Year 9

Welcome Back

It was wonderful to welcome back our Year 9 students in full on Tuesday morning. There was a very positive atmosphere as students walked into Redlands Hall to hear Mr Corcoran, Ms Van De Peer and Ms Jansons reflect on the break and challenge students to bring their best selves, ready to learn each day for this academic year.  

New Faces

This year we welcome one new Tutor to our team, Mr Ben Roets, who will be sharing leadership of McDouall Blue (9MB) with Ms Naoko Abe. We also welcome a new Assistant Year Advisor, Miss Meagan Barr, who is very excited to be working with us this year in our pastoral program. Miss Barr will also be teaching a Year 9 English class this year.

On Monday morning, Miss Barr and I also welcomed eight new students and their families to our cohort as well. 

Key Expectations for the Year

As part of our Year Group Assembly on Tuesday morning I outlined a number of focal areas that we will be working with the year group on throughout the coming year. There were also several similar messages following on from the presenters in Redlands Hall. I emphasised high expectations and getting the ‘little things’ right to get the most out of our daily business of teaching and learning. 

Student planners and documents on Pulse, such as the Student Code of Conduct comprehensively set out what is expected of students, and it is worth refreshing your knowledge of these. There are a few things that I specifically highlighted on Tuesday, as these are the building blocks for good habits. 

These included: 

  • Punctuality to class 
  • Have all the required materials for each lesson 
  • Bringing your best self to class (even on days when this can be difficult) 
  • Courtesy and respect in interactions with Redlands staff and the wider community 
  • Treating every RAD or formal conversation as feedback to grow from 
  • Redlands has a ‘hands-off’ policy for everyone’s safety  
  • Continuing the Look Up and Look Out mantra from last year students should be watching out for others when walking around in the community – we live in an area with lots of young families, parents with prams as well as retirement village next-door
  • Wearing the school uniform with pride 

Upcoming Events

We have a number of events in the first part of the term which include: 

  • Week 2 – Tuesday 6 February – Secondary School Swimming Carnival 
  • Week 2 – Wednesday 7 February – Celebration of 2023 Academic Achievement & Growth Assembly 
  • Week 2 – Thursday 8 February – Activities and Winter Sports Fair 
  • Week 3 – Coaching Conversations 
  • Week 3 – Thursday 15 February – ySafe Presentations and Parent Webinar 
  • Week 8 – Musical Week 

Contacting Us

Both Miss Barr and I are excited to start the year supporting this wonderful group of students and if you have any questions please email either of us at thoran@redlands.nsw.edu.au or mbarr@redlands.nsw.edu.au.  

Mr Tobias Horan
Yr 8 Advisor
9968 9872
thoran@redlands.nsw.edu.au