16 June 2020

Therefore, I describe our next phase below:

1. Students, if sick, should stay at home and consult a doctor, if necessary. However, unless their parents are concerned, a Covid-19 test is not expected.
2. Staff will continue to refer any unwell student to Student Reception for a brief health assessment, which could result in the student being returned to the classroom or result in their parents being contacted for immediate pick-up and for further medical assessment, if necessary.

Basically, the above descriptors bring us closer to our ‘normal procedures’. We are also in the midst of transitioning to larger gatherings, the resumption of extra-curricular clubs, groups etc and various sports activities during these couple of weeks. Our transition stage is going very successfully and I thank all those in our School Community who have given their active support and co-operation.

We thoroughly enjoyed the Secondary Assemblies last Friday, held separately for Years 9-12 and then for Years 7-8. Years 7-12 will all get together for the first time this Friday, for Chapel. Primary Assemblies also resume this week, as well as the annual National Simultaneous Storytime at both Campuses, with a fun story titled, “Chicken Divas”.

It’s always exciting to be considering the future, as we do with our RJ Year 6 students this week, however due to Covid-19 it isn’t possible to include their parents. To compensate, a lovely digital book, which includes informative videos, has been created and provided for the parents. We look forward to their Orientation Days in November to prepare them for the step-up into Secondary next year.

Parents will be permitted, in specified ways, to attend: the upcoming Kindergarten 2021 Readiness/Information Sessions at both Campuses during the next fortnight; the Parents’ and Friends’ Association Meeting; the Primary Assembly on 3 July if their child is being presented a Principal Award. The School Executive anticipates that parents’ access to the School’s Campuses should be able to revert to normal from next Term.

Several other special activities and events will occur during these three weeks: School Photo Days; Winter Sleepout for Years 6-12; Athletics Carnival for serious competitors only; Cross Country Carnival for Years 3-12; Primary Mufti Day; Secondary Festival.

Also, all Primary families need to be aware that the colossal CRU Blast Camp will take place in the July School Holidays - don't miss this great opportunity! Bookings need to be made now. 

The Bible verse below has been shared a number of times by different members of staff when they have been leading Staff Devotions during this Term:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

This verse is a wonderful encouragement for us all, especially with some uncertainty still lingering across our broader Australian community, as well as the recent unrest involving protests etc. Even more heartening is the verse which follows:

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds…” Philippians 4:7

What an incredible promise! Despite what happens around us, even to us, God is saying that if we focus on Him and raise all our questions, our worries and our requests, He will bless us with tremendous inner comfort and wellbeing. That’s truly amazing!

Mr Paul Cockrem
Principal

Once the Coronavirus situation improves I would love to come and say hello and visit your school. Also it would be great to have yourself and/or students come to Broulee, we will organise some nice beach weather.

Kindest regards,

Mr Darren McPartland
Principal, St Peters Anglican College, Broulee

BUSWAYS – TAP ON!

Students are reminded that they need to ensure they tap on and tap off when using the Busways services to and from School. This system allows the bus company to maintain their service to our School and gauge how numbers are going. It is also currently being used to provide tracking information should there be any COVID-19 outbreaks in our community.

SECONDARY FESTIVAL - LAST DAY OF TERM 2

Whilst we are not able to serve food this year as we would usually at our annual Heritage Festival, our Secondary Festival this year will consist of a Cultural Mufti Day (Gold Coin Contribution), student performances as part of the ARTS Talent Show (postponed from Term 1 which includes an Audience Vote opportunity, several Cultural Items and an All Nations Fashion Parade. This last day of Term 2 will still be a great celebration of who we are as a School and the diverse range of ethnic groups that come together in community at RJ.

COLOUR RUN – TERM 3, WEEK 6

Looking ahead, our Secondary Student Forum and Year 12’s are organising another Colour Run to raise funds for the Headspace Group. Our School Captains will launch the Colour Run at the start of Term 3 and provide students more details on how they can participate. The day will start as a mufti dress up and will conclude with the Colour Run taking place after lunch in the afternoon at Hannah Reserve. Students can elect to give more than the $5 mufti fee, which will go to Headspace fundraising, and become eligible for fundraising prizes as incentives to do their best for this project. More details to follow.

MEDALLION AWARDS

With the wide range of sports and activities that have either been postponed or cancelled this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the opportunities for our students to participate in activities has diminished somewhat. However, with the return to local sport and cultural activities in the wider community, and with government restrictions easing, opportunities within the School are also opening up for student involvement with the recommencement of the majority of our co-curricular groups this week.

Subsequently, the School Executive will be reviewing the benchmarking process for the awarding of Medallions over the next few months and will inform families on the way forward for 2020 with respect to the Bronze, Silver and Gold accolades.

Mr Alan Dawson
Deputy Principal

ATHLETICS EVENTS

God blessed us with a warm and sunny day for our K-2 Athletics Carnival last Thursday. The students had a wonderful time participating in a variety of throwing, jumping and running activities. Students and their Year 6 House leader enjoyed sharing their House chant – with Rams leading the charge in volume. Students earned House points for their participation and for displaying good listening and team skills. Rams was the winning House, followed by Sharks, Lions and Eagles. Thank you to Mrs McLeod for organising the event and for our Year 6 students who superbly ran some of the activities with the K-2 staff. See photos below. 

The Years 3-12 Athletics Carnival has been postponed. Further details will come closer to this event as the date and venue availability are confirmed.

HOUSE MEETINGS

Well done to the House Captains and House Coordinator, Miss Tolomeo, for very successful House Meetings in Week 6. Students had a great time preparing for upcoming Assembly Items, learning chants and participating in games.

NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME

Yesterday, students enjoyed a fun and interactive story telling by some very interesting story characters (words cannot explain but pictures tell a thousand words so be sure to have a look on Facebook in a few days time) as they presented the story ‘Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas’ as part of National Simultaneous Storytime. Students wore ‘diva’ headpieces they made in class and enjoyed participating in some fun dancing afterwards. We all had a great time.

PARENT / TEACHER INTERVIEWS – 2M CLASS ONLY

Parents of students in 2M have been emailed booking information for 2M Interviews to be held on Monday 22 June due to Mrs Kaleeny commencing Maternity Leave at the end of the Term. Please refer to your email for booking information and contact Mrs Kaleeny (hkaleeny@rjas.nsw.edu.au) if you have any issues making your booking.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

School Photos for the Marsden Park Campus will be taken next week, Thursday 25 June. All students (Pre-K to Year 6) are to wear their Winter Uniform on this day. Pre-Kindergarten children wear their long-sleeved RJ polo shirt, tracksuit pants and joggers. K-6 girls must wear navy blue tights, not socks. Hair is to be tied up with a small navy hair tie. Earrings must be plain gold or silver studs or sleepers. Professional promotional photos will be taken on Friday 26 June.

STUDENT FORUM – ANGLICARE WINTER APPEAL – MUFTI DAY FUNDRAISER

Student Forum have organised a Mufti Day on Friday 3 July to raise money for the Anglicare Winter Appeal to support families impacted by bushfires or COVID-19. Students wear ‘winter woollies’ on this day such as a fluffy or puffer jacket, woollen jumper, scarves, gloves/mittens, beanies, items with ‘fur’ trimmings etc. Students bring either a gold coin donation, a can of food or both. Additionally, students may bring along $1 to purchase a hot (warm) chocolate.

WINTER SLEEPOUT

Some of our Year 6 students will be joining Years 6-12 students from the Oakhurst Campus to participate in the Winter Sleepout on Friday 26 June. Students will endure a ‘chilly’ night eating bread and soup and sleeping on cardboard boxes on the concrete at the Oakhurst Campus to better understand issues involved with homelessness.

YEAR 6 TO YEAR 7 INFORMATION SESSION

This Wednesday 17 June, Year 6 students will travel by RJ bus to the Oakhurst Campus for a Year 7 Information Session, departing at 9:00am and returning by 11:00am. Students should wear their Sports Uniform as per normal Wednesday routines.

Mrs Narelle Taylor
Assistant Principal/Head of Primary Marsden Park

Our Friday Assemblies will resume this week – unfortunately no parent audience at this stage. Lions and Rams will host a combined Assembly in Week 9 (Friday 26 June) with Eagles and Sharks in Week 10 (Friday 3 July). Students are to wear their House shirts on their allocated Assembly Friday. The afternoon pick-up time continues to improve – the field option is a quick and easy one if you haven’t tried it yet. Enter from the Jersey Road gate. Guaranteed quicker than Dryden Ave!

GROUPS RESUMING

We have groups starting up again this week:

• Monday 8am - Cantabile Choir (auditioned 3-6 choir)
• Wednesday lunchtime– Ricky J Singers
• Thursday lunchtime – Singstars
• Friday lunchtime – Bucket Drumming (Years 5 and 6) Dance groups re-commenced last week

KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION/READINESS SESSIONS

Kindergarten Information and Readiness Sessions for new enrolments commencing Kindergarten in 2021 will be held on Monday 29 June and Thursday 2 July with the first session starting at 9am. Current RJ Pre-Kindergarten students are not required to attend these sessions - they will attend Kindergarten Orientation Days later in the year.

LATE ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL

If your child is late to School for any reason, please accompany them to Primary Reception to sign in as usual. Ring at the Dryden Avenue gate closest to Primary Reception to be buzzed through. Aim to have your children at School around 8:30am to give them time to see their friends, have some play and be ready for morning lines which promotes a settled start to their day.

PHOTO DAY ENVELOPES

Our School photo day at Oakhurst is scheduled for Wednesday 24 June. Envelopes have been sent home for orders to be placed. Please order online and use the envelopes as a guide to select your package. Only return the envelope if paying cash or cheque on Photo Day. A reminder for uniform requirements on Photo Day - all students (K to Year 6) are to wear their Winter Uniform. K-6 girls must wear navy blue tights, not socks. Hair is to be tied up with a small navy hair tie. Earrings must be as per the Uniform Policy – plain gold or silver studs or sleepers. A word about some hairstyles that are creeping in with some boys. Please note our School’s Uniform Policy- No radical hair styles are acceptable (e.g. no undercut, mohawk, shaved hair or below size 2 clippers).

Also, no styles involving significant differences between the length of hair are acceptable. This also includes colouring of the hair. As we prepare for School photos we appreciate your cooperation and attention to Uniform regulations. Uniform infringements will be sent home next week for non-complying hairstyles, allowing time for these to be modified before Photo Day. Professional promotional photos will be taken on Thursday 25 June. Mrs Ghali will contact families whose children may be involved in this photo shoot.

NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORY TIME 

National Simultaneous Storytime is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 20th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book. Mr Cockrem is excited to share this book with the students on Thursday 18 June. We look forward to seeing what he gets up to this year!

HOUSE COMPETITION

Commencing this week, a soccer round robin House Competition will take place at recess and lunchtime. The girls’ competition will take place at recess and the boys’ competition will take place at lunchtime, every Thursday and Friday, for the remainder of the term. The finals of the competition will take place in Week 10 so all students should not miss this event!

WINTER ACCESSORIES MUFTI DAY 

Our Student Forum are keen to organise a Mufti Day to assist Anglicare with their Winter appeal, called the ‘Take Love Collection’. Anglicare are a Christian, not-for-profit organisation that supports people at all stages of life. They seek to serve people in need in the community, enrich lives and share the love of Jesus.

Take Love Collection

Every 6 minutes someone comes to Anglicare looking for immediate food and financial assistance. One in every three of these people will have children under the age of 16. Our School can help make a difference!

1. Organise a collection of food
2. Anglicare will pick up what you've gathered
3. Our programs distribute to people in need

On the last day of this term, Friday 3 July, we will have a ‘Winter Woollies Accessories Day’ to support the Take Love Anglicare Collection. Students can wear their Sports tracksuits, with Sports shirts if in Lions or Rams Houses and House shirts if in Eagles and Sharks Houses (it is the Sharks and Eagles Assembly presentation that day). Students can add Winter Woolly accessories such as beanies, scarves, mittens, woolly socks etc. to create their Winter Woollies look. We ask that each student brings either a gold coin or a tin of food donation (or two!) on this day for Anglicare. It should be a fun and helpful way of finishing the term.

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg
Head of Primary Oakhurst

We finished with running races for each grade. It was great to see students wearing their House colours and participating with confidence as they displayed teamwork, sportsmanship and physical skills! We hope the photos give you a lovely insight into our happy afternoon.

Mrs Claire McCormick 
Primary Co-ordinator

Not wanting our parents to miss out on the information we will share with the students, we will send parents a link to a published eBook containing all the relevant information.

HOUSE MEETINGS

Well done to the House Captains, House Leaders and House Coordinators for recent House Meetings. It was wonderful to see students have a great time at these meetings, engaging in a variety of fun and interactive activities.

STUDENT REPORTS AND PARENT/TEACHER/STUDENT INTERVIEWS

Student Reports will be distributed for Stage 4 on Friday 26 June, and Stage 5 on 31 July.

Following the success of the Stage 6 Interviews, we have decided to arrange Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews for Stage 5 families as an online format as a trial on Wednesday 5 August (3:45-7:30 pm). Stage 4 Interviews will continue in the face to face format but will be split across two days with Year 7 being held on Wednesday 29 July (3:45-7:00 pm) and Year 8 on Thursday 30 July (3:45-7:00 pm).

Interviews are open to all parents. Parents are encouraged to bring the Student Report and their child along to the Interviews to discuss any matters of interest or concern. Booking information will be emailed to parents on Wednesday 1 July. Please make contact if you do not receive your email (be sure to check your Junk folder as well).

Mrs Julia Scrimshaw
Director of Studies/Acting Head of Secondary

A decision on events scheduled for later in Term 3 will be made at a later date. These events are:

• CSSA Primary State Oztag GD
• CSSA Primary State Futsal GD

PSSA/ALL SCHOOLS

• The school sports unit have CANCELLED all PSSA and All Schools events in Term 3

CIS EVENTS/TRIALS

• CIS have not made a final decision on a number of events in Term 3 even though the pathway (PSSA/AllSchools) has been cancelled.
• A decision will be made next Monday 22 June 2020

SOCCER CLINICS

It is great to see that we are able to recommence our soccer clinics this week. Just a reminder that for the 1-2 Soccer Clinic, the session commences on Thursday at 7:45am. The 3-6 Soccer Clinic commences at 3:40pm. Mr Mitchell will walk students to the Dryden Avenue gates at 4:40pm for pickup. Please be punctual in picking up your child.

TENNIS TODD WOODBRIDGE CUP

Miss Ross has made selections for those who will continue to train for the Todd Woodbridge Cup and we hope to see this competition take place at some stage in Term 3. Miss Ross and Mr Mitchell will resume training sessions from Wednesday 1 July and continue this in Term 3.

PRIMARY STATE FOOTBALL FINALS GD (METRO CUP)

Unfortunately this event will not proceed in 2020. This is due to Zone Gala Days not being held plus Jamison Park is undergoing a major upgrade which will not finish until early 2021.

Mr Gavin Mitchell
Primary Sports Coordinator

Parents are under no obligation to purchase representative apparel at Carnivals (e.g. State Swimming) for their child when they reach these representative levels. However, the School recognises and honours these students’ achievements at representative levels by allowing RJ students to wear this apparel to Tuesday Sport activities in recognition of their achievement. By doing so, the School does not regard these garments as part of the official School Uniform and the allowance that is given to students to wear representative apparel is a privilege and not a right.

The School Executive has previously discussed this matter at length and decided that a 12-month period was an acceptable length of time for students to display this recognition of achievement and this expectation has been delivered to students as mentioned above.

SCHOOL SPORT

For the remainder of the Term there will be an alternate Sports Program implemented. We have been running a split Stages 4 and 5 Sport with Enrichment Lessons taking place as well. So far, this has been a very positive approach to introducing sport back after the Distance Learning Plan had finished.

With make-up Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals to take place, a flexible Sports program for the rest of term will continue. I would like to thank all the staff for their hard work in organising Enrichment Lessons and Sport in the past 3 weeks.

REPRESENTATIVE SPORT

CSSA and CIS sports have been postponed or cancelled up to the start of Term 3. With venues still not back to capacity and allowing adults to attend big events, there may be more developments coming in the next few weeks.

I will be continuing to monitor this situation and will inform the RJ Community.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Cross Country – more information about the makeup RJAS Cross Country will be issued in the coming days. We are looking to have this event at Hanna Reserve in the next two weeks. Specifics will be communicated through an information note soon.
• Athletics Carnival – more information will be provided, as we are looking to still try and do an Athletics Carnival for 2020. As we know more details they will be communicated to the RJ Community through an information note.

This year, only students from RJAS will be invited to attend Camp, so there’s no greater risk than these students attending School each day. If anything, there is even less risk considering the fewer numbers attending Camp compared to a regular School day.

For the CRU Blast Day Camp, additional measures will be taken to increase safety. At this stage, this will involve:

• Limiting the number of campers and leaders.
• Maintaining appropriate physical distancing for adult leaders.
• Removing the service of food with the cost of Camp to be reduced accordingly.
• Adopting current standards relating to hygiene and infection control.
• Requiring anyone displaying symptoms of ill-health before Camp to be absent, or to leave Camp if symptoms arise during the day.

The campers will enjoy this fantastic experience, with the chance to participate in exciting outdoor activities, getting to know some of our wonderful Secondary students who are helping as Assistant Leaders and exploring a Christian worldview, whilst still going home to sleep in the comfort of their own bed.

The dates for CRU Blast are: Monday 20 July  – Friday 24 July 2020 (the 3^rd week of the July School Holidays). The campers can be dropped off after 8.00am and can be picked up between 5.00pm and 6.00pm. The cost of the Camp is $180.00 per student. 

Registrations have commenced and students will receive a flyer. More flyers are available from Primary Reception. The link to register for the Camp is: https://crudaycamps.com.au/cru-blast

We’d love to see your child/children at CRU Blast this year.

If you have any questions, please contact me at School by phone 9677 2455 or email – srowe@rjas.nsw.edu.au

Mr Stewart Rowe
Director of Service Learning/Christian Ministry

For more information about the App please click on this link Edumate Parent App Information. If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact Mrs Stephanie Ghali, Operations Manager: sghali@rjas.nsw.edu.au. Thank you for your cooperation.