then in early August sit a challenging examination that tests their knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Congratulations to the following Yr 11 Students: 

Annie Zhang – Biology
Bianca Goggin – Biology
Emilie Leroux – Biology
Anna Otto – Biology and Chemistry
Amelia Barter – Chemistry 
Mikaela Sanger Larsson – Chemistry 
Scarlett Thorp – Chemistry 
Ethan Beggs – Physics
Henry Moate – Physics 
Kabir Yohannan – Physics
Mischa Barac – Physics 
Sholto Mirrlees-Black – Physics 

Debating RDC – Term 4 Starts 20 October

New Debaters

All students in Years 7-11 who are new to debating and would like to be considered for a 2024 competitive team need to trial this term. Please email Mrs Beggs and attend RDC/Trials from 3:30pm-5:30pm on the dates below. 

If students are not sure they want to be on a team, this is a great chance to see if debating is right for them. Students are asked to email Mrs Beggs to let her know. 

Existing Debaters

All 2023 ISDA, FED, SDN, and RDC debaters are expected to come to internal (RDC) debating for the rest of term in order to keep up training, practice debates and feedback.

These debates (the best ones) will also be used to inform team selection for 2024.

If students are NOT wishing to attend or be considered for 2024 team selection,  or if they will be running late due to a musical or other commitments, please let Mrs Beggs know via email.

Students are asked to arrive promptly at 3:30pm – we will be sorting you into teams then, on a week to week basis.

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