Year 11

Ethical Explorations Day – Wednesday 1

Yesterday, the following Yr 11 students attended an interschool Ethical Explorations Day at Rosebank College, learning from a guest speaker from the University of Sydney on bioethics and explore bioethical dilemmas in relation to epidemic management and control. 

  • Remie Gibbs 
  • Krishna Gupta 
  • Hiro Phillips 
  • Sarah Zeppel 

Reflection from Hiro Phillips and Krishna Gupta:

This week, a group of Year 11s, along with some Year 9s and 10s, had the privilege of attending Ethical Explorations Day at Rosebank College. We engaged in a series of meaningful discussions with schools around all of Sydney, focusing on a variety of bioethical dilemmas. As members of the Research and Development Subcommittee, we explored the moral ambiguity of emerging technological advancements, such as CRISPR, a method of genetic modification/enhancement, and the principles by which private corporations should base their decision-making. We were then prompted to engage in an imagined scenario with the entirety of the group, in which a deadly virus has broken out within Australia, creating a range of ethical dilemmas for government bodies. We took on the role of these organisations, making decisions to maximise the safety of the Australian and global population. We thoroughly enjoyed connecting with like-minded students during the day, creating thought-provoking discussion and broadening our ethical perspectives.

Mini Mos Funrun Results

Over the weekend, we had several Redlands students compete in the Mini Mos Fun Run. 

Some outstanding results from Year 11 include:

  • Alex Symons: 31st overall in the 5k (31:40)
  • Sofia Vincent: 32nd overall in the 5k (31:40)
  • Angelica Doukas-White: 49th overall in the 5k (34:24)

Congratulations to all involved across the Secondary School. 

Career Planning Modules

This term Yr 11 have been completing weekly tutor time activities to explore what careers suit their personality, what is important to them and to research potential post-school courses.
 
 

Alumni and University Sessions

Throughout Terms 1 and 2, Yr 11 have been lucky to have alumni visit from a range of industries including music, the ADF, medicine and more. In Week 5 all of Year 11 had the opportunity to learn about the University of British Columbia. Whilst studying in Canada will not be for everyone, this presentation was an excellent introduction to decision factors Yr 11 should be researching and considering. Following the presentation, students should now be asking themselves the following questions:
  • What kind of university campus appeals to me?
  • What opportunities would I want my university to offer? Eg internships, sports, societies?
  • What is the cost of international tuition versus tuition in Australia? Will I be using HECS? Who will be paying for accommodation if I move out of home?
  • What grades do I need for entry to my preferred courses at different universities?
  • Do I want to go to university straight away or do I want to take a gap year or start working?
 

Open Days

Most universities hold their Open Days in Term 3. We strongly recommend students attend when they are in Year 11. Open Day dates can be found here.
 
 

Industry Day

Yr 11 Students will be briefed tomorrow on Industry day which takes place on 7 August.

This is a valuable experience for our students where they have the opportunity to:

  • Familiarise themselves with a workplace
  • Gain an understanding of the range of professional roles that exist within an organisation and how these are projected to change in the future
  • Learn about the ‘soft skills’ employers regard as important when recruiting
  • Engage in networking with members of the organisation

Timeline

T2 Week 8       Parent permission sent out and Student Preference Survey sent out
T2 Week 9       Student Preference Survey and  Parent permission due last day of Term 2 
T3 Week 1       Partner Allocation letters sent out to students and parents
T3 Week 2       Student pre-departure briefing
T3 Week 3       Industry Day 7 August 

Congratulations to Sophie Yu

Sophie Yu (Yr 11), who was a finalist in the Australian Parliament’s My First Speech competition last year, is set for another remarkable milestone. She has been shortlisted for the NSW Youth Advisory Council (YAC) 2025, providing her with an opportunity to represent youth voices on vital social issues. Sophie will soon attend a face to face interview at NSW Parliament House next Friday as part of an extensive selection process. If selected, she will join 11 other members in providing direct communication between young people and the NSW Government. The YAC regularly advises the Minister for Youth and the Advocate for Children and Young People on policies and laws affecting NSW’s youth. The selection process is rigorous, with candidates assessed by the Advocate and broader ACYP team. We wish you the best of luck, Sophie!

Learn More

Athletics Carnival

On Tuesday, all Secondary School students will be taking part in the Athletics Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park. The purpose of this event is to provide the opportunity to develop House spirit in a friendly, competitive environment. The aim is to have as many students as possible participate on the day. All students need to be ready to depart from their House Location at 7am on Tuesday 25 June.

Study Centre Closure

The Roseby Library Study Centre will not be open next week on Tuesday 25 June due to the Athletics Carnival.

We look forward to seeing students on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday during our usual hours. 

Webinar: New Information About Teen Screen Use and Mental Health

Redlands is participating in the Black Dog Institute’s Future Proofing Study, the largest and most comprehensive investigation of adolescent mental health in Australia. When our current Yr 12 students were in Yr 8, families and students could choose to opt into the study or not.  

Researchers from the Black Dog Institute now visit our school every year to facilitate these enrolled students completing an anonymous online survey about all aspects of their mental health and wellbeing. This information is then analysed with the data from the other thousands of participants, and the analysis is provided to key decision makers to shape policy and service provision. 

In 2023, the researchers asked participants about their screen use and linked this input with participants’ mental health input. The research team then prepared a webinar for parents documenting their findings about teens, screens and mental health. This webinar also includes options for how parents can support their children navigate the digital world positively and safely.

Topics included in the webinar:

(1)    Background to the Future Proofing Study (at 3:13 mins)

(2)    How teens are using screens (at 4:10 mins)

(3)    The association between teen screen use and mental health (at 6:28 mins)

(4)    What families can do to support children to navigate the digital world (at 18:00 mins)

Please click here to watch this accessible and informative webinar on YouTube.  

The researchers have also created a PDF of the webinar slides and content you can view here.

Further information is available here or you can email futureproofing@blackdog.org.au 

As always, we are committed to working with you to find the best ways to nurture the mental fitness of our young people. 

StartUp Bootcamp Extra-curricular (Years 7-11)

Do you have a business idea that you’d like to explore? Are you curious about entrepreneurship? We have the perfect extra-curricular opportunity for you in Term 3!

StartUp Bootcamp: Idea to Impact. Wednesday afternoons 3:30-5:30pm

This is an introduction to innovation and entrepreneurship with a learn-by-doing approach. This exciting new extra-curricular program is open to students in Years 7-11 wanting to experience “startup life”. Anyone can join, not just students with existing entrepreneurial projects or ideas. 

We’ve partnered with Macquarie University Incubator to bring you a team of Experts in Residence each week, you’ll also hear from guest speakers in the startup ecosystem and be well supported as you explore innovative new ideas and even turn one into a venture!

Whether or not you plan on becoming an entrepreneur, the transferrable skills, bias towards action, resilience, and creative confidence you’ll build though this program will help you excel in every aspect of school, work and life.

Find out more here but hurry, there are only 30 places available in this intake!

Start Here, Start Up.

Travelling overseas in the holidays?

A reminder that if you plan on travelling overseas during the break, please pop past the Digital Services Service Desk so we can:

  1. Ensure you will have unhindered access to the services you need in the country(ies) you are visiting. 
  2. Ensure you have an Authenticator app installed on your mobile device for receiving Multi Factor Authentication codes.  

It will only take a few minutes to set up, and once done it will mean you can have continued access to Redlands email and other services should you need it. 

Ms Lisa Vale
Yr 11 Advisor
9968 9837
lvale@redlands.nsw.edu.au