Redlands Life Terms 1-2 2020

Life TERMS 1&2 2020

Life TERMS 1&2 2020 Direction & Vision 2 6 HALF YEARLY REPORTS 8 MEET OUR TEAM 10 TEACHING & LEARNING FACILITIES Opportunities & Achievements ACADEMIC 12 VISUAL ARTS 16 GLOBAL LEARNING 17 DEBATING 18 LIFE-READINESS 19 SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS 20 THEATRE 22 DANCE 23 SERVICE 24 Community 26 28 COMMUNITY ALUMNI

“Our aim is to further enhance our culture by setting high expectations, prioritising wellbeing and support, encouraging innovation and creativity and inspiring students to connect with what drives and motivates them.” - Stephen Webber, Principal Direction & Vision 1

HALF YE ARLY REPORTS Stephen Webber PRINCIPAL It was with much excitement that my wife and seeing our Junior Girls and Boys AFL As recognition of our School’s response to Lynn and I arrived in Sydney for me to take teams qualify for the Paul Kelly Cup Regional the COVID-19 period of isolation, it was most up the role of Principal at such an impressive Finals, through to cheering on our 13 rewarding that several of our staff were asked school. It is an honour and privilege to have Basketball teams contesting the ISA Grand to present on panels in a series of AIS NSW the opportunity to build on the legacy of past Finals. The exciting Grand Final wins by the professional development webinars. Preparatory leaders and to work with such a dynamic and Girls 1sts and four Boys teams and our Girls School teacher Vanessa Finlayson presented in professional team of staff. teams being awarded the ISA Basketball a K-2 webinar that reviewed steps schools were Lynn and I were given an incredibly warm Shield capped off an excellent Summer taking to provide Remote Learning for younger welcome by all members of the Redlands Sports season. students. Dean of Students (P-6) Samantha community and a priority for me was to get to In all of these activities, one of the most Kourakis and Deputy Principal Sarah McGarry know all the stakeholders of the School and to impressive aspects of the School that struck a were panel members sharing Remote Learning learn from those who know the School well. chord was the way that students interact with wellbeing strategies with other AIS schools. I enjoyed having lunch in groups with our Year each other and the staff, with a natural ease of It was a memorable day in May when the 12 students, getting to know them as leaders communication and a genuine sense of care return to On-Campus Learning coincided with of the School, and I was particularly impressed and consideration for the other. the opening of the New Learning Hub for with the themes of Positivity, Courage and The commitment and creativity of our staff Secondary School students. It was so enjoyable Celebration that the Student Leaders had and the strength of the Redlands community watching the expression on students’ faces chosen to focus on this year. really shone with the necessity to pivot to as they entered the building for the first time Learning from staff was also a priority Remote Learning in late March, and with and most rewarding to hear their feedback. and my individual meetings with each staff this online format of teaching and learning The flexible learning spaces full of natural light, member havereinforced what makes Redlands continuing until late May. I was inspired to colour and visual transparency, break out such a distinctive school, most notably the see how our school community responded to study spaces and exceptional technology have warm and welcoming community with a this challenging period. Staff worked hard, often indeed transformed our teaching and learning strong sense of connection, and a culture beyond the call of duty, to develop a purposeful this year. I reiterate my heartfelt thanks to all that encourages engagement and inclusivity. and engaging Remote Learning program, members of the school community who have There were a number of opportunities with ongoing improvement and refinement contributed to making this project a reality. to meet a wide range of parents including the in response to feedback from parents. It was Our very high quality learning program for RPFA’s Welcome Afternoon Tea for new families fantastic to see staff expanding the number our youngest students was recognised during and Twilight in the Piazza evening, as well as of ways for students to connect with them the semester with our Redlands House the Year7 ParentsMeetand Greet.These events in a myriad of activities in addition to their Preschool once again rated as ‘Exceeding the further emphasised people’s passion and academic lessons, including virtual Debating; National Quality Standard’ in all seven areas support for the school community. virtual Music, Drama and Dance lessons, of assessment by the Australian Children’s For the first eight weeks, the school year competitions and ensemble rehearsals; virtual Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). proceeded as normal and I enjoyed attending Service initiatives; virtual Careers Week; and A sincere thank you to our Redlands House assemblies and a range of academic lessons even virtual Sport. Sports staff turned into team, most ably led by Mrs Huon and Mrs across the School, impressed by the students’ mini-broadcasters with a plethora of activities: Fellowes, before her move to Queensland, for all engagement, level of knowledge and Zoom Fitness Sessions, Sports-specific Drills their work in achieving this outstanding rating. enthusiasm. Saturday Sport was another and Skills and Weekly Challenges, a virtual In closing, I sincerely thank all parents and highlight, ranging from watching our Year 7-8 House Cross Country Challenge and even carers for your incredible support during what AFL teams play their first games for Redlands Sport podcasts. has been an unprecedented time for us all. Thank you for your exceptional efforts in supporting your children through the period of Remote Learning, which has brought added meaning to the sense of our School and parents working inpartnership for the benefit your children. Thank you for reaching out and supporting those members of our community in need. And thank you for the many messages thanking our staff for their dedication, professionalism and care, which have lifted spirits and reinforced the special connectiontoourwonderfulSchool. This semester has truly been a time of gratitude and one where the strength of our Redlands community has shone through brightly. 2

HALF YE ARLY REPORTS Ainslie Breckenridge HEAD OF PREPARATORY SCHOOL Numeracy Across the Preparatory School this Semester, Number Talks have encouraged learners to look for connections and build a strong numbers skill set in order to attack problem solving. Every class endeavours to use Number Talks each day to help reinforce skills. There is nothing more satisfying that walking into the Kindergarten rooms in the mornings and seeing number groups in action. I have watched our students manipulating counters, playdough, games, chalk and many other materials to show their understanding of number. 2020 has certainly presented itself to be completed online and away from their Literacy a challenging year that has seen Redlands devices. Their finished product, as well as Preparatory School change Heads of Sections, their demonstrated process of learning, Our K-2 Initialit program continues to pivot between face-to-face and remote was uploaded for feedback and marking. provide our young learners with the strong learning, while all the while drawing strength Prerecording of lessons in advance and foundations to become successful writers from its sense of community and solid posting these helped the students and and readers. This consistent approach of teaching and learning. Since my parents to access content repeatedly if skill building has provided the confidence commencement at the start of Term 2, necessary, to support their learning. The our learners needed to become more I have been impressed with the resilience focus of the online learning was to continue creative and risk taking with their writing. of the staff and students, their flexibility, to build the relationship between peers Our Year 2 writers produced excellent compassion and care they have and with staff, so the teachers navigated information pieces about the life cycle of demonstrated through this ever-changing the platform to share storybooks, take a chicken and used persuasive language to landscape. The key as we progress through ‘brain breaks’ together and spend some help sway the opinions of their audiences. this year is to capture and build upon the quality time each morning checking in with Year 1 wrote imaginative stories about fairy lessons learned and new practices that each other. tales and were risk takers when changing have emerged from this time period. We reflected as time went on about the endings for their audience, while our the importance of maintaining face-to-face Kindergarten authors wrote informative Remote Learning sessions, so we moved our Assemblies and texts about Australian animals and Chapel time to Zoom. This was an important recounted stories. The Remote Learning space is ever changing step in maintaining connection between Our young readers enjoyed reading a and staff rallied together to continue to peers and this also helped me start to form wide variety of books again this semester. provide a differentiated, quality education relationships with the students. Thanks to the family borrowing system for our Redlands students, whilst ensuring As we staggered our return to school, we through the Lucy Hill Library, families were they felt secure and safe in an online learning reflected upon how proud we were of the able to encourage the love of reading at forum. There were many examples of our Prep students and how they demonstrated home. Redlands families also participated students adapting and developing greater motivation and eagerness in their online in the annual Premier’s Reading Challenge independence than we may have expected learning and how each day they impressed where they were encouraged to read picture previously. We were also able to provide us with their willingness to be inquisitive books, informative and imaginative texts. sense of certainty and routine where learners and open-minded learners. felt safe and cared for. It is a testament to Due to the high quality of our Remote Units of Inquiry all members of our community that we are Learning practices, we were very proud emerging now, out the other side, well to have our Kindergarten Coordinator, Units of Inquiry continue to provide our connected and positive about the experience Mrs Finlayson, invited to be part of the students with the opportunity to investigate we have had. Association of Independent Schools’ panel and ask the ‘why’ questions. From watching Through the use of the SeeSaw app, we on Remote Teaching and Learning in K-2. chickens hatch to comparing games of were able to create activities that students the past to today, our learners continue to learn and practise the skills of finding out and moving forward with their learning. 3

HALF YE ARLY REPORTS Ari Guha HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL In a year like no other, there was much for It was fantastic to enjoy our first Junior Redlands AFL jerseys, both teams played with us to celebrate, acknowledge and learn School Carnival of 2020; the annual House great spirit, skill and teamwork and after the from as our Junior School students, staff Swimming Carnival, held in the impressive group stages, both teams progressed to the and community embraced the challenges arena of the Sydney Aquatic Centre. The semi-finals with a 100% record. This continued presented in Semester One. energy, enthusiasm and competitive House for the rest of the tournament with both Our academic focus on spelling continued spirit was alive in abundance and I loved teams eventually crowned as Grand Final from 2019 with professional learning led seeing students supporting one another winners, progressing to the Regional Finals. by Jill Ryman from the Association of and taking pride in their personal and Of note, our girls team did not concede a Independent Schools (AIS) curriculum team. House achievements. There were also some single point in the tournament, scoring 222 Beyond the modules covered in depth with exceptional performances on show across points at the same time! Sadly, the COVID all K-6 teaching staff, Jill spent particular the age groups and all in all, the carnival landscape meant that the regional and time with Years 3 and 4 teachers providing was a wonderful day for students, staff state finals were cancelled this year, where lesson demonstrations and conducting her and families. Congratulations to Cowper undoubtedly the teams would have been own lesson observations to give insightful House on their fifth successive Swimming strong contenders. feedback to teachers. This ongoing Carnival victory! Of course, any review of Semester One relationship between Redlands and the Year 6 Curriculum Camp took place couldn’t be complete without mention of AIS continued thorough the first half of towards the end of Term 1 and was an Remote Learning. A new experience for 2020 with a number of sessions throughout enriching experiential learning experience for everyone, there was much to be reflect the semester. our students. Having completed a thorough upon and be proud of as our community pivoted and adapted as necessary to meet Staying with the literacy theme and risk assessment through the lens of bushfires the needs of students, staff and families in building upon our involvement with the in February, the School quickly pivoted to these unchartered waters. Whilst striving to New South Wales Education Standards shift our thinking to the COVID-19 climate maintain a sense of normalcy around teaching Authority Writing Project in 2019, where a of the time and thankfully, the students and and learning through online platforms, class of our Year 6 students provided work staff were able to enjoy a wonderful week in the wellbeing of our students remained a samples as part of a cross-curricular writing Canberra combining civics education with a primary focus during this time and one of research project into the teaching of writing, range of outdoor education experiences. the key changes saw a dedicated wellbeing the Junior School welcomed award-winning In March, our Junior Girls and Boys lesson added to the student timetable, an author, Jack Heath, to Redlands as an AFL teams took part in the divisional Paul initiative that has remained in place when we author-in-residence during Term One. Kelly Cup competition. Donned in the new returned to school exactly two months later. Of note, our Junior Campus Dean of Students, Mrs Kourakis, was invited to present as a panellist by the Association of Independent Schools in webinars on Student Wellbeing during remote and online environments, a testament to the wider knowledge of the School’s leading work in Remote Learning. The Japanese art of kintsugi repairs broken ornaments with a lacquer resin mixed with powdered gold, silver or platinum. The repairs are deliberately visible, yet somehow beautiful, and represents that there is always an opportunity to grow from failure, a mistake or a difficult situation. By persisting and searching for new opportunities to improve and embrace new ways of thinking, we finished the semester strongly, returning with optimism and stronger than ever for the experiences that we shared and overcame together. 4

HALF YE ARLY REPORTS Sean Corcoran HEAD OF SECONDARY SCHOOL As we reflect on Semester 1, we can all The COVID-19 pandemic meant that parents remotely through online agree that 2020 has been a year like no Redlands had to quickly pivot to a Remote webinars, information sessions and other. As a school community we have Learning environment and while it was parent teacher evenings. faced unprecedented challenges due to not the “same” as face-to-face learning, While we were all relieved and excited the COVID-19 pandemic. And while all of we were encouraged and excited to see to return to On-Campus Learning in Term 2, us in the Redlands Secondary School have how we were still able to deliver our high we have been able to reflect upon and had to deal with the disappointments and quality educational programs in new and, learn from this Remote Learning experience disruptions of physical distancing, cancelled sometimes even, improved formats. for future planning. events and general uncertainty, it is in our Some of the highlights of this Remote The highlight of Term 2 was the opening toughest times when the strength of our Learning experience were: of the New Learning Hub which has Redlands community truly shines at its - Hearing the excitement of teachers transformed the Senior Campus and brightest. I can honestly say that while this as they discovered new teaching and provided state of the art learning spaces semester has certainly been challenging, learning opportunities using iLearn and for our students. The Learning Hub provides in many ways it has also been the most Zoom, such as online collaborative innovative learning and teaching opportunities rewarding and heartening semester in my projects and Science experiments being through large, modern classrooms; state four years at Redlands as I have once again conducted onsite and live streamed to of the art audio visual capabilities; a myriad seen our community of students, staff and students at home to analyse. of individual and small group breakout parents pull together in the most supportive, - Seeing our cocurricular and sporting and study spaces which have become a compassionate and positive ways. activities successfully function in an Year 12 Study Centre outside of class time; The year started under the literal and online environment with activities such and specialised Visual Arts and Innovative metaphorical cloud of the bushfires that as daily fitness classes live streamed from Design facilities. ravaged NSW over the summer. All of the Fitness Centre, online debates against I have been so proud of the students us were affected in one way or another, other schools and music and dance and how they have faced the challenges and I know many families were directly ensembles rehearsing through Zoom. of this semester. In a recent interview for impacted. We were all inspired by stories - Keeping our House spirit alive with over a prospective student to the School, I was of heroism, compassion and the strength 200 students and staff participating in asked by a parent about what I enjoyed of the human spirit, and our student our House Cross Country Carnival most about my role. After a brief reflection, leaders responded by leading fundraising remotely using the Strava running app. I told this prospective parent that the and awareness raising initiatives in the - A focus on providing pastoral care and privilege of working with these young Secondary School community. While the wellbeing support in different ways to people and seeing how they face the bushfires forced our annual Year 7 Camp students through more regular Tutor challenges that life can sometimes throw to move from High Country Campus in check ins. at them, inspires me and gives me hope for Jindabyne, we were still able to provide this - Providing more connections with the future. Our strength is our community. formative camp experience for our Year 7 students at an alternative location on the Central Coast. Early in Term 1 we were pleased to award our first Approaches to Learning Awards, presented to students in Years 8-12 who demonstrated significant improvement in their Effort Tracking scores over the second semester of 2019. We hope to continue to build on this type of recognition of effort, and not merely results, in years to come. We were also able to conclude a very successful Summer Sports season towards the end of Term 1 and a highlight was certainly our Girls Basketball program where our 1sts Girls Basketball team won the ISA Competition and Redlands also won the ISA Girls Basketball Shield which is given to the most successful girls basketball program across all of the age groups in the ISA. 5

MEET OUR TEAM Ainslie Breckenridge student is treated as an individual and our young learners continue to grow into where their individual strengths are resilient students who love learning through Head of Preparatory School identified and nurtured. fun and challenging hands-on experiences. I am also excited to engage with our Ainslie came to Redlands from Barker 2. What do I hope to achieve in my role? Redlands families. College where she was Director of As Head of Preparatory School, my hope is Curriculum / PYP Coordinator for three to continue to build on the strong academic, 3. What educational issues am I most and a half years. Prior to that she was pastoral and physical foundations already passionate about? Head of Junior School at PLC Armidale. in place here at Redlands. I am looking When I have conversations about authentic Her love for educating students has forward to working closely with the Campus inquiry, I get excited! When a Unit of Inquiry developed through teaching roles in various Deans and Heads of Sections to continue to truly provides opportunities for learners to Independent and Government schools. provide learning opportunities that reflect ask questions, take their learning forward 1. What attracted me to Redlands? 21st century learning. I am excited to see through deep questioning and then be able Coeducation and strong sense of diversity to reflect on what they have learnt, I know drew me to Redlands. I wanted to be part that the learner has made true connections. of a strong school community where each When a student can use an explicitly taught skill and adapt it to truly inquire, this is a golden moment. 4. What vision do I have for our students and staff? My vision for our students and staff is to inspire them. Inspire to think outside the box, be creative with thinking, be flexible in how to approach teaching and learning and most of all to make learning fun. Everything we do whether explicit instruction or inquiry thinking, should be connected and have meaning. My vision is to always ask the why question to find that meaning. Stacey Smith 2. What do I hope to achieve in my role? and prepare students to be successful global learners. To get to know all students so that Dean of Teaching and Learning P-6 To build a culture of life-long learners we can provide a holistic approach to their amongst the staff and students. For Redlands learning and wellbeing. Stacey came to Redlands from Wenona to be at the forefront of using evidence-based where she was K-6 Mathematics Curriculum practice in teaching and learning. Coordinator and a class teacher for the past four years. Prior to that, she held a variety of 3. What educational issues am I most roles at Pymble Ladies College including K-6 passionate about? Learning Innovator, Grade Coordinator and I am passionate about providing a balanced K-6 Mathematics Coordinator in addition to education where we equip students with the being a class teacher. She also has teaching necessary foundational skills on which we experience at Newington College, as well can build, being smart about how we use a variety of independent coed and public our time and adopting a transdisciplinary Schools across Sydney. approach that includes real-life application of the acquired skills. 1. What attracted me to Redlands? I was keen to work in a coeducation learning 4. What vision do I have for our students environment again as it provides an authentic and staff? preparation for life beyond school. Redlands For Redlands to continue to be at the has a strong reputation for allowing students forefront of coeducation by leading to follow their passions and engage in a wide innovative, evidence-based practices that range of academic and cocurricular pursuits. support a personalised learning approach 6

MEET OUR TEAM Matthew Bentley Head of Teaching and Learning Matt came to Redlands from the NSW school community again as I attended a who make an active and positive contribution Education Standard Authority (NESA) where coeducational school as a student, albeit to their families, local communities and he was Director of Professional Learning for some years ago now! society. In a more formal sense, I think the past two and a half years and before that, these things are already well articulated Director of Professional Learning at Knox 2. What educational issues am I most in the School’s motto Luceat Lux Vestra, Grammar School. He previously taught passionate about? or Let Your Light Shine as well as through English at Shore and St Joseph’s College where Whilst there are many things that come to the philosophy of the Redlands Learning he was Head of English. He has a substantial mind, three things that matter deeply to Platform. For staff, my vision is to create association with professional teaching bodies, me are equipping our students with 21st a culture of high performance and high including theNSWEnglishTeachers’ Association, century skills, teacher professional support that is based on trust, respect and was a past President of the Professional development and innovative curriculum and professionalism. Teachers Council of NSW. He was also a design. If each of our students attains these Supervisor of HSC English marking with skills or dispositions, all staff actively participate NESA and served on the examination in high quality professional learning committee, setting the HSC English exams experiences and the School continues to for almost a decade. offer a world class curriculum then we will all flourish and benefit. I am also a big 1. What attracted me to Redlands? advocate for student voice. One of the things that really appealed to me about Redlands was its innovative and 3. What do I hope to achieve in my role? contemporary approach to teaching and learning which is based on research and To have a positive and tangible impact on practice from Harvard University’s Project improving the learning outcomes for all Zero, and encapsulated in the Redlands of our students at Redlands. To provide Learning Platform. This resonated with me opportunities, inspiration and leadership at a personal and professional level due to for staff growth and development. To listen my past experiences in leading Project Zero to, and engage meaningfully with students, school-based curriculum and pedagogical staff, parents and the wider community so projects. Another appeal was the School’s I am able to successfully build the School’s vibrant and inclusive culture, including its vision of teaching and learning. And to offerings in drama, music and cocurricular maintain a sense of humour and humility. programs for students. Finally, after many years teaching at Independent boys’ schools, 4. What vision do I have for our students I was attracted to being part of a coeducational and staff? My vision is for our students to be confident, creative and critical thinkers 7

TEACHING & LEARNING A Community of Learners and playgrounds were eerily quiet, except determination that is the trademark of for a number of essential services workers’ the Redlands community. Commencing at Redlands in January of children, whose learning continued on   As a newcomer to Redlands, I was 2020 was the opening of a new chapter campus with additional support from aware of the School’s innovative and in my professional life. Early days were teaching staff. progressive approach to teaching and filled with the buzz of joining a vibrant   Our staff, myself included, became learning. But it cannot be overstated that multi-campus community, home to 1700 immersed in the professional learning the commitment of staff, students, and students and over 200 staff. In the heat of required to ensure that quality teaching parents’ adoption of Remote Learning in a Sydney summer, classrooms began to and learning be effectively delivered with 2020 was extraordinary. The collegiality fill with students’ energy and enthusiasm high student engagement. Additionally, of the community was the glue that held for the new year. Staff too began setting many everyday changes were required us all together and I witnessed staff and goals for their own professional learning in the way we connect and communicate students’ optimistic determination to build journeys for the next 12 months. with each other, as face-to-face meetings on a solid framework of professionalism   Fast forward eight weeks to the rapid ceased, parent teacher Zoom meetings and a love of learning. spread of COVID-19, an unprecedented commenced, surveys were conducted Matthew Bentley situation for all Australians, with a two online, remote assemblies held and virtual Head of Teaching and Learning month isolation period in NSW and business exams for senior students were completed. and school closures. The requirement for As staff, our knowledge, and use of online school communities across Australia was to tools increased exponentially, as we adapt to a seismic shift, the likes of which focused on utilising the features of many has never been seen before in education. IT programs available to heighten the Resilience, agility and adaptability became learning experience for our students.  We the new social mantra. ‘leapt forward’ into the world of remote and In mid-March, immediately after a technology-enabled learning and embraced planned trial online learning day, our change with the professionalism and School pivoted from face-to-face teaching to a new blended form of Remote Learning for all our students in Preschool to Year 12. Everyone stepped up to utilise the teaching tools of Zoom, iLearn, Google Classroom, Seesaw and Storypark in new ways. Our staff and students successfully and rapidly transitioned over 100 teaching and learning programs to the world of Remote Learning, featuring a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning. The classrooms 8

TEACHING & LEARNING Redlands House Exceeds NQS can be achieved and we acknowledge the work of our exceptional Redlands House In April, we were thrilled to be advised that team, most ably led by Year Coordinator our Redlands House Preschool was once Mrs Huon, Educational Leader, Mrs Thomas again rated as ‘Exceeding the National and Mrs Fellowes, before her move to Quality Standard’ in all seven areas of Queensland. assessment by the Australian Children’s Thank you also to the parents and Education and Care Quality Authority families for their help and encouragement. (ACECQA), an independent statutory Our relationships with pivotal people in authority that assists governments in the lives of our students was evident, with implementing the National Quality one assessor commenting, “You can see the Framework for early childhood education love and the trust.” Well done yet again to all and care throughout Australia. Redlands House teachers! This is the highest possible rating that Cultures of Thinking In wonderful recognition of the Cultures of Thinking practices that are embedded in the School through our Redlands Learning Platform, Music teacher Mrs Amy Richardson and Redlands featured in the new publication, The Power of Making Thinking Visible: Practices to Engage and Empower all Learners by Ron Ritchhart and Mark Church. In the book Amy outlines how she used the What? So What? Now What? Thinking Routine with her Year 11 Music class. The publication from the Harvard Project Zero program has an international audience and our inclusion in the book will contribute to the reputational profile of the School at a local and international level. 9

FACILITIES New Learning Hub Opens There was much excitement from Kindergarten and Year 6 students who It was a very exciting day in May when visited the New Learning Hub in its first Secondary School students and staff not few weeks. The Kindergarten students only returned to On-Campus Learning, who toured the building and learnt about but also enjoyed their first classes in the how the learning spaces were built, had state-of-the art New Learning Hub. many excellent questions for Mr Webber These exceptional new facilities are and our builder and project manager. providing an inspirational learning We look forward to when we can open environment for students and teachers, with the campus up to visitors once again and large modern learning spaces for English, enable members of our school community Mathematics, Social Sciences, Innovative to enjoy looking through this state-of-the-art Design and Visual Arts. The breakout and teaching and learning facility. study spaces have been well utilised by Year Thank you to all members of the school 12 students during recess, lunch and their community who have contributed to this study periods and the whole environment project and for making it a reality. supports strong pedagogical practices and student engagement in their learning. Sustainability Enhancements A key overarching strategic goal of the School is to continually improve our environmental sustainability and at the end of Term 1, solar panels were installed on the roofs of both the Peter Cornish Building and Robert Dunnet Hall on the Junior Campus. The data generated by the use of solar panels will provide an excellent real world resource for Junior School students’ learning. There were also 25 new recycling bins installed on both campuses at the beginning of Term 2, which will further help to reduce our environmental footprint as a school. 10

“We seek to enable every single student to shine by growing and developing their individual gifts so they become confident in who they are, the skills they possess and what they have to offer the world beyond our school gates.” - Stephen Webber, Principal Opportunities & Achievements

ACADEMIC Celebrating Academic Achievers At the beginning of the year, we were delighted to recognise the outstanding achievements of the top HSC and IB students from the Class of 2019 at our annual Academic Achievers Celebration Assembly, attended by their parents, staff and Year 11 and 12 students. Principal Mr Webber emphasised the importance of effort and teamwork demonstrated by the Class of 2019 Top Achievers. HSC student Siddhant Saha and IB student Lindsay McNeil addressed the Year 11 and 12 students, encouraging them to maintain a consistent effort, and continue to balance their studies with the opportunities that the School has to offer. The students were applauded loudly Computing Successes when they processed into the Assembly and again after they received their recognition There was much to celebrate in the area of certificates, where they turned and faced Computing during the semester. the audience of Year 11 and 12 students, In January, Theo Mirrlees-Black (Yr 11) teachers and parents. and Kira Prado (Yr 11) attended the National At the end of the Assembly, the top Computer Science School at the University achievers and their parents enjoyed a of Sydney for a ten day experience, living on light lunch in the Roseby Library and were campus with over 100 other attendees. The delighted to see their photos on the Top experience proved enriching by virtue of Academic Achievers wall outside the Library. experienced tutors and the opportunity to We wish the Class of 2019 the very best meet new people with both similar interests and look forward to following their future from a variety of backgrounds. Theo and progress and achievements. Kira worked collaboratively on project based work which they presented at the end of the week. In February, Kokoro Sawa (Yr 9) was accepted in the University of Sydney Computer Science program and Tylor Wessels and Kira Prado (both Yr 11) were accepted into the UNSW High School Computing Course. During the semester, Theo Mirrlees-Black (Yr 11) made significant progress in the Senior Division of the Oxford University Computing Challenge in the Senior Division. In June he finished among the top 20 students in the first round and as a result, was invited to participate in the second round of the competition. 12

ACADEMIC Author-in-Residence Junior School students were delighted to welcome award-winning author Jack Heath to Redlands as an author-in-residence in February, with a focus on inspiring and developing students’ creative thinking and writing. Working with each of the Year Groups, Jack’s sessions involved asking students to describe stories they like and explaining how to generate the premise for a new story by connecting recycled ideas. The students wrote their own short writing samples before he showed them editing techniques that they could use to refine and extend their work. From his very first interaction with the develop their own practice. students in assembly, it was clear that Jack’s The week was an unmitigated success engaging and personable manner, coupled and has visibly been a catalyst to greater with his humour, would be well received student engagement in both reading and by students, There was also a staff creative writing. Excitingly, we look forward to writing workshop after school, which teachers continuing this program in 2021 with thoroughly enjoyed and took much from to another author. Once Upon a Time During the period of Remote Learning, Yr 10 student Isabella Kendrigan contacted Junior School Teacher Librarian, Mrs Wiebe, with an idea to video herself reading stories for Junior School students. Isabella selected a range of picture books which became a big hit as many of our students absolutely loved them and kept asking for more; so much so that Isabella read six stories in total. Bella created her own YouTube account for students and families to hear her read these stories and we thank and congratulate her on her initiative and for making a difference during this time. 13

ACADEMIC Explain Everything As part of their Unit of Inquiry on Earth and Space, Year 2 are developing their abilities to think like scientists. The young learners investigated patterns in the position of the sun across the day, changes in the shape of the moon and seasonal patterns by observing, posing questions, collecting data and describing their findings. Working collaboratively with a partner, the students used an app called Explain Everything to document learning processes and outcomes, accessing a variety of tools for annotation, animation, narration and sharing purposes. As a collaborative tool, Explain Everything is also used in other key learning areas such as Mathematics, where students instruct and model their calculation strategies using the app’s recording tool, text, arrow and pen features. The Big Dig Collaborative Exploration In March, Year 2 students enjoyed a wonderful In February, Year 1 visited St Leonards excursion to The Big Dig Archaeology Centre Park for an afternoon of discovery and in The Rocks. Students loved learning about friendship building. As part of the Science the families who lived in this area in the 1800s Schoolyard Safari Unit, students carefully andwereriveted by the stories about their lives. searched for various minibeasts using By learning about archaeology and artefacts, magnifying glasses and other small tools. they developed an understanding of how They discovered insects and other mini- artefacts are used to discover what life was beasts in their local environment and like in the past. Students made connections observed their different habitats. and inferences about the artefacts they saw, Throughout the afternoon, the students deepening their understanding of life in the used their interpersonal skills whilst past. The highlight for the students was collaborating in team pursuits. Using class most definitely the opportunity to become parachutes and partaking in initiative archaeologists and dig for artefacts! games, students worked collaboratively together and practised the expectations relating to inclusive and respectful relationships found in our Positive Behaviour for Learning Framework. 14

ACADEMIC Visible Thinking in Redlands House Visible thinking was very much to the fore at Redlands House during the semester. After returning to Redlands House at the start of the year, Blue Class Seniors were in awe of the tall, bright sunflowers that had blossomed in the Preschool garden. Their conversations with each other and their teachers were thoughtful and curious, sharing what they noticed and their prior knowledge. Blue Class teachers guided the Seniors Orange Class Seniors returned to images of the creatures they had discovered. through the beginning of the Visible Preschool to discover that ladybugs had The Seniors engaged in discussions about Thinking Routine ‘I used to think… now I moved in to the veggie patch much to the what they could see, noticing similarities think’ and learning the following from the students’ delight. This discovery sparked and differences between these creatures. students: their enthusiasm to uncover, observe and Following this the Seniors were provided investigate all small creatures in their with a wide range of mediums to express “They don’t stay out forever.” playground from the bees, the ladybugs, their knowledge and ideas, to further their “Sunflowers can grow bigger than humans.” flies and ants. meaning making. “When sunflowers die, the seeds fall on the To nurture this learning, Orange Class As the students explored the relationships ground and grow another flower.” teachers lead the Seniors through a Visible we have with these living things, noticing After sharing the story From Seed to Thinking Routine, Think, Puzzle, Explore, and responding to change, they began Sunflower and watching a time-lapse clip of which helps students connect to prior to develop an awareness of the impact a sunflower changing from seed through to knowledge, to stimulate curiosity and human activity has on environments wilting, the Seniors engaged in a discussion to lay the groundwork for independent and the interdependence of living things. about the different parts of a sunflower inquiry. This in turn supports students to and were given the opportunity to express To promote scientific inquiry, the teachers become socially responsible and develop their ideas through art. Through a variety and students read from Eyewitness Natural a lifelong respect for the environment in of indoor learning experiences, the children World and looked thoughtfully at close up which we live. continued to represent their thinking in different ways. 15

VISUAL ARTS Visual Arts Challenge Next Gen Art In April, Year 7 students were given an interesting Visual Arts project. Inspired by Congratulation to Captain of Visual Arts, the Getty Museum’s Quarantine Challenge, Sunday Stephens, who initiated and they were tasked with recreating a famous organised a unique opportunity for Visual portrait painting using props from around Arts students in Years 11-12 and the Class the house. of 2019 to showcase their artworks at an The results were outstanding - well done exhibition in the Dominik Mersch Gallery, Year 7! Rushcutters Bay, one of Sydney’s leading contemporary art galleries. Thanks to A Message for the Times the generous support of the gallery, the Next Gen Art Redlands X Dominik Mersch During the period of Remote Learning at Gallery exhibition was held at the end of the end of Term 1, Year 3 student Viraj Term 2. Tandon presented Mr Guha with a painting The selection committee was inundated he had created as a thank you to the School. with inspiring, highly creative works and The image entitled Mother was of after great consideration, selected 17 Mother Theresa and on the reverse Viraj finalists for the exhibition. Sunday worked had written the following message, “In this with Dominik Mersch and Coordinator time of universal care and need, a beacon of Visual Arts, Mark Harpley, curating the of hope that binds humanity together”. exhibition and hanging the artworks in Thank you Viraj for your thoughtfulness! the gallery. The exhibition was enjoyed by Visual Arts students, staff and parents and provided a very creative and inspiring end to the term. Well done Sunday on your innovative initiative! We also thank the Dominik Mersch Gallery for partnering with us in this inaugural exhibition and encourage members of the Redlands community with an interest in the best of Australian contemporary fine art to contact or visit the gallery in person or virtually: Dominik Mersch Gallery, 1/75 McLachlan Ave, Rushcutters Bay. [email protected] https://www.dominikmerschgallery.com/ virtual-tours 16

GLOBAL LEARNING Young People’s Plan for “Representing our School, we worked together Chinese Proficiency the Planet with students from Mauritius, Singapore, India, Townsville, Melbourne, Perth and Byron Congratulations to Yr 10 student Victoria In the Christmas holidays, five students Bay. We listened to each other’s research and Butler who won the 2020 NSW Hanyu Max Currie, Olivia Reid (Year 11), Aymon ideas to solve the biggest problems that the Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition. Holth, Aayushi Singh (Year 12) and Lachlan world faces, addressing the UN Sustainable This competition is for students aged 15 to van der Pluijm (Class of 2019) headed to Development Goals as part of the Young 20 years old to illustrate their knowledge of Singapore for the Young Person’s Plan Person’s Plan for the Planet Program. Chinese culture and language with the aim for the Planet Conference. Over the previous Together, we collaborated to create a World of “building a bridge” of communication for six months, they were part of a team of 15 Plan for the Planet, combining each country’s young people in China and around the Redlands students who designed a plan for ideas. The result was new friendships, world to learn from one another. Victoria’s NSW targeting the Sustainable Development innovation, a room full of inspiration and an video on Chinese traditional painting was Goals issued by the UN in 2015. Receiving unforgettable experience. I was blown away highly praised by the judges. a government grant, our students enjoyed with the amazing ideas presented by other the opportunity to showcase their teams and the incredible passion that work on a global stage. everyone had for our world.” Olivia Reid shares the Redlands team’s experience at the conference in the following reflection: Yale Young Global Scholars This is a highly selective program as in Spanish World Champions Program the previous year, only 1000 students were selected to attend from 6,500 applicants. Congratulations to our Junior School Congratulations to Year 11 students Natalie It is an extremely diverse global program, students who were awarded 1st in Spanish Watson, James Watson and Kira Prado, with participants from over 125 countries in the Education Perfect Languages World who were accepted into the highly coveted living and working together as a community, Championships out of 1,377 schools from Yale Young Global Scholars Program. studying a curriculum of interdisciplinary, across the world – a phenomenal precollegiate sessions, tailored especially achievement! for high achieving high school students. In these Championships, our Junior Each session brings together an array of School students answered a staggering Yale’s best faculty and outside speakers to 370,000 questions in Spanish, with the provide an intense, hands-on experience competition week held during the period designed to challenge and inspire. of Remote Learning. They earned 61of As this program was postponed until the 83 awards for individual scores above 2021, we look forward to hearing about it 500 points and we congratulate every then and congratulate Natalie, James and student involved and Senora Colagiuri Kira on this significant achievement. for inspiring and supporting them in this challenge. Special congratulations to Christopher Stevens and Roy Rivera (both Year 6) on achieving the highest possible Elite award with over 10,000 points. Our Junior School students also achieved 6 Emerald (over 5,000), 8 Gold (over 3,000), 5 Silver (over 2,000), 17 Bronze (over 1,000) and 23 Credit (over 500) awards. 17

DEBATING Virtual Debating Mirrlees-Black debated against the topic “That all students should have a compulsory When COVID-19 put a halt to the 2020 ISDA visit to an abattoir in their schooling”. and FED Debating competitions, the Year They did Redlands proud with their 9 ISDA team were undefeated after four sophisticated arguments, winning the rounds. debate. In April, our very resourceful Coordinator The success of this inaugural virtual of Debating Simone Bryant organised a debate led to a virtual Debating series trial Zoom debate between Redlands and between Redlands, Knox, Pymble Ladies’ Pymble Ladies’ College. This included 59 College and Kambala, to keep the spirit of participants from Year 7 to senior students, Debating alive. Thank you to Mrs Bryant staff and parents from both schools. and well done to all our debaters. Year 11 and 12 students Ela Yohannan, Aleisha Lawrence, Sirena Scotting and Theo The Great Debate The Great Debate between students and teachers in May on the topic of ‘It’s not what you know but who you know that determines success in your career’ was a very entertaining event. Congratulations to the student team of Sirena Scotting (Yr 12), Theo Mirrlees-Black and Natalie Watson (both Yr 11), arguing the negative, on their strong performance and victory. While the staff team of Ms Read, Mr Allen and Mr Taylor performed valiantly and humorously, the student team won convincingly. Thank you to all of the students who watched the debate on Zoom during their lunchtime. 18

LIFE-READINESS National Reconciliation Week classes to read books and engage with the young learners. Junior School teachers used In the week of 27 May - 3 June we joined a range of age-appropriate resources the rest of Australia in celebrating National to share and explain the significance Reconciliation Week, a time dedicated to of this week in our country. Secondary building positive, respectful relationships School students explored and discussed between Australians and celebrating some of the important issues in Tutor Indigenous culture. Group, with Year 9 students developing Under the very relevant theme for their own Acknowledgment to Country. 2020 In This Together, students in all sections This learning will help prepare the Year 9 of the School explored some of the students for their Arnhem Land cultural important issues surrounding National experience this year. Reconciliation Week. By acknowledging this significant week Preparatory School students explored within our shared history and engaging and shared Indigenous stories, talking with events celebrating Aboriginal and Torres about the importance of respecting and Strait Islander knowledge and culture, we honouring the culture and tradition. They believe that students will better understand also enjoyed visits by Mr Webber and Ms the journey towards Reconciliation. McGarry, who attended some of their National Careers Week and former Redlands parent Matt Church presenting on leadership “Lead the future. In May we built on the success of the How to thrive in the decade of disruption”. inaugural 2019 Redlands Careers Week During a Speed Networking session, over with our celebration of this year’s National 70 Year 10-12 students connected virtually Careers Week. Due to the COVID-19 with 26 Redlanders worldwide, who shared restrictions, we held a virtual event with an their experience and expertise in a very exciting range of activities aimed at getting diverse range of industries including Law, students to think about post-school Health Services, Medical, Fashion, possibilities, aligning with our vision of Performing Arts, Marketing, Technology, further developing their life-readiness. Humanitarian Aid, Finance, IT, Armed The week began with a remote Career- Forces, Consulting and Architecture. One focused Assembly, followed by Tutor of the benefits of conducting this event Activities and two outstanding keynote online was the ability to involve Redlanders presentations. Many students and parents who are living and working overseas. tuned into best-selling author Janine Thank you to University and Careers Garner presenting on the importance and Advisor, Simone Salier and Alumni Manager, benefits of networking “It’s Who You Know: Caroline Jane for their organisation of Why your network is key to your success and these very successful virtual events. how to find the right people that will help YOU ”; and renown motivational speaker International Women’s Day our students in terms of the barriers she had profession”. She spoke to the students about overcome and her drive and inspiration. the challenges and obstacles she has faced in International Women’s Day was celebrated Secondary School students heard from her career and how she has overcome these at Redlands early in Term 1, to both guest speaker, Mary Jerram, at their in her lifetime. acknowledge the achievements of women International Women’s Day Assembly. A focus of the Junior School assembly, and reflect on some of the gender With a legal career culminating in her was this year’s theme, #EachforEqual, inequalities and injustices still present in appointment as Deputy Chief Magistrate of focussing on the importance of an equal Australia and around the world. the Local Court of New South Wales in 2000 world being an enabled world. While as a Principal Mr Stephen Webber joined and the first female state coroner of NSW coeducational school, a gender equal world the Junior School Captains and Secondary in 2007, Mary was made a Member of the is one that our students simply see as the School Service Captains at the International Order of Australia (AM) in the 2018 Australia norm, they did discuss how this is not Women’s Day breakfast at the Mosman Art Day Honours: “For significant service to the always the case in many parts of our globe Gallery, hosted by Mosman Council. Maeve law in New South Wales as State Coroner, in so many different ways. O’Meara provided an entertaining and and as a role model for women in the legal thought-provoking address, which impressed 19

SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS BASKETBALL - Girls 1sts and Boys 17A, !5A, 15C and 15D teams won their ISA Grand Finals - Girls teams won the ISA Girls Basketball Shield for their performances over the season - 13 teams contested the ISA Grand Finals - Kate Stanbridge (Yr 12), Olivia Hatch (Yr 12), Yola Reinecke (Yr 11), Meera Coburn (Yr 10), Emilie Bessell (Yr 9) and James Wells (Yr 11) were selected for ISA teams - Hugo Flatman (Yr 6) was selected for the NSWCIS team SWIMMING - Sam Virtue (Yr 10) placed 2nd in 50m ROWING Butterfly, 3rd in 50m Breaststroke NSW Championships Redlands Carnival - Erik Scott (Yr 10) placed 3rd in 50m Backstroke - Boys 1st Quad won Silver - Alex - Olivia Donoghue (Yr 11) broke 5 records: - Xander Halfen (Yr 8) placed 3rd in 50m Holtheuer (Yr 11), Max Durrant, Girls Senior 200m Individual Medley, Backstroke Nick Wilkes, Mitchell Simpson and 100m Freestyle; Girls U17 50m - Ruby Voyce (Yr 8) placed 2nd in 50m cox Alex Coney (all Yr 12) Backstroke, 50m Butterfly; Girls Backstroke - U16 Boys Double won Silver - Finn Champion of Champions 50m Freestyle - Josh Miller (Yr 9) placed 3rd in 50m Woodward, Patrick Walker (both Yr 9) - Erik Scott (Yr 10) broke the record for Breaststroke - Girls 1st Quad placed 4th - Elizabeth the Boys Champion of Champions - Intermediate Boys 4x50m Relay Holtheuer (Yr 10), Emily Batemyr, Emily 50m Freestyle Erik Scott, Sam Virtue, Josh Miller, Barrelle (both Yr 11), Maddi Howard and - Roseby Junior Girls broke the record for Max Symons (all Yr 9) placed 3rd cox Tash Richardson (both Yr 12) 4x50m Relay - Olivia Donoghue (Yr 11), Samuel Virtue (Yr 10), Erik Scott (Yr 10), Xander Halfen Sydney Girls High School Regatta ISA Championships (Yr 8), Chloe Jennings (Yr 8) and Ruby Year 8 Team Voyce (Yr 8) were selected for the ISA - Intermediate Boys placed 3rd and Merit team - Yr 8 1sts placed 3rd - Kate Baker, Senior Girls placed 4th in Division 1 Scarlett Thorp, Mikaela Sanger Larsson, - Olivia Donoghue (Yr 11) placed 1st in NSW Open Championships Angela Monty and cox Zara Naismith 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle; 2nd in - Daisy Thomas – 1st in Single Scull 50m Butterfly - Olivia Donoghue (Yr 11) was selected - Oolan Margon and Sophia Parkinson - - Chloe Jennings (Yr 8) placed 2nd in 50m to compete at the NSW Open 2nd in Double Scull Freestyle, 50m Breaststroke; 3rd in Championships - Angela Monty – 3rd in Single Scull 100m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke - Felicity Schlederer – 3rd in Single Scull HICES Championships Year 9 Team - Catarina Croll – 1st in Single Scull - 26 Junior School students represented - Charlotte Morrison and Phoebe Redlands at the HICES Champsionships Cunningham - 1st in Double Scull • Isobel Campbell (Yr 6), Joshua Svensson, - Alana Mansefied - 2nd in Single Scull Luca Gazilli, Giorgio Gazilli and Zac - Briar Carter – 2nd in Single Scull Holgate (all Yr 4) were selected to - Sienna Wessels - 3rd in Single Scull represent HICES at the NSWCIS - Yasmin Coletran - 3rd in Single Scull Swimming Carnival - Coxed Quad Scull - 2nd in Div 3 - Charlotte Morrison, Georgia Verschoor, NSW CIS Championships Sienna Wessels, Phoebe Cunningham and cox Tess Malycon - IsobelCampbell(Yr6)wasselectedto represent CISforBreastrokeandindividual Medley at NSWAllSchools 20

SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS TENNIS SAILING - Sebastian Dobson (Yr 11) and Stella - Jameson Prescott was selected by the Simpson-Morgan (Yr 7) were selected Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron for the for ISA Open teams to represent ISA at Under 25 International Youth Match the NSWCIS trials Racing team to compete in two - Sebastian Dobson (Yr 11) and James international regattas in Sydney and Robinson (Yr 10) were selected for the New Zealand ISA team for two representative Tennis matches against CAS and GPS - Ella Delaney was one of 16 sailors selected - Teams 1, 7, 9 and 20 won the Term 1 for the SailGP Inspire Program, achieving Tournament 2nd place at the end of the series TOUCH FOOTBALL - Redlands Girls team placed 2nd in the SheSails Team Racing Regatta - 6 teams contested the Semi Finals Riverview Gold Cup - Anna McCormack and Olivia Simpson (both Yr 12) were both selected for the - Schoolgirl Coxed Quad placed 1st - ISA Open Merit team Emily Barrelle (Yr 11), Emily Batemyr - Monique Pascoe (Yr 12), Aayushi Singh (Yr 11), Elizabeth Holtheuer (Yr 10), (Yr 12), Olivia Donoghue (Yr 11), Katie Maddi Howard (Yr 12) and cox Charlotte Wightwick (Yr 10) and Madison Barwise Harman (Yr 10) (Yr 9) represented Norths at the NSW Cup - Girls Year 10 Div 3 Quad placed 1st - HOCKEY BEACH VOLLEYBALL Blythe Ogilvie, Lilly Dijkstra, Emma Canton, Charlotte Harman and cox - Sebstien Griffith was selected for the - Sofia Stuckmann (Yr 11) was selected Hannah Mitchell (Yr 9) U15 NSW team - Freya Gait, Jessica Van Extel, Sophie for the NSW Junior squad and she and - Girls Yr 9 3rd crew placed 1st - Zoe McMillan and Eloise Trueman were her partner won gold in the U18 Girls at Naismith, Georgia Verschoor, Gracie selected for the ISA 16/U team the Australian Junior Championships, Connell, Charlotte Morrison and cox being undefeated throughout the Tess Malycon WATERPOLO competition - Boys Yr 9 3rd crew placed 1st - Douglas - Josh Miller (Yr 9) was selected for the ISA EQUESTRIAN Mantell, Tobias Bowgerald, William U17 team to compete in the NSWCIS trials Pearson, Ethan McFarlane and Angus - Kodi Tupper (Yr 12) was awarded CDI-Y McLachlan SNOWSPORTS Freestyle Champion and CDI-Y Point Score Reserve Champion at the Willinga - Girls Yr 8 2nd crew placed 1st - Daisy - George Murphy was selected for the Park Dressage by the Sea competition Thomas, Scarlett Meijer, Felicity Australian Mogul Ski team to train for Schlederer, Angela Monty and cox selection for the 2022 Winter Olympic JUDO Anneka Steele Games and was awarded a NSWIS scholarship for 2020/2021. He also - Sergey Philips (Yr 5) won a Gold medal ATHLETICS placed 1st in U17, 4th in Open Single at Canberra International, a Gold medal Moguls at the Rocky Mountain at Budokan Tournament and a Bronze - Emma Mahon (Yr 11) placed 6th in the Development Series; and 20th in the medal at Sydney International; and he U18 3000m at the NSW Junior Single Moguls, 14th in the Dual Moguls was selected for the NSW team to Championships at the US Selection Trials. compete at the Australian Championships - Sienna Wessels (Yr 9) won 3 Gold - Jonah Koppers (Yr 10) placed 3rd in U17 medals in the Rocky Mountain Boys 400m and Max Currie (Yr 10) and Snowboard Cross Series in the USA and his team placed 4th in the 4 x 100m qualified for the USASA Nationals Relay at the Regional Little Athletics Track and Field Championships ACROBATICS AFL - Olivia Wintle (Yr 11) was selected to - Junior Girls and Boys teams progressed to the Regional Finals of the Paul Kelly represent Australia at the FIAC Flanders Cup, with the Girls team scoring 222 International Acrobatic Cup in Belgium points whilst not conceding a single point 21

T H E AT R E Theatresports Challenge This year’s Redlands Theatresports Challenge was an exciting night with students performing improvised scenes to a packed audience in the Drama Studio in March. Congratulations to all competitors on their stellar performances and especially to the following winners: - Overall and Intermediate Winners: Ben Adamson, Kyle Banfield, Alex Gibbs, Claudia Lalich, Callum Wardman-Browne - Senior Winners: Tasman Banks, Caroline Bates, Leilani Heath, Flynn Henry, Maddi Howard, Noah Pincini - Intermediate Magic Moment: Juliet Treloar - Senior Magic Moment: Maddi Howard Year 10 Performance - Shakespeare Festival Redlands Students On Stage Connections 2020 Congratulations to all students who Congratulations to the following students The Show must go ONLINE! Year 10 students performed in this year’s Shakespeare Festival. who performed in external productions performed a collection of dramatic and Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the wonderful during the semester: comedic Radio Plays from Theatre of the Shakespearean theatre performances - Charlee Kwintner (Yr 7) performed in Absurd in Connections 2020. Links to these were videoed individually and adjudicated Puccini’s opera La Boheme at the Sydney audio performances were made available by guest judge, Redlander Tess Haubrich. Opera House for Opera Australia. She also to families to enjoy online. Tess commented that across the board, performed in the Packmen Production everyone performed very well and there of Les Misérables at the Riverside Theatre was a clear, mature sense of understanding as Young Cosette of the language and characterisation which was wonderful to see. Overall, all the - Kindergarten student Leah Yizhaki performers were passionate and prepared featured in a heart-warming collaboration and the projection, articulation and of young and old with The Wiggles on a understanding of Shakespeare’s language new ABC TV special Ageless Friendships and style was impressive. Singalong - Overall Winner: Liam Dow - Iago - Best Performance: George Dunne, Daniel Thomas, Julia Parker - The Taming of the Shrew  - Honourable Mention: Madison Bennett, Lucia Brown, Bridie Carmichael, Toby Griffiths - Macbeth Witches Xavier Little and Lauren Weaver - Hamlet Joshua Green and Liam Dow - Othello 22

DANCE Ballet & Dance Achievements There were a number of significant achievements by the dancers from the Redlands Ballet and Dance Academy during the semester and we congratulate the following students: Joan and Monica Halliday RAD Competition - Dante Minassian (Yr 6) qualified for the Finals Isobel Anderson Memorial Award Competition - Summer-Eve Emyth (Yr 8) qualified for the Finals and Maddison Hand (Yr 8) qualified for the Semi Finals Victorian Ballet - Imogen Jeffery-Bilich (Yr 7) was accepted for the Victorian State Ballet’s production of Beauty and the Beast Dance Life Unite Nationals - Ross Psaroulis (Yr 11) won Overall Tap Genre and placed 1st in the Teen Tap Solo section RAD Exams - Alyssa Tinetti, Elina Filatova and Nina Casey-Brown all achieved Distinction 23

SERVICE Anzac Day Mother’s Day Classic While this year’s ANZAC Day was very The Redlands MDC20 team participated in different for all Australians across the the Mother’s Day Classic Fun Run and Walk country, we were pleased to be able to still as they have done for many years, with hold our annual Secondary School ANZAC students and family members, staff and Day Assembly remotely via video and the alumni supporting this wonderful event Junior School Zoom assembly also included virtually. Participants walked or ran 4km acknowledgement of ANZAC Day. Students or 8km on or before Mother’s Day in their paused to remember the many military local areas. personnel who have served, fought and With the second largest number of given their lives for our country, whilst participants among all schools, our Redlands recognising their courage, mateship, skill community raised nearly $3000 which will and perseverance. Principal Mr Webber go towards vital breast cancer research. placed a wreath at the Redlands pine tree, which has been grown from a seed from Georgia Slack (Yr 5) and her older brother the Lone Pine battle site at Gallipoli. and sister played The Last Post at dawn A number of students and families outside their home for their neighbours. commemorated ANZAC Day with their Thomas (Yr 6), Alice (Yr 4) and Grace Flynn own Dawn Services in their streets or (Yr 2) held a short ceremony wearing their neighbourhoods and one of our Service school uniforms outside their house at Captains, Maya Auld, led an ANZAC Day 6am on ANZAC Day. Alice read the Ode to Dawn Service in her local community. the Fallen, Grace held a candle and Thomas played The Last Post on his trumpet.  Budding artist, Viraj Tandon (Yr 3), created a wonderful tribute to ANZAC Day - a charcoal drawing of a faceless soldier which he also submitted to ABC news. His image was selected to be displayed on their website and received an overwhelming online response from the general public. Students Give Thanks Taldumande Camp In for Kids During Tutor time in May, Secondary School students wrote letters of thanks to It was wonderful to see so many members essential workers in our local community of our Redlands community participating in to thank them for their support during the the Taldumande Camp-In for Kids in May. COVID-19 isolation period. In total, our students and their families Year 8 wrote appreciative Thank You letters raised $3354 for Taldumande Youth to essential workers at Australia Post and Services, which provides support to other delivery services. Year 9 wrote letters vulnerable and homeless children and of thanks to our local food service workers, their families across the Sydney region. ranging from Woolworths to local grocery stores. Year 12 sent their heartfelt thanks Thank you to the students and Tutors to essential workers at Royal North Shore who organised this initiative and to all Hospital and other local medical services. students for your caring and sincere words In another lovely gesture, Year 7 of support to our essential services workers students sent Thinking of You notes to and elderly neighbours. the residents of Bougainvillea Retirement Village, which is located right next door to Redlands. 24

“Some of the key features that make Redlands such a distinctive school are the the warm and welcoming community with a strong sense of connection between staff, students, parents and alumni, and a culture that encourages engagement and inclusivity.” - Stephen Webber, Principal Community 25

COMMUNIT Y Happy 136th Birthday generosity of previous generations who Redlands supported the School to make this happen. During Heritage Week, students enjoyed We celebrated the 136 year history of an online video from our Archivist, Marguerite Redlands during Heritage Week and Gillezeau, featuring these two major Foundation Day in June. This year marks milestones and outlining how Redlands has two significant milestones in our School’s been impacted by global events over the history -135 years of the Preparatory past 136 years. The video also highlighted School, one of the oldest continuously parallels with the Spanish Influenza epidemic open Preparatory Schools in Sydney, and of 1919 and the COVID-19 world of today, 30 years of the Junior Campus. and demonstrated how Redlands students The Kindergarten (Preparatory School) supported the war effort during World was established in 1888, with the first War I and World War II, both in terms of Director, Miss Sarah Anne Brown, brought fundraising and active service. over from England by Miss Liggins and Miss Arnold. In 1899 the Preparatory School moved to Military Road with the relocation of the School, and then moved into different sites around the campus, most notably the cottages on the Gerard Street border. In 2011, the Preparatory School, named after Margaret Roberts (the former President of the Mothers’ Canteen and wife of Trustee, John Roberts), moved to the brand new purpose-built building on the Junior Campus. 30 years ago the Cremorne Campus (previously Cremorne Girls High school) was opened by the Premier of NSW, thus significantly expanding the size of our School and providing a new campus for Junior School and later Middle School students. We are very grateful for the Welcome to our New Families We are very proud of our friendly, supportive and diverse community and in early February, the Redlands Parents and Friends Association and our Foundation team hosted a special afternoon tea to welcome families of new students. This provided an ideal opportunity for our new families, from Sydney, interstate, UK, USA, Switzerland, Germany, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore, to meet other new parents and find out more about life at Redlands. With nearly 200 people in attendance, the sense of warmth and community spirit was palpable. 26

COMMUNIT Y Twilight in the Piazza Community spirit was in abundance at the Twilight in the Piazza evening in February. The threat of rain necessitating moving the location into Dunnet Hall certainly didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. The evening was a wonderful social opportunity for the many parents in attendance and staff to connect. New Principal Mr Stephen Webber introduced himself to the Redlands community, sharing his background in education and his motivation and excitement in joining Redlands. Parents enjoyed the fabulous musical entertainment provided by Greta Argyropoulos (Class of 2017) and Christopher Blundell (Class of 2013) and his saxophone quartet. A big thank you to the RPFA and our Foundation team for their hard work in organising this event. RPFA Thank You A sincere thank you to the RPFA and other parents and students who very kindly put on a special staff morning tea and provided other lovely treats in May to say thank you to the staff for their exceptional efforts during the period of Remote Learning. This wonderful gesture was very much appreciated by all staff! We also thank the RPFA, Parent Group Coordinators and Year Group and Class Parents for providing support to individual families, especially those from interstate and overseas, during the period of COVID-19 isolation. Their overarching goal to build connections and relationships has never been as important as during this time. 27

ALUMNI New York Chapter Class of 2015 - 5 Year Reunion In early February, our Redlanders residing in NYC met for their monthly Alumni Chapter In March we welcomed Alumni from the meeting. Angus Dunnachie (Class of 2016), Class of 2015 and their parents back to who is currently on exchange at Drexel school. They enjoyed Welcome Drinks University, and Emily Farrell (Class of 1994) in the Roseby Library and a School Tour, met with Redlands Chapter delegate before making their way to The Oaks for Pauline Lam (Class of 1987), exchanging dinner. Our Redlanders proudly shared career, life and travel stories. their journeys since graduating from School with Principal Stephen Webber, Deputy Principal Sarah McGarry, teachers and other staff. Alumni Mentoring Reunions Update also. Missing one year in 50 plus is a small price to pay to get through this pandemic, As part of National Careers Week in May, As a number of decade reunions had to and we look forward to many more good 26 Redlanders from Australia and overseas be postponed this year due to COVID-19 years in the future. It certainly has probably met virtually with over 70 Redlands students restrictions, we look forward to welcoming been the most challenging time we have seen from Years 10-12 in our Virtual Speed the following cohorts back to Redlands in in our lifetime. So far so good, but as we are Mentoring event. 2021 to celebrate these milestones. treading unknown territory nobody really Thank you to all of the mentors involved knows. Thank you for keeping us connected, for sharing your expertise across a wide - Platinum Girls Luncheon (50+ years and my very best wishes to the Redlands range of industries: Law, Health Sciences, since graduation) Community”.  - Mrs Libby (Elizabeth) Begg Medical, Fashion, Performing Arts, Marketing, - Classes of 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, (Kershaw), Class of 1963 Technology, Humanitarian Aid, Finance, IT, 2000, 2010 Armed Forces, Consulting and Architecture. “I’ll look forward to a time when we can meet In lieu of hosting our annual Platinum again”. - Mrs Barbara Wellesley AM “What a great experience. My mentors gave Girls Luncheon in May, Alumni who (Gotting), Class of 1955 me really logical advice towards my career graduated from Redlands in 1970 and goals. ‘Keeping my options open’ was the best earlier were sent a message of cheer and “I’ll look forward to meeting you when we take away for me.” - Year 12 student acknowledged with tailored greeting cards. can gather for the Platinum Girls event. “This event gave me lots of insights and Beautiful, bright drawings by current Meanwhile, take care and stay well”. opened new horizons to possibilities outside Redlands students, Alice Flynn (Year 4) and - Ms Jane Anderson, Class of 1970 of the school gates.” - Year 10 student Grace Flynn (Year 2) were sent, accompanied by messages of kindness, sharing love and light with our treasured Platinum Girls. “Thank you for staying in touch, and I have been enjoying the Redlands site on Facebook 28



That’s Life... Redlands, Sydney Church of England Coeducational Grammar School 272 Military Road, Cremorne, NSW 2090 P: 02 9909 3133 www.redlands.nsw.edu.au Operated by SCECGS Redlands Limited ABN 96 001 336 269 CRICOS Provider Code: 00713M