From the Principal

It has been inspiring to see our athletes perform at such a high level at the Tokyo Olympic Games and many people have commented on the lift the games have provided during this period. As a massive Patty Mills fan, I have enjoyed following the Boomers Mens Basketball team and was pleased to note that they won against Italy on Wednesday evening. With a scheduling clash, it goes without saying that my full focus at the time was on our Board Zoom meeting and full credit as well to Mr Corcoran, whose commitment to the meeting was unquestioned, even with his two sons cheering loudly in the next room.

Mr Guha has been providing a regular update to Junior School students on the Redlands Olympic Challenge results at the Junior School assemblies. There is no doubt that the staff team have some ground to catch up on the House groups, who are surging ahead. As of today, the results of our school-wide Olympic Challenge are:

It has been positive to note the collegial support that Principals across the Independent sector have provided to each other throughout this period. I am a member of a group of Heads who meet via Zoom each week to share strategies and organisational plans, which rapidly have to be adapted in the current climate. Another meeting this week involved all NSW Independent School Principals discussing a range of alternative plans for Yr 12 trial examinations.

With the Premier’s announcement on Wednesday that Yr 12 students would return to face to face schooling from Week 6, Monday 16 August, our Secondary School leadership team have been reviewing our plans for Yr 12 trial examinations and will be updating all Yr 12 students on Friday morning, along with communication to families. With the Remote Learning period for all other year levels being extended for another four weeks we will continue to refine our plans based on student, parent and staff feedback. We will soon be sending a short survey to parents to gather specific feedback regarding the program and as always encourage you to continue to use the feedback@redlands.nsw.edu.au email channel as well.

Our Ethics Olympiad team, which won the Gold Medal in the NSW Senior Ethics Olympiad last term, competed in the International Ethics Olympiad Final last Friday against 38 teams from a range of countries. Due to the lockdown, our team competed remotely on Zoom, and while not placing in this international final, they very much enjoyed this international challenge. Our Ethics Olympiad team also featured in the Sydney Morning Herald’s Independent Schools Guide last weekend in this article.

Finally, I wish to congratulate School Captain Theo Mirrlees-Black who has been awarded one of only 25 Australian National University Tuckwell Scholarships for study commencing in 2022. Well done to Theo, we are very proud of you. You can read more about Theo’s outstanding achievement here.

Photo Caption: One of the younger members of our Redlands community proudly celebrating the Australian Olympic Team’s medal winning performances at the Tokyo Olympic Games this week.

Community Update

We trust you remain safe and well. 

Thank you for your continued support of Remote Learning at this challenging time. With the lockdown extended we will shortly be seeking your feedback  through a survey on our Remote Learning program. Your feedback is important and will be considered within our short-term Remote Learning planning. Thank you in advance for sharing your experience with us.

With our community unable to meet in person, we are delighted to invite our families to connect with the School online for a number of events and activities through the next couple of weeks. 

The Redlands Musical is a highly anticipated event on the school calendar … even during lockdown. This year and last, the School has staged Grease albeit in slightly different formats and mediums. We invite you to enjoy an online screening of our Redlands Musical Grease the Musical the Movie this weekend, with bookings still available via the following links:

Friday 30 July, 7pm                    Saturday 31 July, 7pm                           Sunday 1 August, 2pm

With the Tokyo Olympic Games in full swing, we invite you to brush off your best gold, silver and bronze gear and join the action of our Olympic Games themed Trivia Night on Sunday 15 August from 5.30pm.  This event was a big hit with the community last year and with lots of terrific prizes up for grabs again this year we expect it to be hotly contested. Register here to Go for Gold!

The Redlands Parents’ Prayer meeting will be hosted online next Thursday 5 August at 8pm for 30 minutes. Parents and carers who are keen to join this meeting can email Sally Swan at swanlsally@gmail.com for details on how to join.

Each year the graduating class at Redlands celebrate and acknowledge their Redlands education with a Legacy Gift. The Legacy Gift provides the cohort with a unique opportunity to thank the School for its support, encouragement and the opportunities offered while studying at Redlands.  To read more on this important and noble cause, along with another inspiring postcard from our Alumni check out the Foundation section.

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

Legacy Gift of Class of 2021

The Class of 2021 proudly continues the Legacy of previous Yr 12 cohorts, and through their efforts have been supporting the Belinda Oxley Scholarship Appeal and sustainability initiatives of the School.

“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” Vincent van Gogh. This slogan resonates with how important each of these efforts are and how these Year groups are contributing towards a common goal.

This cohort’s final fundraising initiative for this year is a memorable Yr 12 Tea Towel, featuring students’ and selected staff hand-drawn faces. To pre-order these wonderful gifts and memorabilia, please visit here.

Congratulations to our Yr 12 students to continue this journey and BIG thank you to Ms Sarah Matthews, Dr Meta Regis and other Redlands staff for supporting this wonderful initiative.

Musical Productions at Redlands have a Long History

The Redlands musical is a highly anticipated event on the school calendar, even during COVID-19 enforced lockdowns. This year and last, the School has staged Grease albeit in different ways to past years. By happy coincidence, the production echoes the 1950’s theme of Bye Bye, Birdie, Redlands first fully co-educational musical, produced in 1982 in Redlands Hall.

Bye Bye, Birdie was not the first time Redlands boys appeared in school productions. Drama and Music at Redlands dates back to the early days of the school when numerous boys in the Prep School trod the boards. Dr G J Sutton, Associate Professor in Chemistry at UNSW, recollected his first drama production at Redlands in 1920 in Column 8 of the Sydney Morning Herald noting, ‘among our accomplishments at kindergarten was an enactment of the Court of King Arthur. I was Sir Lancelot but I have been out of touch with ‘Elaine’ and the rest of the court for over 50 years.’

In 2007, Once On This Island was staged for the first time at the Everest Theatre in the Seymour Centre, and heralded the start of the annual rather than biennial musical. The move to Chatswood Concourse was another significant move in 2013 with the first production 42^nd Street.

Congratulations to all students and Redlands staff involved to make Grease the Mucial the Movie for our community to enjoy in these unusual times! Tickets still available in Drama section of this NoteDay.

Alumni Postcard from Rebecca Burchett, Class of 2019

We have seen much great talent over years among our students and the spirit they enjoyed while rehearsing for musical productions. The enthusiasm, camaraderie and quality of these performances are quite unique for Redlands. I have reached out to some of our recent graduates.

Immediately after graduating from Redlands, I was lucky enough to be accepted into the BFA (Music Theatre) course at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne. I am currently in the second year and have had many amazing experiences and opportunities already, including performing as part of the choir in the touring production of Chess: The Musical at the Regent Theatre. I’ve found it incredibly rewarding to know how many of the lessons I have learnt from my experiences in the Redlands Musicals have translated to my professional practice.  

A lot of my best school memories come from the Redlands Musicals. Memories like when we would do our first dress run of the show, with students practically tripping over themselves because, funnily enough, we weren’t used to doing pirouettes and partner work in massive ballroom dresses (who would have guessed?). However even amongst the fun backstage banter and games, my favourite memory is reserved for our final curtain for Strictly Ballroom. As the final curtain closed on our last performance, all of the students and staff in the wings erupted into cheering and screaming. It is not completely understood unless you have experienced it, but the musical truly meant a lot to us. It finally meant our hours of rehearsals, going over lines, going through challenges and victories was worth it.

The musical at Redlands really is a very professionally run production and all students and staff involved need to be commended greatly for the commitment and dedication they have put into Grease. As cheesy as it sounds, the Redlands Musical really is a family, and I hope that if I’m lucky enough I will be able to be in a professional production that is just as fun and has the same sense of ‘family’ that the Redlands Musical does.

Rebecca Burchett, Class of 2019

Patrick Friedlander, Class of 2019 in the next issue.

Trivia Night

Thank you to the RPFA Committee to organise a Trivia Night again this year for our families to enjoy on Sunday 15 August. For further information, please visit the RPFA page. 

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

RPFA

Trivia Night

Suffering from the lockdown blues? Wish you could have some fun with your Redlands friends and family? Join us for our second socially distant community Trivia Night on Sun 15 August from 5.30pm! It’s an Olympic Games themed event! Let’s see who will earn the gold, silver and bronze this year.

2021 RPFA Committee rpfa@redlands.nsw.edu.au

President: Michelle Tea
Vice President: JP Forrest
Secretary: Jo Lloyd 
Treasurer: Annette Swann
Committee – Anna Maidon, Anna Maria Stillone, Christine Walsh, Karen Nicholson, Lilian Li, Maria Kinsela, Monique Scattini, Sally Swan

Head of Secondary School

Remote Learning Continues

The Premier’s announcement of another four weeks of lockdown means our Remote Learning program at Redlands continues. Staying motivated at this time can be a challenge. Our counsellor Mr Alessandro Digiacomo has created this helpful Staying Motivated film. I encourage you to watch this with your child/ren. It’s brief, pacey and supportive. Our Yr 12 leaders have also been reaching out to the student community with Messages of Motivation. At this time, affirmation is so important. I love how our Yr 12 students are so affirming of each other and the Secondary School students they lead so graciously and maturely. I hope these messages of motivation support you and your family to explore this complex issue and openly share strategies which bring you success.

Feedback and Adjustment

An important part of my role is in seeking, listening and acting on feedback. Thank you to the parents who have been providing constructive and respectful feedback via feedback@redlands.nsw.edu.au. I also receive feedback from parents via Year Advisors who nurture strong relationships with parents and carers. This week the overwhelming message from students and parents is the preference to have more regular opportunities for independent learning time. Trialling a full day yesterday for Yr 7-12 meant students could practise their self-management skills. Independent learning time allows students to work at their own pace, take advantage of some screen-free time, and flexibly engage with learning activities according to their needs and interests. We know that some students thrive given this opportunity whilst others are more challenged in the self-management space – finding that spark in each individual student is crucial to sustaining motivation and building autonomy. Personal empowerment develops with practice and persistence.

Next week we look forward to meeting with a group of students from across the School to hear about their experiences of Remote Learning. We will share these experiences with our staff and you, as parents and carers, as part of our ongoing feedback process at this time.

We’re also interested in hearing your voice. A parents and carers survey will be making its way to you tomorrow, and we appreciate you taking the time to provide feedback so that we can continue to make adjustments to the Remote Learning program in the best interests of our students, in the coming weeks.

The Week 4 Timetable can be found here.

Yr 12 Students have once more demonstrated their resilience this week, focusing on the short term and responding with grace and maturity to the dynamic nature of their days. The NSW Premier’s announcement yesterday that Yr 12 could return to school from the 16 August was welcomed and provided some much needed certainty.

Yr 12 will gather as a cohort on Friday morning to discuss plans for the Trial Examinations and the remainder of Term 3. Obviously, we are always at the mercy of the virus, but we are working closely with NSW Health and the Association of Independent Schools, to enable the Yr 12 cohort to sit their Trial examinations on campus. We are grateful they are such a level headed and reflective group of individuals because they will have to adhere to strict guidelines designed to ensure the safety of all at this time.

If you are a parent of a Yr 12 student, you may The Lighthouse’s (Macquarie University) Stress-busting tips for HSC students facing lockdown learning useful. The advice within is applicable to students of all ages:

1. Keep in touch with friends
2. Balance study and life
3. Keep to a routine
4. Prepare yourself (and your brain) for learning
5. There’s no such thing as multi-tasking – so switch off the music
6. Exercise your stress cortisol away
7. Find the positives
8. Take a tip from Grandma
9. Ask for help
10. Remember the situation will pass

How are you getting to Tokyo?

The Redlands Sports Department continues its “How will you get to Tokyo?” Olympic Games Challenge this week. The goal is to travel to the Olympic Games in your house group. Sydney to Tokyo is 7,824km and the aim is to make it all the way to Tokyo in two weeks. We strongly encourage you and your family to continue to record your exercise this week and log your activity here. Need further inspiration? Watch the promotional video: Redlands Olympic Games Challenge – How will you get to Tokyo? 

Week 4 Announcements and Events

 If you are sending your child to school next week, then please complete the Week 4 Registration to Attend School (essential worker) Survey.

Next week we have scheduled two Zoom-Free Sessions on Tuesday and Thursday. Students will be able to learn at their own pace, following their lessons on iLearn. How best to manage these sessions will  be reinforced next week.

Cyber Safety Parent Webinar

Thank you to those parents who attended our Cyber Safety Parent Webinar on Monday evening. A recording of the webinar can be viewed here.

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

Chaplain

Hopes and dreams are so important for each of us as we negotiate life. Due to the current lockdown situation, our hopes may erode as the path before us may be hard to see. Some of my students have been exploring the biblical understanding of Hope.

Hope in the bible is not a wish nor optimism. It is not reliant on us, nor is it fuelled by the sense that we have succeeded previously and have reason to have confidence in ourselves. The bible talks of the sure hope; the certainty and assurance of the unshakeable future. This is the sort of hope that acts like an anchor. It holds us firm and steady though we may bob up and down and move around in the currents and waves. The basis for this solid hope is the unchanging, faithfulness and compassion of the almighty God.

The bible and the historical Jesus provide for us a tangible assurance that God is able and certain to fulfil his promises. The promises that he will fulfill his purposes, that he will renew the earth and extinguish evil, death and pain. The promises he will be with us and gives us abundant and eternal life. This sort of hope is the balm for the pains of this world and the uncertainties of the moment.

All these promises come to us as we trust in Jesus. Perhaps this is something you have put up on the shelf with the bible; perhaps now is the time to get it down and look again; Perhaps you have dismissed Jesus as myth so why not use some time to research and see if this is a historical reliable position. Perhaps you were once close to Jesus but life has just drifted you away, this is an invitation to renew your faith. Perhaps this is entirely outside your understanding, let me encourage you that faith renews, refreshes and bring hope.

The path may be unclear before us as the future of lockdown and return to “normal” is clouded by more outbreaks. This reminds me of the Psalmist who knew the absolute hope in God, who said

‘Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.’
(Psalm 23:4)

The path ahead may seem dark, confusing and difficult but God holds out his hands to lead us through with comfort.

As a Chaplaincy Team we know there may be some questions and challenges at present and so we always welcome enquires. Reach out through the emails below and we will be more than happy to listen and assist you in your search for hope.

A reminder that the Redlands Parents’ Prayer meeting will be next Thursday 5 August online at 8pm for 30 minutes. Those parents keen to join in, please email Sally Swan and she will send you the zoom link closer to the time. Looking forward to seeing you there. 

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

Uniform Shop

Open Saturday 31 July, 10am-3pm, Click & Collect only

Due to this extended lockdown period, the Uniform Shop will be open on Saturday 31 July to allow parents to collect any top up uniform items they need, given students are wearing sports uniform every day.

Here are the arrangements for Click & Collect:

• Collection of orders only: 10am – 3pm
• Orders must be placed via Flexischools by 4pm Friday 30 July
• Students may also collect their blazers that were sent for embroidery
• Everyone collecting orders must sign in with the QR Code, wear a facemask and not enter the shop

Year 12

Legacy Gift of Class of 2021

The Class of 2021 has proudly continued the legacy of previous Yr 12 cohorts and through their efforts, have supported the Belinda Oxley Scholarship Appeal as well as sustainability initiatives for the School.

Their final fundraising initiative is a memorable Yr 12 Tea Towel, featuring students’ and selected staff hand-drawn faces. To pre-order these wonderful gifts and memorabilia, please visit here. The tea towel will be available from 1 September by post.

HSC Design and Technology Students working to finish their Major Projects.

Zoom Gloom to Zoom Bloom

If any of our students and their surrounding families are feeling unmotivated with the hours of zoom time, we found this great video to help you get out of any lull and come bouncing back. If you watch anything today, you must see this.

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

Year 11

Remote Learning lessons

Online learning does not mean exciting explosive Science stops! Yr 11 IB Chemistry were introduced to the topic of Kinetics through an exciting demonstration performed over Zoom by our Laboratory Manager, Ms Bubble. Initially Ms Bubble put some flour in a little basin and tried to burn it using the Bunsen burner but it only smoked a little, turned partly black and smelt like burnt toast (so we were told). The students were challenged to come up with a way to make the flour burn better/faster. Someone suggested spreading out the flour so the fire could reach all the flour particles and this is the result you see. Ms Bubble placed the flour in a funnel and using a long hose attached to the bottom and a Bunsen burner attached to a metre ruler, blew the flour up into the air and lit it, producing a large fire ball! Demonstrating the effect of increasing surface area on the rate of a reaction. Just letting you know all safety precautions were in action!

Messages of Motivation by our Yr 12 Leaders

Yr 12 in particular, fully understand that motivation may be fluctuating at this difficult time and so they got together, remotely, to produce the video ‘Messages of Motivation’ , which will be viewed by our Yr 11 students this week. It is definitely worth the watch!

Cocurricular Lockdown Activities

It is pleasing to hear that many of our co-curricular activities in Sport and the Arts are back up and running online.

The Sports Department has been working on a number of activities to support the Redlands students to keep active while we are in lockdown. 

Online Zoom Fitness 

• All parents, carers, students and staff are invited to participate in the Redlands Fitness Zoom session. Please follow the links provided in the schedule on Redlands Pulse to join us in any/all of the fitness sessions provided during the lockdown period.
• Participants will need a towel, water bottle and a 3x3m space to complete the exercises. A description for each session can be found below:

Beginner Fitness: Moderate intensity exercises with a balance of upper body, lower body and core strength.
Advanced Fitness: High intensity exercises with a mixture of upper body, lower body, core strength and cardio.
Mobility/Stretch Session: Low intensity session focusing on core stability and full body mobility.
Strava Challenge: Join the Redlands Running Community Strava page. Don’t forget to post your run! This week’s challenge is a 4km time trial.

Redlands Olympic Challenge

Last week, we saw the start of the Tokyo Olympic Games, and we would love to see all Yr11 students, parents and families compete in the Redlands Olympic Challenge. 

What’s the goal?

The goal is to travel to the Olympic Games in your house group. Sydney to Tokyo is 7,824km and the aim is to make it all the way to Tokyo in two weeks.

There are five teams:

• Cowper
• McDouall
• Roseby
• Dumolo
• Staff/Coaches 

Start date: Monday 19 July
End date: Sunday 1 August

Who can be involved?

All members of the Redlands Community – students, parents, staff and siblings across the Redlands House/Transition, Junior School and Secondary School are all welcome to join in. Parents / Siblings should record their activity under their family members’ House

How to Win?

The winning team will be the team that has travelled the largest distance over the two-week period.

A list of activities can be found below; please note not all activities are equally weighted:

• Run/Walk (1:1)
• Bike (2:1)
• Row/Kayak (1:3)
• Swim (1:4)
• Beginner zoom workout: 3km/workout
• Advanced zoom workout: 5km/workout
• Mobility session: 1km/workout

How to record your activity?

Click here to complete the google form to log your activity.  The Sports Department post updates on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, sharing the leaderboard on the following platforms: iLearn, Redlands Pulse and the Redlands social media platforms.

If you have any videos completing the activities, please send them to sports@redlands.nsw.edu.au and also hashtag #redlandsolympicchallenge

Registrations for 2021/2022 Summer Sport

Summer Sport registrations have now opened, and students can access this form via the Redlands Secondary School – 2021/2022 Summer Sport Registration

A reminder of the following when selecting a sport/non-rep sport.

• Students currently enrolled in a non-rep sport during the 2021 Winter Season must register for a representative sport for the summer season 
• Students selecting a non-rep sport must select 3 separate options, if you select the same option 3 times your registration is void.
• Registrations will close on Monday 2 August at 4:00pm
• All Preliminary information can be found on Redlands Pulse – Summer Sport Details may vary depending on NSW Health Guidelines). 
• If you or your child have any questions, please email the Sports Department.

I hope you all have a great week.

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

Year 10

Student Achievement 

Congratulations to Will Pearson and Josh Hicks who competed in the NSW Schoolboys Rugby Championship representing the ISA Under 16s A side. Following on from the Championship matches, Will Pearson was selected as a shadow for the NSW Schoolboys Under 16s II side, having been one of the form wingers across the weekend. This is a fantastic honour for Will and recognises the efforts he has made, not only for himself but also for the Redlands Rugby program and the school.

Congratulations to Matthew Fry who competed in the International Science Olympiad last week along with 9 other students from Yr 11. 

Remote Learning and Zoom Protocols. 

With Yr 10 Assessments underway, it is really important that every student uses a visual calendar for Term 3 which highlights the due dates of their assessments. This will assist students with their assessment planning and will also allow for students to priortise their time when working on assessments for each subject. In the Yr 10 Year Zoom Assembly this week, I highlighted to students the importance of balancing their online screen time, particularly when managing their screen time during the hours of school time and when working on assessments at home during remote learning. During school hours, It is crucial, that students use their 10 minute breaks to have a break from the screen between lessons, and then after school, have at least a half an hour break to disengage from their laptops/any school work before working on assessments at home. Without screen breaks, students risk become feeling overwhelmed, tired, and ‘zoom fatigued’. 

A few friendly reminders for our Yr 10 students when undertaking zoom lessons. 

• Students are required to wear their Sport Uniform (not a hoodie – fleeces are to be worn instead).
• Students must 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. 
• Redlands take each 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.
• If there are any technical issues with your child’s laptop/network connection, please do let me know so I can email all class teachers and get isupport to assist your child with the issue. 

Messages of Motivation by our Yr 12 Leaders

Yr 12 fully understands that motivation may be fluctuating at this time. Our Yr 10 students got to view the following Messages of Motivation video during this week’s Year Assembly, to watch our student leaders offer tips and advice on staying engaged whilst working remotely. It’s definitely worth the watch!

 Yr 10 STEM Talk reflection – Isabella Havryk 

As part of our IST learning and experience, we remotely watched a STEM Talk held by NBN and AWS, where we were able to ask the panelists questions regarding the future of STEM, careers and valuable advice. With a solutions architect who had experience in multiple sectors, a chemical engineering student from Sydney University and a Yr 12 student interested in robotics, we received insight into a range of STEM learning opportunities including summer schools and online courses. They also imparted upon us several valuable life lessons and advice to:

• Accept that failure is an unavoidable part of normal life, learn from mistakes and know that it is okay to not be perfect.
• When facing difficult choices with no option to easily reverse of change your decision, picture your 80-year-old self (perhaps sitting on the porch observing the sunset and/or rambunctious young people disturbing the peace) then think back to the decision you are pondering – imagine life after grabbing the opportunity with both hands, then imagine life having not done so.
• Even if you are scared or nervous about an opportunity, take it. If you don’t enjoy it then keep that in mind and narrow down your interests to find what you are passionate about. Take the initiative to search for opportunities and embrace any that come your way.
• Do what makes you happy. Picture a jar. You can fill it with big rocks – things that take time and effort but are important and matter to you, little pebbles – smaller achievements that make you happy but are not particularly meaningful, and lots of sand – everyday activities. Go for the big rocks first then fill the rest with pebbles and sand, because if you fill your jar with sand there may not be room for big rocks.
• Do what you want to do, your passions, but don’t forget what you need to do – homework
• Focus on what you are instead of what others are and you aren’t. Foster self-confidence and be yourself.

You are the designer of your destiny. You are the author of your story.

Remote Tutor Time 

This week, Tutor Time was shortened to 20 minutes to avoid extensive screen time but also to focus on building social connections through activities. 

Below is an activity that Dr Sloan did with her Tutor Group which was to ‘Choose a cartoon and write a caption or speech bubble. You can be as humorous or whimsical as you like’.

Below are some of the thoughtful examples her Tutees came up with which were shared with the Tutor Group. 

Registrations for 2021/2022 Summer Sport

Summer Sport registrations have now opened, and students can access this form via the Redlands Secondary School – 2021/2022 Summer Sport Registration.

A reminder of the following when selecting a sport/non-rep sport.

• Students currently enrolled in a non-rep sport during the 2021 Winter Season must register for a representative sport for the summer season 
• Students selecting a non-rep sport must select 3 separate options, if you select the same option 3 times your registration is void.
• Registrations will close on Monday 2 August at 4:00pm
• All Preliminary information can be found on Redlands Pulse – Summer Sport details may vary depending on NSW Health Guidelines, please ensure you read all the information provided for your chosen sport.
• If you have any questions, please email the Sports Department.

Mr Nicholas Walker
Acting Yr 10 Advisor
nwalker@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9909 3133

Year 9

Yr 10 Course Selections due this Friday 30 July

Please remind your teenagers that they were sent information regarding this process directly by email from Mr David Randall. For copies of the Yr 9 into Yr 10 Information Evening and other information regarding selecting courses, please see Redlands Pulse Yr 9 page.

For further perspective, I include an article this week shared by a Yr 9 parent, Choosing your senior school subjects doesn’t have to be scary.  Here are 6 things to keep in mind from The Conversation. While making difficult choices about what electives to take is important and should be completed with thought and consideration, senior school is all about developing the skills that students can apply in any future job and in future relationships both professional and personal, such as: collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, communication, perseverance and self-efficacy.  The article is linked here.

Changing Zoom Gloom into Zoom Bloom – Tips from Mr. Alessandro Digiacomo

After three weeks of Zoom classes, some students are feeling quite zoomed out. Tips from our new school counsellor, Alessandro Digiacomo, will be shared with our students next week via a Year Meeting for us to take a moment and try and change our own Zoom Gloom into Zoom Bloom. Alessandro shares that the most common concerns for young people during this pandemic have been worrying about the future, feelings stressed or anxious and feeling bored. If young people can learn how to self-motivate and focus on meeting their own psychological needs now, this will help them in managing these feelings all throughout their life. Here is a quick summary of the 10 tips Alessandro shares in the video:

1. Chunk it
2. Make small achievable goals
3. Ask for support
4. Disconnect from technology
5. Exercise and get in touch with nature
6. Reward yourself
7. Connect with people
8. Do something you enjoy
9. Establish a routine – balance is key!
10. Take care of yourself and be kind to yourself

Ultimately, we aim to try and learn how to meet our own psychological needs: purpose, belonging, achievement, love and connection. 

Staying involved during Remote Learning

Thank you for encouraging your teenagers to stay active and involved in the multiple opportunities provided to students modified for remote learning.

• Online Zoom Fitness Weekly schedule is attached on the Pulse Sport Page
• The Redlands Olympic Challenge continues through next week Click here to complete the google form to log your activity.  The Sports Department will post updates on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, sharing the leaderboard on the following platforms: iLearn, Redlands Pulse and the Redlands social media platforms.
• Yr 9 Pet Photo Competition and Discussion Back by popular demand, encourage your teenager to upload a photo of their pet to the Yr 9 Pastoral iLearn page discussion. 

Recording Absences

Please continue to send an email to ssabsences@redlands.nsw.edu.au for any classes that your teenager may miss throughout the day with a quick note regarding the reason.  Attendance continues to be recorded and followed up during Remote Learning and this ensures we are following up appropriately with students and families. 

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

Year 8

Zoom Protocols

A few friendly reminders for our Yr 8 students

• Students are required to wear their Sport Uniform (not a hoodie – fleeces are to be worn instead).
• Students must 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. 
• Redlands take each 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.
• If there are any technical issues with your child’s laptop/network connection, please do let me know so I can email all class teachers and get isupport to assist your child with the issue. 

Remote Learning Cocurricular Lockdown Activities

It is pleasing to hear that many of our cocurricular activities in Sport and the Arts are back up and running online.

The Sports Department has been working on a number of activities to support the Redlands students to keep active while we are in lockdown. 

Online Zoom Fitness 

• All parents, carers, students and staff are invited to participate in the Redlands Fitness Zoom session. Please follow the links provided in the schedule on Redlands Pulse to join us in any/all of the fitness sessions provided during the lockdown period.
• Participants will need a towel, water bottle and a 3x3m space to complete the exercises. A description for each session can be found below:

Beginner Fitness: Moderate intensity exercises with a balance of upper body, lower body and core strength.
Advanced Fitness: High intensity exercises with a mixture of upper body, lower body, core strength and cardio.
Mobility/Stretch Session: Low intensity session focusing on core stability and full body mobility.
Strava Challenge: Join the Redlands Running Community Strava page by clicking here to find out more. Don’t forget to post your run! This week’s challenge is a 4km time trial.

Sports Specific Sport Training

• Students who are participating in Representative Sport will be provided with a Sport Specific Challenge to complete in their normal Sport Training session
• Week 3 – Students registered for a Representative Sport will be provided 2 Sport Specific Training sessions to complete each week.

Redlands Olympic Challenge

Last week, we saw the start of the Tokyo Olympic Games, and we would love to see all Yr 8 students, parents and families compete in the Redlands Olympic Challenge. 

What’s the goal?

The goal is to travel to the Olympic Games in your house group. Sydney to Tokyo is 7,824km and the aim is to make it all the way to Tokyo in two weeks.

There will be five teams

• Cowper
• McDouall
• Roseby
• Dumolo
• Staff/Coaches Team

Start date: Monday 19 July
End date: Sunday 1 August

Who can be involved?

All members of the Redlands Community – students, parents, staff and siblings across the Redlands House/Transition, Junior School and Secondary School are all welcome to join in. 

* Parents / Siblings should record their activity under their son / daughter / sister / brothers House

How to Win?

The winning team will be the team that has travelled the largest distance over the two-week period.

A list of activities can be found below, please note not all activities are equally weighted:

• Run/Walk (1:1)
• Bike (2:1)
• Row/Kayak (1:3)
• Swim (1:4)
• Beginner zoom workout: 3km/workout
• Advanced zoom workout: 5km/workout
• Mobility session: 1km/workout

How to record your activity?

Click here to complete the google form to log your activity.  The Sports Department will post updates on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, sharing the leaderboard on the following platforms: iLearn, Redlands Pulse and the Redlands social media platforms.

If you have any videos completing the activities please send them to sports@redlands.nsw.edu.au and also hash tag #redlandsolympicchallenge

Registrations for 2021/2022 Summer Sport

Summer Sport registrations have now opened, and students can access this form via the Redlands Secondary School – 2021/2022 Summer Sport Registration.

A reminder of the following when selecting a sport/non-rep sport.

• Students currently enrolled in a non-rep sport during the 2021 Winter Season must register for a representative sport for the summer season 
• Students selecting a non-rep sport must select 3 separate options, if you select the same option 3 times your registration is void.
• Registrations will close on Monday 2nd August at 4:00pm
• All Preliminary information can be found on Redlands Pulse – Summer Sport Details may vary depending on NSW Health Guidelines, please ensure you read all the information provided for you chosen sport. 
• If you have any questions, please email the Sports Department.

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

Year 7

Student Work 

Students in Visual Arts have enjoyed the challenge of learning how to use Adobe Photoshop to create digital artworks. Students have cloned themselves and then used Photoshop to create a self portrait artwork. Please view the artworks by Archie Kerr and Jack Hutchings. Well done to these two students for their creativity and engagement with the task.  

Zoom Protocols

A few friendly reminders for our Yr 7 students

• Students are required to wear their Sport Uniform (not a hoodie – fleeces are to be worn instead).
• Students must 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. 
• Redlands take each 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.
• If there are any technical issues with your child’s laptop/network connection, please do let me know so I can email all class teachers and get isupport to assist your child with the issue. 

Registrations for 2021/2022 Summer Sport

Summer Sport registrations have now opened, and students can access this form via the Redlands Secondary School – 2021/2022 Summer Sport Registration.

A reminder of the following when selecting a sport/non-rep sport.

• Students currently enrolled in a non-rep sport during the 2021 Winter Season must register for a representative sport for the summer season 
• Students selecting a non-rep sport must select 3 separate options, if you select the same option 3 times your registration is void.
• Registrations will close on Monday 2nd August at 4:00pm
• All Preliminary information can be found on Redlands Pulse – Summer Sport Details may vary depending on NSW Health Guidelines, please ensure you read all the information provided for you chosen sport.
• If you have any questions, please email the Sports Department.

Redlands Olympic Challenge

Last week, we saw the start of the Tokyo Olympic Games, and we would love to see all Yr 8 students, parents and families compete in the Redlands Olympic Challenge. 

What’s the goal?

The goal is to travel to the Olympic Games in your house group. Sydney to Tokyo is 7,824km and the aim is to make it all the way to Tokyo in two weeks.

There will be five teams

• Cowper
• McDouall
• Roseby
• Dumolo
• Staff/Coaches Team

Start date: Monday 19 July
End date: Sunday 1 August

Who can be involved?

All members of the Redlands Community – students, parents, staff and siblings across the Redlands House/Transition, Junior School and Secondary School are all welcome to join in. 

* Parents / Siblings should record their activity under their son / daughter / sister / brothers House

How to Win?

The winning team will be the team that has travelled the largest distance over the two-week period.

A list of activities can be found below, please note not all activities are equally weighted:

• Run/Walk (1:1)
• Bike (2:1)
• Row/Kayak (1:3)
• Swim (1:4)
• Beginner zoom workout: 3km/workout
• Advanced zoom workout: 5km/workout
• Mobility session: 1km/workout

How to record your activity?

Click here to complete the google form to log your activity.  The Sports Department will post updates on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, sharing the leaderboard on the following platforms: iLearn, Redlands Pulse and the Redlands social media platforms.

If you have any videos completing the activities please send them to sports@redlands.nsw.edu.au and also hash tag #redlandsolympicchallenge

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

Head of Junior School

JUNIOR SCHOOL UPCOMING EVENTS

Remote Learning Update

Further to Mr Webber’s letter yesterday confirming the continuation of Remote Learning aligned with the NSW government’s confirmed extension of the lockdown period for the next four weeks, please note a couple of key points for your reference with regards to the Junior School timetables.

• Similar to our Secondary and Prep sections, we will have a much-lighter screen day on Wednesdays to break up screen time and Zoom fatigue across the week for students. Our class teachers will also make use of this time to plan collaboratively for the next four weeks.
• Next Wednesday, will see an Olympic-themed Day of activities and challenges for the students which promises to be great fun.
• Yr 6’s timetabled Zoom Wellbeing session with Mrs Clinton has moved to a morning time slot on Fridays.

I thank staff, students and families for the continued joint efforts and collaboration in providing the children with the best balance of synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences and connections.

Parent Feedback Survey

The School will be sending out a parent survey tomorrow (Friday) via email to allow all families to provide us with your valued feedback as we look forward to the next four weeks of Remote Learning and continue to review and refine our practices and offerings.

Week 4 Request for On-Campus Learning for Children of Essential Workers

Parents who are essential workers can lodge a request for on campus learning support for the week of 2-6 August. Booking requests close again at 8pm on Friday 30 July at 8pm to allow sufficient time for staffing to be organised based on the numbers.

Click here for Week 4 request: Junior Campus booking 

Olympics Challenge Day

As mentioned above, next Wednesday will see all of our students in K-6 involved in a day of Olympic Challenges and learning activities. The students will have roll call with their class teacher as normal and then have a range of Olympic-related challenges to work through the morning before Sport in the afternoon.

Students are encouraged to dress up in green and gold on this day or in the colours of another country and I would love to receive photos from parents of this day.

Yr 3 Meets an Olympian

This morning, Yr 3 students enjoyed a wonderful opportunity to meet Olympic javelin thrower, Mackenzie Little. A former school friend of Ms McGahey, Mackenzie is competing in her first Olympics and the students loved hearing about her early life, her sporting career, her determination and her hopes as she flies to Tokyo next week to compete in the women’s javelin event.

Mackenzie empathised with the students as she is also currently learning online as she balances studying to be a doctor alongside her training and encouraged the students to look for that balance in their learning and cocurricular passions and interests.

The students asked some excellent questions to Mackenzie and we wish her all the very best and know she’ll have at least a 100 more interested supporters after today!

Help to Welcome Home our Olympians

This Friday, 92 of our Australian Olympians return to Sydney after competing in Tokyo, including bronze medal winning rower, Cameron Girdlestone, who is Mr Brakell’s brother-in-law. In normal times, the athletes would stay on in Tokyo to cheer on other Australian athletes and be part of the closing ceremony before returning to a parade but instead, they will head straight into quarantine for two weeks.

So how can we make their return a little more memorable? Our students have been invited to write a message of support to a particular athlete that may have captured their attention or maybe just a ‘well done’ card or message to all of our Olympians.

Cards and messages of support can either be posted directly to Mantra Sydney Central, 438 Sussex Street, Haymarket NSW 2000 or they can be scanned/ photographed and emailed directly to the hotel here where they will be printed out.

Students will also be given this information and opportunity by their class teacher.

Keeping Motivated

One of our Junior School counsellors, Mr Digiacomo, has created this great short video for your reference on helping us keep the students motivated. It is on Redlands Pulse already and I will also show it to students in assembly next week.

Parental Tips for Remote Learning

Please find some useful tips below during this time of lockdown and remote learning from our counselling team for your support and reference. Please know that we are here to support you and we hope this might assist you and your child.

Expectations

• Have realistic expectations for your child based on what the classroom teacher expects or what the teacher is asking the student to complete. If they can’t complete a task, find out what is causing them difficulty. Ask specific questions when checking, e.g. “Did you have trouble with this question?”
• Less is more: it’s preferable that students understand the content and do something well than to be pushed to complete extra extension tasks. Some students may love and request extra work, but not all of them, and this is okay.
• Being empathetic: it is a huge shift for you as a parent and also for your child, so trying to understand their position is important in establishing expectations.
• It’s whatever you and your child can manage. Reassess if things don’t seem to be working.
• Incorporate breaks and balance into your expectations. It might be hard to expect your child to do the same hours as they would at school, so have a think about how you want their day to look like, e.g., will they go for a run or walk around midday to blow off some steam? Creativity and flexibility are key.

Behaviour Management

• Positive reinforcement is highly encouraged. Reinforce the task or behaviour you want your child to achieve. For example, if the behaviour is for them to sit there for 20 minutes, praise them for this.
• Compromise is important. For example, it could be better to work with your child to divide their time into small bite-sized chunks rather than an hour of work without time for a break.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff! In other words, if their handwriting isn’t perfect, try not to worry so much about it. Focus on the completion of tasks instead.
• Check in with your child and ask them how they are doing along the way but not excessively.
• Break it up. Try to help your child switch off throughout the day by allowing them to have manageable breaks.

The child that’s giving up

• All-or-nothing thinking is quite common and children often don’t speak up when asking for help. Students are encouraged to ask their teacher for help, but if you see them struggling, you can definitely step in to support your child.
• Negotiating: find out what your child wants and work together with them to reach a compromise. For example, if they want to have more break time, try to work with them so both of your needs are met.
• Your child needs to know there is support available. Please remind them that we are all here to help them.

Seating my child

• We know that these are very busy times for all, but try as best as you can to be present however you can manage. If you are only available for an hour a day, it is recommended that you divide this into 20 minute intervals.
• If you can sit with your child and there is a wall, try to seat your child on the “wall side” of the table and you next to them can sit on the outer. This can help to contain their restlessness. If your child doesn’t like this set up, try to find a dedicated work space your child can use for their school work.
• Clocks are great! Try to have one that’s visible so you and your child can keep track and set small goals together.

Message from the Arnold Library: Online book options

Whilst we cannot have students on site to borrow books directly from the Arnold Library, please note the information below form the Arnold Library team and if parents have any questions, please email juniorlib@redlands.nsw.edu.au for assistance.

Story Box for videos of picture books (see playlists) 
Username: Redlands
Password: stories244 

Borrow Box for audio and eBooks which can be accessed by the students
App Library SCECGSJunior
Username: student number
Password: redlands

At the moment all these platforms operate like a library with single copies, but multiple copies can be arranged on request.

Online Research Resources.

Oliver Catalogue
World Book
Username: redlands
Password: redlands

Britannica
Australian History Mysteries
Username: redlands
Password: redlands2011

Trove 

Redlands Cyber Hub

Parents are reminded of our Redlands Cyber Safety Hub specifically for our community, which contains current, research-based information and assistance for our families and staff. I encourage any family who has not explored this resource to do so.

Junior School Ethics Olympiad Team

Congratulations to Eliana Angus, Isabelle Bannon, Kernel He, Alex Heller and Chloe Petering who will take part in the international Ethics Olympiad later this term.

Yr 6 Notice

Please note that the scheduled Allwell assessments for all Yr 6 students which was for next Tuesday has been postponed to Term 4. A final date will be confirmed closer to the time.

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

Junior School Upcoming Events

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

Head of Preparatory School

PREP SCHOOL UPCOMING EVENTS

I thought I would share a beautiful message that ‘Michael the Gardener’ as our students lovingly know him as, created in our sandpit for us all this morning. We are all missing each other and it certainly brought a smile to all our faces this week. Michael assures me and the students that all the flowers and plants are all being very well looked after!

It goes without saying how incredibly proud I am of every single Prep student and staff member again this week. After jumping in and out of morning greetings and lessons, it has reminded me what makes a Redlands student stand out from the rest. The words resilience, courage, kindness and respect all come to mind. I wish I could bottle the love and friendship between students, staff and families at Redlands. Let’s continue to look after each other as we move into another week of Remote Learning.

With the announcement this week that Remote Learning will continue for another four weeks, our staff went straight into preparation mode and are busy planning for the next four weeks. I think that we are very lucky to have the Olympic Games as not only a great distraction but also as a learning tool for online activities.

I am currently in the planning stage for a Week 4 Remote Learning Parent Information Webinar that I will conduct next week. I will be discussing strategies on assisting with at home learning, updates around expectations, support  and student well being as well as the additional offerings for our students. As soon as thew date and time is set, I will send an Engage notification of information.

August 2-6

Week 4 Organisation

 Week 4 On Campus booking form

On site request link for on campus remote learning:  https://forms.gle/npFRXyw8yrksGbkAA

Please make requests by 8pm Friday 30 July.

Redlands House and TG parents are asked to email Chemane Huon directly for bookings please on chuon@redalnds.nsw.edu.au

Wednesday 4 August – Olympic Challenge Day and Resource Pick Up Day

Next Wednesday we will be having a K-6 Olympics Challenge Day where Stacey Smith and the PE Department will be running a day of fun and challenging activities with an Olympic theme. The day will start with Stacey outlining the activities via Zoom and how the day will work. More information will follow but the idea of the day is to have ‘reduced screen time day’ for all K-6 students and it will also give our staff the opportunity to come onto campus during staggered times to plan and put together our next resource pack. The resource packs will be available at the following times for pick up on Wednesday.

Kindergarten – 11am-12pm
Year 1 – 12.30pm- 1.30pm
Year 2 – 2pm-3pm

These packs will be on tables outside the Prep School on Allister Street. As cars pull in, the staff will hand you your resource pack. Please do not park and exit your car or walk up to the School.  We ask that if you have your car line sign that you display it for us. If you are unable to make the allocated pick up time, please talk to friends and other parents who may be able to pick up your pack and deliver it to your letter box.

Strategies for Remote Learning

One of our Junior Campus counsellors, Alessandro Digiacomo will be writing a weekly piece for our Note Day around practical strategies to assist families in remote learning. As we move further into lockdown, he thought some fresh ideas may be helpful. Please don’t hesitate to contact him if you would like to discuss any of these strategies further.

Behaviour Management

• Positive reinforcement is highly encouraged. Reinforce the task or behaviour you want your child to achieve. For example, if the behaviour is for them to sit there for 20 minutes, praise them for this.
• Compromise is important. For example, it could be better to work with your child to divide their time into small -bite-sized- chunks than to expect 1 hour of work without time for a break.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff! In other words, if their handwriting isn’t perfect, try not to worry so much about it. Focus on the completion of tasks instead.
• Check in with your child and ask them how they are doing along the way but not excessively.
• Break it up. Try to help your child “switch off” throughout the day by allowing them to have manageable breaks.

The child that’s giving up

• All-or-nothing thinking is quite common and children a lot of the time don’t speak up when asking for help. Students are encouraged to ask their teacher for help, but if you see them struggling, you can definitely step in to support your child.
• Negotiating: find out what your child wants and work together with them to reach a compromise. For example, if they want to have more break time, try to work with them so both of your needs are met.
• Your child needs to know there is support available. Please remind them that we are all here to help them.

Seating my child

• We know that these are very busy times for all, but try as best as you can to be present however you can manage. If you are only available for an hour a day, it is recommended that you divide this into 20 minute intervals.
• If you can sit with your child and there is a wall, try to seat your child on the “wall side” of the table and you next to them can sit on the outer. This can help to contain their restlessness. If your child doesn’t like this set up, try to find a dedicated work space your child can use for their school work.
• Clocks are great! Try to have one that’s visible so you and your child can keep track and set small goals together.

Expectations

• Have realistic expectations for your child based on what the classroom teacher expects or what the teacher is asking the student to complete. If they can’t complete a task, find out what is causing them difficulty. Ask specific questions when checking, e.g. “Did you have trouble with this question?”.
• Less is more: it’s preferable that students understand the content and do something well than to be pushed to complete extra “extension” tasks. Some students may love and request extra work, but not all of them, and this is okay.
• Being empathetic: it is a huge shift for you as a parent and also for your child, so trying to understand their position is important in establishing expectations.
• It’s whatever you and your child can manage. Reassess if things don’t seem to be working.

Remote Learning Prep After School Sport Ideas

Even though we are unable to come together to participate in after school sports activities, our Prep Sports Coordinator, Chloe Davis has put together a great remote learning experience that any of our Prep students can access.

All you need to do to participate is to click here  HERE on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays. The sessions run for approximately 15 minutes and require some open space, a drink bottle and towel. Give these sessions a go and feel free to share photos with Chloe at prepsport@redlands.nsw.edu.au. These sessions can also be used for the “Redlands is going to Tokyo” Challenge. Have fun and stay active Prep School.

Another great way to keep our students exercising and having fun at home is through some dance funky dance moves. Dale from RedEd has put together a 30minute dance lesson for anyone who would like to participate. Please click here https://vimeo.com/578977331 and use the password: RED101 to access.

Term 3 After School Prep Sports and Clubs information

With Remote Learning continuing, a decision has been made to cancel all Prep After School Sport and Clubs for Term 3. This is disappointing for all our external providers and coaches but they are looking forward to being back at Redlands for Term 4. 

However, in more exciting news, we can provide an update about Term 4 After School Sport registrations. There is NO rollover of registrations and an Expression of Interest Form for all Term 4 After-School Sports (Football, Tennis & Basketball) will be released on Monday 13^th September at 1:00pm on the Prep Sport Pulse. For Term 4 registrations, parents/carers will complete preferences for all sports in one form to reduce the time taken to complete the form. More information about Term 4 After-School Sport is available on Pulse. Of course we do need to be aware that this can change due to current circumstances and government announcements.

Welcome Home our Olympians

This Friday, 92 of our Australian Olympians return to Sydney after competing in Tokyo, including bronze medal rower, Cameron Girdlestone, who is Mr Brakell’s brother-in-law. In normal times, they would stay in Tokyo to cheer on other Australian athletes sports and be part of the closing ceremony before returning to a parade but instead, they will head straight into quarantine for two weeks.

So how can we make their return a little more memorable? Our students have been invited  to write a message of support to a particular athlete that may have captured their attention or maybe just a ‘well done’ card or a lovely picture to all of our Olympians.

Cards and messages of support can either be posted directly to Mantra Sydney Central, 438 Sussex Street, Haymarket NSW 2000 or they can be scanned/ photographed and emailed directly to the hotel here where they will be printed out.

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

Prep/RH Upcoming Events

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

Secondary Sport

Redlands Olympic Games Challenge 

We hope you have all had a chance to look into our Redlands Olympic Games Challenge, a fantastic challenge that our whole community in encouraged to take part in! How will you get to Tokyo? 

There have been a number of parents, carers, students and staff members take on this challenge and we look forward to many more entering kilometres over the next 2 weeks.

See an updated progress table below!

1. Dumolo – 4377km (56%)
2. McDouall – 3315km (42%)
3. Roseby – 3230km (41%)
4. Cowper – 2655km (34%)
5. Staff – 2260km (29%)

Remember, if you are taking videos and photos of your activities please send them through sports@redlands.nsw.edu.au.

Fitness

It has been great to see so many students participating in the zoom fitness sessions. Keep up the good work. 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)
• If students are more than 10 minutes late they will not be admitted into the Zoom Session
• Zooms set to mute with cameras on (students who remain with their cameras off will not have the session counted towards their commitment)
• 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

“Keep the culture alive and keep your connections strong. Dream big, very big; the sky is your limit but always be proud of who you are and let your strong cultural identity be the driving force to achieve those dreams and inspire your people. No matter where your journey takes you, you will forever be connected. Never lose that.”

Patty Mills – 3x Time Olympian, 2021 Olympic Opening Ceremony Flag Bearer & NBA Champion 

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

All Sports contacts can be found on Redlands Pulse.​

Junior Sport

For the Redlands Junior Sport Department our main aim in this challenging climate is to provide a wide variety of exercise programs that your child and you can participate in from home while learning takes place remotely. The aim is not to replicate the sports that have been cancelled in the current climate but more to provide alternatives for them to keep their fitness up while at home.

Fitness Routines Yr 3-6

Each week we will send out various fitness routines for your child or even the whole family to do on Saturday mornings in lieu of sport. These routines will focus on conditioning, agility and fitness and are general sport specific. We will also have special guest sessions including Football with Gerry Gomez, Olympics theme workouts and Dance.

Our Junior School Sport Captains have been very buys filming some routines that are distributed for all grades to complete during Wednesday Sport time. If you have not seen these or would like to give them a go please click here.

In some exciting news we have distributed the following Marvel workouts to mix things up a bit at home, feel free to get dressed up if you wish. Any photos of students completing these routines in costume would be appreciated. You can send photos to Junior Sport juniorsport@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Wakanda Forver!

It’s Time for T’Challa to step up and help defeat Thanos.

This new workout is the next instalment in The Avengers Training Academy you get the chance to train just like one of The Avengers. Just click play and follow along with The Black Panther and get yourself ready to help save the universe.You have 30 seconds work and 10 seconds rest. Perform these 6 exercises 4 times round with a 50 seconds rest in-between rounds.

Black Panther Workout

That’s Right Padawans, It’s time to grab your lightsabers and train along with another Star Wars workout!

It’s time to let Rey help you complete your Jedi training with this tough Jedi Workout.

So click play grab your Lightsaber, and of course, make sure to use The Force.

You have 30 seconds of each exercise and 10 seconds rest in between!

Try to perform this 3-4 times this week and get those JEDI Calories Burning 

Star Wars Workout

Redlands Olympic Games Challenge 

We hope you have all had a chance to look into our Redlands Olympic Games Challenge, a fantastic challenge that our whole community in encouraged to take part in! How will you get to Tokyo? 

There have been a number of parents, carers, students and staff members take on this challenge and we look forward to many more entering kilometres over the next 2 weeks.

See an updated progress table below!

1. Dumolo – 4377km (56%)
2. McDouall – 3315km (42%)
3. Roseby – 3230km (41%)
4. Cowper – 2655km (34%)
5. Staff – 2260km (29%)

Remember, if you are taking videos and photos of your activities please send them through sports@redlands.nsw.edu.au.

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

Snowsports

Important Dates

2022 Interschools Scholarships for APSI Level 1 Instructor Courses

The Australian Professional Snowsport Instructors Inc (APSI) offers Interschools Scholarships in recognition of the rising potential for Snowsport instructors within our schools.

The Interschools Scholarships recipients will receive one Level 1 course and exam package to attend an APSI Level 1 Instructors Course in 2022.

The Level 1 course and exam is the entry point to the Australian Instructor training pathway. No teaching experience is required, just good people skills, patience and a friendly personality. You will need to be competent in your chosen discipline (intermediate) – but not a star.

The Interschools Scholarship is offered to Australian students over 16 who has previously competed in the Interschools Championships.

Scholarships will be offered based on the applicant’s location. Applications close 31 August.

For more information and to apply, visit the APSI website.

Thredbo Race Club and Mountain Academy 

Thredbo Ski Racing Club and Thredbo Mountain Academy are taking expressions of Interest for 2022. Please contact each club directly for more information.

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

Drama and Theatre

Grease the Musical the Movie

• Friday 30 July
• Saturday 31 July
• Sunday 1 August.

The program for the show is available here

2021 Drama Competition

Due to Covid-19, The 2021 Drama Competition will be conducted entirely online. 

The Details

• You must email drama@redlands.nsw.edu.au or ssparke@redlands.nsw.edu.au to be added to the Drama Competition iLearn page. This is where you will find all relevant information, and submit your performance/s and application form.
• Performances can be either a solo, duologue or ensemble piece.
• If you choose to submit a duologue or ensemble piece you must film online using zoom gallery or another appropriate platform. 
• Performances must be no more than 4 minutes in length.
• When filming your performance, you must film in landscape, not portrait 
• There will be no auditions. Instead, a selection of ‘finalist performances’ will be chosen 
• Each submission must comprise of a video performance (mp4 format) and an Application Form . Both must be submitted via ‘Assignments’ on iLearn
• All content/and or material must be appropriate and suited to the age of performers. If unsure, speak to a drama teacher
• House points will be awarded for each submission 
• Prior to filming your piece, please watch the Filming your entry video located on iLearn under Modules as it provides tips for filming your performance. 
• The winners from each category will be awarded a medal and $50 theatre voucher 
• When filming your performance, you must film in landscape, not portrait 

Important Dates

• Submissions are open from Monday 26 July 
• Submissions close on Friday 20 August, Week 6 
• Judging will take place during weeks 7 and 8 and the winners will be announced in week 9 

JUDGING:

• A winner will be announced for the solo category and the group category (two or more performers) 
• Each performance will be judged on the following criteria:

Criteria 1 – Skills Performance skills appropriate to the style or form
Criteria 2 – Interpretation Stylistic interpretation of the chosen repertoire
Criteria 3 – Techniques Demonstration of a solo and/or ensemble techniques
Criteria 4 – Presentation The care taken with suitable dress/costume and appearance appropriate to the performance style

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

Ballet and Dance

Remote Dancing

We thank our fine team of teaching staff who continue to work so closely with our students whilst dancing remotely.

Eisteddfods 2021

While all Eisteddfods are on pause, students and staff are grateful to have had the opportunity to perform earlier this year. We congratulate again our talented dancers who trained so hard and performed so well and with such style and grace. Please see some of our last results below:

IRBD (29.5.21) – Senior Jazz Performance Group2 (On the Floor) Marcia Kuzmanoski  (Highly Commended )

Extreme (29.5.21) Trio Performance Group Jennifer Psaroulis  (2^nd Place)

Sydney Eisteddfod (5.6.21) – Senior Jazz Performance Group1 (Feeling Free) Marcia Kuzmanoski   (2nd Place)

Extreme Dance (6.5.21) – Tap Performance Group Mikalah Bond  (3^rd Place)

Extreme Dance (20.6.21) Senior Jazz Performance Group1 (Feeling Free) Marcia Kuzmanoski  (1^st Place)

Extreme Dance (20.6.21) Senior Jazz Performance Group2 (On the Floor) Marcia Kuzmanoski   (Highly Commended)

Postponed Events

Due to current restrictions being extended to 28 August, the following Ballet and Dance Academy events have been postponed:

Contact us

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us at dance@redlands.nsw.edu.au should you have any questions or concerns.

We also ask that you check our Ballet and Dance page on Redlands Pulse for updates. Please Click here to view page.

Thank you again for your continued support and understanding. 

Stay safe and keep well.

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

Music

Learning Music from Home

We can happily say we’ve now found our ‘groove’ with Remote Learning in the Music Department, and our offerings will now continue in the same pattern for the remainder of August!

Zoom remains such a valuable tool for staying connected as a community and as ensemble members, and we acknowledge its purpose this end. In reflecting the community feedback regarding Zoom ensemble rehearsals however, we confirm that the default for our weekly rehearsal provisions at this time will continue to be through the upload of resources and video activities to the respective learning platforms (Seesaw, Google Classroom and iLearn). Conductors will continue to communicate directly with ensembles should they wish to schedule a Zoom session in support of the resource upload. Weekly resources continue to be available from each session’s regular start time, and we encourage our students to continue in this timetable and rhythm where possible to set us up for a smooth return to campus when that day arrives.

Music Department on iLearn

One benefit of the move online is that it has given us a chance to fine tune our digital Music resources and learning platforms.

Senior students will now find their Cocurricular and Extracurricular Music offerings housed under the following 5 banners on iLearn:

Intermediate Concert Band
Advanced Concert Band
Combined Concert Band
Redlands Orchestra
Intermediate Jazz Band
Advanced Stage Band

Intermediate Choir
Advanced Choir
Combined Choir
Jazz Vocal Ensemble

Intermediate String Ensemble
Advanced String Ensemble
Combined String Ensemble
Redlands Orchestra
Chamber Ensembles
Intermediate Guitar Ensemble
Advanced Guitar Ensemble
Piano Ensemble
Rock Bands

Musicianship
Sound Engineering
Cocurricular Composing
Conducting Classes
Study Centre Resources

Please note, the links above are only activated for those enrolled within the respective iLearn courses.

Particularly exciting is our new ‘Music Enrichment’ stream, which will continue to see non-ensemble related activities populating here in the years to come.

Online Auditions & Competitions

A reminder that the new Music Department Auditions page on iLearn sees two events currently open and accepting student submissions! Auditions for the Redlands Senior Instrumental Competition (via video upload) close tomorrow – Friday 30 July 2021, while the Redlands Composition Competition (entry via score & audio upload) is closing on Friday 13 August 2021. 

We’ve loved hearing of many students’ inspiration towards composition while in lockdown. Entry Forms for both these competitions are currently available for download from Pulse and iLearn.

Other Date Changes

Please keep your eye on the Music Events dates on Pulse in case of adjustments in the term ahead in light of our rapidly changing context.

Contact us

As always, our administrative team remain ready to help you with any queries you have. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via seniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au or juniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au.

Kindest regards,

Amy Richardson
Director of Music P-12 (Acting)
seniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au 
9968 9820