Year 7

Tutor Focus: Dumolo Blue’s Pet Rocks 

Last week, Ms Webster’s Tutor Group, Dumolo Blue, were hard at work creating Pet Rocks. As you may have heard, Mr Corcoran and Mrs Van de Peer have introduced their pets to the students in what has been named the Leo Pet Wars for 2025. 

Both Mr Corcoran’s dog and Mrs Van de Peer’s cat are named Leo, so it seemed only right for Year 7 Dumolo Blue to create their own pet Leos. These sedimentary pets were adorned with feathers, gemstones, pipe cleaners and googly eyes, each with a unique personality, just like our DB students! 

A huge thank you to Ms Webster for leading this fun and creative activity! The students had a fantastic time designing their unique Leos, and their enthusiasm was evident in every carefully crafted detail. We can’t wait to see where these little rock companions end up, perhaps as study buddies, desk mascots, or even contenders in the ongoing Leo Pet Wars! 

 

A Letter from the Chaplain 

As part of our commitment to nurturing the whole student – academically, socially, and spiritually – in Chapel, we gifted each Year 7 student with a Redlands Bible which has been signed by the Principal. This gift reflects the significant faith foundations of our School and our desire to encourage students to explore questions of meaning, purpose and values in a supportive environment. 

One of the key verses that guides our community is Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” At Redlands, we seek to foster an environment where every student is encouraged to shine their light, embracing their unique gifts and contributing to a culture of kindness, acceptance and diversity. 

As the Secondary School Chaplain, my role is to support students in their personal and spiritual development through chapel services, Christian Studies, pastoral care, and conversations that help them navigate life with wisdom and compassion. I work closely with our teaching and wellbeing teams to help students grow into young people of character, purpose and faith – whatever their personal beliefs may be. 

I am looking forward to getting to know your children and partnering with you in their journey at Redlands. If you ever have any questions, or if I can support your family in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Blessings, 

Ms Kirsten Philips 
Secondary School Chaplain 
Redlands  

ySafe Presentation 

This Friday during Period 3, Year 7 will be hearing from ySafe about online safety. I encourage you to chat with your child over the weekend about what they learned. It’s a great way to start a healthy conversation about digital safety and positive online interactions 

Year 7 Camp Reminders

As we prepare for the Year 7 Camp at Biloela, here are the key details and reminders to help ensure a smooth experience: 

  1. Arrival and Departure Times:
  • Arrival: Monday morning at 6:30am. 
  • Enter via the back gate on Gerard St. 
  • Check the group number and name list. 
  • Groups 1-6: Report to the Undercroft. 
  • Groups 7-12: Report to the Fahl Garden. 
  • Students will meet their group supervisor, have their names marked off, and wait for bus loading instructions. 
  • Departure: Buses will leave promptly at 7:00am. 
  • Return: Students are expected back at school at approximately 2:30pm on Friday. 
  1. Packing Details:
  • Duffle Bag: All camp items should be packed in a duffle bag (refer to the OEG site for the full packing list). 
  • Backpack: Students should also bring a backpack containing sunscreen, drink bottle, hat, and packed morning tea. This should be easily accessible upon arrival to school on Monday. 
  1. Medical Needs:
  • Students with an ASCIA or Asthma plan must bring their Epipens and Ventolin. 
  • Medication: All students who require medication must have it placed in a bubble pack. They will hand this to their group supervisor upon arrival to their group on Monday morning. 
  • For all students attending camp with medication, a Medication Authority Form needs to be completed in order for staff to administer the medication to the student. Please make sure this has been completed, prior to camp. If this is something you have forgotten to do, please email the document to Nick Walker, the Camp Coordinator – nwalker@redlands.nsw.edu.au 
  1. Camp Information Access:
  • All information, including the packing list, is available on the OEG site. 
  • Username: Redlands 
  • Password: Shine 
  1. Smart Phones
  • No smart phones or any technology devices are to be taken on camp. On the final day of camp, Mrs Susan Jones will send a message to all parents an ETA of when to pick up your child from the Senior Campus. 

 Thank you for your cooperation and support. We look forward to a great camp experience for all! 

Wellbeing Support Webinar

Twilight in the Garden

Our Twilight in the Garden event provides a wonderful opportunity for all families to connect with our school community on the Fahl Garden on our Senior Campus. We are expecting this to be another sold out event for parents and carers, so please purchase your tickets here.

International Women’s Day – March Forward Breakfast

Monday 10 March, 7am-9am

Redlands is pleased to announce the first event in our inaugural ‘Voice Notes: Illuminating Issues that Matter’ series. The series aims to spark conversation on issues impacting education and will span a range of topics across 2025.

We are starting the year by marking International Women’s Day with a breakfast event in conversation with Australia’s e Safety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant. An event not to be missed.

Musical Tickets Now Available

Book Your Tickets Here

Meagan Barr
Year 7 Advisor
mbarr@redlands.nsw.edu.au