From the Desk of the Head of Primary

This year has again seen continued, positive progress in the academic areas with pleasing results in Basic Skills and University of NSW competitions in English, Maths, Science and debating. Similarly there has been some excellent progress and achievement in the creative areas of Music, Band and Visual Arts.

Extension classes also continue to provide challenge and motivation for the students selected from Years 4/5 and 6. In addition, to these activities the school has been successful in a variety of team sports that included rugby, soccer, Australian Rules, basketball, athletics, cross country and swimming. The Year 6 students with Mr Murray’s guidance also made school history by winning first prize at the Castle Hill Show for their giant pumpkin that was nurtured to maturity in their vegetable patch near the Year 5 classrooms.  

Mrs Hewatt’s Learning Support and Special Needs and movement classes continue to provide valuable help for a number of boys in the areas of Spalding, reading, comprehension, written expression and writing.  Of particular success is her vision testing program which also identifies students with Irlen or Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome.  

Our staffing remains stable and we welcomed one new addition to the staff this year, Mr Andrew Rezk in Year 6 after Mr David Ward returned to Queensland at the end of 2006. Naturally this stability in the staffing area has a very positive impact on the school and students, particularly in the areas of our communication, planning, programming, daily routines, expectations and of course our comradery.   

The school prides itself on a spirit of charitability and the students and parents have willingly involved themselves in fund raising activities for a number of charities with a special focus on helping Father John Glynn in his valuable work in Port Moresby, PNG.   Even though we are a small school in comparison to other independent schools, the students’ skills and ability, combined with the dedication of teaching staff and the generosity and commitment of team coaches and managers, many of whom are parents of Primary boys, all contribute to make Redfield a very special place.  Our goals continue to focus on developing the potential of each and every student through academic, sporting, spiritual and formative means in close partnership with the parents.

Peter Comerford  Head of Primary