5 February 2019

One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”    Luke 8: 22-25

As I explained to the Assembly, even those who have a personal trust in Jesus will confront all kinds of difficulties, trouble and sadness. I referred to Mrs Anne Glass (previous RJ Primary Teacher), who started 2018 not aware of the serious sickness which would significantly change her life later in the year and the cancer which would prevent her from teaching full-time this year. However, Mrs Glass has remained wonderfully optimistic and strong in her faith, an inspiration to us all and a testament to Jesus bringing peace and comfort to her in the midst of tremendous turmoil and uncertainty. This is the message within the Bible story. Just as Jesus commanded the wind and waves to be still bringing immediate calm, so it is with all of life's various situations. This Bible story demonstrates that, whilst we may struggle with why hardships and tragedy occur, we can rely on Jesus to provide peace and comfort. And we too can be filled with both "fear and amazement" like the disciples.

One of the Assembly Items, titled “You Make Me Brave” and sung beautifully by Year 6, contained great words on the same theme, which are a fantastic encouragement to us:

“You call me out beyond the shore into the waves
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the promises You made
As Your love, in wave after wave
Crashes over me, crashes over me
For You are for us
You are not against us”

Our School is a complex community, operating in two integrated Campuses, which requires comprehensive organisation and strong co-ordination. We're grateful to all those in our RJ Community who positively support and willingly contribute to the School's goals. At this early point, I acknowledge the efforts and unified teamwork of the RJ Staff in achieving an excellent start to the year. The various Parent Information Evenings planned over coming weeks will present wonderful opportunities for parents to interact with others and to meet with teachers about students' activities and the relevant expectations of them. Please make sure you attend.

The written guide for communication within our School Community, titled 'Lines of Communication 2019' is provided for everyone's reference and use. Please read these guidelines carefully.

The Swimming Carnival this week will be the first chance for Houses to gain significant points. It was evident from House Meetings that everyone is revved-up for the 2019 Overall Champion House competition. Best wishes to each House!

Also coming up is the first Parents' and Friends' Association Meeting and every parent is most welcome to attend. The P&F Assoc is a good way of both discovering the School's latest news and finding out how best to get practically involved in the life of the School.

Mr Paul Cockrem
Principal

With the new day being Thursday for Oakhurst Primary Assembly dates in 2019, please ensure that certificates are handed in by Monday morning to any Reception. If this deadline is met, the Principal’s Award will be presented at the next available Assembly.

Marsden Park Campus

Please ensure that certificates are handed in by Friday to the teacher. If this deadline is met, the Principal’s Award will be presented at the next available Assembly. 

Please refer to the General Information Letter for 2019 as to how the Award System works.

Principal Morning Teas are arranged dependant on the Principal’s schedule.

All students who received a Principal Award will most certainly get a turn to enjoy a wonderful morning tea with the Principal.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

House Meetings were held in the first week to ensure that Houses are prepared for the upcoming Swimming Carnival this week. The Years 3-12 students will be in action on Thursday 7 February at the Emerton Pool. Rams (Purple) will be keen to make a good start this year after winning the Overall House Shield at the end of 2018 but the other three Houses (Eagles - Green, Lions – Yellow and Sharks – Red), will be just as keen to show them that they are up for the challenge.

The Swimming Carnival Day is a normal school day and all students are expected to attend the Carnival irrespective of whether they swim or not. This event is not an optional event. Student attendance will be recorded. Novelty events will be provided throughout the day so students can stay cool and still earn points for their Houses. With departure from the Carnival, all students are required to remain at the Carnival until the end of the event day.

EXPECTATIONS AND UNIFORMS

Without exception, Richard Johnson is a School that has high expectations of our students and staff alike.The reputation of our School rests with all of us. This is exemplified by the way in which we take pride in how we look, walk, talk and interact with each other. This includes our expectations as a School around students’ hair styles and lengths, jewellery (particularly girls’ earrings), Uniform requirements including the wearing of a hat whilst moving around the campus, particularly in the summer months, as well as greeting staff and guests in the School. Our expectations around the use of IT in the School is spelled out clearly in the diary.

One of the expectations of our Secondary students is that they develop good study habits very early on in their studies. This involves completing homework tasks set by their teachers each night and having their parents sign their diary on the weekend. This is then checked by their Home Group teacher. Finding a space at home that they can do homework and study on a daily basis which is also well lit and equipped with the materials they require is also vitally important. Setting up a study timetable which includes time set aside for social interactions with friends, chores around the home, work commitments or sporting and musical pursuits assists the students to manage their time well.

DIARIES 

Our Secondary Student Diary has undergone some changes for 2019. The diary now contains School events and special days relevant to Secondary students, as well as a designated column where students are asked to write in their timetable for the day so homework can be written against this in the diary. Parents are asked to please put a sample signature on the first blue page of the diary. A parent is required to sign the diary each weekend, so that the School is aware of issues being communicated by staff members about their child. There is a space each week for parents to make any short comment/query as well.

Parents are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the information in the blue sections of the diary. Important matters are covered in this section and everyone benefits when parents are fully aware of what is expected of the students.

IMMUNISATIONS – YEAR 7

Just a reminder that all Year 7 students have been given a package of information concerning free vaccinations provided by NSW Health for human papillomavirus (HPV), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and/or varicella (chickenpox). Parents/Carers need to read through the package and complete the necessary consent forms and return to the School via the Student Reception by 8 February. The first dose of vaccinations will occur on Thursday 14 February.

Trust you and your child have a great start to the year. If you ever have a question or a query, please ensure you contact our School Office and they will direct you to the best person to answer your query.

Mr Alan Dawson,
Deputy Principal

Prior to the start of the school year, I emailed Kindergarten Information and Parent Information notes to parents. If you did not receive a copy, please check that your email details are correct on the parent portal as I will be using email to communicate the termly Parent Information notes throughout the year. They will also be posted on the RJ website www.rjas.nsw.edu.au so copies can be accessed.

We appreciate your ongoing prayers for our Primary students throughout 2019.

ASSEMBLY

Our Year commenced with a fantastic Richard Johnson Day Assembly last week. In Primary Assembly this term, we will be looking at how God is the ‘God of Wonders’ - the Creator of ‘water, earth and sky’. When we look at God’s creation we are reminded of His power and glory. Psalm 19:1-4 beautifully illustrates this:

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."

Please refer to the Parent Information note for classes presenting at Primary Assemblies. Parents are warmly welcome to attend Primary Assemblies each week at both the Oakhurst and Marsden Park Campuses. All students in Year 3 and new students from Years 4-6 will be presented with a Bible in Primary Assemblies over the coming weeks (Marsden Park Campus – 13 February, Oakhurst Campus- 21 February).

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART

Primary students (K-6) will be participating in Jump Rope for Heart again this year. Students have greatly enjoyed skipping the last 3 years during Physical Education lessons and at our Jump Off Day later in the term. Parents have generously helped their children raise money for research and support for cardiovascular health in the past and we look forward to your support of this worthy cause again this year.

MATHEMATICS YEARS 3-6

Ability grouping in Mathematics is changeable year to year, depending on student ability and need. For 2019, only Stage 3 classes (Years 5 and 6) will continue to be split into 2 ability groups for Mathematics. In line with educational research into best practice, students in Kindergarten to Year 4 will be taught Mathematics within their class.

PRIMARY CLASSES

Parents are reminded that R, J and S classes in Primary are not ability-based classes. The allocation of the R, J or S code to a class is based solely on alphabetical order of the surnames of the teachers teaching the Grade, for example, for Kindergarten: KR – Miss Hawkins, KJ – Miss Murray and KS – Mrs Peters. All Primary classes are mixed-ability classes.

PRIMARY INFORMATION EVENINGS

Thank you to parents who attended the Parent Information Evening at our Oakhurst Campus last night. I trust you found this evening to be informative and helpful. A Parent Information Evening will be held for Marsden Park families this evening, Tuesday 5 February, from 6:15-8:15pm.

MOBILE PHONES

Primary students may bring a mobile phone to School. The phone may be handed to Primary Reception in the morning and collected in the afternoon or may be left turned off in the student’s School bag. Any student who uses a phone on School grounds will have their phone taken and parents will need to come and collect it. The School does not accept any liability for lost or stolen mobile phones if brought to School.

SPONSOR CHILDREN

Each year (Pre-K to 6) has been linked with a sponsor child from the New Creation Children’s Home in Kathmandu, Nepal. Each student is asked to bring in $1 per month to contribute to supporting their sponsor child. The children also enjoy writing and receiving letters to one another throughout the year. We thank you for your support of this important ministry.

STUDENT BELONGINGS

It is essential that all student belongings are clearly labeled so they can be quickly returned to students. Parents are reminded that students should not bring expensive or valuable items, or toys to School. These items can be extremely appealing to other students who may be tempted to take them for themselves. Whilst we endeavour to teach our students important values about respecting other people’s property, we cannot guarantee the safety of any item brought to School. Please help your children to know what items can go to School to play with and which items are special home toys. Students should also not have large amounts of money at School.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL – YEARS 3-12

The Years 3-12 School Swimming Carnival will be held this Thursday 7 February at the Charles Lowles Leisure Centre in Emerton. Students remain at the Carnival through to its conclusion. Students are not to be signed out early by parents and taken to play in other areas of the pool. The Swimming Carnival encourages House team involvement and support. We look forward to seeing you there to cheer on your child and their House.

YEARS 5 AND 6 CAMP

Our Years 5 and 6 students will be heading to Teen Ranch in Week 3. The students and teachers are looking forward to this outdoor recreation camp.

Once set tasks are completed, students are encouraged to continue using Mathletics to develop their mathematical skills. Students can:

• Reattempt a task – look for tasks that have a red or orange bar next to them. This indicates a result of less than 85% for the task. To reattempt a task click on the learn button, click on the topic and click on the activity.
• Participate in Mathletics Live – Students compete against other students in a timed quiz that rewards speed and accuracy.
• Maths Apps and Games – Students can select from a range of apps and games that encourage development of mathematical skills and problem solving.

Students receive points for correct responses and bonus points for achieving improved scores in a task. Awards are presented each term to encourage high-performing students and classes.

Each week, students will have a Mathletics lesson where they complete Mathletics tasks with the support of their classroom teacher. We also encourage students to participate in Mathletics at home. Mathletics can be accessed at home by going to www.mathletics.com or by using the free Mathletics app available from iTunes or Google Play. Students will need their login details which will be provided by their class teacher this week.

Mr Michael Reed
Primary Coordinator

Parent sign-up notes will be sent out this week with instructions on how to access your child’s Digital Portfolio. Parents that were connected to their child's account last year are granted automatic access to the new class their child is enrolled in. Please contact your child’s teacher or email Mr Reed if you are having any difficulties accessing your child’s Digital Portfolio.

We strongly encourage you to sign-up with Seesaw and take the time to look at your child’s work and discuss their learning.

Mr Michael Reed
Primary Coordinator

A new year is the time for new goals. The vast majority of our students have started with a renewed focus, and teachers have been able to start teaching course content straight away. My encouragement to students is to sustain this throughout the year, and when or if your commitment starts to waver, re-focus and re-think about what you are doing and seek help if you need it. We have now introduced Study@the Hub every afternoon, and many students are already taking advantage of this new learning space. The Hub is a modernized learning zone which has already drawn positive responses, and lifted expectations. Parents attending our Information Evenings (which start with Year 11 on Wednesday 6 February) will be able to browse through the area.

I teach an ESL class on Tuesday evenings, and today is the start of the Chinese (Lunar) New Year, which begins on the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar. It ends in 15 days with the Lantern Festival, and is another opportunity to celebrate and party. It is traditionally believed that the animal ruling one’s birth year has a big influence on personality and destiny. But the Bible tells us that God created mankind in His image and put godly qualities into people. The problem is, people rejected this, wanting to rule their own lives. Yet God had a plan from the beginning of time. We have just celebrated Christmas, and the coming of Jesus to enable people to make a new start in their relationship with God. We will finish the term just before Easter, the culmination of God’s plan. With Jesus, every day is the opportunity for a new start – the celebration of a new year – for all people.

I finish this contribution to the RJ Review with these words from Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV)

The Lord loves us very much. So we haven’t been completely destroyed. His loving concern never fails. His great love is new every morning. Lord, how faithful you are! I say to myself, “The Lord is everything I will ever need. So I will put my hope in him.”

Jenny Clay
Assistant Principal/Head of Secondary

Both parents and students are encouraged to attend their relevant Information Evening, with Year 11 on Wednesday 6 Feb (Week 2), Years 7 and 8 on Wednesday 13 Feb (Week 3), Years 9 and 10 on Wednesday 27 Feb (Week 5). This is a great opportunity to meet the teaching staff, access information relevant to your child’s Year group, including their Camp, as well as providing you the opportunity to ask questions.

Below are expectations for every Secondary student regarding arrival to School and using the School provided lock and locker. It is recommended that both parents and their children read through and are aware of these expectations.

PUNCTUALITY 

To help students start each day well please ensure that they arrive before the commencement of Period One at 8:30am. It is expected by this time students are lined up, fully equipped, ready to enter their first lesson for the day. Students who arrive close to or after 8:30am arrive late to class which interrupts the lessons that have already commenced.

LOCKERS

Each year students are reminded of the expectations around operating a School Locker. The following rules pertaining to lockers are important for the smooth operation of the School and we ask all parents and students to read through the guidelines and abide by them:

• The students must use the locker allocated to them. They are not to swap lockers with anyone else. If there is a good reason why a student has an issue with the locker which he/she has been allocated, they are to approach their Welfare Coordinator and give him/her a written explanation of the problem. The Coordinator will then consider the matter and may give the student permission to change lockers. Only then may the student use a different locker.
• The student must use the lock provided by the School. Locks from home have, in the past, needed to be sawn off when keys were lost or combinations were forgotten. Students trying to use their own lock run the risk of it being removed. Students who have problems with the School lock must see their Coordinator and explain the problem.
• Students who lose their locks or deliberately damage their lock will be issued a replacement lock and $20 added to their School account.
• Students must keep their bags etc inside the locker. No bags (or books) should be left lying around anywhere or taken to class.
• Students need to keep their lockers locked at all times. Lockers left unlocked will be secured by staff members.
• Students may not share lockers with others.
• Students may not open or attempt to open any other student’s locker.
• Students should not congregate near lockers. They should use their locker and then move away to allow other students to access their lockers.
• Students may only visit lockers before School from 8:00am-8:30am, then during Recess, during Lunch and after school from 3:20pm. Students should always take enough equipment for the following two Periods.
• Students may bring mobile telephones to School, but they must be switched off and kept in their locked locker throughout the day, Recess and Lunch included.
• Students should secure personal laptops in their lockers during Recess and Lunch.

Students will have the opportunity this year to come together at Lunchtimes on Mondays and Thursdays to knit and crochet squares. Students without skills knitting or crocheting can learn how to make their own squares. Samantha (blanket she has made is pictured) did not know how to crochet at the start of last year. Over the course of the year she completed two blankets both at home and at SBS!

Donations of squares and yarn help make the program possible. If you are interested in donating these can be brought to the School Reception or directly to Mrs Thompson or Mrs Latty.

Mrs Jerusha Thompson 
Secondary Teacher

Our roles mostly include:

• In-class support
• Support with assessments (mostly to get started and accountability)
• Reading assessments - YARC (York Assessment of Reading Comprehension)
• IEPs (Independent Education Plans)/ITPs (Independent Transition Plans)
• Disability Provisions for examinations and in-class assessment tasks
• Learning Centre (B9) and Study @ The Hub

However, if you do have any concerns consult with your child's subject teacher in the first instance and they will ascertain what help may be required. 

If you would like further information about any other Learning Support matter, please feel free to contact me at the School or email [email protected].

Study @ The Hub 2019

Students are invited to make use of both the lunch and afternoon sessions. Students can attend to work on their homework, assessment tasks or revise their past work. Students do not need to book in, just turn up with a willingness to work. Staff are available to assist and give guidance. The lunch sessions are on Monday, Thursday and Friday during the second half of lunch in B4. The afternoon sessions run from 3:30 – 4:30pm every day in The Hub. Please note that this is for Secondary students only and usual the School expectations apply.

Have a great year,

"Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind". Ephesians 5:11

Mrs Kerrie Lyons 
Learning Support Co-ordinator (7-12)

HOUSE COMPETITIONS

Throughout the course of the year, there will be various House Competitions for Infants and Primary students to obtain points for their respective Houses. Students should listen to announcements made at morning Assemblies and look at the Primary Sportsboard to see when these events are on.

CSSA AND CIS TRIALS

At various stages of the year, there will be trials in sports at CSSA level and CIS level (higher level) for representative teams. Notification of trials will be found in the RJ Review every fortnight as well as being found on the CSSA and CIS apps.

If your child is playing in a representative team in their chosen sport, this is the standard required to try out for these types of teams. Anyone interested in trialling needs to inform Mr Mitchell by the cut-off date for potential entry.

CSSA AND CIS APP

One way to keep up to date with everything CSSA related is to download the CSSA app. This is fantastic to have for up to date information regarding wet weather, location details, team meetings and training sessions.

CIS also have an equivalent app that you can download.

AFL AFTERSCHOOL CLINIC

An AFL Afterschool Clinic will run for 4 weeks towards the end of Term. It will run for four Monday afternoon sessions. There are limited places. The AFL will promote the program mid-February where they will hand out flyers. The program was a real success last year.

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART

After the success of last year’s Jump Rope For Heart fundraising program, we are looking forward to 2019 edition . There will be new challenges in place for the students as they look to complete certain skipping skills with the aim of achieving a Bronze, Silver or Gold Level.

CSSA EVENTS – COMING UP

• Zone Swimming Carnival (Event Date – Thursday 21 February)
• Primary Boys Soccer Trials cut off - Friday 15 February (Event Date – Friday 1 March)
• CSSA State Swimming Carnival (Event Date – Monday 11 March)

CIS EVENTS – COMING UP

• Primary Girls Basketball Trials cut off - Friday 8 February (Event Date – Friday 22 February)
• Primary Boys Basketball Trials cut off - Friday 8 February (Event Date – Friday 22 February)
• Primary Girls Tennis Trials cut off - Wednesday 6 February (Event Date – Monday 25 February)
• Primary Boys Tennis Trials cut off - Wednesday 6 February (Event Date – Monday 25 February)
• Primary Boys AFL Trials cut off - Thursday 28 February (Event Date – Thursday 7 March)

GALA DAYS – COMING UP

• AFL Paul Kelly Cup (Event Date – TBC). Trials will commence soon for Stage 3 boys and girls.

COACHING

If you would like to assist with coaching and you have your WWCC, contact Mr Mitchell. If you have are able to offer assistance at various events throughout the course of the year, you must have your WWCC in order to help on the day. Please contact the office if you are unsure what this is.

Mr Gavin Mitchell
Sports Coordinator

• Boxercise/Fitness
• St Marys Indoor Sports
• Indoor Rock Climbing
• Soccer Squad
• Ten Pin Bowling & Laser Tag
• Service Learning

The other event happening this week is the Years 3 – 12 Swimming Carnival. This will be held at Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre (formally Emerton Leisure Centre) on Thursday 7 February. We have had a great number of permission notes returned and look forward to a great day of fun and competition. No programs will be given out during the day to spectators, but if spectators would like a copy you may download a copy from the RJAS website. We start at 8:00am with the 100m freestyle for those wishing to compete in this event. I suggest to all, both spectators and students to be prepared for the weather on the day. Hats, sunscreen and water bottles are items of high importance. A canteen will be open for use, but it is suggested to bring food and water for the day. If there is any question of a weather affected carnival, please refer to the RJAS Website. Information will be posted if there are any changes before 7:30am.

There are a few trials for CSSA and CIS coming up this term. If any students wishing to nominate for trials, please see Mr Hyde before the dates close. Upcoming trials include:

• CIS Baseball (Opens)
• CSSA Soccer (Opens and 16’s)
• CSSA Basketball (Opens)

Any students who are keen to trial for specific sports in the future, please refer to CSSA website www.cssa.net.au or CIS https://www.revolutionise.com.au/nswcis/home/.

Mr David Hyde
Secondary Sports Co-ordinator

What is your favourite food?

Pizza – without pineapple of course!

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Spending time with my wife Adele and daughters Emilia and Alexia. Also, cheering on the Sydney Roosters.

When and why did you come to work at this School?

I came to RJ because I wanted to work in a school that is strongly committed to its Christian mission.

What have you enjoyed about your role in the School?

I look forward to getting to know the staff, students and School community. I am also excited about the opportunity to come back and teach in Western Sydney.

Describe a wonderful experience you’ve had which you’ll never forget.

Building a young family with my wife. Watching the Roosters win the 2013 Premiership live is a close second.

Why did you become a Christian?

I was born into Christianity but did not fully comprehend what it meant to be Christian until my teen years. My faith gives me a model through which to live my life, a purpose to dedicate my energies and gifts towards and the hope of salvation through Christ.

What is your favourite Bible verse?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6.

It reminds us of the strength and wisdom God provides us. It also reassures me that I can get through the difficult moments in life through faith.

What is something you want to achieve?

I want to continue to develop professionally and provide quality learning experiences for my students. I also want to make sure I am the best possible role model for my children.

If you could meet any person in the world at the moment who would it be?

Paul McCartney because I would love to hear all his stories about the Beatlemania period and also, he is the closest I will ever get to meeting the legend John Lennon.

BEGINNER CONCERT BAND

Please see the attached link for the Information/Permission note. All Beginner Band Program group tutorials will also commence in Week 4. Information regarding the Master Timetable will be published in the next RJ Review.

3 TIERED STRINGS PROGRAM

We are very excited to be continuing our successful RJ Strings Program this year. Due to the hectic nature of last year’s final weeks, it has taken a bit of extra time to set up new additions to the program. Auditions for entry to the program will be held for Primary students next week. Many of our original “Novello Strings’ players are in Year 7 now, so we are able to expand the program to a third tier. We now have four Ensembles: Novello Strings (Primary Beginners), Stringendo (Primary Intermediate). We are commencing a brand new Secondary Beginner Strings program: Primo Strings! Group tuition is now available on Violin, Viola and Cello. Our second-level Secondary String Ensemble is now named Paganini. All Strings Program tutorials and rehearsals will commence in Week 4.

If your child is new to the School, and would like to audition for the Strings Program, please complete and return the Beginner Instrumental Recruitment permission form below to Student Reception.

Primary Beginner Instrumental Program 2019

2019 BAND PROGRAM COMMENCEMENT

Our 3-tiered Concert Band Program group tutorials and rehearsals recommence in Week 4. For parents of 2018 Band Program students – if you do not wish your child to continue this year in the Program please let me know (if you haven’t already) in writing by the end of Week 3, or I will assume that your child is continuing throughout 2019.

It is still not too late to secure a place in the Band Program. If your child would like to audition for the Concert Band Program, please complete and return the Beginner Instrumental Recruitment permission form below to Student Reception.

Secondary Beginner Instrumental Program Recruitment 2019

Group tuition is offered in the following instruments:

• Flute
• Oboe
• Clarinet
• Alto Saxophone
• Tenor Saxophone
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Glockenspiel

The 2019 Band Program Master timetable for your child’s tutorial and Ensemble day/time will be published in the next RJ Review. It is a good idea to print off a copy to put on the fridge door!

PRIVATE LESSONS

All of our tutors have now commenced Private lessons. There are, however, many vacancies on all instruments. Please return the permission form below (to Student Reception) if you would like your child to have private lessons.

Private Music Tuition Information Letter 2019

2019 TECH TEAM

The Tech Team has begun the year in full swing, with a big Assembly in Week 1 and Chapel in Week 2. Mr Wright continues as Technical Team Director, and Mr Hughes has been welcomed as a new staff member of the team. The RJ Tech Team is a voluntary team of Years 7-12 students who work with staff to provide technical production services for events each week. These services include lighting, sound mixing, video camera operation, vision mixing, multimedia and slideshow presentation, setup of band, sound and other stage equipment, post production and more.

This is a unique group for RJ in that it brings together students of all ages and experience levels to achieve impressively professional work. Every Friday morning before school, these students assemble and test equipment in preparation for assemblies and chapel services. Some students enjoy the Tech Team as it is a way to serve others. Some enjoy the technical aspects. Some find leading a technical section, while under the pressure of an event, exhilarating. Some find the Tech Team is an artistic outlet. Others find the systematic processes calming. Together, all members gain a sense of belonging, and a greater respect for others through being involved, realising that everyone has something to offer. Membership applications are being taken until the end of this week. Please see Mr Wright in D5 for details.

CHAPEL MUSIC TEAM

The first Secondary Chapel for the year is this Friday. We are still seeking to further expand the Chapel Music Team and would love more musicians and singers to be involved. It would be wonderful to have enough students for two bands. If you are interested, please ask Mrs Robertson or Mr Wright about what’s involved.

SECONDARY VOCAL ENSEMBLE

VOX will also commence in Week 4. This auditioned group meet to rehearse on a Wednesday afternoon from 3:30pm – 4:30pm. It is comprised of students from Years 7-12, and, apart from preparing for the TASC Choral Festival in Term 2, Week 8, will enjoy many and varied performance opportunities, such as School Assemblies, Chapels, Concerts, Presentation Nights, and visits to local Nursing Homes.

If you would like to enquire further about our extensive Co-Curricular Music Program or Private Tuition lessons for your child, please email me at: [email protected]

Mrs Narelle Robertson
Music Curriculum Co-ordinator