From the Principal

Welcome back to Term 3 and a very warm welcome to the 29 new students and their families who are joining our Redlands learning community this term. We are delighted to be welcoming families from Austria, Argentina, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain and the USA, as well as from other local schools.

While starting Term 3 in a Remote Learning environment has been challenging for everyone, I am impressed to see our whole community, students, teachers and parents, embracing this online learning format so wholeheartedly. Thank you to our staff throughout the School who have been working tirelessly to continue to deliver enriching lessons this week. Thank you to students who have continued to learn diligently. And a very big thank you to parents for supporting your children in their learning at this challenging time. We have received many positive messages from parents and these have been very much appreciated by our staff.  

A key priority at this time is to support the health and wellbeing of all our students and we have detailed plans for teachers and our pastoral team across the School to check in with students. To maintain students’ wellbeing, we are continuing with as many cocurricular programs as possible in an online format and endeavouring to postpone rather than cancel our larger events. The movie of Grease the Musical will be live-streamed three times from Friday 30 July to Sunday 1 August, and tickets for this will go on sale next week. Our Sports Department is working on an Olympic Challenge for the Redlands Community to engage all areas of the school through a physical activity challenge and more details of this will be provided on Monday. We have managed to move Gala Arts, previously scheduled for Friday next week, to Friday 3 September. 

More specific details regarding Remote Learning during the next two weeks will be provided in letters from each Head of Section this week. As per the period of Remote Learning last year, the COVID-19 Page of Redlands Pulse will continue to have the most up-to-date information regarding activities and events.

We recognise that the current situation may place added burden on some families, so please do not hesitate to get in touch with the School to seek assistance where required.

Thank you again for your ongoing support and understanding during this time. As per last year, we will continue to work in partnership with parents and carers to make this Remote Learning period as positive and enriching for students as possible.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at feedback@redlands.nsw.edu.au should you have any questions or feedback.

Since the end of Term 2, there have been some wonderful achievements by both students and staff that I would like to recognise. Redlands was named as one of the ten most outstanding schools by the AMEB (NSW) Music Board based on our students’ excellent results in the 2020 AMEB exams. Congratulations to all students and to our Music team of teachers, tutors and accompanists. Their efforts are even more remarkable as last year, their performances had to be videoed and sent through to the AMEB examiners for marking. 

Our Yr 9 da Vinci Decathlon team which won the NSW da Vinci competition last term competed in the da Vinci Decathlon Nationals at the beginning of the holidays and placed 2nd overall, competing against 32 teams. This is an outstanding achievement and I congratulate all team members and the staff who supported them. 

Finally congratulations to Meera Coburn (Yr 11) who has been selected for the National Performance Camp to be held at the Basketball Centre for Excellence at the AIS Canberra in September. Meera is one of only 11 young men and women in their age group who have achieved selection. Well done, Meera!

Head of Secondary School

Week 1

Thank you to parents and carers who joined us this week for our Webinars. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to address you in this format and to be able to provide the necessary details for Remote Learning this week. I would also like to take this opportunity to formally welcome our new students and their families to Redlands – it’s certainly an invigorating way to begin your journey at a new school! We are confident you will feel part of the Redlands community very quickly and look forward to getting to know you.

Remote Learning Update

We learned this week that our current lockdown will be extended for two more weeks.

We will continue Remote Learning into Week 2 and 3 and remain hopeful that we will back on campus shortly.

Week 2 will follow the same structure as Week 1, with students attending Zoom lessons and accessing their learning using iLearn. They will attend 6 lessons per school day, as well as their Tutor time, which occurs each day at 10.30am.

Next week, students will be given two specific Zoom-Free Times, with which they can engage in ‘own time learning’. This Zoom-Free Time should enable students to engage in learning at their own pace, and could be screen-free. The learning focus and accompanying activities will continue to be accessed via iLearn, but students will not need to log in to the scheduled Zoom lesson. Instead they should engage with the learning activity independently, work at their own pace, and flex their muscles in the self-management space. We understand that some students will relish this opportunity more than others, but believe that some time away from Zoom, is necessary.

Two-Zoom Free Times in Week 2

Monday Period 5 & 6               

Thursday Period 1 & 2

We anticipate providing students with a longer period of Zoom-Free Time in Week 3, and will provide more details next week. In the Parent Webinar on Monday evening, I mentioned the process of ‘feedback and adjustment’. Based on feedback received this week from students, parents and staff, and given the extension of Remote Learning for another two weeks, we believe that building in space for students to work at their own pace is crucial to maintaining mental wellbeing during this time.

Zoom Protocols

We have been very impressed with our students’ capacity to follow the Zoom protocols, which are designed for their safety. Students are required to wear their Sport Uniform (not a hoodie), enter the Zoom lesson with their video turned on and their sound muted. Students are also required to use their full name in order to identify themselves and not a nickname or emoji. We take our students’ security and safety very seriously and require these protocols be met in each and every Zoom lesson – if there is an issue, the class teacher will make contact, and we deeply appreciate those parents who have worked with us this week to support their child to comply with these protocols.

Year 12

Our Year 12 cohort have resiliently managed their week of learning remotely. Their Trial Examinations have been postponed by one week and they have maturely responded to some necessary shifts and modifications to their academic program. Further updates for Year 12 parents and students will be made available tomorrow and next week.

Registration Link for children of essential workers in the Secondary School

If you are an essential worker and need to send your child/ren to school next week, please register using the above link. Students are being supervised in the library by our librarians. Students wear a mask and sit in a socially distanced manner whilst engaging in Remote Learning.

Wellbeing

This week, we started Remote Learning with a focus on maintaining wellbeing and connection whilst in lockdown. Tuesday morning saw students reconnecting and preparing for the week ahead. Pastoral Care for the rest of the week has been dedicated to establishing a sound foundation for Remote Learning and reconnecting with peers. Whilst our Pastoral programs will continue to engage with formal synchronous sessions aimed at developing social and emotional capabilities, informal opportunities for social connection and positive relationships will be prioritised.

Tutors and Year Advisors are closely monitoring student wellbeing and regularly communicating with classroom teachers. Next week we will begin Zooming students individually to hold wellbeing check-in conversations with them. In these personal wellbeing check-ins and in larger group settings such as Year Assemblies, our shared message to students continues to be:

• The importance of maintaining a varied and healthy routine – exercise, diet, social connection, school, down time, regular sleep, etc.
• The benefit of focusing on things we enjoy and value, in order to remain motivated and ensure a sense of belonging
• The need to focus on what we can control rather than what we can’t; and, consider healthy strategies to managing responses to what is beyond our control.

As adults, we play a key role in taking the lead by being proactive in creating a scenario where our young people can manage anxieties and thrive during this time. This is a great opportunity for us to work together to teach our young people the skills required to manage uncertainty in order to become more resilient. Dr Michael Carr-Gregg (Child and Adolescent Psychologist) via SchoolsTV ‘Special Reports’ offers some considered advice on how best to support your children at home as we continue to, as he describes, ‘ride the Corona coaster’. ReachOut also offers advice on how you can assist your teen with sticking to a routine during COVID-19. The Redlands Counselling Space also houses a wealth of useful resources.

Should you at any point feel concerned about your child’s engagement with, or response to, Remote Learning, do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s School pastoral support team.

Cocurricular

We are delighted that many of our cocurricular activities in Sport and the Arts are back up and running online.

Sport have a range of fitness sessions and challenges for students (and parents!) to take part in, all accessible via the Secondary Sport iLearn page or Redlands Pulse. From Week 3, students in Representative Sports will be expected to participate in sport-specific training sessions.

Many regular activities and classes in Music, Drama and Dance will move online at the normal times – students can access the session and resources via iLearn pages. For more information refer to the relevant sections in Note Day.

Extra subject classes in the Visual Arts will begin in Week 3.

Welcoming New Staff

I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to some new staff members, many of whom have meet their new students and colleagues for the first time this week across Zoom.  

Kathy Reid is Subject Coordinator of Innovative Design. Kathy has a Masters in Education and over 20 years experience working in TAS, most recently the Assistant Head of TAS for St Andrews Cathedral School.

Rosanna Peterson has joined us as a HSIE Teacher. She completed her Masters of Teaching in 2018 and has been working at Richard Johnson Anglican School for the last 3 years. Rosanna has a strong passion for History and is particularly keen on bringing Australian History to life in the classroom.

Nathan Lange is joining Redlands for Term 3 & 4 as a Science Teacher. Nathan holds a Bachelor of Advanced Science with a Double Major in Chemistry, Geology and Geophysics from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Secondary Education from Macquarie University. Most recently, Nathan has been teaching at Northern Beaches Secondary College.

I am also happy to announce that we have successfully recruited our new University and Careers Advisor/s who begin at Redlands in Week 5: Clare Hurst and Justine Fowler. Clare and Justine join the Secondary School as Careers and University Advisors in a job share capacity. They will each work 3 days per week: Clare (Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays) and Justine (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays). Clare will commence on 9 August and Justine will commence on 10 August.

Justine has postgraduate qualifications in Psychology and a Graduate Certificate in Career Education and Development. With over 12 years experience in careers advising at both school and university level and a strong interest in employability in the workplace and student career exploration, we are excited to have her join the team.

Clare has over 10 years experience in careers advising. Prior to that she gained useful knowledge and experience in the corporate world, which has been beneficial in her ability to connect with and provide advice to students on their career journey. She has a Bachelor of Commerce, a Diploma of Financial Services and a Graduate Certificate in Career Education and Development.

Most recently, Clare and Justine have been working together as Career Advisors at Queenwood School for Girls. I know you will join with me in welcoming them to Redlands in Week 5 of this term.

And farewelling…

Ms Simone Bryant concludes her time at Redlands tomorrow, as she has accepted a promotional role as Head of Science at Loreto Normanhurst. In her 15 years with the School, Simone has had multiple roles including Year Advisor, Year Coordinator, Debating Coordinator and most recently Assistant Subject Coordinator for Science along with her key role as Science Teacher. Her dedication and passion for teaching is evident through her various achievements. She will be missed by her colleagues, students and Tutor Group.

Student Reflections

Below are a couple of beautiful haikus written by Year 9 English students – these may lift your spirits. Mr Emma Rothwell, says this is one of the perks of being an English teacher in a pandemic!

Now always inside.
Keeping my own company.
Contained extrovert.
by Miles Eden

I grasp my memories
of friends, laughter, the outside.
My illusive past.
by Charli Waterland

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

Community Update

A very warm, albeit socially distanced, welcome to Term 3.  We trust your family are safe and well and hope that you had the opportunity to enjoy some family time over the holiday period, albeit through lockdown restrictions.

In times such as these we give thanks for the strength of our Redlands community and we continue to work in partnership with parents and carers to make this time as positive and enriching for our community as possible.

In joining a number of community and student webinars early this week I have been impressed, but not surprised, at how flexible and agile our students, staff and families have become in relation to Remote Learning.  Our successful experience of last year no doubt provided all with the confidence to make a smooth transition to this environment for the commencement of Term 3.

It is always a pleasure to hear what our alumni community have been up to and I was delighted to  read Class of 2019 alumni, Lachlan Van de Pluijm’s journey since leaving Redlands.  That, along with an update from the Foundation team can be enjoyed here.

With the extended lockdown duration uncertain, due to a rapidly evolving situation, we are assessing a number of our planned community events in alignment with advice from NSW Health and the Association of Independent Schools of NSW.

As we assess these community events we encourage a continued connection to the significant and diverse experience of our class and year group parents, the RPFA and Friends of Groups that support our many and varied community.  These groups keep our community connected and included within the many and varied aspects of school life.  This connection and support becomes even more important in the current lockdown environment.

A reminder that all COVID-19 related communications to parents and other relevant information is posted on the COVID-19 Page of Redlands Pulse. Our ICT team are also available to provide remote technical support to assist students (and parents) and can be contact at  isupport@redlands.nsw.edu.au.

I remain grateful for the continued guidance and support our community provides and, as ever, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Community Engagement team should you have any feedback, suggestions or questions.

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

Foundation

A very warm welcome to all Redlands families to Term 3 and especially new families who are joining us in these Remote Learning times. I hope you all had some downtime during the break and managed to spend precious time with your families. In our household we played many board games and our dog Paolo enjoyed lots of long walks around Cremorne Point.

Thank you for your Generous Support

Thank you sincerely to all members of the Redlands community (parents, staff, students and Alumni) who have supported this year’s Belinda Oxley Scholarship Appeal so far. Due to your generosity and all fundraising efforts, we have achieved 75% of this year’s goal to be able to award another means-tested scholarship to an exceptional and deserving student commencing Yr 7 in 2023.

Our Scholarship Appeal honours the legacy of long-standing and respected educator Belinda Oxley. She was well known for guiding many aspiring teachers in the practical component of their studies and her outstanding contribution to Redlands was recognised in 2013 with the Roseby Award for Academic Staff.

Click here to learn more.

I would also like to thank families who made a contribution towards the Scholarship, Building and Library Funds with their fees. All these development programs are very important for the advancement of the School and benefit not only current students but generations to come.

Alumni Update

Lachlan Van de Pluijm, Class of 2019, House Captain – Cowper, Captain of Waterpolo and Service Prefect

During the recent break I used the time to reconnect with our recent graduates to find out how their journeys evolved after Redlands. One of them was Lachlan who shared with me how he has embraced his university studies and how he remains connected with his old school.

“Since leaving Redlands in 2019 I have been studying a combined degree of Law and Psychology at the University of New South Wales. So far, I’ve found the degree has been extremely diverse in the content covered and I have particularly enjoyed specialising in a forensic psychology. Another highlight of university for me has been mixing with students from diverse backgrounds.

In addition, surf lifesaving has been a major part of my life after graduating. As a volunteer, I have become a patrol captain managing a whole team of lifesavers and additionally have become a trainer for new surf lifesavers. An additional achievement for me was representing my club at the Surf Lifesaving Nationals (Aussies) in the Sunshine Coast, where my team and I placed 6^th.

I have also come back to Redlands to coach senior Waterpolo and teach Debating across the Primary and the Secondary School. I’ve really enjoyed being back at Redlands, especially because my roles allow me to nurture and teach younger students new skills in two areas that I am passionate about. Further, I have found that Redlands students bring both passion and enthusiasm to their cocurricular which is great to work with.” 

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

Chaplain

Our Redlands  community has responded quickly and efficiently to the shift to Remote Learning. We know that we can negotiate this challenge with the solid experiences of last year. However, it is in moments of unsettledness during this time that Psalm 46 comes to mind:

“God is our refuge and strength,
An ever-present help in trouble
Therefore we will not fear,
Though the earth gives way
And the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.”

The Psalmist was challenged by the natural forces outside of his control, much like we are now. He realised in the midst of these, he had the presence of God. His long-lived relationship with the Heavenly Father assured him that he was safe in the hands of the living God. God was there to assist, guide, comfort and strengthen. In the embrace of God, he had a refuge for eternity. Calamity would come and go, stress would come and go, sickness would come and go, sadness would come and go, and finally death would come and go, and so he would rest in the presence of God forever. This same sense of the presence and love of God outlasting all things which strengthens us to face all things is captured in the letter of Romans (8:38,39) as well:

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
Neither angels nor demons,
Neither the present or the future,
Nor any powers, neither heights nor depth
Nor anything else in all creation,
Will be able to separate us from the love of God
That is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Our prayer for you and your family is that you will know this refuge and strength to calm your hearts at this time.

Should you wish to discuss this offer of love, refuge and strength, the Chaplains would be pleased to chat. Please contact us by email to arrange a chat.

A reminder that the Parent’s prayer group meets on the night of Thursday 5 August night. If you are interested in praying for the school community, please contact Sally Swan at swanlsally@gmail.com

May God’s blessing be upon you today,

Ms Bronwyn Lihou
Senior Campus Chaplain
blihou@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9909 3133

Ms Fiona McKenzie
Junior Campus Chaplain
fmckenzie@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022

Year 12

Yr 12 are to be commended for their efforts in adjusting to Remote Learning this week. This climate has made us all more agile and flexible both in our thinking and work practice and our Yr 12 students are no exception. Please know that Yr 12 are our absolute priority at this time. We are regularly connecting with students; collectively as a cohort and on an individual basis as much as possible. If you feel that your child needs extra support at this time, please reach out to your child’s Tutor or to me. For more specialised mental health support our wonderful counselling team are available sscounselling@redlands.nsw.edu.au

A reminder regarding absences during remote learning, please could you ensure that you email ssabsence@redlands.nsw.edu.au if your child is going to be absent for the whole day or part of the day, or misses any lessons during the day, as you would do when we are on campus. If you can continue to copy me into those emails, that would be most appreciated as it means I am on top of everything should any teacher contact me during the day. Students have been told that they are expected to have their camera on during lessons, unless told otherwise by their teacher, and are also aware of all the other Zoom protocols, with a copy of all of this on our Yr 12 Pastoral iLearn page.

Best wishes to you all as we navigate this change in circumstances.

Ms Sarah Matthews
Yr 12 Advisor
smatthews@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9908 6494

Year 11

Welcome Back to Term 3

Welcome back to Term 3, albeit remotely! The unpredictability of life at the moment has caught us all by surprise during the holidays, resulting in a lockdown and Remote Learning once again. In some ways it seems like such a long time ago we finished our last Remote Learning lockdown, but in other ways it seems like just yesterday! I know that some of you managed to escape Sydney before the government restrictions were put in place and I hope that you had a lovely break from school routine. For others who have remained at home all of the school holidays, I hope that you managed to have some downtime and quality time with your family. I appreciate that the holidays may have been quite challenging and upsetting for many students, and at our Year Assembly via Zoom on Tuesday, I spoke to them all about how it is okay to have these feelings as well as perhaps feeling added stress and anxiety about the uncertainty that is now Term 3.

Despite the unexpected change to schooling this term, I am incredibly proud how well Yr 11 have adapted to Remote Learning so quickly and so maturely. While it appears that this may go on for a few weeks, as both a Year Advisor and a teacher it has been a very smooth transition for everyone involved. It would appear that we are all now professional at this – staff and students alike! Please have a look at the photos on this page of some of your children as they participate in Tutor Group sessions.

Zoom Reminders

A reminder regarding absences during Remote Learning, please can you ensure that you email ssabsence@redlands.nsw.edu.au if your child is going to be absent for the whole day or part of the day, or misses any lessons during the day, as you would do when we are on campus. If you can continue to copy me into those emails, that would be most appreciated as it means I am on top of everything should any teacher contact me during the day. Students have been told that they are expected to have their camera on during lessons, unless told otherwise by their teacher, and are also aware of all the other Zoom protocols, with a copy of all of this on our Yr 11 Pastoral iLearn page.

Wellbeing Support

Please remember that the Tutors, Jess Howard and I are all here to support you during this time, and as always, don’t hesitate to contact any of us should you have any concerns. In addition, our school counsellors are also available for any support your child may need, and can conduct Zoom counselling sessions with individual students. They will reach out to some students but please encourage your child to contact them directly via sscounselling@redlands.nsw.edu.au if they would like additional support. Also, on our Yr 11 Pastoral iLearn page there are counselling support services available, which the students are aware of.

New Tutor

I would like to formally welcome Cowper Blue’s new Tutor, Luca Signorelli, who has joined us this term to replace Nerida Patton. Luca introduced himself to the Tutor Group last term and I am confident he is a great fit for this group. He will be emailing all Cowper Blue parents shortly, to introduce himself.

I hope you all are surviving the first week of ‘home-schooling’ and please know that we are supporting your children remotely and they seem to be doing very well, given the circumstances.

Ms Rebecca Mountain
Yr 11 Advisor
rmountain@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9908 6462

Year 10

Welcome Back!

Welcome back everyone! Despite retuning to Remote Learning this week, it was pleasing to see all of Yr 10 adapt so well to their online zoom lessons for both subject lessons and tutor time. Ms Martin and I had the pleasure of zooming into Tutor Time sessions with each Tutor Group and the discussions taking place during that online space affirmed to us how resilient our cohort is as well as the importance of social interactions during this time. The conversations in this important pastoral space were meaningful, light-hearted and positive.

In Tuesday’s online Year Assembly, I highlighted the following points which I adapted from the ‘Reach-out’ website in regards to dealing with the constant COVID-19 changes:

• Practise gratitude. As the rules change and life starts to open up again, practise identifying the things you are grateful for. 
• Speaking of friends, surround yourself with positive pals. Look for the silver lining. 
• Practising positive self-talk can also be a big help. Each week, write down one thing you like about yourself
• Ultimately, the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you’ll be to find the good in any situation you face

Remote Pastoral Care Support

Tutors, Year Advisors, Senior Counsellors and the Chaplin are available as pastoral supports. Students can email these supports directly or through wellbeing@redlands.nsw.edu.au and staff will respond during school hours.

Our counsellors have also developed a pastoral support iLearn page with a variety of different resources, which can be accessed via iLearn. Many of these resources are also available on each Tutor Group page too. 

For any academic remote learning support please get in touch with subject coordinators and for IT please get in touch with isupport. 

Senior Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to all of Yr 10 for their participation at the 2021 Secondary School Athletics Carnival held in Week 9 last term. 

It was great to see lots of participation throughout the day with students earning house points for their House Group. A full list of results will be included in next week’s Note Day. Photos of the comradery and House Spirit can be seen below:

Student Achievement 

Well done Oliver Stevens and Avalon Thomas for leading the Yr 10, 11 and 12 End of Term Assembly. Both students spoke beautifully and presented excellent leadership skills throughout the assembly.

Scholastic Awards

Congratulations to the following Yr 10 students who received a scholastic award for their academic achievement for Semester 1 at the End of Term Assembly. I commend these students for all their hard work, dedication and commitment to their academic studies throughout Terms 1 and 2.

Welcome, Lily and Anna! 

This term, we have two new students joining the Yr 10 Cohort. Lily Kneale will be joining 10 MG this week and Anna Fedora will be joining 10 MB later this term from Austria. We wish them the best of luck as they make their transition into Redlands. 

Year 9

Welcome back to Term 3! While we learn remotely, it has been encouraging to see students logging in, interacting in Tutor and class breakout rooms and trying to stay connected as much as they can via Zoom.  Thank you for checking pertinent updates and information via Redlands Pulse, email notifications and Note Day.

Zoom Expectations and Reminders

Students have transitioned very well this week to the Remote Learning schedule. In Tutor, students revisited the expectations and procedures for learning remotely. While most students are doing exactly what is needed to be done, we do ask for your support to help ensure the following:

• Please check internet access and alert the Year Advisor if students are dropping in and out of lessons
• Students should be in their Sport uniform
• Students are expected to have their cameras on for the duration of the lesson
• If students do miss a class for any reason, please send a note to SSAbsence@redlands.nsw.edu.au so we can ensure our attendance records are accurate and up to date

If there are any issues with the items above, please message the Year Advisor so we can ensure relevant staff are notified. 

New Cowper Yellow Tutor

We welcome Ms. Rosanna Peterson to our Yr 9 Pastoral Team.  As she also teachers History, your child may encounter her in Tutor or in their subject course.

Yr 9 into Yr 10 Information Evening

This presentation took place via Zoom this week and all slides and information regarding subject selection for Yr 10 will be uploaded to the Yr 9 page of Redlands Pulse. Thank you to all students and parents for logging in promptly, it was an impressive start to the evening as Mrs Gemma Van de Peer and Mr David Randall shared important information regarding course selection. 

Da Vinci Decathlon Nationals at Knox Grammar School

It was an absolute honour to join the following students for the Da Vinci Decathlon Nationals Competition 2021!  Ms. Elizabeth Williamson Mr. Christian Baker have supported this group since starting Yr 7 in the Secondary School.  It was already such an achievement to make the State Competition out of over 100 teams to then place 2nd overall in Nationals with 32 teams competing.  Congratulations and well done to all students and the incredible staff who supported this group.

Congratulations to: Jack Keogh, Krishan Price, Conor Petersen, Ahnu Guan, Heidi Colleran, Johnny Wang, Annie Zhang and Sholto Mirrlees-Black.

Ms Alissa Ynson
Yr 9 Advisor
aynson@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9865

Year 8

Welcome back! I hope that the holiday break allowed time and relaxation with loved ones, and there were some opportunities for a break prior to the lockdown. Despite the challenge of students starting term remotely, we hope they are ready to embark on a new term with enthusiasm, diligence and focus.

It is an absolute pleasure that I introduce five new students to Yr 8 this semester; Hugh Dixon, Sara Hamori, Nora Moncau Munio, Fredinand Sorensen and Martha Sorensen. We wish them a wonderful start to Redlands.

COVID & Remote Learning

Resources for Parents:

Click here for more resources for parents

NSW Government website – Learning from home – Tips & Advice

Wellbeing

Being confined to home for an extended period of time can cause stress and conflict. Tips for looking after your children during isolation include:

• Talking to your whole family about what is happening. Understanding the situation will reduce their anxiety.
• Help your children to think about how they have coped with difficult situations in the past and reassure them that they will cope with this situation too. Remind them that the isolation won’t last for long.
• Exercise regularly. Options could include exercise DVDs, dancing, floor exercises, yoga, walking around the backyard or using home exercise equipment, such as a stationary bicycle, if you have it. Exercise is a proven treatment for stress and depression.
• Encourage your children to keep in touch with family members and friends via telephone, email or social media (where appropriate).

Communicating with Your Child

We encourage you to start and finish each day with a simple check-in. These check-ins should be a regular part of each day and start straight away. Not all students thrive in a Remote Learning environment; some struggle with too much independence or lack of structure and the check-ins help keep them on track.

In the morning, ask:

• What are you learning today?
• What are your learning targets or goals?
• How will you be spending your time?
• What resources do you require?
• What support do you need?

In the afternoon, ask:

• What did you learn today?
• Acknowledge one thing that was difficult. Either let it go or come up with a strategy to deal with the same problem if it comes up again
• Consider three things that went well today. Why were they good?
• Are you ok? Do you need to ask your teacher for something? Do you need help with something to make tomorrow more successful?

These specific questions matter because they allow your child to process the instructions they have received from their teachers and help them organise themselves and set priorities. 

Digital Citizenship

We recommend that you take the time to explore issues of digital citizenship and then discuss these with your child. Click here for more information.

It is important that during this period of Remote Learning that we maintain safe and responsible use of information and communication technologies.

This includes appropriate use of digital platforms, privacy and information protection, respectful communication and how to deal with online issues.

Athletics Carnival

Scholastic Awards – Term 2

Congratulations to the following students who received Scholastic Awards for academic excellence at the end of Term 2:

Keira Attard
Hugo Baird
Thomas Dewar
Jesse Forrest
Rebecca Frantz
Kiana Gapaillard
Krishna Gupta
Charlotte Humphreys
Annabelle Hwang
Megan Kirkpatrick
Katherine Lam
Andrew Macourt
Rory Mcmillan
Liam Petersen
Samantha Wightwick
Emma Wong
Sophie Yu

Debating

Congratulations for your selection, and good luck to the following students for the SDN competition when it commences in Term 3.

Jesse Forrest
Rebecca Frantz
Krishna Gupta
Kosta Mangos
Grace Matthews
Lucile Thompson
Emma Wong
Sophie Yu
Millie Winton

Ms Lisa Vale
Yr 8 Advisor
9968 9837
lvale@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Year 7

Welcome Back 

A warm welcome back to all students and parents, albeit through Remote Learning. Even though we don’t have students back on campus at the moment it is important for all of us to maintain those connections formed throughout semester 2. 

Remote Learning  

I would like to start by thanking the vast majority of Yr 7 students who have demonstrated the maturity and willingness to just get on with their learning without disruption or poor behaviour, well done. It is important for our students to understand that whilst this is not the preferred way to learn, it does still provide the excellent opportunity for learning to occur and needs to be taken seriously. 

There has been a lot of information given out to students and parents over the last few days, but I think the key message is that students need to treat every day as if they were going into a normal day of school. By this I mean;

1. waking up at an appropriate time
2. having a nutritious breakfast 
3. getting dressed into their uniform (sports/PE) for the day 
4. leaving their phones somewhere they can access during lesson time
5. arriving on time to their first lesson
6. taking a break at the allotted times 
7. eating lunch, also hydrating 
8. some form of physical activity everyday: 30 – 60min  
9. at the end of the day – take the time to check the next day’s timetable 
10. get to bed at a reasonable time 

Troubleshooting 

1. Contact isupport for technical issues 
2. Contact Tutor for day to day questions/concerns 
3. Absences should still be emailed through to SSAbsences 
4. Any other questions feel free to contact Mr Atkins and/or Ms Wills

Mr Edward Atkins
Yr 7 Advisor 
eatkins@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9909 3133

Head of Junior School

Remote Learning Up and Running

We have enjoyed a fantastic start to Term 3 and I’m so proud of the students and staff and commend them on their adaptability and smooth transition straight into Remote Learning. After an assembly with all of the students on the first day of term, I have enjoyed time in virtual classrooms alongside colleagues and at morning roll calls and check-ins.

As well as positive feedback that teachers and I have received, I have been moved by the students who have shared their genuine appreciation for their teachers and the school in allowing their learning to continue in a structured format while also allowing for connection with their friends and classmates in both a learning and an informal context. Some have found aspects easier and also enjoyed having more time at home before school and a couple mentioned enjoying learning with their pet by their side.

As we move into the next ten days of Remote Learning, I will email a separate letter later today outlining additional information for you and your family.

Interschool Technology Team Challenge

At the end of last term, a team of ten Redlands students participated in a variety of STEM-related team challenges with peers from Loreto Kirribilli and St Aloysius College. As a new initiative,  our students worked in mixed teams to create, test and present solutions under time deadlines.

Ms Anagnostu was very impressed with our students and how they built rapport with new students and worked out a strategy, utilising computational and design thinking, creative problem solving and most importantly, how they drew on their communication and collaboration skillsets.

One such challenge was teams having to code and fly a drone autonomously through a set course around the buildings, hoops and then taking a group photo with the drone camera before successfully landing it at its starting point. And all with a limited battery life!

AMEB Music Awards

During the holiday period, Redlands was delighted to have been named as one of the ten most outstanding schools by the AMEB (NSW) Music Board based on the excellent results in the 2020 examination year to Redlands students. 

I acknowledge the efforts of our students across the whole school, expertly guided and supported by our dedicated team of tutors, accompanists and Mrs McGlade whose extraordinary efforts each year with AMEB administration has helped position us for this accolade.

Mother’s Day Celebration 

In what seems like some time ago, it was wonderful to have been able to host a belated Mother’s Day celebration for our Junior Campus mothers. It was such a joy to have a large gathering on campus and again my thanks are extended to our staff involved in organising this important community event.

Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School 
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022

Head of Preparatory School

Welcome Back

A big welcome back to all families to Term 3. Even though we are remote, our connection and community are as strong as ever.

I would like to warmly welcome our new families who join us this term. I did enjoy seeing you all at the New Parent Information session on Monday and please don’t hesitate to reach out if there is any further information that you need. I know there has already been some pre-lockdown playdates which was very timely.

Remote Learning Information

Our staff mobilised quickly to ensure quality Remote Learning was in place for all on Tuesday morning. I have been able to pop in and out of some sessions and it is so lovely to see the smiling faces of our Prep students. They are well practised in their art of online learning! The highlight of my week so far has been the chaotic but ever so beautiful Prep Assembly!

A huge thank you to all our Prep families who have rallied with us to ensure the smooth transition to Remote Learning.

Please do reach out to me, Katie Louise Clinton or any of our counsellors if you or your children are feeling uneasy or finding the current situation difficult to cope with emotionally. Sometimes a chat and few strategies can help in getting back on track.

kclinton@redlands.nsw.edu.au
abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au
ckarpin@redlands.nsw.edu.au
adigiacomo@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Due to the continuation of Remote Learning for the next two weeks, more information around school logistics and events will be communicated. I will be sending out a Prep Section letter this afternoon outlining key pieces of information that will include the campus booking link for children of essential workers for weeks 2-4, events update, staggered pick up time on Monday for resource packs and cocurricular online activities that have been organised. Please keep an eye out for this letter.

Mothers Day Celebration

On the last Friday of Term 2, we were delighted to welcome Preparatory School mothers and carers to catch up and enjoy a coffee, followed by classroom visits to see their children’s wonderful learning. Our students were excited to have their mums at school. It was a pleasure having them to show how thankful we are for everything they do.

Mrs Ainslie Breckenridge
Head of Preparatory School
abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848

Redlands House and Transition Gold

Mothers Day Celebration

On the last Friday of Term 2, we were delighted to welcome Redlands House mothers to visit and see their children’s wonderful learning. Our students were excited to have their mums at school. It was a pleasure having them to show how thankful we are for everything they do.

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

Mrs Ainslie Breckenridge
Head of Preparatory School
abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848

Secondary Sport

Fitness

Zoom fitness in back! Students are encouraged to attend as many sessions as they wish, and we encourage all members of the same household to join in the sessions.

A reminder that students need to be:

• Online and ready to go prior to the zoom starting (please be online ready to go at 6:55am/3.25pm)
• Zooms set to mute with cameras on
• Have a water bottle 
• Have a gym towel 
• Please wear appropriate fitness attire (in line with mufti day attire ie: no singlets, appropriate length shorts)

ONLINE FITNESS TIMETABLE

Representative Sporting Events

The following representative sporting events scheduled for early Term 3 have been postponed:

• NSW All Schools Cross Country – Postponed
• NSW All Schools Secondary Hockey Tri Series – Postponed
• NSWCIS Basketball Champion School tournament – Postponed

“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor”

Vince Lombardi 

Ms Alison Cox
Head of Secondary School Sport
sports@redlands.nsw.edu.au

All Sports contacts can be found on Redlands Pulse.​

Junior Sport

Snowsports

Please note: All remaining Snowsports events are currently pending due to possible COVID restrictions and/or regulations and/or operational conditions.

Important Dates

Interschools

Interschools is a great place to find further information regarding all Snowsports events including the latest news and announcements on changes to events.

Further details can be found on Redlands Pulse – Snowsports.

Bruce Campbell
Snowsports Administrator
0413 764 445
bcampbell@redlands.nsw.edu.au

or Ms Eliza Peirce
Snowsports Administrator
epeirce@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Ballet and Dance

Welcome to Term 3 Remote Learning. Please note that all COVID-19 related communications to parents and other relevant information is posted on the COVID-19 Page on Redlands Pulse. 

We are looking forward to connecting online with our Ballet and Dance students.

Our successful implementation of Remote Learning last year gives us experience in this environment and we believe that continued participation in Dance classes will assist in providing important social connections and physical activity for you child with their class friends and teachers.

We aim to return to face-to-face classes as soon as restrictions allow.

Chloe Scamps (Yr 8) demonstrates remote training at home:

Redlands Ballet and Dance Academy: List of Events to be Postponed

• Sunday 25^th July 2021 Sydney Eisteddfod (Tm 3 Wk2) Postponed – SCPG1, SJPG2, SBPG, Elite groups
• Sunday 1^st August 2021 Sydney Eisteddfod (Tm3 Wk3) Postponed  – JJPG, JBPG groups
• Sunday 8^th August 2021 Light the Way Dance Performance (Tm 3 W4) Postponed
• Sunday 29^th and Monday 30^th August 2021 RAD Grade Exams (Term 3 W7) Postponed

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us at dance@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Ms. K Martin
Head of Redlands Ballet and Dance Academy
kmartin@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Drama and Theatre

Grease the Musical the Movie

Gala Arts

Extra Subject and Cocurricular Classes 

We look forward to seeing all our Drama and Theatre students in our Extra Subject program which will be resuming online next week. These exciting classes offer our students a great way of creative expression in Acting, Film, Music Theatre and Production in all areas of the school. Information and schedule will be sent shortly from the Drama office to parents. Anyone interested in joining our classes in Drama and Theatre should email drama@redlands.nsw.edu.au. 

Online Learning Platforms

• Secondary School teaching: via Zoom, from inside iLearn  
• Junior School teaching: via Zoom and Google Classroom
• Prep School teaching: Seesaw
• Preschool teaching : Storypark 

Mrs Joy Daley
Coordinator of Theatre and Drama
drama@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9860 

Music

Learning Music from Home

This week resplendently displayed the robustness of our Music Department and community partnership, as we worked together to pivot 397 private vocal and instrumental lessons; 51 Curricular Music classes; and 33 ensembles, bands and groups to an online forum. On behalf of your children, thank you for working with us to make these opportunities available to them, especially in such extraordinary times. It is our hope that Music-making will be a source of wellbeing for our students in the weeks ahead.

Further to the communication that went home last week, for Weeks 2 and 3 we will provide Music lessons and classes via the platforms specified in the revised schedule below. There are technology and lag challenges to mitigate when rehearsing ensembles altogether over Zoom, so for most ensembles, activities will be uploaded for students to work through individually. We’ll look forward to putting our parts together when back on campus! Conductors will communicate with ensembles directly if there is to be a scheduled Zoom session to accompany the resource upload.

Junior Music Festival on Pause

Though we loved preparing our exciting repertoire in Term 2 ahead of the Junior Music Festival that was scheduled for two weeks time, alas our musical journey Around the World in 80 Musical Minutes has been delayed. We will inform the community shortly should this beloved event be feasibly reimagined or rescheduled in the current circumstances. Thank you for your understanding.

Senior Instrumental Competition 2021

The Redlands Senior Instrumental Competition is still scheduled to proceed live-streamed from the Edwards Auditorium on Monday 13 September 2021. Thank you to those who have diligently met the entry submission timeframe this week.

The current situation has necessitated a change to our standard audition process. In the place of accompanied auditions on campus in Weeks 2 and 3, auditions are now to be made via video upload to the newly created Music Department Auditions iLearn page. The extended date for video upload is now Friday 30 July 2021. The audition requirements have now been reduced to the filming and uploading of a one-minute unaccompanied excerpt of one of your pieces. Finalists will be selected by a panel and published in Week 4 Note Day.

Please contact seniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au if you have any queries.

Redlands Composition Competition 2021

It is our hope that this extended stint at home may be a catalyst for those budding singer-songwriters and composers to get their creative juices flowing. Redlands’ fourth EP project is in the pipeline for 2022 and we will now utilise the Music Department Auditions iLearn page to receive these entries also. Forms and Compositions are to be submitted by Friday 13 August 2021. Entry Forms are currently available for download from Pulse/iLearn.

Staffing News

We would like to welcome Ms Isabella Loong to the Junior Campus teaching team for the remainder of 2021. With Strings and Music Technology specialisations to her bow, we are so excited to have her as part of our team. Ms Loong actually went to Redlands herself many years ago, and credits the Yr 2 Strings Program as being her launching point towards a career in Music! We’re so glad to have her with us.

Other Date Changes

Please keep your eye on the Music Events dates on Pulse in case of adjustments in the term ahead.  We can advise that the Yr 12 IB and HSC Music 2 & Extension Showcase has now been pushed back a week to Monday 23 August 2021 in order to accommodate the revised Trial Examination Period. The HSC Music 1 Showcase will now be on Tuesday 24 August 2021. Both events will be recorded and live-streamed.

Keeping the Vision Central

Though this term certainly kicked off a little differently than we hoped, if there is one benefit of ‘Home Learning 2.0’, it’s that we have already experienced the heightened joy of a music-making reunion after an extended time apart. We know that this celebration awaits us again, and though we take a moment now to focus diligently on our individual music goals in our homes, growing however we can, we keep this greater direction in mind during the weeks ahead. We will be making music together as a community again before we know it.

Contact us

As always, our administrative team remain ready to help you with any queries you have.

Stay safe and well

Amy Richardson
Director of Music P-12 (Acting)
seniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au
juniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au