The tea towels have arrived and will be delivered in Week 6 directly to students’ Tutor Groups (Senior Campus) and classrooms for Junior Campus. For those who would like to order this unique memoir, it isn’t too late:
Thank you so much for your interest and support of the Class of 2020 in their efforts to raise funds towards a ping-pong table purchase and the means-tested Peter Lennox Scholarship.
Science Education at Redlands Has a Long History
As Redlands prepares to celebrate Science Week next week, we reflect on the long, academic history of Science education and the community’s support to develop facilities.
Science has been taught at Redlands since its opening in 1884. The first Yr 12 student graduated in Physics in 1887 and the first Science room was built in 1908 for botanical and geological specimens collected during early field trips.
Since the first Science room in Redlands House, Science laboratories have been located in numerous buildings around the School, including the present day IB office in the Liggins building. The Redlands Science program was given more prominence with the opening of Redlands first dedicated Science block in 1967, originally called the Wyndham Building, and refurbished and renamed the Roseby building in 2007 supported by donations from the Redlands community.
We are very fortunate at Redlands to have a community with a strong tradition of generously giving back to the School. It is through the generosity of previous families that current and future students are able to enjoy today’s facilities and resources.
I know that we have all been watching the COVID-19 situation in NSW closely and at Redlands, the CIMT have continued to monitor the latest advice from NSW Health and maintain strong communication links with AISNSW and other leading Independent schools.
Given the current landscape, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our Secondary School Athletics Carnival, which was to be held this Friday. The Secondary School Leadership Team had carefully planned all logistics, with reduced numbers and clear COVID-19 protocols and we have been conscious of how much the students were looking forward to this event. However, given the recent clusters of cases that have developed and reviews of protocols taking place, we felt we needed to make the decision to plan an alternative date.
Some sporting fixtures have also been cancelled against schools in regional areas or in cases where fixtures would have been played at venues very closely located to recent outbreaks. The ISA and IPSHA, Secondary and Junior School Sporting associations are currently reviewing the remaining winter school fixtures.
Whilst we are navigating this most challenging period together, it is important that we also look ahead to our School’s future. The Executive Team and Board have commenced a strategic planning review process this year and as part of the process, we want to capture the views of all the stakeholders who comprise our school community. All parents and carers, Year 7-12 students, staff, Directors, Members of SCECGS Redlands Limited and alumni will be sent a short survey next week, to enable feedback to be captured on Redlands’ past, present and future performance, and plans. The information gathered from the survey will be most valuable in assisting us to develop our future plans and I strongly encourage you to take the time to complete it, and in advance, I thank you for your support. This strategic planning process will run until the end of the year and in due course, I look forward to sharing the plans for our future together.
I have been most impressed by the way our Year 12 students have approached the trial HSC and IB examinations over the last two weeks. It has been good to have these onsite in the New Learning Hub and to note how the students have been supporting each other and accessing their teachers’ assistance during this period. They will no doubt enjoy a well-deserved weekend away from the books and we look forward to them returning to classes next week and their remaining time on campus this term. The Secondary School Leadership Team continue to explore creative ways that we can celebrate their final school days with them later this term.
Finally, we were delighted to hear news of Sonia Kalcina, HSC Dux, Environmental Prefect and Captain of Tennis (Class of 2015), who has just graduated from Oxford University with a Masters in Mathematics, 1st Class Honours. Sonia is now working as a business analyst in London. Congratulations Sonia!
Mr Stephen Webber
Photo caption: Determination, pride, laughs, competition and most of all, fun, were had at the Redlands House Sports Day, ably assisted by their Year 6 buddies.
RPFA
Second Hand Uniform Sale
The second hand uniform sale is being planned for the weekend of 19/20 September in the Junior School carpark. More details to follow.
Redlands Silver Linings Cookbook
We hope you enjoyed last week’s recipes, here are this week’s:
We will be discussing The White Girl by Tony Birch – recently shortlisted for the Miles Franklin award, “a story of good, evil and the legacy of Australia’s colonial past” on Thursday 10 September from 7.30pm.
President: Michelle Tea
Vice President: JP Forrest
Secretary: Jo Lloyd
Treasurer: Christine Walsh
Committee: Anna Maria Stillone, Annette Swann, Jean Martin, Kate Kesby, Malcolm Pascoe, Maria Kinsela and Tina Shacklock
Head of Secondary School
Covid-19 Arrangements and Updates
As the Principal, Mr Webber, has mentioned in his Note Day we continue to be concerned about the number of positive Covid-19 cases in the community and our thoughts and prayers go out to people affected around the country. In the Secondary School we remain vigilant in following our Covid-19 arrangements and protocols to ensure that our school activities can still run in a safe environment for staff and students. We continue to take on board updated advice from federal, state and local authorities as we regularly review all of our scheduled activities for the remainder of the term and year. In particular, the ISA has been reviewing its sporting fixtures in light of the most recent advice and this has led to some changes for this weekend’s fixtures. Unfortunately, we have had to cancel some sporting fixtures with regional schools or schools that are in a Covid-19 hotspot. However, we are still able to run many of our scheduled sporting fixtures this weekend with schools located within the Sydney basin; however, these sporting events will be held with no spectators present. A more detailed update of the status of sporting events scheduled for this weekend can be found in the Secondary Sport section of Redlands Pulse. Any further updates to these fixtures will be communicated to students and families through the Sports Department in the coming days.
Senior Athletics Carnival
Unfortunately, due to the current situation and updated advice this week, we have had to postpone the Senior Athletics Carnival scheduled for tomorrow (Friday 14 August). We know this postponement will be incredibly disappointing for the athletes across all Year Groups who were keen to compete tomorrow, but in particular for the Yr 12 students who were looking forward to having a fun day celebrating their House and Year Group spirit tomorrow. We have been able to secure dates later this term to hold the Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park and are hopeful of being able to run this event then. More information will be sent out in the coming weeks.
House Events
Despite some of these Covid-19 restrictions, it has been heartening to see some House competitions occur in modified formats over the past week. The finalists for the online House “Just Dance” Competition have been chosen and we look forward to announcing the winners next week. In addition, this week the Yr 7 students have been participating in the Yr 7 Inter-House Debating Competition which was held via Zoom. Congratulations to Dumolo and Cowper for making it to the final and for Dumolo for winning the title for the second year in a row!
Sports Update
While many sporting fixtures were rained out last Saturday, it was great to see some of our Netball teams compete against Central Coast Grammar. The 1sts bounced back from a couple of tough defeats to play their best game of the season to date and run out convincing winners. Most pleasing was once again to see the enthusiasm, sportsmanship and positive spirit displayed on the court by our girls.
Jeans for Genes Day
Last Friday the Senior Campus was awash in denim as we held our Jeans for Genes Day. Pleasingly, we raised over $1,300 which will go towards the vital work being done in the labs at the Children’s Medical Research Institute to help the 1 in 20 children living with a genetic disease or birth defect.
Parents Arriving on Campus
We once again remind parents that they are not permitted to arrive on campus, unless for a previously scheduled and arranged meeting with a staff member. In particular, we have had an increasing number of parents arriving on campus to drop off a forgotten item for their son or daughter such as a textbook, sports bag or lunch. As previously communicated, we are requesting that parents do not drop off these items either to Reception or to their son or daughter at one of the campus entrances. If there is a concern about a student not having a necessary item, we would ask parents to make contact with the Tutor or Year Advisor. As Judith Locke reminded parents in her presentation last year, if students have to face some short term consequences for a forgotten item at school, these consequences will help them to learn not to make a similar mistake again moving forward. We thank you in advance for your support.
Yr 12 will all receive a complimentary UAC guide and a presentation on how to apply to Australian universities on Monday 17 August. There will also be the following presentations given to Yr 12 this term:
EAS Scheme: for those students who have suffered disadvantage, a presentation on the scheme and how to apply will be on Monday 24 August during Tutor Time.
Applying to the UK and USA: these presentations will be held at lunchtime on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 August respectively.
LinkedIn and the Redlands Alumni network: this presentation will be held on Tuesday 8 September during Tutor Time.
Open Days This Weekend
Macquarie University, from 10.00am-5.00pm on Saturday. Register here.
Western Sydney University, from 10.00am-3.00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Register here.
JMC (music industry), from 12.00pm on Saturday. Register here.
Adelaide University, from 9am-4pm on Sunday. Register here.
Early Childhood Traineeship in Manly
A kindergarten in Manly is offering this opportunity to work and study in 2021. Current Yr 12 students can apply. Please see Ms Salier if interested, applications close Friday 11 September.
Ms Simone Salier
Tertiary Education and Careers Advisor
ssalier@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9867
Chaplain
Hope is an elusive concept yet essential for the human condition. The current situation in our country and across the world can feel unsettling and concerning, weighing on our minds. The future may look uncertain and our norms are changing. We long for hope as the parched desert longs for rain.
Hope is often thought of as a positive outlook. Wishing for the best, looking for opportunities in the downs or dwelling on the good. But if the situations around us seems quite dark and unending, this optimism is hard to sustain. Real sustaining hope must be more.
Hope is sometimes seen as the confidence that one has succeeded previously and so will be able to navigate the future as well. However, many of us have not always succeeded and in the face of the entirely unimagined scenarios, this can only raise doubts. Real sustaining hope must be more.
Hope is often seen as trust in the collective good of humanity to overcome whatever obstacle. Certainly we have seen acts of kindness. Our government was quick to extend compassionate payments to sustain the economy. Our most resourceful are working towards cures and vaccines. However, we have seen some selfish acts and our track record over the last one hundred years shows that trust in the collective good may not be justified. Real sustaining hope must be more.
Hope in the bible is knowing with certainty that God is faithful. The knowledge that Jesus is trustworthy to keep his promises. He has demonstrated this by fulfilling the promises from the Old Testament. Jesus promised that he would rise from the dead and he did. Biblical hope is based on the unchangeable nature of God that nothing catches God by surprise and he has all things in hand. He says if one trusts him he promises to work for their good. This means our hope is that while it is bleak at present, God is still active and will work his ultimate good purpose. We have hope as the eternal perspective sustains us through the turbulence of now.
Biblical hope means we have optimism, not based on wishful thinking, but on the promises of God. This gives us confidence that we can face any and all situations with Christ in our hearts as strength and comfort. It means that in the face of fickle humanity, we know that God is not fickle but entirely good and determined to provide a good future.
So the hope of the Christian is real and sustaining as we look back and see how Jesus’ death and resurrections save us and look forward to eternity. The eternal perspective holds us secure by the love and goodness of God.
The combination of bushfires and the pandemic has made 2020 a really difficult year for many, but once again Redlands students and teachers have stunned with their generosity. The 80s were back last Friday as we wore double and triple denim to raise funds for the vital work being done in the labs at Children’s Medical Research Institute to help the 1 in 20 children living with a genetic disease or birth defect.
Overall we raised over $1300. I would like to thank Ms Abe and the students in the Yr 11 McDouall Green Tutor Group for their efforts in organising this event.
Well done to all Yr 12 students for completing their Trial Examinations. Ms Wilson and I have been so proud of how well they conducted themselves over the last two weeks. While it is important that Yr 12 take a moment to enjoy the feeling of finishing Trial Examinations, it is vital that they use these remaining weeks to reset, re-focus and use the feedback provided to set goals and consolidate their learning.
Congratulations to all those students who were awarded early entry to Macquarie University and/or Australian National University. Please make sure you continue to let us know of any exciting news regarding University, College or employment opportunities.
Friday 14 August
Please note, as the Athletics Carnival is no longer proceeding, there will be no scheduled classes for Yr 12 unless you have a make-up exam.
Yr 12 Tea Towel
The tea towels have arrived and will be delivered in Week 6 directly to Tutor Groups. For those who would like to order this unique memoir, you can do so by clicking here. After Week 6, the remaining limited stock is to be offered to Redlands staff and the rest of our community. Thank you so much for your interest and support of the Class of 2020 in their efforts to raise funds towards a ping-pong table and the means-tested Peter Lennox Scholarship.
The Yr 11 HSC and IB examination timetables are available for students to reference through iLearn and Redlands Pulse. The Study Skills Handbook has excellent resources for both parents and students with regards to student preparation for exams. Refer to the unit Preparing for Exam Blocks. Login: redlands; Password: 68results
Cyber Security Challenge
CyberTaipan is an Australian cybersecurity competition. This competition puts students in the position of newly hired IT professionals tasked with managing a small company’s network. This year, two teams from Redlands interested in cyber, defence and code-breaking participated in this competition for the first time. Over six hours, students were tasked with finding cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the virtual images that represent operating systems, receiving points for hardening the system while maintaining critical services. Theo Mirrlees Black, Tylor Wessels and Lachlan Forsyth Smith represented Redlands on the Yr 11 team. They are warmly commended for their participation and engagement in this event.
Jeans for Genes Day
Last Friday, Redlands students supported Jeans for Genes Day by wearing their favourite demin and giving a gold coin donation in support of this charitable day. Students in Ms Abe’s Tutor Group created a video and garnered support across the student body, with $1300 raised. 11MG are to be commended for their wonderful efforts in supporting this very worthwhile initiative. Piper Allen of 11CB was recognised for best dressed in Cowper House. Well done Piper.
Student Achievements
George Murphy continues to train incredibly hard as part of the National Moguls Team based in Jindabyne.
A reminder for all parents who wish their children to receive the upcoming vaccinations to sign and get their child to return the form as soon as possible. Vaccinations are taking place on Tuesday 1 September.
ICAS
Students who have been registered for the ICAS Science Assessment would have received an email last week from Mrs Bryant. The assessment will be held at 8.00am on Monday 17 August. Yrs 7 and 8 will be in LH 3.3 – LH3.4 and Yrs 9 and 10 in LH 3.5. Please try to be 15 minutes early. Students are reminded to bring their laptops with them and to check the technical requirements prior to the day. Note that the Science assessment doesn’t require a secure lock-down browser. If you have any queries, please contact Mrs Simone Bryant, Assistant Science Coordinator.
Pastoral Care and Social Awareness Programs
This week students watched a powerful and poignant TedTalk by a young woman called Raegan Hill about The Power of Kindness. Raegan begins by describing how kindness breaks language barriers, touches people from all distance and unites us all, and also is a physiological beneficial to us all. Raegan dives into central themes such as honesty and humility. The talk is not only about helping others, but also discusses self-help and mental health.
Students have also this week begun working on their resumes and will be submitting them for feedback in the next few weeks. On the Sunday Project this week, homelessness and the impact of COVID-19 was one of their news reports. Tutors have shown this clip (starting at approximately 26.5 minutes into the program) to the students to help them understand some of the current issues in Australia.
This week, to ensure Yr 9 maintains their established high standards of uniform, we have been conducting a uniform blitz. Students must ensure that their uniform meets school requirements and all uniform issues are addressed. Should students receive a uniform infringement, detentions will be issued. Winter Uniform requirements can be found in the Student Planner.
ICAS
Students who have been registered for the ICAS Science Assessment would have received an email last week from Mrs Bryant. The assessment will be held at 8.00am on Monday 17 August. Yrs 7 and 8 will be in LH 3.3 – LH3.4 and Yrs 9 and 10 in LH 3.5. Please try to be 15 minutes early. Students are reminded to bring their laptops with them and to check the technical requirements prior to the day. Note that the Science assessment doesn’t require a secure lock-down browser. If you have any queries, please contact Mrs Simone Bryant, Assistant Science Coordinator.
Pastoral Care: Social Character Strengths
This week in Pastoral Care, students have been exploring their character strengths. Character strengths are the personal qualities that come most naturally. Awareness of character strengths can help students get along with others (social intelligence) and develop important skills like leadership. Students will become familiar with the 24 main social character strengths and identify how they can be used in different contexts. Through discussion and personal reflection, they will be able to identify their top five character strengths. Social emotional learning for the week focuses on:
Self-awareness: The ability to accurately recognise one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behaviour. The ability to accurately assess one’s strengths and limitations, with a well-grounded sense of confidence, optimism and a “growth mindset.”
Relationship skills: The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups. This includes communicating clearly, listening actively, cooperating, resisting inappropriate social pressure, negotiating conflict constructively, and seeking and offering help when needed.
In recent months, many teenagers have found focusing on their studies difficult without the regularity of their normal school schedule. For some young people, the lockdown measures have worsened existing issues they have with school, such as social anxiety or motivation. On top of this, with so much uncertainty, many teenagers are thinking ‘What’s the point?’ when faced with assignments, exams and changing routines. ReachOut offers some sound advice on how in our current local and global landscape, parents can assist in motivating their teen.
COVID-19 continues to throw curve balls. Whether its border closures or the general uneasiness of the global situation, it can be difficult for young people to cope with the constant changes. Use this article to help our young people cope in a changing environment.
Ms Marita Jansons
Yr 9 Advisor
mjansons@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9819
Year 8
Reminders
If you did miss out on the opportunity to speak with a specific Yr 8 teacher at the Parent Teacher Night last week, please contact that teacher directly to arrange a phone call or Zoom meeting.
A cell phone policy in Yrs 7-10 has been sent out to all teachers and students. The expectation is for students to turn their cell phones off and keep them locked away in their lockers or in their bags throughout the school day, between 8.20am and 3.20pm. As students are currently allowed to carry their bags with them from class to class to reduce the congestion in the locker area as a COVID-19 safety measure, it does pose an additional temptation to students with cell phones in their possession throughout the day. Teachers are reminding students to turn their phones off and to keep them in their bags to avoid this temptation. Those students on their phones are having their phones confiscated and placed in the Year Advisor office for pick up at the end of the day. Thank you in advance for assisting in reinforcing this message at home as well.
Year Advisor Email on Managing Difficult Conversations
Please take note of the email sent home this week regarding navigating and managing difficult conversations with your teenager. At this age, students are starting to discuss and explore various topics and it is important for parents and other trusted adults to think through and create a space for students to talk openly, honestly and without judgement. These conversations can be tricky, challenging and embarrassing, yet extremely important.
Last term in the Yr 8 Pastoral Program and this term in PDHPE, these difficult topics are being discussed through the lens of risk-taking and responsible decision-making.
ICAS
Students who have been registered for the ICAS Science Assessment would have received an email last week from Mrs Bryant. The assessment will be held at 8.00am on Monday 17 August. Yrs 7 and 8 will be in LH 3.3 – LH3.4 and Yrs 9 and 10 in LH 3.5. Please try to be 15 minutes early. Students are reminded to bring their laptops with them and to check the technical requirements prior to the day. Note that the Science assessment doesn’t require a secure lock-down browser. If you have any queries, please contact Mrs Simone Bryant, Assistant Science Coordinator.
This Week
This has been a very eventful week in the Science Department as Yr 8 students were testing the amount of pressure a watermelon can withstand before exploding by placing several elastic bands around the centre of it. As photographed below, a very brave group of Yr 8 students placed the last two rubber bands around the watermelon, Ashley Stapleton and Yumi Konetzny, while other Yr 8 students, including Hugo Little via Zoom from home, watched carefully to note the moment of explosion.
Ms Alissa Ynson
Yr 8 Advisor
9968 9863
aynson@redlands.nsw.edu.au
Year 7
Yrs 7-10 Teachers: Cell Phone Usage
As students are currently able to carry their bags with them throughout the day, we are noticing an increase in inappropriate usage of mobile phones in Yrs 7-10. Key reminders:
Students are to keep phones turned off and either locked in their locker or placed in their bags between 8.20am and 3.20pm.
Phones will be confiscated when they are out and in use throughout the day and returned to them by their Year Advisor at 3.20pm. Please note, Year Advisors will be tracking repeat offenders and escalating consequences.
If students do need to use their phones to contact parents throughout the day for specific situations, they should be discussing this with the closest teacher on duty for permission to use their phone at that time, or coming to the Secondary School Reception.
ICAS
Students who have been registered for the ICAS Science Assessment would have received an email last week from Mrs Bryant. The assessment will be held at 8.00am on Monday 17 August. Yrs 7 and 8 will be in LH 3.3 – LH3.4 and Yrs 9 and 10 in LH 3.5. Please try to be 15 minutes early. Students are reminded to bring their laptops with them and to check the technical requirements prior to the day. Note that the Science assessment doesn’t require a secure lock-down browser. If you have any queries, please contact Mrs Simone Bryant, Assistant Science Coordinator.
Our Semester 1 SRC members (a girl and a boy from each Junior School class) began the year by brainstorming positive ways in which to contribute to the Redlands community and our local community. These SRC roles are for a semester and early in February, the students quickly decided to help raise awareness and funds to contribute to the Australian bushfire relief. Students were eager to generate ideas to help Australian Fire and Rescue as well as native Australian animals that had been impacted by the devastating summer bushfires. They had big plans and commendable goals and then COVID-19 disrupted those plans. Though disappointed not to move forward with the activities for bushfire relief, students instead changed course and sought to promote positivity and connectivity amongst the school community. Led by our School Captains, Jacob Cartwright and Leda Subasi, the SRC members refocused their attention to staying positive and promoting unity and resilience amongst the student body. As a culminating project, SRC members had an opportunity to share some parting thoughts with the school community through an uplifting video.
This week, SRC members were treated to a celebratory lunch and they were thanked for their contributions to the school. Jacob and Leda praised the SRC for their consistency, commitment and positivity throughout Semester 1.
It’s inspiring to see so many young people committed to making a positive difference. We extend a heartfelt thank you to all the students who participated in Semester 1’s SRC and we look forward to welcoming the ideas of Semester 2’s SRC members.
Cocurricular Clubs on Tuesdays
A reminder that with student-led Conferences next week as well, the only Clubs that will continue in these weeks will be the ones as listed below, where we have external providers:
Young Investigators Science
Debating
Chess (Fridays)
The conferences also do not impact any Performing Arts after-school activities.
Jeans for Genes
Thank you to all in our community who came together in denim to raise a staggering total donation from Redlands of $3243.05 in last Friday’s Jeans for Genes Day with our Junior School students and staff contributing $1087.05.This collection will help with the research and hopefully find cures for many children with genetic conditions.
Spanish News – EP Regional Language Championships NSW
Congratulations to our Junior School Spanish students who answered approximately 275,000 Spanish language questions during the Education Perfect NSW Language Championships from 28 July to 4 August, a remarkable achievement!
This incredible effort meant that Redlands came 1st in NSW for Spanish out of 173 schools and 4th overall out of 358 schools.
Special congratulations to the following notable achievers:
Student Name
Award
Points
Christopher Stevens
Elite
10,000+
Thomas Flynn
Emerald
5,000+
Lillyah Rafferty
Emerald
5,000+
Maya Turton
Emerald
5,000+
Amelie Dewar
Gold
3,000+
Ina Guan
Gold
3,000+
Suvi Peng
Gold
3,000+
Joshua Bartlett
Silver
2,000+
Lucie Kerf
Silver
2,000+
Rowan Petersen
Silver
2,000+
Rabiah Singh
Silver
2,000+
Freya Stasko
Silver
2,000+
A further 36 Redlands students received Bronze and Credit certificates and we congratulate every student who participated. The highest score in each grade was awarded a $30 Giftpay voucher from Education Perfect. These recipients were: Henry Hitchens (Yr 3), Ina Guan (Yr 4), Maya Turton (Yr 5) and Christopher Stevens (Yr 6).
During the current time, some families choose to keep their students home for periods of time. Please be aware that if the choice has been made to keep your child at home, our classroom teachers will not be supplying remote learning opportunities. We would suggest that if your child is at home for sickness or if you choose to keep them home, that they either take the time to rest and recover or take part in activities around the house, read, write stories, inquiry into areas of interest. There are many skills that your child can develop through these activities. When a student has an explained long absence from school then I will certainly have a conversation with families to discuss the path we will take to support their learning.
Vodcasts
This week we are very excited to be uploading our first vodcast to our Preparatory School Redlands Pulse page. This week, Mrs Louise Goold has provided a five minute information grab around sight words and tips for reading with your child at home. Please remember these vodcasts are to provide our community with tips on certain areas of the curriculum to help with conversation with your child. It is a great way to connect with our families.
Clubs Update
The Term 3 clubs are successfully off the ground and I would like to thank all families for respecting the School’s COVID-19 guidelines in picking up your children. When a staff member is away, we will endeavour to place those students into other Clubs for the session but in some instances where this isn’t possible, you will receive an SMS message communicating the cancellation of that particular Club. We thank you for your understanding as we navigate these weekly logistics.
Photos Update
We have been able to secure the following dates for those classes which missed out on having their class and individual photos taken in Term 1. KB, 1R, 1W, 2Y, 2W will have their photos on taken on Wednesday 21 October. Mrs Hunt will create the list of individual students who were absent on Term 1 photo day and will be in contact with those families in due course.
Welcome Amber Wilson to the Preparatory School Family
This week staff and students gave Ms Amber Wilson a very warm welcome to the Yr 2 Yellow classroom. There was a very thorough hand over from both Miss Patten and Mrs Sharp where all academic and medical information was communicated. Amber has posted a video on the class SeeSaw page introducing herself and I know she is very excited to meet her class families over the next few weeks. Amber will be conducting parent teacher Zoom interviews in Weeks 7 and 8 and is also contactable via her email awilson@redlands.nsw.edu.au.
Respecting Ourselves and Our Surroundings
Over the last two weeks we have been focusing again on respect. Respect is one of those words that we need to be using and referring to daily in all our lives. I love hearing the respectful way our students say good morning to me as they get out of the cars in the morning and how they greet parents in the afternoon. We teach our learners about respecting themselves as young people, we teach them to respect their school and their personal property and of course we teach respect of others. Our Prep students learn through example and modelling and this comes from us, the adults around them. I encourage you to keep having simple conversations around respecting others and what this actually looks like in a tangible sense. Maybe a car conversation could centre around how did they feel they respected their friends today? Did you feel respected when this happened to you? All these little discussion points that can happen at anytime, anywhere all help to contribute to the bigger picture of the R word as we refer to it in Prep Assembly.
This year at Redlands House we have children enrolled who are at risk to anaphylaxis in response to the following foods:
Egg
Tree nuts
Seafood
Uncooked dairy
As these children are important members of our Preschool community, Redlands requests that all families enrolled support these children by limiting items that contain any of the above ingredients at Preschool.
Seniors Sports Carnival
It was with great excitement that we walked up to the Junior Campus Oval for our carnival on Wednesday. Wonderful activities were set up on the oval to challenge our skills and encourage teamwork. The children were gathered into their House groups. Each group participated in running races, a game of rob the nest, refined their soccer skills and had fun with the giant parachute. It was wonderful to have the Yr 6 buddies to help and cheer. Please check Storypark in the coming days for some footage of some of the action and fun. This event not only builds team spirit, but plays an important role in our school readiness program and the transition to the Prep School.
Photos can also be found on the School’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Unfortunately due to recent government recommendations and the rise of COVID-19 hot spots several sporting events for this weekend have had to be cancelled, postponed or conditions of participation have had to change.
Please refer to Redlands Pulse for the most up to date version of Sporting Fixtures for this week. At the time of this communication the following events and sporting competitions are as follows.
Sporting Event
Status as at 13 August
Redlands Secondary School Athletics Carnival – 14 August
Postponed – date is TBC
AFL Boys Competition
Progressing as scheduled – No spectators
AFL Girls Competition
Progressing as scheduled – No spectators.
ISA Boys Football Fixtures
Progressing as scheduled – No spectators
ISA Girls Football Fixtures
1sts Football – Replacement Fixture against Barker College, proceeding – No spectators
2nds Girls Football – Progressing as scheduled
Inter A Girls – Cancelled, alternative arrangements are TBC
Jnr Girls – vs Blue Mountains Grammar – Cancelled
Jnr Girls – vs St Pauls, proceeding with further details TBC
ISA Girls Hockey
1sts Girls vs Oxley – Cancelled – Alternative fixture planned against SACS
2nd Girls vs Chev – Cancelled – Alternative fixture planned against SACS
Jnr A Girls vs Barker – Proceeding as scheduled
Alternative fixture vs SACS (St Andrews Cathedral School)
ISA Netball
1sts Girls vs St Pauls – Proceeding as scheduled
All other ISA Netball games – cancelled
NSNA Netball
Proceeding as scheduled
ISA Tennis
All fixtures against Oakhill (Teams 1-6, 9, 10) cancelled – Internal competition at Wheatlieigh St
Teams 7 and 8 proceeding as scheduled
Development Squad and Redlands League at Lane Cove – Proceeding as scheduled
ISA Rugby
All fixtures proceeding as scheduled
NS Waterpolo
All games proceeding as scheduled
At this current stage all sport training for the week ahead will proceed as scheduled.
Please note our Sports Department is closely following the advice provided by government organisations along with state and national sporting bodies to operate sport in a safe environment.
We thank the community for their understanding while we navigate this changing COVID environment for interschool sport. I would like to thank the flexibility and perseverance of our Sports team in doing all they can to provide opportunities for our students to enjoy the benefits of sport throughout this time.
AFL
Unfortunately, all AFL games were cancelled due to the wet weather last weekend. We are hoping for better weather this weekend. Both Boys teams are playing on Macquarie University Main Oval (not Northern Oval) this Saturday. Our Bs play St Ignatius 3. The game starts at 8.00am. Students are to arrive no later than 7.15am for warm up. Our As play St Patricks at 9.20am. Students to arrive no later than 8.00am to support our Bs and to prepare for their own game. Some players will be required to play in both games. These players will be informed during Thursday’s training session.
Our Girls play on Sunday at Blackmans Park, Steve Chisolm Oval, Lane Cove. The Game starts at 12.30pm and students are to arrive no later than 11.45am for warm up. Our opponents on Sunday are the Lane Cove Cats. Good luck to all students on the weekend.
Football
Boys
Unfortunately, Boys Football was washed out last weekend. The boys will be looking to build on the strong start to their season this weekend, with most the boys playing away to St Patricks College.
Girls
In Round 3 three teams played against Central Coast Grammar School. The Junior As continued their impressive form with a 2-0 win. The 1sts were looking to build on their match in Round 1, having only played one game together so far due to a forfeit in Round 2. Not skipping a beat, they played a great match and were able to finish the game with a 4-0 win. The Inter As were the final match of the day and as they were missing players due to injury/illness, a number of the Juniors benched for the team. With the Junior As and 1sts setting the tone for the day, the Inter As followed suit and played some solid team Football resulting in a 3-1 win. The 2nds were playing against the Oakhill 2nds and with only ten players fit for the game, it was a stellar effort to finish the match with a 6-1 win.
Hockey
The Juniors were up early to catch a bus to Central Coast Grammar School. Central Coast came out firing and scored two quick goals in the first minutes of the game. Our Juniors rallied together and were playing some great hockey by half time, holding CCGS at two goals. The second half showed even more improvement and, although the Redlands Juniors were unable to score a goal of their own, a strong defensive effort saw CCGS scoreless in the second half. The 2nds played against Blue Mountains Grammar School. The 1sts played against a very strong Barker side. Barker were able to score a quick goal and, shortly after, added a second goal to their tally. Although it may not have been reflected on the scoreboard, the 1sts played some great hockey and in the second half managed to score a goal of their own. The game finished as a 4-1 win to Barker, but was a great effort from the Redlands 1sts who have been playing some great hockey to start the season.
Netball
ISA
Last Saturday saw Redlands host its first round of home matches for ISA. The 1sts had a dominant win over Central Coast Grammar School, winning 49-26. This was followed by our 2nds who also secured a win against CCGS 42-36. Our Intermediate As continued to display their strength as a team, beating the Barker A side 48-27. The Intermediate Bs played a closely fought match against CCGS that could have gone either way, but at the final whistle, they went down 28-34.
Our 3rds had a tight game against Barker, going down 20-28. This was followed by our 4ths, who came out strong in the 1st quarter against CCGS, but went down 20-35. Our Intermediate Cs and Ds played fantastic matches, displaying, skilful play and cohesive teamwork skills, winning their respective matches 38-11 and 17-13.
The 1sts will host St Paul’s Grammar School at Dunnet Hall this weekend. This match is scheduled for 8.00am and all players are asked to arrive at the venue 30 minutes before the game time. All other ISA Netball games are cancelled for this weekend.
Our 2nds, Intermediate Bs and Cs all have a BYE this weekend.
A reminder, all players must have their own water bottle with them and no food is to be shared before, during or after a game. We ask that all players arrive at the venue dressed in their Netball uniform and ready to take the court to reduce the use of changeroom facilities. All players are asked to remove all jewellery prior to entering their venue on a Saturday.
NSNA
Congratulations to our 9Bs who secured a dominant win over Monte, remaining undefeated in their division. A special mention to our 8Ds as well whose consistent positive attitude to training and games and determination to build their skill set as a team resulted in a strong win against SGHS.
This Saturday all teams will play at the same time as last week, but please check the fixture on Redlands Pulse to confirm the court number.
Please ensure all teams, both NSNA and ISA, regularly check their emails from Ms Howard as well as Redlands Pulse for the most up to date information regarding the Netball season. Any player absences (both training and games) need to be sent to Ms Howard prior to the game or training so that coach and supervising staff members can be informed.
Rowing
Preliminary Season Information
Preliminary information for the upcoming Rowing season is available on Redlands Pulse, this includes training schedules, draft Regatta dates and Rowing camp dates. Any student or family who would like any further information should feel welcome to contact James Petering (Head of Rowing 0413764446).
Pre-Season Rowing
With summer sport just around the corner, we have started offering pre-season training sessions for all current Yrs 8-11 students with water sessions held at Mosman Rowing Club on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 4.00-5.30pm and ergo session at Undercroft on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 7.00-8.00am. All sessions are optional with students requested to limit themselves to an absolute maximum of two water and one land session each week.
New links will be provided for Weeks 6 and 7 in next week’s Note Day.
Learn to Row
Students can join the Rowing program at any stage in their school experience and not just during Yr 7. We have a number of students who have joined in Yrs 10 or 11 who have managed to progress quickly with their development to a point where they have gained selection in our top Senior crews.
We will be running Learn to Row sessions for all new and interested students during Weeks 6 and 7 from Mosman Rowing Club on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 4.00-6.00pm. Further information will be available next week in Note Day and on Redlands Pulse. These sessions will be open to all Redlands students regardless of year level.
Rugby
Redlands Rugby will face SACS this weekend with all teams playing at Macquarie Sporting Fields. SACS have long been a traditional rival and the matches are always played in the best spirit with competitive games across all Age Groups.
Match times will be as follows:
Redlands Under 13s vs St Andrews Cathedral School – 08.00am
Redlands Under 14s vs St Andrews Cathedral School – 09.00am
Redlands Under 15s vs St Pius X Under 15s – 10.00am
Redlands Under 16s vs St Andrews Cathedral School – 11.00am
Redlands 1st XV vs St Andrews Cathedral School – 12.00pm
All students reminded to bring their own water bottle to the match. Please be aware that due to strict guidelines there will be no huddles and student tunnels.
Tennis
Unfortunately, all Redlands Tennis was washed out last Saturday. Please see table at top regarding details for this weekend. The most up to date draw can be found on the Redlands Rhino.
“A coach can help you with your mistakes, but nobody can help you with your excuses”. Brent ‘Buzz’ Williams – Head Coach Texas A&M University
Across most independent schools and in the various sporting associations that these schools belong to, there has been considerable discussion and work behind the scenes to offer a modified Winter season to students in this current climate. It is important that we take advantage of what is being offered. Unfortunately, over the last two weeks Redlands sporting teams, particularly in Football, have had to play short and even borrow players from opposition schools despite having enough players on paper. This puts pressure on our students on the field who are playing out of position but also on families who have to alter their post-match plans as they are asked to play a second game. Of course, there are medical related absentees but for the last two weeks, these have not been a major contributing factor.
Students have the option to choose between participating in a Representative Sport and a Non-Representative Sport with the major point of difference being the Saturday morning commitment required in selecting a Representative Sport. Part of the commitment to sport is the fun factor, turning up with your friends to play a sport they both love. It’s a great physical release. It teaches teamwork. It teaches overcoming adversity. It teaches how to lose. It teaches how to win. But for these elements to be occur, commitment itself is the most important component.
For those students who are representing Redlands in fixtures each Saturday and will miss their game due to illness, parents are required to complete this online absence form. This will allow your responses to be passed on electronically to your child’s coach efficiently and at short notice. The Student Absence link can also be found on Redlands Pulse.
Wednesday Sport – Winter Season
Please be aware there are only three more weeks remaining in our Winter Sport season. A reminder that any sport specific equipment and or clothing will be required as normal (eg. Shin pads, tennis racquet, swimmers, mouthguard etc.)
Training Schedule
A training schedule for all Junior School Winter Sport can be found here. This contains details for our Representative Sport training, details for our optional before school skills sessions that students may attend, our Gymnastics program and our Development Football program (previously known as Extra Subject).
Redlands Pulse
The Junior School Sport pages on Redlands Pulse will continue to be the ‘source of truth’ for all information relating to sport in preparation for Summer Sport which begins on Wednesday 2 September. Summer sport pages have been updated to give you an overview of the sports on offer, their respective seasons, costings and links to live documents. The Term 3 Sport Calendar, venue directory, uniform booklet and parent information booklets can be found here.
I am asking that if parents have an enquiry relating to sport that your first port of call will be the Junior School Sport section of Redlands Pulse.
Summer Sport Trials Term 3
In Week 7, Wednesday 2 September, we will be commencing our first round of trials for our Term 4 Summer sport season. These trials will continue on Saturday 5 and 12 September. The only absences I anticipate are those Yr 5 and 6 girls currently playing AFL in their regular season. As outlined above, if you plan to commit to a Representative Summer Sport, then the expectation is that you attend the trials associated with these sports.
If you wish to change your child’s Summer sport from a Representative Sport to a Non-Representative please email Junior Sport.
Cross Country
In a new initiative, Junior School students are welcome to attend pre-season Cross Country training in preparation for our carnival which takes place later this term. These sessions are open to all students in Yrs 3 to 6 and will take place each Monday morning from 7.00- 8.00am. Students are asked to wear their sports uniform with joggers. Those in school shoes will not be permitted to take part. The sessions will cover general fitness, agility and will give students the opportunity to get into running as we prepare for our carnival. Please meet in Dunnet Hall for a 7.00am start.
Goal Keeper Training
Goal Keeper specific training sessions are every Thursday mornings from 7.00- 8.00am. If your child is interested in goal keeping, please turn up and register on the morning. We are very fortunate to have such a high quality Goal Keeper coach in Dominique and the students who have attended his sessions have really enjoyed them.
Fitness Training
It has been great to see students return each week to participate in these sessions. For anyone else who is interested these take place each Monday morning meeting in Dunnet Hall at 7.00- 8.00am. Students are asked to wear their sports uniform with joggers.
AFL Skills Training
Open to all AFL students in Yrs 5 and 6, these sessions are a great option for those Netball girls who are also doubling up playing AFL on Saturday after their Friday night Netball games. Meet on the oval at 7.00am in sports uniform.
Athletics Carnival
In exciting news, there was a tie for Under 11 Boys Age Champion from our carnival last week. Jeffrey and Daniel tied on 38 points each after a full days program, only two points behind Joel who was awarded age champion trackside last week. Well done boys.
U11 Age Champion
Joel Daily
40
Runner Up
Jeffrey Benoliel
Daniel Benoliel
38
38
Photos
There are some great professional photos online for you to view and/or purchase or download. Please follow the steps below to view this folder that is only accessible to Redlands families.
Log onto http://www.akphotos.com.au/albums
Click prompt to Access Gallery
Select – Redlands Icon
Select – 2020 folder
Select Event ie. Junior Athletics Carnival
Enter Name and Email Address
Enter Password: Dunnet01
Select – View album
It is with significant disappointment that Snow Australia Interschools and Perisher announce that the 2020 SUBARU Snow Australia Interschools Event, scheduled to be held from 6-12 September has been cancelled.
Thank you for all the efforts of the parents this whole season and especially those who had made arrangements to attend this event in Perisher in September. All entry fees have been refunded via the credit card used in Trybooking. Any problems please email me.
George Murphy
After such devastating news, the good news is that George Murphy has been studying remotely in Jindabyne and training with the Australian Mogul team.
George and the other athletes live in a semi-bubble down and are not permitted to go out at night to restaurants etc, can’t travel on Skitube to Blue Cow and mask wearing is mandatory at all times. They are the only athletes permitted to use the NSWIS gym in Jindabyne.
There will be no ski competitions this season and they expect to train until mid September. If, as appears likely, they do not travel overseas for comps and training, they will be training in Brisbane at the new water ramp acrobatic facility over the summer and, as elite athletes on the National team, will be given exemption from quarantine to spend an extended period of time training in Brisbane.
Friends of Snowsports AGM
The Friends of Snowsports Annual General Meeting will be held (via Zoom) on Monday 14 September at 6.00pm. Voting for officers of the Committee for 2021 will take place. The link will be available next week.
Snowsports Parents and Carer’s are invited to attend the Friends of Snowsports Annual Dinner on 24 September at the Kirribilli Yacht Club (replacing the Presentation Night as planned). This is a parent only function and is limited to 50 people. Food and drink will be available and paid directly to the Club. The Trybooking link will be activated next week to book your spot.
More Snowsports details and calendar are on Redlands Pulse.
Whilst parents, friends and carers are not permitted into Parkes Hall at this time, we would like to thank you all for your continued support and understanding. Please be advised that students may be picked up outside Parkes Hall near the play equipment.
Important Dates
The Royal Academy of Dance examinations will be held at Redlands and have been confirmed for:
Sunday 23 August | Monday 24 August | Tuesday 25 August
Our senior school students continue to work hard towards their upcoming vocational examinations this month.
Congratulations to Maria Argyropolous, Charlie Gregan, Poppy Krueger and Sunday Stephens for completing their HSC Dance Practical Examination today. This was the culmination of their final year of study in the Dance classroom. They will have their Appreciation examination in November. We wish them all the best for the final examinations and whatever path they choose beyond school.
The Drama Competition will be held this term in a digital format. Students will be competing in the categories of comedy and drama with contemporary performance pieces. The final date for submission is Friday 28 August (Week 6). Judging will take place during Weeks 7 and 8 and the winners will be announced in Week 10. House points will be awarded for each submission.
Application forms and information are available here.
Gala Arts Performers Meeting
On Wednesday 19 August there will be an important student information meeting across the two Recess sessions in Redlands Hall for all competitors in Gala Arts for 2020. Notes from the meeting will be placed here for any student who is unable to attend.
Yr 12 Workshops
This week all our Yr 12 IB Theatre students will be participating in physical theatre workshops with renowned New York Theatre company PUSH. Founding artistic directors and performers Darren and Heather Stevenson will lead our students though innovative and safe physical theatre techniques for our current climate. These enriching experiences take place over Zoom and will become part of our students devising approaches for current collaborative performance development for their final IB Assessments.
With the resumption of the Redlands Choral program this past fortnight, it has been absolutely wonderful to hear the resonating voices of our choristers in creating music altogether once again.
Across the world, where a measured return to singing is an important consideration for many Choral programs, there is substantial research that indicates the benefits of singing. The findings establish that the neuroscience behind singing is proven to make us happier, smarter and more creative. So, why is it that singing music uplifts and exhilarates our very being? Numerous studies affirm that singing releases endorphins and oxytocin, part of the scientific reasons why singing has a calming effect on people, while at the same time creates positive energies and makes us feel happy. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of singing, click here for an interesting read on the Neuroscience of Singing
Term 3 Music Program Overview
More detailed information outlining the specifics of weekly rehearsal arrangements can be found on Redlands Pulse. For any additional enquiries or questions please contact the respective offices.
During rehearsals, all students are expected to adhere to the recommendations pertaining to social distancing expectations. In consideration of these guidelines, it is required that all students:
Bring their own instrument (if applicable) to school for use in instrumental rehearsals
Are organised with their own scores and repertoire as issued by Music Administration.
The Music Department has organised all rehearsals and resources to ensure that all students work independently with their own stand. Under no circumstance are students to be sharing a music stand with another student.
Hygiene in the Music Setting and Student Expectations
As part of our return to group settings, this continues to be a well-considered aspect of our overall planning and students involved in group instruction will follow the guidelines through the spreading out of rehearsals, utilising larger areas and rehearsal spaces to adhere to distancing, where possible. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of musical equipment and resources will be undertaken daily.
Senior Campus
Yrs 11 and 12 Higher School Certificate and International Baccalaureate Showcases
Yr 12 HSC and IB Music Showcases
Music 2, Music Extension and IB Music – Monday 24 August (4.30pm)
Music 1 – Tuesday 25 August (4.30pm)
These showcases are intended to provide students with additional performance opportunities in presenting their practical portfolios to experienced HSC and IB Music examiners, prior to final submission to NESA and IBO later in the term.
Yr 11 HSC and IB Music Showcase
Music 1, Music 2, Music Extension and IB Music – Wednesday 16 September (4.00pm)
Semester 2 Competition Auditions (New Audition Dates)
The audition process for the Vocal and Instrumental entries will require students to demonstrate advanced technical skills, personal expression and understanding of style. For the audition, students will only need to present one work. A second contrasting piece will need to be considered at the time of the audition and discussed with the audition panel. This piece will not be required to be presented at the time of the audition but will need to be prepared and presented in advance of the Competition if the candidate is selected as a finalist. Application forms can be found on Redlands Pulse.
Please note: Entries are only accepted when accompaniment scores are submitted to Music Reception at the time of the application submission.
Redlands Composition Competition
The Music Department is pleased to announce the Music Composition Competition. This creative opportunity is designed for any aspiring young composer in Yrs 7-12 who is currently enrolled in either the Academic Music program, Cocurricular Music Ensembles program or Extra Subjects program. Students are encouraged to continue developing original works for submission by Friday 14 August (Term 3). Application forms can be downloaded from Redlands Pulse.
Junior Campus
Junior Campus Choral Program – Arrangements Week 5
On Friday 21 August, the Music Department will be recommencing Preparatory Choir and Junior Choir rehearsals. For the time being, it is important to note that these choirs will rehearse from 7.45-8.15am for a total of 30 minutes.
The alternating rooming arrangements will see Junior Campus Choirs either rehearsing in small sectionals (Prep Music, P1.1 and P1.3) or altogether in Dunnet Hall. This rooming schedule has been organised to allow for distancing measures between singers. More specific rooming arrangements will be communicated in Week 5.
The planning of our modified format for rehearsals has considered, first and foremost, the safety of our choristers who are currently enrolled in the Choral program and the staff who are responsible for leading our choirs each week. At the moment, due to our organisation based on current ensemble members, new choral enrolments will not be processed at this stage.
