18 August 2020

In respect of the most recent NSW guidelines for schools, all upcoming events are being reviewed by the Executive. The latest communication from the Executive will be made available for all RJ families on Wednesday 19 August on the RJ website in the folder titled 'Coronavirus Communications'. It is important that the detailed notes are carefully read. The impact on normal activities will be significant for the remainder of Term 3. The level of disappointment emanating from these difficult decisions will be palpably felt throughout our School community, however it is important to actively support the NSW government as it seeks to maintain safety across the State. 

It gives me great pleasure to provide RJ families with confirmed information about ASC Board-approved new facilities which will outstandingly cater for our ongoing growth: (1) Stage 3 double-storey classroom building at Marsden Park Campus (pictured above) – involving the total two storey structure, including external areas and landscaping, and the fit-out of Level 1 six classrooms, huge project space through the middle, amenities, lift etc for a cost of over $6.2m; and (2) Senior Studies Centre at Oakhurst Campus (pictured below) – constructed over the staff carpark, involving five classrooms, enormous break-out space, seminar rooms, individual study space, related offices and staffroom etc, including refurbishments of Block C to fully integrate as one building, for a cost of over $5.8m. Each major project is designed to deliver amazing contemporary, integrated spaces which promote collaborative, technology-rich, highly functional learning environments. Both major projects will be finished by the end of 2021. Please enjoy the architectural plans/indicative views provided. 

Stage 3 Building (Marsden Park Campus) -  https://www.rjas.nsw.edu.au/photo-galleries/stage-3-building-marsden-park-campus

Senior Studies Centre (Oakhurst Campus) - https://www.rjas.nsw.edu.au/photo-galleries/senior-studies-centre-oakhurst-campus

Whilst we continuously review activities, in light of COVID-19, we are grateful to God for many things and for enabling us to continue with excellent face-to-face learning. The following promises from God’s Word can be applied to our present circumstances, especially if any one of us is feeling anxious. Maybe you’re embarking on a new relationship, a new job or taking on an unfamiliar role or task where you don’t have all the answers. Whatever is going on in our lives, God says we do not have to let anxiety cause us to doubt, to despair or to feel alone. Here’s His Word for us today:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you …. The Lord goes before you and will be with you. Do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:6-8)

We can carry these promises with us. When our confidence starts to falter, when our faith fluctuates, we are reminded about how much we can depend on Him.

Mr Paul Cockrem
Principal

SECONDARY LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP – WEDNESDAY 26 AUGUST

The Secondary Leadership Workshop, which introduces Year 11 students into the 2020-21 Student Leadership Process, will be conducted next week on Wednesday 26 August during Periods 3 and 4. All of our Year 11 students will take part in the workshop and it should be a very positive time for our students as they explore and share their ideas and experiences around leadership, with the view to being a student leader from Term 4 this year. All interested students will be asked to nominate for a leadership position, whether that be for School or Vice Captains, Chapel Captains, Service Captains, Arts Captains, Sports Captains and House Captains.

COLOUR RUN – FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER

We are very excited to be hosting our next Colour Run here at RJ on Friday 4 September this year. Our Secondary Colour Run that is designed to raise funds for the Headspace group has been going well with funds in excess of $5000 already raised. However, this amount has been generated by only 41 of our students with another 116 Secondary students who are signed up online ready to go for fundraising (but still to start) and at least 370 still to set up their account.

Imagine if every one of our Secondary students signed up online and started raising funds – we would blow our target out of the water very quickly. The system is really easy and relies on each student creating their online account (according to the Colour Run booklet they received to show them how). This Fundraising account can also be linked to an already existing Instagram and Facebook accounts for greater reach and to make it easier to spread the word. Students simply invite people (friends, sporting teams mates, relatives etc) to sponsor them by donating directly online or they can donate cash as well. Please support your child and encourage them to start fundraising – and there’s prizes to be won as well!!!

The Colour Run is set to be an awesome day for the Secondary students! A reminder that students can wear Mufti on the day and also bring their $5 Mufti donation. For those wanting to take part in the Colour Run, they should bring an old white t-shirt to wear for the run/walk so the colour takes great effect. Students who take part in the run/walk but do not want to be hit with a splash of non-toxic colour, can wear colourful clothing to indicate this or simply go through the ‘non colour’ channels on the day. Goggles or sunglasses should be worn when participating as well.

Mr Alan Dawson
Deputy Principal 

PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS 

The teachers enjoy the opportunity of speaking with you either via phone or face-to-face about your child’s progress. Please remember that Interviews are limited to 10 minutes (including phone Interviews) and social distancing plus sanitising measures will be in place for onsite Interviews. This includes no waiting in the corridors - instead, parents will wait in the Primary Courtyard until just before their Interview time. Once the Interview is finished parents will be asked to leave the School straight away, limiting any mingling or socialising with other families. It is preferable if children are not brought to the Interviews and please let the relevant teacher know if you are unable to attend at your allocated time. Phone Interviews are best made via an email directly to the class teacher. You may like to refer to your copy of the recent Report during the Interviews.

YEAR 6 FUN DAY 

Our Year 6 students did a sensational job on a wet and cold Friday last week organising and running the Fun Day. K-5 students greatly enjoyed the activities and sweet treats on offer with a total of $1483 being raised by Oakhurst Primary for our sponsor children in Nepal.

BIRTHDAY TREATS REMINDER 

A reminder that due to increased hygienic practices at School, home-made cupcakes etc. cannot be brought in for students’ birthdays. Store-bought, individually wrapped treats are acceptable at this time.

CONTACT DETAILS 

If you have recently moved or changed phone or email details, please update these either on the Parent Portal on Edumate or by contacting Primary Reception. Having the correct parent contact details on file at RJAS is essential for efficient communication, especially in an emergency.

UNIFORM AND JEWELLERY 

We have noticed some jewellery being worn by Primary students that does not comply with our Uniform Policy:

• A watch and a plain flat ring (one only) are permitted.
• Earrings are to be plain gold or silver stud/small sleeper earrings only (one per ear lobe). No other piercings permitted.
• Necklaces or bangles are not permitted.

T-shirts worn for warmth under School shirts are not permitted. Please use a singlet or spencer in plain white that is not visible. Thank you for your cooperation to maintain our Uniform standards at RJ.

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg
Head of Primary Oakhurst

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL AND CROSS COUNTRY

Well done to our Marsden Park competitors who participated across events in our recent Athletics Carnival. We had a number of students receive Age Champion Certificates for the Cross Country held at the end of Term 2. We delight in the achievements of these athletic students.

BABY NEWS

We congratulate Mrs Blok who is expecting her first child in February 2021. The students were very excited when Mrs Blok shared this special news with them at Assembly last week.

MOVEMENT IN THE CARPARK

Parents are reminded to use walkways only when dropping and collecting children from School. Please do not walk children up the middle of the carpark aisles. Your cooperation in leaving the School promptly on collecting your child/ren is greatly appreciated.

PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Our first evening of face-to-face Parent/Teacher Interviews were held last night. Pre-K face-to-face Interviews are still available to book this Wednesday 19 August between 3:30-5:00pm and Thursday 20 August 3:30-7:00pm. K-6 face-to-face Interviews are still available for this Thursday 20 August from 3:30-7:00pm. Telephone Interviews will be conducted at agreed times throughout the week.

YEARS 3-6 CROSS-CAMPUS SPORT

Weekly Primary RJ Cross-Campus Sport will commence this Wednesday 19 August. Students in Years 3-6 will be transferred to the Oakhurst Campus where they will participate in House Sport on Campus or at a nearby field, such as Hanna Reserve and Heber Park. Students wear their House Shirts with Sports shorts or tracksuit pants.

YEAR 6 FUN DAY

Year 6 Fun Day was indeed full of fun for the students. Our Year 6 students planned and conducted a number of great activities of which the students actively engaged. There were lots of screams coming out of the haunted house and lots of smiles at each activity. Thank you to our Year 6 students and Miss Tolomeo for their organisation and Year 5 students for their assistance. A total of $546.76 was raised for our sponsor children in Nepal. Thank you to families for supporting this day and our service to Nepal.

Mrs Narelle Taylor
Assistant Principal/Head of Primary Marsden Park

The security period for these examinations and the return of papers will not end until early September. This has become particularly important for those schools who are using external papers and have students diagnosed with COVID-19. Our students all received information last week about what to do if they feel unwell and are unable to attend exams. Please follow this advice and complete an Illness and Misadventure Form if a problem arises.

Our Year 12 Drama students have been advised that their performance examination will be held on Wednesday 26 August, and we will be upholding them in prayer as they have the opportunity to showcase their efforts in presenting their individual performances. Unfortunately this year, the group performance was removed from the exam requirements.

The State Government has revised their COVID-19 guidelines for schools for the remainder of Term 3. The School Executive is reviewing what these mean for our students at RJ. While some don’t impact us at all, decisions regarding Graduation events and Formals are not taken lightly, as these are significant events in the life of our students and their families. They have become a rite of passage and we want to think carefully about how we celebrate with our students the completion of their formal years of schooling in a safe and responsible way. Mr Cockrem will advise families further of the ramifications of those guidelines this week.

Last Tuesday, Mrs Scrimshaw led Year 8 students through the process of selecting 'electives' for Year 9, 2021. So far, at least 64 students have already indicated their preferences, and others have been asking teachers for more information about what is entailed in particular subjects. When all students have submitted their preferences, the program we use will determine the lines subjects are placed in, to give the highest number of students their first two preferences. Sometimes the third choice will be the subject given. The students have shown a great deal of enthusiasm, but are reminded that these electives are intended to be studied for two years – there is not a new selection that can be made at the end of Year 9, nor can changes be made after six months because “I don’t like it”. 

Next week we begin the process of leadership applications for 2021. Mr Dawson and I will be meeting with Year 11 students to discuss a range of matters, to help develop their thinking about leadership and what roles they might consider applying for. Year 11 have also started the process of designing their jersey for 2021 and a decision on the final design will be made by students early in September. We are hoping to submit orders as soon as possible, given that the manufacturing time has increased by another month. This way students will still receive their jerseys early in 2021, rather than later.

This year has been teaching us much about patience, dealing with anxiety and looking forward with hope to the future. I have been frequently reminded of God’s words to Joshua as the people of Israel waited to enter the promised land:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Mrs Jenny Clay
Assistant Principal/Head of Secondary 

I am concerned with the number of students who have served a lunch Detention this week due to being issued 5 demerits in the first three weeks of Term 3. The majority of demerits issued have been to students arriving late to school without reason and to students who are not fully equipped for their lessons. Over 80% of the Detentions would not have been issued if students were on time and had all their books, a charged laptop and diary with them each day.

In an effort to reduce the number of demerits being issued:

• Parents are encouraged to assist their children in arriving to school on time.
• Students are encouraged to pack their bags at night before going to bed, checking their timetable to ensure they have packed the correct books and equipment. 
• Charging the laptop overnight at home is needed to ensure it does not run flat during the school day.

During Friday's Assembly I also raised concerns and issued a caution regarding 'vaping'. Students were advised not to experiment with e-cigarettes or "vapes" as they are addictive and may contain harmful chemicals, flavours and nicotine. Inhaling or breathing in this type of vapour whether intentionally or passively may result in lung damage, accentuate asthma, heart disease and negative impacts on brain development. As part of our ongoing effort of looking after each other, students are encouraged to speak with a parent or teacher if they have any concerns regarding this issue.

For more information regarding "Vaping" the following links may be helpful:

Health Direct - an Australian Government initiative - https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/e-cigarettes-vaping

Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne - https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/E-cigarettes_and_teens/

Mr Brad Maxwell
Director of Secondary Welfare

SOCCER CLINICS

The students who have been attending the Soccer Clinics this term have been progressing nicely. It has been lovely to see their smiles and developing skills on display week by week.

Mr Gavin Mitchell
Primary Sports Coordinator

3-12 ATHLETICS CARNIVAL REVIEW

The 2020 Athletics Carnival was very successful because of many factors that came together. A major driving force was Mr Cockrem and his liaising with Blacktown Council to seek permission to use the facility; the team of Office staff who enabled an information package and online permission option to be used; the teachers who provided regular classes or assisted at the Athletics Carnival. It was a huge team effort to provide the opportunity for students to participate in this event. A big thank you to you all. I could not have facilitated this event without all the help you gave me.

Approximately 200 students from Years 3 – 12 attended a modified Athletics Carnival at the Blacktown International Sports Park. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day with the weather. The sun was shining, and cool breeze made it a very comfortable day for our students to compete in a variety of events. There were many outstanding performances from our students across all the various events. Some records were broken, and they were as follows:

AGE CHAMPIONS 2020

Well done to all students who attended and thank you to all who contributed to make it a wonderful day of competition.  

SECONDARY SPORT: TERM 3

In Secondary Sport, we have now had two weeks of Recreational and Organised Sport for students in Years 7-10. This term students will participate in a 4-week block of either Recreational Sport (Rock Climbing, Flip Out, Boxercise/Fitness and St Marys Indoor Sports) or Organised Sport at Hanna Reserve.

Years 7 and 9 have started this term doing 4 weeks of Recreational Sport. Years 8 and 10 have been participating in Organised Sport. This will swap for Week 6 this term. Students are reminded to be prepared for Tuesday Sport with the correct Uniform (shirt, shorts, socks and shoes).

Mr David Hyde
Secondary Sports Co-ordinator

Supervisors must:

• have a valid Working With Children Check clearance for employment
• work as part of a team
• have attention to detail
• be able to carry out duties confidentially and discreetly
• be able to stand for long periods of time.

Supervisors must not have a friend or close relative sitting the HSC at RJAS or be an employee of the school. Supervisors are paid for their time by NESA, not the school.

If you are interested in being considered for this role in the 2020 HSC examinations at RJ (from 20 October to 11 November) please send your full name, email address and phone number to admin@rjas.nsw.edu.au by 11 September 2020.