From the Principal

A warm welcome to the 2025 school year after what I hope was a restful and joyous holiday season for you and your families. I would like to extend a special welcome to all the new families who are joining the Redlands community this year. It was great seeing many of you at the new student orientations on Tuesday, and I am sure you will be embraced by our warm and supportive Redlands community as many other families have been before you.

Personally, I spent part of the recent holidays attending the Round Square Heads Symposium in London connecting with over 160 leaders from Round Square schools around the world. It was a stimulating week, and I look forward to sharing further reflections about our Redlands involvement with Round Square in an upcoming Note Day article.

Before travelling to London, my wife and I spent a week visiting my family in Ireland. This time spent with my father’s side of the family in Ireland – cousins, uncles and aunts – reminded me of the importance of community and, in particular, our Redlands community. A strong community is built on connection, trust and support and I do not take for granted the strength of our Redlands community.

Two weeks ago the new Executive team gathered to prepare for the year ahead and to sharpen our key strategic objectives and actions which we will share throughout the year. I would like to warmly welcome Mr Glenn Ollerton, our new CFO, and Mr Michael Quach, our new Head of Junior School, who have already made a significant positive impact in their short time at Redlands as part of our Executive team.

Last week the teaching and professional and operational staff returned to school for their professional learning week. It was a great week of planning and preparation, but also learning and sharing. Some highlights included a day of looking into how we can best utilise AI at Redlands led by Leon Furze; leadership development for our senior and middle leaders led by Tracey Ezzard; and a session for all staff to feed into the development of our new strategic plan. Staff, students and parents will continue to have opportunities to provide input into our next strategic plan this year so that it is a truly co-created vision that sets up Redlands for a successful future.

It has been wonderful to have the students returning to school this week bringing their positive energy to the campuses. At the Secondary School opening assemblies, I reminded students of the three messages I shared with them at our Speech Night at the end of last year:

• to show kindness, civility and grace, even when others around you do not;
• to live “with heart” (the Class of 2025 motto) illustrating empathy, passion and authenticity in all that they do at school; and
• to be hopeful and to try frame things positively, even when they might look bleak.

Building on these messages, I have also shared some further focus areas to ensure we have a successful year. Some of these include:

• an emphasis on our Redlands value of respect to ensure that all of us – students, staff and parents – live our school value of respect in all that we do and in all of our interactions with each other;
• an aim to improve communication to ensure that we as a school are clearly communicating our initiatives to eliminate rumour, misinformation or “alternative truths” in the community; and
• a continued focus on nurturing and deepening our culture of innovation at Redlands so that students are best prepared for the rapidly changing world they are moving into.

I look forward to seeing parents and carers at upcoming events, including our Twilight in the Garden on Friday 21 February, and sharing an exciting year ahead with you at Redlands in 2025.

Purchase Your Tickets

Mr Sean Corcoran

Photo Caption: Our Round Square Club in action, exploring areas of leadership, service, adventure and inclusivity.   

Community Update

A very warm welcome to the school year to our new families and welcome back to our current families for 2025. We trust that you were able to enjoy a happy, healthy and peaceful time with your family and friends over the holiday period.

During my time at Redlands, I have often heard said that our strength is our community, and I have personally witnessed and experienced that warm, welcoming and supportive Redlands community over the past four years, as both a staff member and Redlands parent.

We are delighted to be able to come together as a community early in 2024 through a number of key and much loved Redlands events including Twilight in the Garden on Friday 21 February and our Year 7 Meet and Greet on Tuesday 4 March. Our Twilight in the Garden event provides a wonderful opportunity for our new 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 early here.

The Redlands Parents and Friends Association (RPFA), Parent Contact Groups (PCGs) and Friends of Groups (FoGs) all come together as passionate and dedicated volunteers to selflessly support our School and the wider Redlands community. All of these important groups highlight the vital role our wider community plays in the growth and prosperity of Redlands. These community groups provide a wonderful opportunity for us all to stay connected, included and informed. 

The best place to stay up to date on what’s happening at Redlands is through Pulse. Pulse can be accessed through the Redlands App that is available for download in the App Store for Apple users and Google Play for those using Android. The App, like Pulse,  provides a quick and easy connection with the School for all of the important information our community seeks – contact information, term dates, events, sport fixtures, school and absentee notices and other key links.  It also allows parents to subscribe to specific groups of interest without having to see information that is not of interest to you. After downloading the App, you simply enter your Redlands login to access and personalise your settings.

It should be noted that the WhatsApp groups used by some parents and carers are not formal channels of School communication. All communication from the School is shared via email, Pulse and Note Day. While WhatsApp groups may be considered an easy and quick reference point, this platform should not always be considered as a trusted source of information. Where information is sought or clarification is required, we encourage parents to contact the relevant section of the School directly or through feedback@redlands.nsw.edu.au, as early as possible to avoid confusion and inconvenience. 

All the best for 2025 and as ever, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly or the wider Community Engagement team should you have any feedback, suggestions or questions.

I look forward to catching up with our new families and current families as the year unfolds.

Mr Grant Birse
Head of Community Engagement
9908 6406
gbirse@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Foundation

I hope you had a joyful and restful Christmas and New Year, filled with special moments with family and friends. As we step into this new school year, I’m excited for all the opportunities, learning, and connections ahead.

A heartfelt welcome to our new families! Redlands is known for its warm and inclusive community, and I hope you will quickly feel at home. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet other families, starting with our Redlands Parents and Friends Association Twilight Welcome for parents and carers in the beautiful Fahl Garden on Friday 21 February – you can book your tickets here. 

Thank YOU

A huge thank you to our incredible community for your unwavering support last year. Your generosity has made a profound impact, raising an amazing $1.35 million!

• 83% went towards the High Country Campus Appeal
• 16% contributed to the Coralie Amos OAM Scholarship Appeal
• 1% supported the Library Fund

Exciting News for 2025

The Moonbah program will officially open to students and staff this term! Half of our Year 9 cohort will have the opportunity to experience this transformative experiential learning program, and we can’t wait to share more images and updates as they become available.

We are also thrilled to welcome our newest Year 7 student, the Dr Sue Morey Scholar – an opportunity made possible thanks to your dedicated support.

Looking ahead, we are excited to continue our journey with the Coralie Amos OAM Scholarship Appeal and will be working closely with the Master Plan project team. Stay tuned for updates later this term as we share more about upcoming developments!

Alumni News

Before the holidays, we published the latest Alumni Newsletter, filled with updates from our vibrant Redlander Alumni community. A huge KUDOS to Kim Flatman our Alumni and Community Engagement Coordinator.

To read the newsletter, please click on the image below or follow this link.

Wishing you all a fantastic start to the year!

Mrs Dana Casimaty
Director of Development
dcasimaty@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9858

Redlands Parents and Friends

2025 Is Alive!

On behalf of the RPFA, we extend a HUGE welcome to all the new students and their families joining Redlands this year. We trust everyone enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and New Year break, with the kids recharged and eager for a fun-filled school year.

2025’s social calendar commences with one of the highlight events of the year, Twilight in the Garden on  Friday 21 February. Held outdoors (weather permitting) on the high school grounds, it’s a wonderful evening that brings together parents and teachers from across the school community.

Reserve your tickets here.

Term 1 also marks the beginning of class get-togethers organised by our dedicated army of Class Parent volunteers. These events provide wonderful opportunities for new parents and their children to strengthen connections with classmates and meet other parents.

Be sure to check this section weekly for upcoming important dates and events.

We wish everyone a hiccup-free start to the term. The RPFA team is super excited to see you all soon.

Second Hand Uniform Sale this Saturday

Did you discover this week your kids grew out of their summer uniforms over the school holidays? No sweat, we have you covered. The Second Hand Uniform Sale this Saturday, 8.30 -11am is a fantastic opportunity to grab some extra summer basics.

• When: Saturday 1 February, 8.30 am -11am.
• Where: RPFA Unit, 1 Monford Place, Cremorne (just around the corner from the Uniform Shop).

Our Second Hand Uniform Sales provide great value for families and also give each of us an opportunity to contribute to the benefits of recycling. We sell hundreds of perfectly good clothes that may otherwise end up being wasted and thrown out, eventually into landfill. The Second Hand Uniform Sales are a great way to make the most of what the world has already produced, help your wallet and do an extra little bit for sustainability as well. As always, funds raised are contributed to the means-tested Redlands Foundation Scholarship Fund.

Junior and Senior School Parent Year Representatives 

We are currently in the process of putting together an amazing group of parent year and class representatives for the Junior and Secondary Schools in 2025. 

Year Reps (Secondary School) and Class Parents (Redlands House and Junior School) are vital for the fabric of the Redlands community as they help organise social events, facilitate community communication and welcome newcomers to the School. Serving in these roles is a great way to get to know other parents and have fun helping build community.

If you are interested in being a class parent in the Junior School or Year Representative in the Secondary School, please reach out signaling your interest for Secondary School or Junior School (for JS, indicating your class as well, thank you)

More details on the role of Secondary School year reps are available here. 

Offers to get involved or suggestions on what you would like to see are always welcome!

Upcoming Parent / Family Get-togethers 

Contact us to list your event.

Walks on Tracks

We’re back on track for 2025!

Weekly guided walks around the northern Sydney area are organised by Ann Marie, a wonderful RPFA volunteer. This is a great way to meet other Redlands parents and get in shape, plus a wonderful way to spend a morning discovering the many paths of the Sydney area.

The invitation for walks is open, so if you have friends or family who you think would like to come along, please feel free to bring them. Dogs are also welcome on most walks, look for the ???? below .

Walks start at 8.50am and are roughly 1 1/2- 2 hours. For those with the time, we love to stop for a coffee afterwards. In case you’re running late, just text Ann Marie so they can wait for you. Walks for the rest of this term:

Any questions, please contact Ann Marie on 0406 691 533. See you walking!

Book Club

The Redlands Book Club is a group of Redlands parents – past and present – who share a love of reading. New members are always welcome! The Book Club meets twice each school term to discuss a book, rotating among members’ homes. Occasionally, outings are also organised to events, movies or shows that are tied in with books. If you would like to join Book Club, and learn where we are meeting this month or simply want to know more, please contact Monica or Sabiha.

We look forward to kicking off the year with our first book club meeting next Wednesday 5 February at 11am, where we will be enjoying catching up after our long break and discussing Intermezzo by Sally Rooney. All new and old members are welcome, regardless of whether they have read the book!

The books planned for Terms 1 and 2 of 2025 are:
 
·         Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum
·         The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
·         At the Foot of the Cherry Tree by Alli Parker

Volunteer Five

Stay tuned next week and weeks to come to meet your Friends of Groups (FoG) volunteers and learn about the fun these groups have supporting sport, theatre and other student interest groups.

Supporter Gear

Free Delivery to the Uniform Shop for pick up now available!

Get kitted up for summer sports and cocurricular comp season! Parents, carers and family can proudly represent our students in supporter gear!! Order your cap and polo here. Can’t wait to see all the supporters carrying the blue and gold in 2025. Go Redlands!!   

A New Home for Old Uniforms

Last year, we found a new home for our old boys blue shirts and grey shorts. We packed and shipped several boxes to a charity in North Sydney, and we’re excited to report that the uniforms have now reached a school in South Sudan! We hope to send our old girls summer dresses there later this year. Additionally, many of our boys white shirts were delivered to a school in Thailand.

While we’d love to send all our old uniforms overseas, the costs and logistics of shipping large quantities have been challenging. Still, we’re grateful to have found homes for so many of them. Thanks to all who helped make this wonderful initiative a reality.

The Week in Pictures

Do you have event pics you want to share? Please send them to RPFA Note Day.

RPFA Committee

President: Brittne Whitelaw
Vice President: Carrie Taylor
Secretary: Jennifer Mast
Treasurer: Joe Russo
Committee: Daniella Aburto, Tara Boris, Ali Levitch-Edwards, Michelle McDonald, Emma Okhovat, Kathryn Parsons, Sophia Stewart-Kasimba.

Head of Secondary School

It’s all About the Growth!

The new term has started smoothly, and students are enjoying the first full day of classes today. During Tutor time today, students were finalising lockers, receiving their Student Planner and engaged in Coaching Conversations with Tutors, if they were unable to attend Tuesday’s Day of Growth.

The Redlands Secondary School staff really enjoyed leading Coaching Conversations with students on Tuesday. It left all of us buzzing with energy and mindful of the hopes and dreams of our young people, keen for a fresh start in 2025.  We are firmly focused on Feedback for Growth in 2025.

Year 7 Small Steps Toward Success

Year 7 have made such a positive impression since they commenced on Tuesday for Orientation. They have spent the past two days engaged in transition lessons with their Core teachers and Tutor and Year Advisor Ms Barr and Assistant Year Advisor Mr Smith have been singing their praises. In our Stage 4 assembly this week both Year 7 and Year 8 were incredibly attentive and respectful of their peers and the messages shared by staff such as our Principal Mr Corcoran.

Coming Soon: Assessment and Feedback Tool

We’re excited to announce the upcoming release of our new, purpose-built feedback and assessment tool that will give parents easy access to their children’s ongoing assessments and feedback – all in one mobile friendly location. With this tool, you’ll be able to view upcoming assessments, review past results and stay up-to-date with relevant feedback. Developed in response to parent surveys and focus groups, we are on track to launch the tool in mid-February. As we prepare for the release, parent access to iLearn has been suspended to complete the final setup. Thank you for your patience; we look forward to continuing to ensure every student receives feedback that is personal, actionable, timely and transferable.

Study Centre

Our librarians, Mrs Young and Dr Alice, would like to welcome all students back to Roseby Library for after-hours study on Monday to Thursday. From Day 1 of Week 1, we’ve hit the ground running with our extended opening hours from 3:20 – 7:00pm from Monday to Thursday.

All Secondary School students are invited to join us for self-directed study, home learning activities and recreational reading. Dr Alice and other members of Redlands Staff are available, as always, to provide support.

Needing the finer details?

If new to Redlands this year or requiring a refresher, please refer to my Welcome Letter which can be found on Pulse, which has lots of information for families.

Term 1 Departures

Notices of departure for any families planning on leaving the School during or at the end of Term 1 were due on Friday 17 January. Any families who haven’t yet submitted their notice of departure can do so via an email to admissions@redlands.nsw.edu.au by 4pm this Monday 3 February to avoid fees in lieu. 

Twilight in the Garden

Our Twilight in the Garden event provides a wonderful opportunity for our new 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 early here.

Learning Plus Volunteers

Learning Plus (support) are looking for volunteers with weekday availability and a desire to contribute regularly to the Redlands student community working with Yrs 7-12.

We need calm and confident community members who understand confidentiality. We need writers (scribes) and readers. You need to have legible handwriting and the ability to communicate in English.

Our volunteers find this a rewarding activity and a fantastic way to support students at Redlands.

We need volunteers to start training now! 

Contact sprovisions@redlands.nsw.edu.au to express your interest or request more information. 

Ms Gemma Van de Peer
Head of Secondary School
gvandepeer@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9811 

Cocurricular Clubs

Welcome to the 2025 School Year: Join Us for the Activities and Winter Sports Fair!

As we embark on another exciting year at Redlands, we extend a warm welcome to all parents, carers and students. Whether you are returning or new to our school community, we look forward to a year filled with opportunities for learning, growth and engagement.

A key part of the Redlands experience is our extensive cocurricular program, which provides students with the chance to explore new interests, develop skills and connect with like-minded peers. To kick-start the year, we invite all students to attend the Activities and Winter Sports Fair on Thursday 6 February at lunchtime. This event will be held on the Fahl Garden and will showcase the vast array of Winter Sports, and clubs and activities available throughout the year.

From Beekeeping Club, Theatresports, eSports and Model UN to Netball, Football, Rugby and Hockey – just to name a few – there is something for everyone. At the lunchtime fair, students will have the opportunity to meet club leaders and coaches and ask questions, and sign up for activities and sports that align with their passions and aspirations.

We encourage all parents and carers to support their children in exploring these opportunities, as participation in cocurricular activities is a great way to enhance personal development, build friendships and create lasting school memories.

We look forward to a fantastic year ahead and hope to see our students embracing all that Redlands has to offer at next Thursday’s Activities and Winter Sports Fair.

Warm regards,

Nick Walker
Coordinator of Activities
nwalker@redlands.nsw.edu.au 

Year 12

Welcome to the 2025 School Year

As we commence the new academic year, we extend a warm welcome to all Yr 12 and families. This is a significant and defining phase, and for their final three terms of school, we are committed to working in close partnership with you to support your child’s learning, wellbeing and personal development.

To support your child effectively, we kindly ask that you keep us informed of any updates regarding contact details, residential address, family circumstances or medical history. Redlands Pulse, our parent portal, is the most efficient way to submit this information, ensuring our records are up to date and allowing us to provide the appropriate support throughout the year.

We value open and effective communication between parents and staff. While we aim to respond to emails and phone calls within 48 hours, we appreciate your understanding that our teachers balance multiple responsibilities, both inside and outside the classroom. Please be assured that all messages are important to us and will be addressed as promptly as possible.

We encourage you to review the key points outlined in Ms Van de Peer’s Welcome Letter, which covers several important updates, including:

• Staffing Changes – Notably, updates regarding both the Dean of HSC (Ms Sarah Matthews) and Acting Dean of IB – Act (Ms Katharine Boase), as well as the Acting Dean of Wellbeing (Ms Lucienne Willis).
• Illuminate Scholars Program, Academic Coaching and Study Centre – providing students with additional academic support and enrichment opportunities.
• Uniform Expectations – Including guidelines on hairstyles, jewellery and overall presentation.
• Lockers and School Bags – Notable changes, particularly for Year 12 students.
• Smart-Device Policy – Adjustments for Year 12 students regarding appropriate usage on campus.
• Online Canteen Orders – Available through Flexischools.
• Term Dates – Important dates for your planning and reference.

We are delighted to welcome Mr Ben Roets and Mr Michael Andreatta to our pastoral team. Both bring extensive experience in student wellbeing and pastoral care, and we are confident that their expertise will further strengthen our commitment to supporting students as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of their final year.

We recognise that Year 12 can be a time of heightened pressure, and it is important to ensure that students strike a balance between study, rest and personal wellbeing. Developing healthy study habits, staying organised, seeking help when needed and maintaining open communication with teachers and parents will be crucial to their success.

We encourage families to support students by fostering a structured yet flexible approach to study, incorporating breaks, physical activity and downtime to help manage stress effectively. The school will continue to provide academic coaching, wellbeing resources and access to pastoral support staff to assist students throughout the year.

This term, we have carefully curated a range of activities and events as part of our Pastoral Program, aimed at assisting students in their transition into the final three terms of study. Our focus extends beyond academic success, preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of life after school, equipping them with the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence for their next steps.

We greatly appreciate your ongoing support and partnership as we embark on this important journey together. We are committed to ensuring that each student is supported, challenged and empowered to achieve their personal best.

If you have any concerns or require additional support for your child, please do not hesitate to reach out. We look forward to a productive, fulfilling and successful year ahead.

Ms Lisa Vale
Yr 12 Advisor
9968 9837
lvale@redlands.nsw.edu.au  

Year 11

Welcome to Year 11

A warm welcome to all our Year 11 students and families! This marks an exciting step into senior school, with much to look forward to. We are committed to working closely with you to support your child’s learning, wellbeing and personal development as they progress toward their graduation in 2026.

Introducing Miss Nash – Year 11 Assistant Year Advisor

Miss Nash joined Redlands in 2024 as a Science teacher and Year 7 Tutor. This year, she will teach Science, HSC Biology and HSC Earth and Environmental Science while also serving as the Year 11 Assistant Year Advisor for Term 1.

Growing up in Port Macquarie before moving to Sydney, Miss Nash developed a passion for Marine Science before starting her teaching career. She enjoys exploring rock pools at the beach and brings her enthusiasm for science into the classroom. Over the holidays, Miss Nash traded the sunny Australian summer for snow and sub-zero temperatures during her travels to Europe. She returns to school feeling grateful, refreshed and excited for the year ahead.

Our Tutor Team

Joining the Year 11 Tutor team are Mr Tony Callaghan, Ms Pepi Henry and Ms Charlotte Berkeley. They bring extensive experience in student wellbeing, pastoral care and teaching. We are confident their expertise will strengthen our commitment to supporting students as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of their final years.

The Year Ahead

Senior students benefit from a structured yet flexible approach to study, balancing academic commitments with breaks, physical activity and downtime to manage stress effectively.

We remain committed to providing academic coaching, wellbeing resources and pastoral support to help students thrive throughout the year.

Communication

Open and effective communication between parents and staff is a priority. While we aim to respond to emails and phone calls within 48 hours, we appreciate your understanding as teachers manage multiple responsibilities. Rest assured, all messages are important to us and will be addressed promptly.

Key Updates from Ms Van de Peer’s Welcome Letter

We encourage you to review Ms Van de Peer’s Welcome Letter, which outlines important updates, including:

• Staffing Changes: Updates on the Dean of HSC (Ms. Sarah Matthews) and Acting Dean of IB (Ms Katharine Boase), as well as the Acting Dean of Wellbeing (Ms Lucienne Willis).
• Illuminate Scholars Program, Academic Coaching and Study Centre: Opportunities for academic support and enrichment.
• Uniform Expectations: Guidelines on hairstyles, jewellery and presentation.
• Lockers and School Bags: Notable updates for Year 11 students.
• Smart-Device Policy: Important reminders about appropriate use.
• Online Canteen Orders: Available through Flexischools.
• Term Dates: Key dates for your planning and reference.

To ensure smooth collaboration, we kindly ask parents to keep us updated with any changes to contact details, residential address, family circumstances or medical history.  Redlands Pulse, our parent portal, is the most efficient way to update this information, allowing us to provide the appropriate support throughout the year.

Mr Richard Millham 
Year 11 Advisor (Acting Term 1)
rmillham@redlands.nsw.edu.au 

Year 10

Welcome Back

There is always an electric feeling on the first day back from the summer holiday break. Year 10 entered Redlands Hall yesterday morning well-presented and looking rested, ready and focused for the year ahead. 

I hope that you and your family had a wonderful break.  

In talking to students yesterday, there were a wide variety of holiday experiences – overseas, interstate and staycations. No matter the case, it was positive to hear that there was a lot of time spent outside enjoying the elements, whether on the beach, in the countryside or on a mountain. 

We are really looking forward to the year ahead with the many opportunities for growth that Year 10 presents. 

New Team Members

This year we welcome a new Assistant Year Advisor (AYA), Ms Victoria Mukherjee, and three new Tutors to our Year 10 team: Ms Rosanna Peterson (10MB), Miss Briellyn Pearson (10RW), and Mrs Alexandra Stanton (10RR). 

We look forward to the energy and enthusiasm they will all bring to their roles. 

New Students

We also have seven new students joining our cohort this year, and we welcome Aston Boross, Amarine Chrisment, India Harrison, Eleanor Longcroft, Teddy Hopkins and Samuel Needham. Another new student Lily Hollywood will be joining us later in the term. 

Thank you very much to the students in Year 10 who have agreed to act as a ‘buddy’ for our new Redlands students in the first few weeks of their time here and help to make their transition a smooth one. 

Day of Growth

Throughout Tuesday, all Redlands students came onto campus to have a coaching conversation with a member of Redlands staff. 

It was a wonderful way to start the year, and I was extremely impressed with both the reflection shown when considering 2024 and the optimism present about the coming academic year. 

In the conversations I was lucky enough to have with a number of Year 10 students, several key themes arose: 

• Organisation 

• Effective study habits 

• Consistency 

• Academic improvement 

Given that we are heading into a foundational year of habit building before Stage 6 commences, it is clear many Year 10 students have a strong desire to put things in place that will benefit their academics moving forward. 

Over the course of the term, a record of these conversations will be available via iLearn to both the student and you, their parents, so that there is a consistent reminder and accountability for working towards these set goals. 

Our MCs

For our last Stage Assembly of 2024, two Year 10 students, Konrad Blankenstein and Liv Goodland did a wonderful job as the MCs for the occasion. Well done to both of them on what can be a daunting task. 

A Reminder of Student Expectations

If you have not done so already, please read the 2025 Welcome Letter from the Head of the Secondary School, Ms Gemma Van de Peer (available on Pulse).

It sets out reminders and updates of school policies with regards to uniform, hair, jewellery, the Student Code of Conduct, smart devices and absences/lates. 

Contacting Us

The best way to contact us if you have questions or need a longer discussion about your student’s progress or wellbeing is via email first. 

Please feel free to address your emails to both Victoria Mukherjee (vmukherjee@redlands.nsw.edu.au) and myself (thoran@redlands.nsw.edu.au). 

Mr Tobias Horan
Yr 10 Advisor
9968 9872
thoran@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Year 9

2025 – Here we are, Year 9, Feeling Fine and Being Kind

Welcome back to Redlands for another exciting year. It has been wonderful to see the enthusiasm of the cohort over these first couple of days as they put their minds and hearts into getting back into the school routine. There have been many smiles, high fives and hugs as peers excitedly reunited after their lengthy breaks.

The term started with a new initiative – the Day of Growth. Across Tuesday, students were interviewed by their Tutors or senior teachers within the School, seeking to draw out from students what they learned from their 2024 experiences and identifying where they feel they can grow. After looking through their iGrow trees, students were challenged to identify key goals for their future progress and tangible actions that will help them achieve their goals. It was an empowering experience, valuing student voice and perspective and giving them a positive, reflective start to their Year 9 journey. Conversation notes will be available for parents to see in iLearn later this term.

This year will be a bit of a different one for our cohort, with half our cohort journeying to our High Country Campus at the end of Week 2 and the other half making the journey next term. The 9-week Moonbah program is sure to provide an exceptional experience for students and we look forward to seeing each individual and the cohort as a whole grow through this experience. However, it will mean our Year Group is divided until Term 3 and this will require us really to value the next week we have together as a full cohort.

I spoke to students on Wednesday about making the most of our time together this week and then really embracing the opportunities this year will offer, particularly through connecting with those who are on the same Moonbah term program, even if they are not the people with whom students normally hang out. For those on the Stay at School (SAS) program, there will also be great opportunities to connect with new peers and engage in exciting learning opportunities. There will be a full briefing evening for the SAS program in Week 9 of term.

On Wednesday, I also spoke to the cohort about kindness. My message was simple: be kind to those around you and to yourself. Consider how your actions can foster a culture of kindness in our cohort and across Redlands. This was a message I had left students with at the end of Year 8 when I wrote a poem for the cohort entitled ‘Be the Kind who is Kind’. I read this poem to the cohort again on Wednesday and have copied it for you below.

‘Be the Kind who is Kind’ by Jimmy Tod-Hill

Welcome to our New Students and New Tutor:

This year we have a group of wonderful students joining our cohort. ‘Buddy’ students have helped to make students feel welcome at Redlands and I look forward to our new students building strong connections amongst their peers and finding the space to ‘let their light shine’ at Redlands. A warm welcome to our new students: Maddie, Tayla, Sean, Milo, Matthew, Henri, Lilliana, Julian, Sophie and Mateo.

We also welcome a new Tutor to our team, Mr Peter Fogale, who will be teaming up with Ms Christen Xue to support Dumolo Red. He is already excited to get to know students in his Tutor group and support them across the year. Our wonderful Year 9 Tutor team is pictured below.

Ms Moore: CB	Ms Laurel: CB	Ms Pittard: CY	Ms Xue: DB	Mr Fogale: DB
Ms Busch: DR	Ms Joo: MB	Ms Zhang: MG	Mr Owen: RR	Mr Holden: RW

Student Expectations – Devices, Uniform and Attendance:

This week, I also reiterated to students some key focuses for the year, including expectations around school behaviour and presentation.

• Redlands continues to be a smart device (watches and phones) free environment, during ALL Redlands activities. As soon as students arrive at school, phones should be placed in their lockers.
• Uniform standards have been placed on our iLearn Pastoral page for students to access. They are also listed on Pulse. Student uniforms have looked great this week and we encourage Year 9 to continue in that vein!
• At the end of last year, we really began ‘cracking down’ on student attendance. Each year, subject material becomes harder and so consistent attendance in lessons is crucial. Ms Wang and I will be following up with students who are late to lessons or are absent unexplained. If you know your child will be absent, please email Secondary School Absences on ssabsences@redlands.nsw.edu.au.

With each of the above expectations, we appreciate parent support in helping us to guide your child in holding themselves to account.

Student Success – Lauren Rolfe, Otis Gait and Aimee Kang

Congratulations to Lauren Rolfe and her NSW teammates who recently returned from Perth as U16 National Champions in softball! Lauren’s goals for the tournament were to make the starting line-up for the finals, be lead-off batter and play short stop, each of which she successfully managed to achieve. And all of this in 38-degree heat – a really massive achievement!

Congratulations also to Otis Gait who played in the U14 Indoor Hockey Nationals for NSW in January and was given the privileged responsibility of captaining his team. They won some games and lost some and Otis had a great tournament overall, really enjoying the experience. 

Finally, well done to Aimee Kang who, during the holidays, worked at the NYFA (New York Film Academy) for a directing camp with other young people aged 14-17.  The academy has a campus in New York and also Queensland, which is where Aimee travelled to complete the course. She had the opportunity to work with teen actors, who became great friends, alongside other directors and created films at Warner Brothers Movie World in the Gold Coast. Aimee highly recommends the experience to other students interested in movies / film because it gave her the opportunity to learn so many technical skills like tips in framing, lighting, camera-work and screenplay writing, whilst also being a space where she was able to make a wonderful collection of new friends.

Term 1 Key Dates and Upcoming Events:

• Swimming Carnival – Week 2: Tuesday 4 February
• Burn Bright – Week 2: Thursday 6 February
• Cocurricular Activities Fair – Week 2: Thursday 6 February
• Moonbah Term 1 Farewell Parent Breakfast – Week 2: Saturday 8 February
• Parent Webinar: Your Relationship with your Teen – Week 5: Tuesday 25 February
• NAPLAN – Week 7: Wednesday 12 – Friday 14 March
• Jazz in the Garden – Week 7: Friday 14 March
• Year 9 Stay at School Information Evening – Week 9: Monday 24 March
• Battle of the Bands – Week 11: Monday 7 April
• Term 1 Ends – Week 11: Friday 11 April

Mr Jimmy Tod-Hill
Year 9 Advisor
jtodhill@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9908 6462

Year 8

Key Dates

Welcome Back, Year 8!

We hope all our students and families had a fantastic break and are feeling refreshed for the exciting year ahead. A special welcome to our new Year 8 families, we’re looking forward to a year filled with growth, challenges and new opportunities!

Last year, our cohort focused on settling into Secondary School. Now, in Yr 8, it’s time to take things to the next level, building independence, resilience and confidence in facing new challenges. One of the highlights of the year will be our Myall Lakes Camp in Week 8, where students will strengthen friendships, step outside their comfort zones and develop skills that will prepare them for the Year 9 Moonbah Program at High Country Campus.

To make the most of the year, we encourage every student to embrace new experiences, sign up for at least one cocurricular activity, challenge yourself and discover new passions. Whether it’s sport, music, drama, debating or service, getting involved will help you feel more connected to your peers and the School’s values.

At our Stage Assembly, Mr Corcoran highlighted the power of respect, reminding us that “the standard you walk by is the standard you accept.” A culture of respect helps create a positive and supportive learning environment where everyone feels valued and safe. Let’s make this a priority in everything we do this year.

Finally, we would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Year 8 students and their families: Imogen Bush, Tiffany Karlsson-Lacy, Harry Nally, Cara Ryan, Iverson Yeo and Jasmine Zhang. You are now part of a strong and supportive community, and we can’t wait to see the contributions you’ll make this year.

Here’s to a fantastic Year!

New Assistant Year Advisor and Tutors

I would like to welcome Jessie Stafford to the Year 8 Team as our Assistant Year Advisor. I am sure you will all get to know her throughout the year but here are some fun facts about Jessie.   

• Jessie rides a motorbike (sometimes to and from school if the weather permits). 

• Her favourite pastimes are surfing, board games and camping! 

• Jessie has represented Australia in Athletics (400m sprint). 

Welcome Jessie! We feel very lucky to have you on the team! 

We would also like to welcome Sarah Watts (8RR) and Brigida Nocera (8CB) to the Yr 8 Tutor Team. They bring extensive experience in student wellbeing, pastoral care and teaching. We are confident their expertise will strengthen our commitment to supporting students as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of their years ahead. It is great to have you both on board! 

Some key Reminders from the Head of Secondary School

Smart-Device Policy Reminder Year 7 – 11 

• Smart Device Policy: Carrying or using a smart device (e.g., smart phone, smart watch, Bluetooth headphones) during the school day (including sport or cocurricular activities) is not permitted and will be recognised as a Tier 1 Breach of the Student Code of Conduct. 

• Storage of Devices: Year 7 – 11 students must store their smart-devices in their school bag (inside their locker) once they arrive at School. 

• Contact During School Hours: As your child will not have their smart-phone on their person during the day while at School, please avoid making contact with them during the school day via text or phone call. If you need to get an urgent message to your child, then please contact me (awalker@redlands.nsw.edu.au) or Student Services Centre at 9908 6407, who can relay the message or connect you with them.

General Reminders about Communication in the Secondary School

Redlands values open and supportive communication between students, families and the School. Clear lines of communication are central to developing and sustaining these important partnerships. 

• Email Communication: Parents are encouraged to communicate any messages to teachers via email, as during the day, teachers are not able to engage in long phone calls. 

Reporting Absences and Lateness 

• Absence Notification: Please notify the School on the morning of your child’s absence by 9.30am and every morning they are absent, via the Redlands App on Pulse. 

• Medical Certificate: If a student is absent from school for three (3) days or more, a medical certificate from a General Practitioner is required. 

• Submission of Medical Certificate: To record your child’s attendance accurately, please forward the medical certificate to ssabsence@redlands.nsw.edu.au. 

Medical or Other Appointments During the School Day 

• Scheduling Appointments: Regular medical appointments should be scheduled outside of the school day. Thursday afternoon sport training should be avoided for medical appointments. 

• Recording Attendance: Students need to record their onsite and offsite presence through the Student Services Centre and provide evidence of their appointment. 

• Notification via Redlands App: Parents are required to send notification via the Redlands App before any student is granted authorised departure from the Senior Campus. 

If Your Child Forgets Their Lunch 

• Don’t Panic: Students who forget their lunch need only tell their Tutor or Year Advisor, and a suitable lunch will be provided for them from the Canteen. 

• No Outside Deliveries: Please refrain from coming to the School with your child’s lunch. Students in Year 7 to 11 are not permitted to leave the School to buy lunch. Food deliveries made via a food delivery app such as Uber Eats are not permitted for any student in the Secondary School.  

Ms Abby Walker
Yr 8 Advisor
9968 9818
awalker@redlands.nsw.edu.au 

Year 7

Key Dates and Upcoming Events

• Swimming Carnival – Week 2: Tuesday 4 February

• Year 7 Camp – Week 5 

Congratulations on an Amazing Start! 

I would like to extend a huge congratulations to all our new Yr 7 students on such a successful start to Secondary School! This week has been incredibly busy for everyone involved, but we have been so impressed by the enthusiasm and positivity our new students have shown as they embark on this exciting next chapter. 

On Tuesday and Wednesday, students fully embraced their transition program (and braved the wild weather!). They took part in scavenger hunts around the campus, created posters to brighten their Tutor rooms and mastered the Four L’s of Organisation (not sure what they are? Just ask your new live-in high school student!). 

Our Year Meeting on Wednesday was a fantastic opportunity to come together as a cohort. We introduced students to two new characters in their high school journey: Bare-Minimum Banana and With-Heart Watermelon. Bare-Minimum Banana represents less desirable habits – rushing through tasks, putting in minimal effort and being a little lazy with home learning. In contrast, With-Heart Watermelon embodies giving your best effort, taking pride in your work and making the most of every opportunity. 

So far, every single one of our new Year 7 students has embraced their inner With-Heart Watermelon, and we encourage them to keep up this fantastic mindset as the term progresses! 

In addition to talking about the fruits we should aspire to, students spent some time thinking about what they want the Class of 2030 to be known for. Working in groups with new friends, they brainstormed words and phrases that embodied who we want to be. Check out some examples below!

Year Advisor & Tutor Team Introduction

In our Year Meeting, we played Yr 7 this video to introduce our Year Advisor and Tutor Team. Feel free to check it out to get to know the wonderful people who will be helping your young person through this exciting transition.

Wellbeing Journals 

Each week in our pastoral program, we dedicate time to developing the skills necessary for success in secondary school. We also set aside sessions for silent, mindful activities, allowing students to reflect on their day and recharge amidst their busy schedules. 

This year, we are introducing a Wellbeing Journal to support these practices. We kindly ask that you purchase a lined notebook for your child to use as their Wellbeing Journal. We will discuss this further with them during Tutor Time in the coming week. The journal can be any form of lined paper and is for their personal use only – it will not be read by others. This is a valuable opportunity for students to cultivate reflective skills, which contribute to becoming well-rounded individuals. 

Reminders 

A few reminders about uniform expectations: 

• Students need to be wearing polished, black, laced, leather, black-soled shoes (not leather trainers).  

• The only jewellery permitted is a single, or one pair, of plain gold or silver studs or sleepers in the ear lobes.  

• Sports Uniforms should be worn every Thursday, including to and from school. 
• No Smart Watches are permitted at school.

Recommendations 

Over the holidays, I read Raising Anxiety by Judith Locke and Danielle Einstein. While I usually stick to fiction, this book was an incredibly insightful read. The transition to secondary school can be just as – if not more – uncomfortable for parents as it is for students, and Locke and Einstein provide a valuable perspective on how to navigate this period with confidence. 

Locke and Einstein outline clear, actionable strategies to help you help your young people build resilience, independence and self-confidence. It is full of relatable examples that offer meaningful goals for parents and educators to work toward with their children. 

If you are interested in finding out more about it, or would like additional recommendations, please reach out! 

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

Head of Junior School P-6

The first day of school is always a special occasion, and this year was no exception. The air was filled with laughter as friends reunited after the long summer break, shrieks of excitement echoed from the playground, and there was a healthy dose of nervousness as students embarked on a new academic year. Nonetheless, it was a thrill to see the school come alive with energy and joy. Thank you to everyone who has already taken the time to introduce themselves; I encourage you to say hello if you see me at drop-off or pick-up in the coming weeks. If you can attend one of the morning teas planned in the coming weeks, it will be a wonderful opportunity to meet me and the new Junior School leadership team in a relaxed, informal setting. Building connections with our families is at the heart of our school community, and I look forward to meeting each of you.

The year started with an incredible buzz of energy and inspiration following three days of valuable professional development with our dedicated staff last week. Over this time, we explored the transformative application of AI in education and its potential to enhance learning experiences. There was also a strong emphasis on delivering excellence in literacy and numeracy from Preschool through to Year 6, ensuring that we provide the very best foundation for our students and meet every student at their point of need. Our middle leaders had the privilege of spending an entire day with Tracey Ezard, diving deep into leadership with ‘ferocious warmth’ and reflecting on how to foster a culture of collaboration and care. The enthusiasm and commitment from our staff have set a wonderful tone for the year ahead, and I am confident that these learnings will translate into exceptional outcomes for our students.

Our students have also begun the year with excitement and anticipation for the opportunities that lie ahead. This year is filled with chances for every student to embrace responsibility, grow in leadership and strive for their personal best. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the sports field or through creative and cocurricular pursuits, our students are encouraged to live out the values that define our School: honesty, respect, responsibility, fairness, compassion and moral courage. These values will guide them in making meaningful contributions to our school community and beyond. It is inspiring to see their enthusiasm as they set goals, take on challenges and work together to make this a year of growth and achievement.

Next week, we are looking forward to hosting our annual Meet the Teacher sessions. These sessions will provide an opportunity for families to connect with staff and learn more about the exciting year ahead. Years 3 and 4 will have their session on Tuesday 4 February; Years 5 and 6 on Wednesday 5 February; and K-2 on Thursday, 6 February. Each evening will begin with an introductory session from 4:15 – 4:45 pm in Dunnet Hall, presented by the Junior School Leadership Team. Following this, Classroom Teachers will host sessions in their respective classrooms from 4:45 – 5:30 pm, sharing key focus areas and expectations for 2025. If you have children in multiple Year Groups, please note that attending the introductory session more than once is not required. We encourage all families to attend and take advantage of this valuable opportunity to engage with our team and learn how we can work together to support your child’s success.

As we look ahead to 2025, I am filled with excitement for all that this year holds. Together, we will work in partnership to help every student let their light shine, ensuring they feel supported and inspired through a differentiated curriculum designed to meet the needs of every learner. By fostering a strong connection between home and school, we can create a learning environment where every child thrives and achieves their personal best. I am eager to see the incredible growth and accomplishments that await us this year, and I am grateful to be on this journey with such a dedicated and caring community.

Twilight in the Garden

Our Twilight in the Garden event provides a wonderful opportunity for our new 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 early here.

Learning Plus Volunteers

Learning Plus (support) are looking for volunteers with weekday availability and a desire to contribute regularly to the Redlands student community working with Y7-12.

We need calm and confident community members who understand confidentiality. We need writers (scribes) and readers. You need to have legible handwriting and the ability to communicate in English.

Our volunteers find this a rewarding activity and a fantastic way to support students at Redlands.

We need volunteers to start training now! 

Contact sprovisions@redlands.nsw.edu.au to express your interest or request more information. 

Wayside Chapel Toiletries Collection

Redlands has a tradition of supporting those in our community who are in need. It is the essence of our school motto “Let Your Light Shine”, to do good for others. This year we will again partner with Wayside Chapel to help them provide services to those most vulnerable in Sydney. 

Donations of travel size toiletries can be made at each of the Junior School receptions till the end of Week 3. Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Fiona McKenzie Junior School Chaplain on fmckenzie@redlands.nsw.edu.au  

Michael Quach
Head of Junior School
mquach@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Deputy Head: Operations (P-6)

Sibling Carline

Beginning this Friday 31 January, we are pleased to introduce our K-2 / 3-6 Sibling Car Line service. This program allows K-2 students with siblings in Years 3-6 to remain in a supervised classroom after their school day concludes. Just before 3:20pm, these students will be escorted to the 3-6 Reception area, where their sibling can pick them up and proceed to the designated car line outside the 3-6 Reception. Please note that this service is available exclusively to K-2 students with siblings in Years 3-6. If your child in K-2 will be participating, kindly note this in their student planner so that their class teacher can ensure they are directed to the correct location.

Amber Wilson
Deputy Head of Junior School: Operations (P-6)
awilson@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Redlands House and PreKindergarten

Welcome!

What a fabulous first few days we have had in Redlands House and PreKindergarten to start the year! We warmly welcome both new and returning families into our vibrant community, and we look forward to a year full of exciting learning, growth and fun.

I know that starting a new school year for children and their parents can at times be overwhelming and the novelty of the ‘new’ can wear off quite quickly as first week tiredness and information overload kicks in. Please do not worry, they will settle in soon enough. Please reach out should you require any assistance, my door is always open.

Meet the Teacher – Parent Information Session

An information session will take place for new Redlands House families in Week 2. As this session is for parents to listen and participate in the presentation from the Redlands House teachers, it will allow you to get to know the staff and your class teachers a little better.

• Redlands House            Tuesday  4 February        5pm – 5.30pm  – Redlands House
• PreKindergarten            Wednesday 5 February  5pm – 5.30pm  – in Pre-K Classroom

Chinese New Year Celebrations

We would love families to join us for a celebration for Chinese New Year on Wednesday 12 February, from 9.30am to 10.30am. Families are invited to join us for this wonderful cultural event, which will have a variety of activities and experiences in the in Redlands House playground. If you have an activity or experience you would like to share, please reach out and let Mrs Huon know.

Parking

Parking around the school can be problematic, especially around pick up time. To ease congestion and ensure the safety of our students, the Prep School use a carline that enable parents to collect their children from the underground carpark from 2.45pm each day. We therefore ask Redlands House families to refrain from parking in the 5 minutes parking zone outside the preschool from 2.30pm onwards. Families are still able to park for 5 minutes out the front of Redlands House until 2.30pm.

Birthdays

The Preschool staff love to celebrate the children’s birthdays each year. The children love to celebrate their birthday too – it’s a great conversation topic all year round!  We have many children in the preschool with food allergies, so we are not permitting cakes or any type of food in the preschool for birthday celebrations. Please be assured we will celebrate their special day in a variety of ways.

Twilight in the Garden

Our Twilight in the Garden event provides a wonderful opportunity for our new 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 early here.

Mrs Chemane Huon
Redlands House and Transition Coordinator
chuon@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9904 1448

Deputy Head: Students (K-2)

What a fantastic start to the school year our Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students have had! Thank you for welcoming me so warmly to the school community; I am looking forward to getting to know you and your children further as the year progresses.

There are just a few items to note this week. Parents in Kindergarten, please ensure your children have a snack for ‘Sip and Crunch’ as well as their lunch (if they bring this from home). If possible, the staff have requested the snack for ‘Sip and Crunch’ is brought into school in a separate container.

Please can all parents add to their child’s planner how they are being collected each day (for example, Car Line or picked up on the playground); this is particularly relevant for Kindergarten students and new students.

We also remind all families that children are not permitted to play on the Oval or on the play equipment at the end of the day, even if they are waiting for older siblings. Thank you for your support with this matter.

If you have any questions or need support with these matters, please approach your child’s teacher or a member of the team as we are all here to help!

Twilight in the Garden

Our Twilight in the Garden event provides a wonderful opportunity for our new 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 early here.

Ashley Bentley
Deputy Head: Students (K-2
abentley@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Deputy Head: Students (3-6)

Transition

Being new to my role at Redlands, I am reminded how transition can provoke a range of emotions, even for us as adults. For some students, change can be daunting and anxiety provoking. It is important that we as the adults in their lives, provide them with the tools and strategies to support them through these times. The first thing I always check is that I am managing my own emotions, as children are very good at taking their cues from the adults in their lives. The next thing is to normalise their feelings, rather than brush them aside. A response could be “that must be hard for you, it’s normal to feel that way” rather than “don’t let it bother you”. This goes a long way towards validating and supporting a child who is feeling big emotions. It is also important to remember that sometimes, children just want to tell us what happened and would prefer we didn’t try to “fix it” for them. We can often rush to problem solving or acting on their behalf, when what is really needed is the support and guidance which allows them to work through the situation and develop a positive sense of self and independence. Over time this will enable them to become more confident in their own abilities to manage the ups and downs of life.

To work towards these supportive conversations, I find asking open ended questions a great tool. Instead of “How was school today?” which will most probably elicit a one- word response (“good”, “fine”), a question could be, “What was the best part of your school day today?”. Other open-ended questions could be, “How were your friends today?” (this one also works on fostering that all-important external perspective that children start to develop between the ages of 5 and 10).

Other great questions could be;

“What’s one problem you solved today?” (fostering problem solving skills and critical thinking)

“What great mistakes did you make?” and “what did you learn from them?” (supporting the idea that it is through mistakes that we grow)

My favourite book on change is Little Tree by Loren Long. It is a beautiful picture book which I have used with all age groups about the fear of change and the need to grow. You will find a great read-along version on YouTube.

I hope you have all had a wonderful start to the year at Redlands. It has certainly been a wonderful experience for me and I look forward to working with you all.

Twilight in the Garden

Our Twilight in the Garden event provides a wonderful opportunity for our new 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 early here.

Kate Moore
Deputy Head: Students (3-6)
kamoore@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Secondary Sport

As we dive into a new year of Sport at Redlands, I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to our vibrant community. This year, inspired by our Secondary School Student Leadership Team’s motto, With Heart, we aim to bring passion, purpose and perseverance to every game, training session and moment of teamwork.

Sport at Redlands has always been about more than competition. It’s about fostering growth, camaraderie and resilience, values that align deeply with the spirit of With Heart. Whether you’re stepping onto the field, into the boat or onto the court, remember that it’s not just about the outcomes but the journey – the effort you invest, the connections you build and the pride you take in representing our School.

This year, we are committed to:

• Excellence: Supporting each athlete to strive for their personal best.
• Team Spirit: Embracing challenges together and celebrating each success with heart.

Let’s make 2025 a year where we leave everything on the field/court/race – not just for the love of the game but because we play with heart.

Looking forward to seeing you on the sidelines and in the stands!

Department Updates

Acting Head of Secondary School Sport – Graham Nes

To begin 2025 Term 1, I will move into the Acting Assistant Dean of Students role, with that Graham will step into the Acting Head of Secondary School Sport role.

Director of Netball – Hollie Shukri

This year we welcome Hollie Shukri as our Director of Netball. Hollie has a lot of experience both as a player and a coach and is keen to develop the Redlands Netball and wider sport community. I trust that you will all welcome her when you see your around campus or during the Netball season.

Secondary School Swimming Carnival – Tuesday 4 February (Term 1, Week 2)

Details regarding the Secondary School Swimming Carnival can be found on Redlands Pulse – Swimming.

Summer Sport Training and Fixtures

All students are to ensure they have read their preliminary information and communication on Redlands Pulse for their training details.

Please ensure you are across your weekly fixtures. ISA Round 7 will begin on Saturday 8 February (some sports may begin on Saturday 1 February). The most up-to-date fixtures/schedules are available on Pulse – Secondary School Sport, this is also linked to student calendars.

Moonbah Students 

Students in Year 9 are not required to attend their sport during Week 1 & 2 (unless you have been contacted by your sport specifically), they are to utilise their time on Thursday afternoon in preparation for the Moonbah experience.

Redlands Pulse

A reminder that the main point of information is and will continue to be Redlands Pulse (Secondary Sport), please ensure this is your first point of call for students and parents/carers.

Redlands Sports Uniforms

Redlands branded sports uniform if the only uniform to be worn at training, for games and while on Redlands provided transport. Please also ensure you are wearing appropriate footwear for training and games (flat soled shoes are not designed for running, jumping and stepping in sports).

In 2025 we will be updating the Redlands Football and Rugby uniform and these will be available for purchase in Term 1 (prior to the season fixtures beginning).  

Secondary School Student Code of Conduct

The Redlands Code of Conduct can be found on Redlands Pulse – Secondary School, we also adhere to the ISA Code of Conduct for all Players, Spectators, Coaches & Officials which can be found on Redlands Pulse. All are required to comply with and respect all players, officials, coaches, and other spectators when watching their child/ren play sport.

Winter Sport

Winter Sport registrations will open on Monday 10 February, Redlands Pulse has the preliminary information regarding the 2025 Winter Sport Selections.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have a number of frequently asked questions which can be found on Redlands Pulse – Secondary School Sport; if you have any questions that are not answered throughout Redlands Pulse, please contact sports@redlands.nsw.edu.au 

Kind Regards,

Graham Nes
Acting Head of Secondary School Sport
gnes@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Redlands Secondary Sports Calendar

• Saturday 1 February – Trials
• Tuesday 4 February – Secondary School Swimming Carnival
• Saturday 8 February – ISA Round 7
• Saturday 8 February – Moonbah Students Depart
• Saturday 8 February – Rowing NSW Championships

Basketball

Rhino basketballers – Welcome to 2025 and to the 2nd half of the 24/25 season.

Congratulations to all of our Nationals teams. We had 3 teams compete at Nationals last December with our 1sts boys winning the division 5 championship beating St Augustine’s in the final.

Nationals is an incredible week of Basketball, with teams playing 2-3 games a day. All the players (and especially coaches) were exhausted at the end of a very long and tiring tournament.

Thank you to all the players and coaches who worked so hard and attended the tournament.

Thank you to all those who attended camp over the January holidays. It was a huge success. We had around 40-50 people attend the camp each day.

Welcome to our new Year 7s. We have 48 Yr 7 basketballers this year. Can’t  wait to meet all of you and help you along your journey as a Rhino Basketballer.

Simon Gleeson

Rowing

During the recent summer holidays, both the Senior and Junior Rowing students completed their respective Rowing camps which provides a strong block of training and technique refining before transitioning into the Term 1 racing schedule. Seniors went to Berry for 4 nights and the following week they joined the Juniors for training at both Mosman Rowing Club and at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

Over the Australia Day long weekend a handful of Seniors raced at the NSW Small Boat Regatta in either single or double sculls. This has provided some significant races leading into the recent scull trials and upcoming NSW State Championships. The combination of Bella Solgaard and Liv Goodland went home as strong winners of the Women’s Under 17 Double Scull.

We are also excited to welcome approximately 40 new rowers into the program with the Year 7 students having their first session on water this afternoon.

James Petering
Director of Rowing

Tennis

Friends of Tennis

Welcoming our new Friends of Tennis Committee

• President: Camilla B
• Treasurer: Shane E
• Secretary: Marcia and Tom O
• Marketing and Communications: Kathryn P

If you would like to join the Friends of Tennis, please email Camilla – camilla@byron.se

Softball 

Congratulations on Lauren Rolfe’s selection to compete at the National Softball Championships in January

Lauren and her NSW teammates returned home on Monday from Perth as U16 National Champions! Her goals for the tournament were to make the starting line-up for the finals, be lead-off batter and play shortstop, each of which she successfully managed to achieve. In 38 degree heat!

Swimming

During School Holidays Amelie Swann competed in the NSW Senior State Championships 6-12 December – with 7 individual events and 3 relays. Milestones included qualifying for two new 200m events, reaching a State Championship final, and big improvements in her age ranking across all strokes from the year before. She recorded the following NSW State ranking individual results

• 50 freestyle – 8th + PB
• 50 butterfly – 5th
• 50 backstroke – 6th
• 100 freestyle – 17th + PB
• 100 backstroke – 12th + PB
• 200 freestyle – 15th + PB
• 200 backstroke – 18th + PB

Touch Football

Welcome back, a few reminders below as we resume training tomorrow.

Training

– All commitments can be viewed in students calendar.

– In line with the School’s Smart Device Policy, students are not to have phones on them at trainings.

– For afternoon trainings, bags should be left at school to collect upon their return from training.

– If a parent will be collecting you from an afternoon training, a parent or guardian must notify via email before the session has begun.

Saturday commitments

Students to be in their PE/Sports Uniform.

1sts and Year 7s will have a training sessions this Saturday 1 February, 9.30-11am.

Students will have games scheduled alongside the remaining round games for ISA Touch Football.

• Saturday 8 February (Term 1, Week 2) – ISA Round 7
• Saturday 15 February (Term 1, Week 3) – ISA Round 8
• Saturday 22 February (Term 1, Week 4) – ISA Round 9
• Saturday 1 March (Term 1, Week 5) – ISA Round 10

Semi and Grand finals to follow on 8 March and 15 March.

Communications

• All communications for the season will run through Pulse
• All absences need to be informed. Please ensure the parent/ carer logs an absence via the ABSENCE button in PULSE
• Please note that unexplained absences from a training session or match will result in School Disciplinary Action
• Parents will receive a notification if training or games are cancelled due to wet weather. You can also check your Calendar.
• Please ensure all parents and students have downloaded the Redlands App to receive the push notifications.

End of Season Celebration

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday 25 March

Further details to be shared in coming weeks.

Jordan Bird  
Director of Touch Football and Rugby 

General Sport Information

Fixtures

• All student training and fixture details will be available to families under My Schedule on Redlands Pulse. Additionally, the weekly Fixtures (The Redlands Rhino) can be found on the Secondary School Sport page on Redlands Pulse from Wednesday each week. Please ensure you check Redlands Pulse Friday afternoon to ensure you have the latest fixture information.

Uniform

• The Redlands sports uniform should be worn to all trainings and matches (students are not permitted to wear any non-Redlands branded clothing). In the event of inclement weather students should wear their Redlands fleece or sports tracksuit.
• Students must wear trainer style sneakers that are preferably white with non-marking soles. It is part of our shared responsibility to ensure that students wear footwear that aligns with the activity to be undertaken. High top sneakers, Vans, Converse etc. are not appropriate for School Sport.

Saturday Sport Absences

• Parents are required to log an absence via the Sports Absence Form available on Redlands Pulse – Secondary School Sport (under ‘Quick Links’ prior to missing any training session or weekly fixture.
• Any student unable to attend a Saturday fixture due to illness, is required to submit a Medical Certificate to their Sports administrator by the Monday morning following the missed fixture.
• Injured students are required to attend all training sessions and Saturday fixtures.
• Failure to do any of the above will jeopardise a student’s eligibility for Colours, Pockets, and Awards and result in school disciplinary action.
• Please refer to the Student Planner 2024 for full details on requirements for participating in a Representative Sport.
• Bus Transport
  • When travelling on Redlands transport the Redlands school rules are in place and students should be always upholding the values of the school:
    • Have good behaviour, safe behaviour and appropriate language at all times.
    • Follow the driver (and supervising staff) instructions at all times.
    • Obey the transport rules and regulations at all times (seat belts must be worn at all times).
    • Leave the bus how they found it (no rubbish, no mess).

Students who fail to meet the standards of the above will face school disciplinary action.

Wet Weather

• Unless communicated differently or in the morning of the session (via Redlands Pulse & Clipboard), all training sessions are to be deemed ‘on’.
• Students should bring with them a change of Redlands Sport Uniform (Thursdays only) or their school uniform (Tuesday) if there are light showers during training.

Redlands Concussion Protocols and Updates

Following the publication of the AIS Australian Concussion Guidelines for Youth and Community Sport, the School has released a new Concussion Procedure along with a Concussion Referral and Clearance Form and a Graduated Return to Sport Framework. These documents can be found on Redlands Pulse and are linked below:

• Concussion Procedure
• Concussion Referral and Clearance Form
• Graduated Return to Sport Framework

In addition, we have published a Concussion Information Sheet which summarises how concussion is managed and the pathway a student must follow to return to competition.

• Concussion Information Sheet

Key points include:

• recognising red flag signs or symptoms of concussion (call 000 immediately)
• a student suspected of concussion must follow the graduated return to sport framework before they can return to competition
• a parent/carer is now required to take their child to a healthcare practitioner within 72 hours of the incident for the initial consult and again after 14 days symptom-free (at rest) before the resumption of contact training

Please read the procedure and if you have any queries on how a student will be managed following a suspected concussion, feel free to reach out to the designated Concussion Officer for each campus.

The following staff members have been designated as the Concussion Officer for each campus:

• Ms Mia Lundquist (Secondary School)
• Mr Eddy Atkins (High Country Campus)

Summer Sport

A reminder that all key information for the season has been uploaded onto the Secondary School Sport page of Redlands Pulse, if you have any additional questions, please reach out to the appropriate Sports Administrator listed at the bottom of this page.

Sports Photos

All Sports Photos are available for parents to view / purchase on the SPA Images Website 

Photo Library >> Schoolsports 2022-24 >> select your sport

Password (redlands2024) Redlands has an agreement with SPA Images that we will only use the images for marketing purposes.

Melba has finalised all photos taken of sport teams and co-curricular activities and they are now available for parents to view and purchase. Please visit the Melba Studios website, Select the ‘Schools’ icon. The password for access is winnie.

Summer Sport – Key Contacts

Junior Sport

We extend our warmest welcome to all families and students as we embark on what promises to be an exhilarating year for Sport in the Junior School. A special greeting goes out to those families who are joining the Redlands community in 2025. We trust that you and your families had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year break.

Last week, every Junior School family would have received a comprehensive communication outlining the upcoming term’s plans for both Representative and Non-Representative Sport. We kindly request that you make this communication your primary point of reference for any inquiries over the next 11 weeks, as it contains valuable information and links to facilitate your understanding and participation. Additionally, within this communication, you would have found a secondary document that serves as a reminder of our established guidelines, which are in place to ensure the smooth management of all visitors to our campus during sporting events. Your diligent review of this document, coupled with your adherence and support of these guidelines, is greatly appreciated.

Term 1 Upcoming Dates

Term 1 upcoming dates and key events these can be viewed by selecting this link.

Sport Calendar

The Sport calendar for Term 1 onwards is available on the Junior School Sport Page of Pulse You can also view it via the following line 

2025 JS Sport Calendar

• Summer Rep Sport Compulsory Team selection -Saturday 1 February
• Sport Non-Rep and Rep Sport first Wednesday Sport session -Wednesday 5 February
• Cross Country Carnival- Wednesday 12 February

2025 Cross Country Carnival Entrant Numbers

All students to have their personalised entrant number written clearly on their arm on the morning of the carnival so these can be used to determine race placings  and award points to the correct age group. These can be found here: 

2025 ENTRANT NUMBERS CROSS COUNTRY, SWIMMING & ATHLETICS 

Spectators On Site – Junior School Sport 

It is indeed a privilege and a source of pride for us to be able to host our community, as well as visiting school communities, on our Junior Campus for a significant number of our home sporting fixtures. As we approach the commencement of our Summer Sports fixtures next week we kindly remind all stakeholders of the importance of adhering to the established guidelines that govern the management of all visitors to our campus on Saturdays, both before, during, and after matches.

We look forward to an exciting and successful year of sporting endeavours and appreciate your cooperation in upholding the standards of our community.

These guidelines are as follows:

• Parking in surrounding streets should not impact our neighbours’ properties. Please do not park across driveways and keep noise to a minimum if you are arriving for one of the first matches.
• There are no dogs/pets permitted onsite on any school grounds.
• Playground equipment and climbing frames are not to be used on Saturday mornings per the signage.
• The playing surface/court is reserved for the players, coaching staff, medical staff and referees only.
• During our Football season the area adjacent to the basketball hoops is reserved for the two arriving teams to warm up. Your respect and support of these guidelines are appreciated.
• Looking ahead to Summer Sport when we commence basketball and will host home matches in Dunnet Hall or on Redlands House Courts, please note the guidelines below that are in place on match days.
• Entry to Dunnet Hall and or Redlands House Courts for Basketball is via Allister St only.
• Please consider our neighbours when entering and exiting Dunnet Hall by not bouncing basketballs outside on the path and not parking across private property, double parking, etc.
• There are no spectators permitted inside Redlands House courts due to the run-off areas and court boundary lines being in close proximity to each other. Spectators may view the matches from the boundary fence on Allister St.
• Spectators inside Dunnet Hall may sit on the ‘spectator side’ of the court, which is on the side of the court closest to the foyer. The opposite side of the hall is reserved only for players, coaching staff and scorers.

Rep Sport Summer Sport Term 1

Good luck to all our Representative Sport teams who recommence their summer sport season in the coming week. A reminder to check your app each week in regard to your child’s team as our teams are ‘fluid’, meaning teams may change from week to week depending on 3 main criteria:

ABILITY                    in direct comparison to other students across the sport

ATTENDANCE        any student who misses 2 games in a season unrelated to sickness may be moved

ATTITUDE                this is based on behaviour at trainings, on game day and not limited to the sporting arena

Parents and carers are reminded to check the teams each Friday afternoon for changes that may have taken place at training during the week. Students may at times be asked to fill in for other teams occasionally due to absentees etc.

Non-Rep Sport Recommencing Term 1

Students were reminded about the three ‘rights’ and how they impact upon their involvement in Redlands Sport in Term 1. Students are asked to adhere to these;

• Right place
• Right time
• Right equipment

Can you please ensure your check your child’ activities to see what sport they are commencing in this term making sure they bring the appropriate gear and or equipment to sport. Non-Rep families are also reminded to check the home page of Pulse as well as their individual sport pages on a regular basis for updates.

Winter Sport Selection- link opens Friday 31 January

In preparation for Winter Sport (Term 2 & Term 3) in 2025, we need ALL parents/carers to complete their child’s registration on Friday 31 January so we can ensure all Junior School students have been allocated to a sport for the Winter Season. Sports from Term 1 do not automatically roll over into Term 2 and Term 3. For example, if your child is currently doing Non-Rep Swimming in Term 1 for their sport and you wish to continue Swimming in Term 2 this is a new selection and will need to be selected on this link. Please be aware that sports fill up quickly in Winter, and unlike Summer nominations, we cannot chase up individual families via email to complete.

While it may seem early, given we are just about to commence our Summer Sport, the school sports association to which we belong (IPSHA) needs our participation numbers across all Representative Sports to create draws for publication at the start of March. By completing this process, you are selecting your child’s preferences for their Winter Sport. Similar to summer, there are a variety of options available to all students from Year 3 to Year 6 in representative sport or non-representative sport.

In summary, students can do either of the following:

(1) Choose a Non-Representative Sport where your child only has a commitment during school hours, being Wednesday Sport (1:30pm to 3:20pm) with no Saturday involvement. Please note there are limited spaces for some Non-Rep Sports. It will be on a ‘first in first served basis’.

(2) Choose a Representative Sport where your child has a commitment on both Wednesdays (training during school hours) and Saturdays (competitive matches against other schools around Sydney). This is either a full-term commitment or a 2 Term commitment (Mixed-Boys and Girls Football, Netball and Boys Rugby).

Please keep in mind that if you want to choose a Girls-only Rep Sport, these sports are only 1 term in duration and not across two terms like the mixed sports on offer. And you may need to select a new sport for Term 3 for your child.

This process of Winter Sport selection is the only method of registration. Every student enrolled in the Junior School must select their Winter sport on Friday 31 January.

Redlands Pulse Orientation and Navigation Video

Our intranet, Redlands Pulse, is the first port of call for all Junior School Sport related enquiries. A video has been produced to show you how to navigate through Pulse. You can view this short video here.

Redlands Pulse

The Junior School Sport pages on Redlands Pulse will continue to be the ‘source of truth’ for all information relating to sport this term. I am asking that if parents have an enquiry relating to sport that your first port of call will be the Junior School Sport section of Redlands Pulse.

Sport Information Booklet

For all Sport information regarding what sports we offer when, how to navigate our documents, as well as information on Uniforms and Carnivals please refer to our Parent Information Booklet on Pulse.

Parent Sport Presentation

As a reminder for the structure of sport in the Junior School please select the following link to view a short video which has proved beneficial in the past both to new and returning families.

Sport at a glance  

Representative Sports- Saturday Morning Match Wear

Just a reminder for all families who represent Redlands in Saturday sport only Redlands Sports Uniforms and match day kit is to be worn. Each family should own either a school tracksuit and or a fleece that they can wear over the top of their playing kit if they are cold.

Any incorrect item will now be confiscated as all students have received the same message.

Wednesday Sport Inability to Train

If your child has an injury that prevents them from training, please send through an email to Junior Sport juniorsport@redlands.nsw.edu.au requesting they ‘sit out’ of training for that particular session. We can then forward this to the relevant external coaching staff. Where applicable please include when they can return to normal training, so coaches are aware of this. That way coaching staff are aware of an injury that prevents them from participating at the venue but also allows us to be aware of periods where they are medically required to ‘sit out’.

Representative Sport Student Absence

If students are absent on match day, parents are required to complete this online absence form. This will allow your responses to be passed on electronically to your child’s coach efficiently and at short notice. The Student Absence link can also be found on the Junior School Sport Page on Redlands Pulse.

Please don’t hesitate to view our Sport Information page on Redlands Pulse if you have any questions pertaining to Sport.

Mr Trevor Dunne
Head of Junior Sport
tdunne@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022

Dance Academy

Welcome to RDA 2025!

We are thrilled to kick off the new year and cannot wait to start classes next week. Here are a few important updates and reminders:

Term 1 Dates

Dance Class Schedules

• Check Your Schedule: Your class schedules should now be available. Please review them and let us know if you encounter any issues.
• Trial Week: Attend all your classes this week to ensure they are the right fit for you. You have until Sunday 9 February to make any changes without incurring an admin fee. For further information on how to withdraw from a class please CLICK HERE

Auditions

• Results: Audition results will be sent out on Monday 3 February. Good luck to everyone participating over the next few days!

Musical Rehearsals

• Priority Notice: The Musical will take priority over RDA activities for the next 5 weeks. Please make sure to attend all your Musical rehearsals. We will help you catch up on anything you miss during this period.

End of Year Performance (EOYP) Videos

We are thrilled to share the videos from our 2924 End of Year Performances with you all. Please see our EOYP Pulse page for links.

EOYP Washing

We have a few boxes of costumes from the EOYP (2024) which need to be washed. If you have any spare time, could we please have some volunteers to wash these costumes. They are all colour-sorted in boxes so just pop along to the office and choose your colour!! Thank you in advance!

Parent Welcome Letters

Please see our RDA Pulse page for parent 2025 welcome letters.

We are looking forward to a fantastic year of dance with all of you. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Best of luck, and let’s make this year amazing!

Any Questions?

For the most up-to-date information on all things dance please

CLICK HERE FOR REDLANDS DANCE ACADEMY PULSE PAGE

And please contact us with any questions, concerns or feedback.

A reminder that if you wish to make an appointment to speak with Ms Revie, please contact the Dance Department.

Ms Gilly Revie
Head of Redlands Dance Academy
grevie@redlands.nsw.edu.au
02 9908 6488 

Drama and Theatre

Music

Welcome back to Music for 2025! We are loving seeing music students back in the classroom this week for academic lessons. Next week, private tuition and Rock Bands fire up and the following week sees our Junior and Senior Ensembles kick off. 

If not enrolled already, we hope that you might consider which Extracurricular & Cocurricular Music activities might enrich your child’s life in 2025 and beyond. Many of our participants report our programs as the highlight of the school week – affording social connectedness, rich reward for self-discipline and immeasurable neurological benefits that enhance both academic and wellbeing outcomes. 

We look forward to wholeheartedly welcoming your child within our offerings in 2025.

Make sure you’ve subscribed to your Campus Music Pulse page so you get all the relevant News updates.

Junior School Music Pulse

Secondary Music Pulse 

When do we Start?

‘ABC. Easy as 1,2,3.’  Jackson Five

Week 1 – Curricular Classes Resume

Week 2 – Extracurricular Lessons Resume

Week 3 – Cocurricular Ensembles Resume

Classes have begun! Please note that this staggered start is only ever for Term 1 at the beginning of the year. All other terms see offerings resume from day one of Week 1.  This coming week is a great time to make sure you’ve signed up for all the activities you want to join this year. 

All our happenings are listed alongside enrolment forms on Pulse, and our Music Administrators are available on each campus to take your questions as they arise.

Auditioned Ensembles – Week 2

For Secondary School students, information regarding Audition requirements for the Advanced or Extension Ensemble streams is available on the ‘Music Auditions Page‘ on iLearn.  This is open to new students only. Auditions for Semester One entry to these streams are closing next Friday 9 February, and all audition information can be found on this page.

Junior students will be be able to access information regarding Audition Requirements on Pulse. Parents are advised to read through these requirements before signing up students for auditioned ensembles.

Changes for 2025

For all changes in Music for 2025, please refer to our previous communication via Pulse, which has all you need to know.

Performance Spotlight: Senior Choir with the Cat Empire and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (2024)

If you’re looking to see how Redlands extends our musicians with real-life performance opportunities, look no further. Last year, 20 students in Senior Choir had the incredible opportunity of performing with Cat Empire, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Sydney Children’s Choir at the Sydney Opera House. 

The entire concert was filmed; and has just been released to the public. 

WATCH THE PERFORMANCE HERE!

Be our Friend?

We are grateful for the enthusiastic support of our Friends of Music who give their time because of their belief in the importance of creativity, community and collaboration.  We extend the invitation to all Junior and Secondary School parents to consider becoming one of our Friends of Music (FoM) in 2025!  To find out more, feel free to leave your details via the Friends of Music Expression Form.

Our Friends of Music Start-Of-Year Meeting is a great opportunity to see what it’s all about, or more generally find out about our program and ask any burning questions. 

Please come along on Thursday 20 February at 6pm. We are excited for another year of music making, and we can’t wait to see you at our many events this year!

Events Term 1

Our Term 1 events are live on our Pulse Music Calendar: We encourage all parents to bookmark this page to keep an eye on what attended events are available throughout the year. 

Here to help!

Keep your eye on Pulse and the MUSIC EVENTS page to ensure key dates are all on the family calendar and reach out to your campus Music Office if we can assist in any way.

Mrs Jacqueline McGlade  
Junior Music Administrator | juniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au | 9908 6495
CLICK FOR  JUNIOR MUSIC PULSE

Ms Kirsty Hales
Senior Music Administrator | seniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au | 9968 9820
CLICK FOR SENIOR MUSIC PULSE 

Ms Katherine Moses
Junior Campus Music Subject Coordinator (P-6)

Ms Victoria Williams
Secondary School Music Subject Coordinator (7-12)

Mr Mathew Owen
Director of Music Performance (P-12)