The Red

Thank you to all our Secondary parents and staff who were able to join us last Friday for the Key Parent Function and thank you also to Mr Thomas, Mr Engesser, Mr Drevikovsky and Mr Anderson for their hard work in putting together their presentations. For those who were unable to attend the evening and for the benefit of those who would like to revisit the various talks, please use the links in this issue of The Red.

The end of this week marks the halfway point of the term and all of our students should be engaged in active learning in the classroom and the completion of homework tasks, assignments and assessments. If you feel your son is not fully immersing himself in his work, please seek out his mentor and his individual subject teachers to ensure there is a plan to get back on track as quickly as possible. There is no time to waste and we are missing a great opportunity to teach the boys about fortitude and commitment if we fail to act.

As the COVID restrictions begin to lift, College life is steadily returning to normal much to the delight of staff and students. Summer sport comes to an end in the next few weeks and we are hoping a number of our Basketball teams can qualify for the play-offs. Registration for winter sports has begun and I’m sure parents are excited to be seeing their boys play a full season this year.

We have also completed both our Primary and Secondary swimming carnivals and I want to congratulate the entire student body for their wonderful contributions in making both carnivals a massive success. Thank you to Mr Roberts, Mr Nodrid, Mr D’Morias and Mr Morrison for their dedication and expertise in running both carnivals and best wishes to all those who qualify for the next level at the various representative carnivals.

Excursions and camps have also returned and our Year 3 and Year 2 dads are looking forward to spending quality time with their boys and with other dads at the Father & Son Camps being held over the next two weekends. We missed a whole year of Father & Son Camps, so put everything you’ve got into these ones.

Lastly, please visit our new website which was launched on Monday and help us promote it through social media. Our marketing department at Pared has done a wonderful job giving the website a complete makeover and it will be a great resource for prospective parents. As usual, I ask you to invite your family friends to the Open Day on Saturday, 13 March who would be open to receiving the type of faith and character education on offer here at Redfield.

Expo Mejia
Headmaster

The Secondary KPF was a fresh take on the wonderful opportunities that your son can get involved in this year: the Redfield Student Leadership Program, community service, Mock Trial, co-curricular sport, the Maths Club, Debating and Public Speaking or even reading at Mass. There is a broad repertoire of activities and I encourage your son to consider not only giving up something during Lent but also getting involved! Click on this link for the Part 1 video. For the middle school video, click on this link, for the senior school video, click on this link.

We had an excellent Seminar Day last Friday. We had parent speakers sharing their message based on their professions, academic skills and teacher presentations on a range of topics. I would like to invite you again to speak with your son about the presentations and a good place to start is with Mr Foxe’s presentation on etiquette. Click on this link for the presentation and this link for "Manners Maketh Man.

I have included some quotes below on what your sons had to say about the Seminar Day:

Years 7 & 8

 “I liked the study skills session, because it will help me with future school work.”

Ben Gutierrez (7R)

Years 9 & 10

“ I feel this Seminar Day benefited everyone that attended. The style and atmosphere was very different to previous Seminar Days and I can say I definitely enjoyed it. I particularly loved Mr Foxe’s speech and I know what he taught us will help us in the future.”

Daniel Yu (Year 10 Castor)

Years 11 & 12

“ I liked the fact that we had more character-focused presentations instead of study skills. Mr Anderson's presentation was fantastic, with the stories and concepts very relatable to my life.”

Peter Stoodley (Year 12 Hydrus)

I know that many of your sons are excited about the Redfield Leadership Program. The program commences next week on Wednesday (Years 6-11) and Friday (Years 2-5) at lunchtime. Students in Primary need to be registered by their parents using the link below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScBHzYWAA08h0IIU85kTGmvBGHU8b0UoCK8gmyAkBFMa_YKGg/viewform?usp=sf_link and Secondary students can register themselves via the email link that they have been sent. Registrations will close this Friday, 26 February. 

Trent Thomas
Director of Formation

Pope Francis has declared 2021 to be a Year of St Joseph. This is a great occasion for all of us at Redfield to understand better the role of this great Saint, to imitate his virtues and ask for his intercession. I thought I'd hand over this week's Chaplain's section to one of our Year 12 students, who wrote the following reflection on the figure of St Joseph:

What can we learn from St Joseph?

(Reflections on the Encyclical of the Holy Father Pope Francis, Patris Corde, on St Joseph in the Year of St Joseph, 2021)

Our Lord acts through events and people, and while a lot of these acts are seldom mentioned in scripture, it is important that we take the time to understand that, as Pope Francis put it, “those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation.” Saint Joseph is an incredibly venerable example of such a role, as he was the spouse of Mary and the father of Jesus, and in this way, he placed himself at the service of the entire plan of salvation. There is much we can learn from St Joseph, and with the trials and hardships faced by families due to the COVID pandemic, these lessons are all the more relevant. 

Joseph was an obedient father. Though he was deeply troubled by Mary’s pregnancy, it was his obedience which made it possible for him to accept the Lord’s will, surmount his difficulties and spare Mary. Furthermore, when the Lord asked him to flee to Egypt to escape Herod, guided his return and then ensured his safety in Nazareth, Joseph trusted in the will of the Lord and obeyed his commands. It was by passing on this same patriarchal obedience to Jesus which made him a minister in God’s plan for salvation. We should all understand that, whilst we live in the moment, God sees the bigger picture. No matter the hardships thrust upon us and our families during times of tribulation like the Holy Family’s escape from Herod, or our current day COVID-19 pandemic, we should all trust in the will of our Lord, as his plan transcends our immediate comprehension and only through obedience, can we carry it out and begin to understand it.

Joseph was also a working father, an exemplary patron of the importance of dignified work. He was a carpenter who earned an honest living to provide for his family. From him, Jesus learned the value, dignity, and joy of what it means to “eat the bread that is the fruit of one’s own labour”. Work is an opportunity for the fulfilment not only of oneself, but also of that primary cell of society: the family. The loss of employment, which has greatly increased as a result of the pandemic, is a terrible thing because it hampers this opportunity. No individual, no family should be without work, however, we should let this serve as a summons to review our priorities and, by looking to the life of St Joseph, fully understand the value, importance, and necessity of work in the fulfillment of ourselves, our purpose within our family, and the collective journey to God’s grace. 

By looking to St Joseph affords us lessons that will better ourselves and our family, and bring us all closer to God’s grace. In light of recent events, the venerability of St Joseph’s character is plainly apparent, and we should strive to share his virtue and trust in our Lord.

Jacob Raffoul
Year 12 Student

Last Wednesday, 17 February, Redfield Primary held its 2021 swimming carnival. This year was a very different carnival due to the COVID restrictions that are currently in place on venues such as this. Unfortunately, parents and spectators were unable to attend and we really missed your wonderful enthusiasm. We were also restricted with the areas we were allowed to use, with only the outdoor 50-metre pool available. What a challenge for some of the boys, especially in the younger years! However, everybody made wonderful efforts and did a fantastic job. We are very grateful that we could actually run the event.  

The day commenced with our Ash Wednesday Mass in the Chapel, before boarding the buses and making our way to South Windsor. The energy of the boys throughout the day was almost matched by the amazing tunes that pumped over the PA system from Mr Zhang's playlist. We burst into the races and were so impressed by the efforts of the boys in the pool, especially as some boys were in a 50-metre pool for the very first time. Mr Hatcher, 'The Voice on the Mic', ensured that everything ran smoothly and controlled the event with a resonating and calm voice that thundered throughout the site. Each race produced some intensity and the fun nature of the carnival was not lost in the incredible routines of the House chants and competitive war cries. Each swimmer was resoundly supported by his House members, led by the House Captains. It was wonderful to witness such a healthy and encouraging sporting atmosphere.

With very close results, the winning house of the events held in the main pool was Hydrus and for house participation, Castor. Very well done to everyone!

We are very proud of the efforts and achievements of each of the boys. We especially wish to pass on a big THANK YOU to all the incredible teachers who helped organise and make this carnival such a wonderful display of skill, celebration and fun!

Thanks again,

Justin Roberts (Head of Primary Sport) and Francisco Nodrid (PDHPE)

Year 6 enjoyed the recent Primary swimming carnival. Using the carnival as inspiration, 6B wrote a narrative, with the setting being the swimming carnival. 

Johnson Zeng wrote this entertaining piece.

My unique race

This isn’t good. I ignore the ache in my foot. I calm my screaming lungs but I can’t stop the water from gushing in. My name is Thallous and I am in Year 6. I am competing in the 50-metre freestyle race and I am determined to win. I swim at the speed of a dolphin as my brain repeats the same words: “1, 2, 3, breathe”. I don’t bother to look at who’s first or last as it will slow me down. My eyes suddenly bulge out for a second and it hurts. It’s like a bullet has just greeted my left foot and my speed starts to descend swiftly due to the sudden pain. The air in my lungs is used up and I struggle to keep my breath. Steady; 1,2,3, breathe. I open my mouth wide enough to swallow a couch and I let air pour into my lungs. That is my biggest mistake. The water dives into my mouth. I gag and cough and my face is as red as a tomato. That does it! I stand up and take deep breathes of precious air. Multiple seconds have ticked away and the other contestants did not even wait! I plunge into the water again and my legs beat the water and my arms slash the water like I am trying to murder it. Faster, FASTER I keep swimming. My body is wearing out. Slower and slower I go. Suddenly my hand meets a familiar wall. I scramble out and there is only one kid in front of me. I’m second! Though I may not have been first, I gave it my best shot and that’s all I care about. That effort will be pinned in my mind, forever. 

Johnson Zeng (Year 6B)

Congratulations to all the elected leaders for 2021. I am looking forward to meeting with each of you, the future of our school. 

It would be an understatement to say that time has gone by quickly this year. As we progress into the term, I advise everyone to start taking action in all aspects of their lives because, as Julian Esquivel put it in a recent assembly, “without action, what is the point?”. The biggest difference between motivation and dedication is action. If you wish to stay dedicated in a particular area, take action, define your goals and remind yourself why you are doing it. 

One of the four goals which we, as the Class of 2021, wish to pursue revolves around diversity. It entails creating a school environment which supports, nurtures and develops the non-curricular dimensions of us as students, allowing hobbies and talents to blossom to their fullest capacity. 

This goal arose from the recognition of the fact that Redfield is simply a gold mine of diversely gifted children. And we, as student leaders, want to showcase these gifts. However, sometimes, amongst the rigidity of schooling, these unique gifts are not able to be fully expressed, supported or recognised. In order to rectify this, we aim to find ways to encourage the development of students’ idiosyncratic talents, regardless of how specific they may be. This can come through more student-run clubs and societies or even talent exhibitions to name a few proposals. 

We simply want to bring the most out of each of our students, holistically developing them into well-rounded young men. 

Elijah Touma
College Captain, 2021

For those who don’t know me, my name is Tobin, and I am writing this article to introduce you to the Middle School Leadership Team.

Purpose of Middle School Leadership Team

• Bringing ideas and initiatives for improving student culture, organising community service and fundraising events, etc
• Organising and running Middle School Assemblies
• Recognising and promoting fellow students’ special achievements, behaviour or contributions (whether it be at school, or outside of school)
• Discussing issues that we or other students have noticed within the school  

However, doing all these things will take a team effort, so I would like to introduce you to the members of the Leadership Team:

We will be meeting regularly and taking ideas and suggestions from our classmates. With all that said, I would like to finish off this article with saying how much I am looking forward to working with all of you, and I hope our team can, together with the student body, change Redfield College for the better.

Tobin Kroeger
Year 8 Castor Captain

This year, students will  be able to take part in mock trials. Contact Mr Karl Ilves for more information. 

Hornsby Shire Council will be holding another virtual workshop via ZOOM for parent/carer supervising drivers (and their learners) who are teaching a learner driver through the NSW Graduated Licensing Scheme on the evening of Thursday, 4 March 2021.

As young people approach driving age it is important they and their parents or carers are aware of what is ahead as a learner driver and how they achieve the 120 supervised driving hours in their logbook. As you may be aware, P-plate drivers are involved in more crashes than any other driving group (including Learner drivers). Parents play a key role in guiding and promoting safe driving habits.

This workshop/presentation offers practical advice and information to parents/carers and supervising drivers on how to help Learner drivers become safer drivers and will provide information about:

• Understanding the Graduated Licensing Scheme and the current laws of L and P licence holders.
• Completing the Learner driver log book and App.
• Understanding the benefits of supervised on-road driving experience.
• Supervising Learner drivers.
• Young Driver Issues.
• The Safer Drivers Course.
• Lots of tips to help the parent / carer and Learner.

Bookings: Bookings can be made online by visiting: https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/learnerdrivers or via phone (02) 9847 6856.

Date: Thursday, 4 March, 2021

Time: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Location: Via ZOOM

Log-in details: Log-in access details to the Zoom presentation / workshop will be emailed to those that register.

Cost: FREE

Parents can now book online by visiting: https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/learnerdrivers.

Click on this link to access the flyer for more details.

Oliver Saade from Year 8 started go kart racing at the age of seven. He holds the track record in his category at Butterfly Farm in Windsor. 

Oliver races in different club championships in Orange, Picton, Lithgow, Eastern Creek, Canberra and Newcastle and also competes at state and national levels. 

Over the years, he has won more than 55 trophies. 

Oliver has a need for speed and rips on the track!

The Brilliant Brothers Busch

Jackson Busch (Year 7R) has been riding motocross since he was about four years old and competes around the state. He managed to get a sponsor last year and can’t wait for the new, post-Covid, season to begin. Whilst not riding, he trains in Taekwondo and has earned his 2^nd Dan Black Belt and is now an assistant instructor.

Older brother Isaac Busch (Year 10 Castor) also races motocross, but his real passion is martial arts where he is a 3^rd Dan Black Belt and also an assistant instructor in Taekwondo. He has been asked to run a weapons class this year, where he is the instructor. He is highly proficient with the bo and a range of other weapons.

Ian Morrison
Sportsmaster, Redfield College