From the Principal
Whilst wet weather prevented a full Years 3-12 Swimming Carnival going ahead, a smaller version was able to proceed, with approx. 110 swimmers enthusiastically competing on behalf of their Houses. We are thankful for Mr Hyde’s flexible organisational skills and for all staff being able to successfully manage both the abridged Carnival as well as learning activities for other students at School. Such adjustments certainly require splendid teamwork and co-operation – well done staff!
The Federal Member for Chifley, Ed Husic, visited the Oakhurst Primary Campus to see how we utilise technology in learning activities. For instance, he was delighted to observe Primary students utilising iPads to control Bee-Bot robots etc. Late last year our School was successful with our application for Government funding ($20,000) which contributed to the purchase of two sets of 20 iPads (plus recharging trolleys). We're grateful to Ed Husic for facilitating the process and we're really pleased to witness the outstanding learning outcomes derived by Primary students from the purposeful usage of such equipment.
Our School community has demonstrated practical support for a South Coast school, St Peters Anglican College Broulee, which was devastated during January by bushfires. Last week we were able to: donate $4,000 for learning resources etc.; email some special video messages from students; and send hundreds of cards expressing our words of encouragement, best wishes and prayers. Thank you to all the RJ students, staff and families who contributed to the financial and emotional support for people we have never met but who we know are doing it tough.
Except for the upcoming Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) occasion, all our other Information Evenings have been held and we’re very grateful to the staff who hosted these special meetings. They ensured clear communication to facilitate a greater awareness of the School’s policies and procedures. The interactions between staff and parents/students have been extremely beneficial and we commend those parents/carers who have demonstrated their keen interest in the learning programs and co-curricular activities.
Unfortunately we had to postpone the Years 5 and 6 Camp due to inclement weather, but the Year11 Camp last week was a very enjoyable experience. We affirm the wonderful staff who greatly contributed to an excellent Camp, which blended study components with recreational activities – Mr Murthen, Mrs Morrow, Mr and Mrs Clay, Mrs Scrimshaw, Mr Millard and Miss Simos. Best wishes to Year 7 students and accompanying staff who will travel to the fantastic venue of Waterslea on the banks of the Shoalhaven River for the last three days of this week.
Primary Assemblies at both Campuses and Secondary Chapels/Assemblies have all commenced well. The Primary theme this Term is “God’s Creation” and last week’s next installment was presented brilliantly at Marsden Park by Class 2M and at Oakhurst by Class 1J. Class 1J focused on the ‘human family element’ of creation described in Genesis, see the Bible verses below:
Then God said, “Let us make humans in our likeness and let them rule over all the earth.” So God created humans in his own image; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning – the sixth day. Genesis 1: 27-28 & 31
This is a wonderfully illustrative account of how the world began i.e. created, ordered, purposeful, satisfying, meaningful. We can take comfort from realising that every part of creation is known to God, including each one of us, because He made it so. God wants us to enjoy his handiwork, by getting to understand it better and to protect it according to its original design. It becomes our responsibility to look after this amazing gift.
I had the pleasure of escorting our School Captains and Vice Captains to the annual Investiture Service, hosted by the Archbishop for approx. 650 Year 12 leaders from across all the Anglican schools in the Sydney Diocese. It was an inspiring event. Not only did these young people participate in an extremely meaningful Christian service, they heard the Archbishop speak candidly about ‘servanthood’ from a Biblical perspective and they stood together with all the other teenagers to commit themselves in roles of serving others.
Each parent is cordially invited to the first P&F Association Meeting for the year, held in The Hub tonight. It is the official forum for parents’ questions, opinions and ideas. New leaders will be appointed for 2020.
Mr Paul Cockrem
Principal
