Head of Junior School

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Staffing Update

Today also marks the final day for Claudio Canepa, who has been covering for Penny Guha during her Long Service Leave. I would like to sincerely thank Claudio for the dedication, care and energy he has brought to 2W this term. He has made a positive contribution to both the class and the wider school community, and we wish him all the very best.

Looking ahead to next term, I am pleased to share two staffing appointments. Amanda Fox has been appointed as our new K-2 Art Teacher and will commence at the beginning of Term 2. Amanda brings approximately 10 years of experience as a Visual Arts teacher, having worked at Sydney Boys High School and Bankstown Girls High School, as well as across a range of public and independent primary schools. She brings both depth of expertise and a passion for fostering creativity in young learners.

We also welcome Sarah Beaumont-Jones as our new K-6 Learning, Growth and Assessment Lead. Sarah began her career at St Ives Public School and, over the past 12 years at Knox Preparatory School, has held a number of leadership roles including Classroom Teacher, Year 6 Wellbeing Leader and Team Leader across Years 2, 3 and 5. She brings a strong understanding of data-informed teaching practice, assessing for conceptual understanding and coaching to enhance pedagogical practice. Sarah is expected to commence in Week 2 or 3 next term.

Redlands Honey – National Honey Competition 

Happy Easter

Uniform Shop

Holiday Opening Hours

New Item

Strong Enough to Care – A Voice Notes Event

Save the Date – Thursday 14 May

Raising boys today isn’t simple. In a world shaped by algorithms, outrage and shifting expectations, many young men are quietly trying to work out who they are – and what it means to be a man.

At Redlands, we believe in challenging thinking, not avoiding it. We are a community that values critical thinking, compassion and responsibility – and we know that with the privilege of our context comes a responsibility to do this work well.

This Voice Notes event is an invitation to lean in, not step back.

Join us at the Cremorne Orpheum with leading clinical psychologist Zac Seidler, one of Australia’s most influential voices in boys’ and men’s mental health. This is a rare opportunity to hear from someone at the forefront of this work.

Alongside a Redlands student, staff member and alumnus, Zac will be part of a powerful panel exploring how we can better support and guide our boys to become emotionally intelligent, resilient and compassionate young men – not just strong, but strong enough to care.

As a proudly coeducational community, this conversation matters for all of us. Developing good men is not just about boys – it’s about relationships, respect and allyship – and the role we each play in shaping the culture around them.

This is for every parent of boys, P–12.

Bring your sons. Deepen the conversations you’re already having. Let’s  strengthen the way we support them, together.

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

Kindergarten – Year 2

Year 2 Project: Help us save our wonderful Koalas

Last Thursday, our Year 2 ‘Happy Pet Sounds’ group of students set up their stall in the 2 Yellow classroom to sell the little paper pets (and their enclosures) that they had spent weeks making. The initiative was motivated by the students love for animals as they decided they wanted to take action to raise money for the Australian Koala Foundation. Thanks to your support, and the students’ dedication, they managed to raise an amazing $522! A special thank you should go to Maddie and Lara in 2 Yellow who started this initiative and Ms Hepers, for spending so many lunchtimes helping the Year 2 students to make the paper pets.

Year 1 Sustainability in Action

Last week, our Year 1 learners enjoyed participating in an incursion led by Be the Future. The workshop was very interactive and allowed students the opportunity to view sustainability from an international perspective as they discovered how different cities around the world are encouraging nature in urban areas. Perhaps you could ask your child what they learnt about sustainability during the incursion. Thank you to Ms Thomson for arranging this activity for our Year 1 learners.

Kindergarten Mystery Guests

Over the past few weeks, our Kindergarten classes have welcomed several parents and family members who have come to school to share their Unique Stories with our youngest students. Thank you so much to all the Mystery Guests who have shared stories that have ranged from discovering gold; to travelling the world through their work; to volunteering abroad and explaining the work of their family charity. Your time is very appreciated, and your stories will be cherished by the Kindy students and staff.

Term 2 Assemblies

In Term 2, Year 1 will lead our assemblies:

• Tuesday 5 May – will be led by 1 White and 1 Yellow
• Tuesday 19 May – will be led by 1 Red and 1 Blue
• Tuesday 2 June – will be led by 1 White and 1 Yellow
• Tuesday 16 June – will be led by 1 Red and 1 Blue

Assemblies take place in Dunnet Hall from 1.50pm-2.20pm. We look forward to seeing many of you there!

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

Years 3 – 6

Big Buzz

This term, Year 4 students have been buzzing with curiosity as they explored Bees through an integrated Inquiry, English and ICT transdisciplinary unit. As investigators and changemakers, students researched different types of bees, examined why bees are vital to healthy ecosystems, explored the challenges they face and considered practical ways we can help protect them.

Learning came to life through hands‑on investigations like visiting the Senior Campus Bee Hives and hearing from Bee Keepers, informative writing on Bees, digital designs in TinkerCad, and ethical discussions about sustainability. At the culmination of the unit, students took great pride in showcasing their learning to the Year 4 community through a thoughtfully curated display. This rich exhibition featured a Bee Ecosystem, a diverse collection of written pieces, digital creations and constructed models, each reflecting a deep and authentic understanding of the different types of bees and their vital role in our environment.

Thank you to the Year 4 teachers for guiding the students through this meaningful voyage of discovery. It has truly been an unBEElievable term of learning and growth!

Watch the Video Here

Martina Petersen
Deputy Head of Junior School: Learning and Teaching
mpetersen@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Last week I wrote about the importance of a good night’s sleep to ensure our children are functioning at their best. As we head into the holidays and I have been thinking about not just sleep but rest and have picked up a book I dip into from time to time which has been incredibly useful to me in understanding what is truly needed to refresh and restore ourselves in the busyness of school life. It is called Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith. The author writes about seven types of rest needed for holistic rejuvenation; Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social, Sensory, Creative and Spiritual.

It’s easy to assume that a good night’s sleep is all we need to feel rested and ready for the day ahead. While sleep is incredibly important, it is only one part of a much bigger picture. Research and wellbeing experts remind us that true restoration comes from a range of different types of rest, each meeting a different need in our minds and bodies.

The concept of the seven types of rest highlights that when children feel tired, overwhelmed or irritable, the solution may not simply be “more sleep.” Instead, they may be lacking a specific kind of rest that helps them reset and recharge more effectively.

Physical rest is perhaps the most familiar. This includes both passive rest, such as sleep and quiet downtime, and active rest, like gentle stretching, walking or play that helps release tension in the body. Children who are constantly on the go, or alternatively sitting for long periods, benefit from a balance of both.

Mental rest is needed when young minds feel overloaded. School days are full of learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Short breaks, quiet time and even moments of daydreaming can help children process information and return to tasks with greater focus.

Emotional rest allows children to feel safe expressing how they truly feel. When children are encouraged to share their thoughts and emotions openly, without fear of judgement, they are better able to regulate themselves and build resilience.

Social rest is about the energy we gain or lose from being around others. While friendships are a vital part of school life, children also need time away from social demands. Balancing time with peers and quiet time alone helps children feel more grounded.

Sensory rest is increasingly important in our busy, screen-filled world. Bright lights, noise and constant digital stimulation can be overwhelming. Creating calm spaces, limiting device use and allowing time away from screens can make a significant difference to a child’s wellbeing.

Creative rest supports a child’s sense of wonder and imagination. Time in nature, exposure to art, music and unstructured play all help to inspire and refresh creative thinking. These moments are not “extra” – they are essential for healthy development.

Finally, spiritual rest helps children feel connected to something bigger than themselves. For some, this may be through faith, prayer or reflection; for others, it may be found in moments of gratitude, kindness, or time spent in nature. This type of rest nurtures a sense of purpose and belonging.

As families, supporting our children’s wellbeing means looking beyond just sleep and considering the many ways they restore their energy. By noticing what kind of rest a child may be missing, we can better support them to feel balanced, calm and ready to learn.

Over the break, consider the types of rest that you and the family are getting and where you may need to focus on rejuvenation.

May I take this opportunity to thank you for reading my articles this term and to wish you all a safe and happy Easter break.

Kate Moore
Deputy Head of Junior School: Students (3-6)
kmoore@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Redlands Rising 

Roman Edwards

Last week Roman Edwards (6Y) was presented with the top Batting Award across all North Shore Cricket Clubs in U12 Div 1 for 25/26. He was also awarded a trophy for getting a hat-trick. The trophies were presented to him by Mitchell Starc at the annual awards night. An exciting finish to the season. What a great achievement, well done Roman.

Leo Anderson

Leo Anderson has been participating in Freshwater Nippers for the past three years. This season, he demonstrated remarkable growth and commitment, culminating in being awarded the Kay Priday Award; an honour given to the child in each cohort who consistently displays a positive attitude, persistence and a willingness to give their best.

A standout moment came during the branch championship, where Leo took on a 500m+ ocean swim well outside his comfort zone. Despite having multiple opportunities to withdraw, he chose to persevere and see it through, an outstanding example of courage and determination.

It is wonderful to see these qualities recognised within the wider community. Leo’s achievement is a testament not only to his character, but also to the strong alignment between school and community in fostering resilience, positivity and commitment in our young people.

Junior School Operations

Vacation Care

Junior School Mother’s Day Celebration

Next term, we will celebrate our Junior School Mother’s Day on Monday 11 May from 8am-9.30am. Students are invited to enjoy a variety of activities alongside their mother or a special person. Further details about the event will be shared with families closer to the date.

International Day

Next term, on Monday 15 June, we will celebrate International Day on our Junior Campus. We look forward to sharing and celebrating a wide variety of cultures within our community.

In previous years, this event has been a great success thanks to the wonderful contributions from our families. If you are able to be part of this special day, we will be holding a planning meeting in the first week of Term 2 on Friday 24 April (following the P-2 PCG meeting). During this meeting, we will establish a timetable and discuss resources to help ensure our International Day is a success.

A reminder about the meeting will be sent to families at the beginning of the term. Thank you to the parents who have already expressed their interest, we truly appreciate your support.

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