Head of Junior School

1. Your reflection is what you see in a mirror.

2. When you pause for reflection — serious thinking, that is — your thoughts are bending inward.

As the end of 2021 draws to an end we pause to reflect. To take some time to bend our thoughts inward, to reflect on all that has happened in the Junior School throughout the year, and the impact of these experiences. As a community, we have been abundantly blessed to continue to have strong partnerships between students, parents, carers and staff. The Redeemer family, continues to grow and maintain a strong relationship working together to help the students in our care flourish.

The year has brought many highlights and successes through student engagement and voice. The ultimate goal being to have students who are curious, courageous and Christ-led as they engage in their educational journey. There are so many examples of how students looked for ways to engage in their own learning as well as serve those within the community.

A group of Year 3 students decided that they wanted to take some action in making the school grounds a place where the natural wildlife could come and safely enjoy living, without any pollution being left by the humans who inhabit it. They worked with a teacher to bring their idea to fruition and created The Tidiers. A small but passionate group of students whose goal was to educate Junior School students on the importance of putting litter in the bin, raising awareness for the wellbeing of the animals, whilst also role modelling how to keep our College grounds clean and tidy. There were meetings held, budgets created, wish lists made and schedules formed. This is just one example of Junior School children serving our community and making a difference throughout the year.

Remote learning was another adventure that our students in the Junior School approached with a growth mindset. For many, it was an experience they had previously encountered in 2020. For Prep students and those new to Redeemer it was their first time, and they did an exceptional job. I reflect on remote learning with pride. Pride for the resilience and flexibility shown by students. Pride in the staff who went above and beyond to provide educational experiences that focused on the academic, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of our students. Pride in the parents and carers of Junior School students who juggled the challenges of working from home, being in lockdown and making every effort to support their children during remote learning. Redeemer really is an incredible community and I feel blessed to be a part of it.

There have also been challenges that the Junior School community faced this year. Due to Covid restrictions, our Year 6 students were unable to participate in their much-anticipated Canberra Tour. We spent far longer than any of us wished, having to adhere to regulations that did not allow for parents to be onsite and sport matches and music concerts were postponed or cancelled due to lockdowns or restrictions. All of these challenges were disappointing and took their toll on our community. In speaking with students about these challenges and the subsequent disappointment they felt, what became apparent was their capacity to look to God and their faith in gaining perspective. To think of others who were not as lucky as themselves and to make the most of the opportunities that they did have. An authentic example of the living hope that comes from a Christian community where God’s love is central to all that we do. Listening to students talk about God’s plan for each of us and how things would be okay, we just had to have faith, is a reflection that I will hold as my most precious for 2021.