17 October 2023

With the promise of warmer weather and a host of exciting activities on the horizon, we look forward to making these last few months memorable for your children. Of note, we will be hosting our inaugural Sports Gala Evening on Wednesday 29 November at 6pm where we will acknowledge the amazing achievements of our students in the sporting arena. This will be a night not to be missed!!

Reflecting on the incredible year that our Year 12 students have had, it's clear that their journey was filled with remarkable moments and significant milestones. Farewelling them at the end of last Term, particularly during the Graduation Assembly and the walk of acclamation, allowed us to honour their hard work, dedication, and growth. Now, as they diligently sit for their HSC exams, we know that God will continue to strengthen them to give of their best. We look forward to celebrating with them at their much anticipated Year 12 formal in a few weeks’ time. 

We're immensely proud of their accomplishments and are excited to see what bright futures lay ahead for our graduating class of 2023. We specifically acknowledge the following students for their nomination to HSC Showcase events – Matthew C, Safwan K, Jacob P, Elijah S and Malachi S (HSC Shape 2023 Showcase); Grace H, Ethan L and Elijah S (Onstage 2023).

Our new in-coming Year 12 student leaders were announced at the end of Term 3 at the Year 12 Graduation Assembly. Congratulations to Hilton N and Crystal A (School Captains), and Ryshaanth N and Shan M (School Vice Captains) who will lead our student leadership team of around 24 leaders. All portfolios were announced in the last week of last Term with House Vice Captains and House Leaders being voted on recently. All of our new student leaders will be announced in an Honour Assembly next week where they will receive their leadership badges.

Our Primary students begin Gymnastics and Swimming activities this Term and we all can’t wait to see our K-2 students in this years’ Christmas Twilight event in Week 7. There is still so much to happen this Term, so please read on and take note of the wonderful ways we can engage in our RJ community this Term.

The Bible is always helping us to look forward to what lays ahead. Let’s continue to trust in the Lord for all that we will experience and share as we walk through this final Term for 2023. Thank you for entrusting us with your children's education and for being an essential part of our School community.

God Bless
Mr Alan Dawson | Principal 

LEADERSHIP AT RJ

The Primary Leadership process is beginning, to determine our Primary leaders for 2024. I eagerly await the opportunity to meet with our young prospective leaders to give them a chance to share how they would like to give back to RJ. Our upper Primary parents are encouraged to be ready to have conversations with their students about the opportunity that lies in front of them.

Our Senior Leadership Team is nearly finalised as we seek House Leaders to complete our leadership appointments. We will soon badge and induct our Senior Leaders so stay tuned for more information. Some of our Senior Leadership Team are already in full swing with our Chapel Captains already leading us this week in Secondary Chapel.

SPORT & CULTURAL MEDALLIONS 2023

An ongoing tradition that continues to honour the students who give to RJ and engage in our community, is the awarding of medallions to students who have been involved in Sporting or Cultural activities throughout the year. This includes students who participate in various levels of representation in sporting and cultural areas.

The list of activities that will contribute towards these medallions is listed below, as well as the points they contribute towards the medallions.

Co-curricular Points List 2023 

A list of students will be published in the next RJ Review, who according to our calculations, have qualified for the Sport and Cultural Medallion Awards for 2023. Once these lists have been published, parents and students will have the opportunity to query any omissions. Following this, the final list of Medallion winners will be published in the RJ Review.

In accumulating the number of points necessary to receive a medallion, the student needs to have been involved in any continuous activity for at least two-thirds of the time that the activity runs during the year.

Mr Scott Roby
Deputy Principal 

Class 1S kicked off our new Assembly theme on the miracles of Jesus in spectacular fashion last Friday. We are looking forward to our other two Year 1 class presentations in coming weeks.

YEAR 5 YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAM

At the end of last Term, Year 5 students actively embraced the Young Leaders Program both at School and at home. Students completed set tasks relating to communication, organisation and teamwork, service, Christian development and physical endeavour, to achieve either Bronze, Silver or Gold level. Many fun lunchtime activities were held for the younger grades organised and run by our Year 5 students. Certificates will be presented during a Primary Assembly later this Term. Students should be proud of their achievements. Great effort, Year 5! 😁 

AMAZING ME FAMILY EVENING

Last Tuesday evening we had over 300 people - students and their parents, come and take part in the Amazing Me family sessions with Rowena Thomas. Thank you so much to all who attended. It was a wonderful time of honest, accurate sharing of information and making connections. Rowena has a wonderful website that I commend to you which contains helpful book recommendations, further related information covered in the evening sessions and online courses you can work through together with your children. https://www.amazingme.com.au/

PRIMARY LEADERSHIP 2024  

Last week I spoke with the Year 5 cohort about Primary student leadership roles at RJ Oakhurst in 2024. Year 5 were required to submit their application forms in by yesterday to apply for Primary Captain and House Leadership positions next year. Applications will be reviewed based on student responses to application questions, effort and behaviour in class, as well as commitment to the Young Leaders Program. A number of students will then be selected to be interviewed for Primary Captain positions. Interviews for these roles will be held on Tuesday 31 October. House Leaders will be voted by students and supported by House Coordinator recommendation based on the students’ responses to application questions and involvement in House Meetings during Semester 1. Leadership positions will be finalised later in the Term. Captains and House Leaders for the Oakhurst Campus will be announced at the Year 6 Graduation Assembly on Friday 1 December (parents of Captains and Leaders will be advised prior to this event). 

SCHOOL UNIFORM

As students begin to return to School in the warmer weather, a reminder that all students require a hat (wide-brim or legionnaire) at School each day. Hats are essential for sun protection during PE and Sport activities and for playing in open air areas during recess and lunch. Please ensure all Uniform items are clearly labelled. Students without a hat will be asked to remain in the Primary Courtyard during break times. 

TOYS ‘N TUCKER

Toys 'n' Tucker Anglicare Sydney provides a way for churches, schools, businesses and community groups to share the joy of Christmas and demonstrate God’s love by providing food and gifts for those who would otherwise go without. Both Primary campuses will be collecting for this worthwhile cause. In 2023 Anglicare’s goal is to distribute 5000 food hampers and 4000 toy hampers to families in need this Christmas. There will be baskets in each classroom for donations of non-perishable food items and toys in good condition. The Anglicare van will collect our donations in Week 8 of Term.

WHAT’S COMING UP?

Ahead in Weeks 2 and 3 we have – 

• Gymnastics (Years 3 and 5 Tuesday from Week 2)
• Swimming (Years K-2 plus Years 4 and 6 Wednesday from Week 2) students wear Sports Uniform on these days.
• 1G Assembly - Friday 20 October at 9:15am
• Year 4 Pyjamarama - Friday 27–Saturday 28 October
• House Meetings - Friday 3 November– students wear House shirts

Have a lovely week,  

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg
Head of Primary - Oakhurst

Wednesday 25 October in Week 3 is an important evening for our Year 11 students with the Year 11 Learning Conferences taking place in the afternoon from 3:45pm via Zoom and then our Launch Year 12 2024 event from 6:30pm in the Hall. It is important that students and their parents/carers make every effort to attend both of these events. An email will be sent to parents/carers to enable them to book appointments with their children's teachers. Students are expected to be part of the Zoom Interviews and attend the Launch event in their summer School Uniform.

While it may seem a long way off it is important to note that the Secondary Presentation Assemblyis taking place at 9:30am on Wednesday 6 December. A reminder will be sent close to the date.

As per School Uniform and Presentation Policy Secondary students are to wear the RJ Sports Cap when they are outside, this is compulsory for all students throughout Term 4. Students must bring and wear their sports cap each day. This is an important element in protecting our students from UV light from the sun.

WHY RJ?

Last week I was speaking with Mrs Blake who has had oversight of the administration and supervision of the HSC exams at RJ for many years. She shared her appreciation of the many offers of assistance made by RJ students as she moved through the School grounds. It was pleasing to hear of quite a number of students demonstrating the School's core values of respect and care in this way. My hope and prayer is that RJ students will continue to build such a positive community while at school and also when mixing with members of the public as they move to and from school.

Congratulations to the Year 11 students who have taken on the responsibility of formal leadership positions for 2024 within a range of portfolios. It has been a privilege to share in the joy and excitement of their appointments. Our hope and prayer is that they will grow in their ability to lead others and that they would come to understand that true leadership is grounded in the service of others, as seen in the life of Jesus. All students in the Class of 2024 have been reminded of their role as leaders and the influence they have on the rest of the students in the Secondary section of RJ. Again we encourage them to put others first, being strong and positive role models within the School.

FINAL REMINDERS

• Students are not permitted to have their mobile phones in their possession during the school day. Mobile phones are to be left in the student's locker from 8am until 3:10pm.
• The school day for Secondary students commences at 8:30am. Students need to be lined up for Home Group before 8:30am. Please ensure that students arrive at school with enough time for them to access their locker and be ready for Home Group and Periods 1 and 2 by 8:30am. Students are not permitted to access their lockers in between lessons, only during break times.

Parents and carers are reminded that if you have any questions about upcoming events or concerns in relation to your child's wellbeing, or a question about a specific subject area please reach out to their Home Group teacher as first point of contact. Parents wishing to meet with a Staff member please contact the school via Main Reception to organise an appointment.

Mr Brad Maxwell
Head of Secondary

The Service Team, led by our wonderful Service Captains, Stela K, Jaeda M, Amber B and Logan N organised a fundraiser at lunchtime to sell ice-cream and spiders for the staff at Mt Druitt hospital and Mt Druitt police station, because of their tireless service to our local community.

The fundraiser ended up raising $600, which was amazing to see, so the Service Captains would like to thank everyone who helped by participating on the day. The proceeds from the stall were used to buy food items to fill morning tea hampers for the staff at the hospital and police station.

Stela and Amber helped deliver hampers to Mt Druitt Hospital and the Police Station. The staff at both places were thrilled to receive the hampers, and so thankful that people in the community appreciate their hard work. The Service Team hope to continue this activity in 2024 and recognise the efforts of other members of our community who serve us.

Congratulations to the Service Captains and Service Team on this wonderful initiative.

Mr Stewart Rowe
Christian Ministry/Service Learning

The process for collecting gifts to pack into a shoe box is as follows:

1. Choose whether your box will be for a boy or girl.
2. Choose an age group 2-4, 5-9, 10-14.
3. Fill the box with new gifts that fit into the categories (refer to parent letter). We are asking that students bring in one item from two categories each week. 

While donations of whole boxes would be wonderful, you don’t have to fill a whole shoe box if that is not possible. Any donations of new items from the different categories would be greatly appreciated.

We will be collecting and checking the boxes at School on Tuesday 14 November. The boxes will then be delivered to the Samaritan’s Purse warehouse at Kings Park, near Blacktown.

Please see the Parent Letter for further details - Operation Christmas Child - Parent Letter

Mr Stewart Rowe
Christian Ministry/Service Learning

To participate in this course students submitted a portfolio of artworks and a statement as to why the course would be such a valuable experience and opportunity to develop their artistic skills, as they prepare for the HSC in 2024. The competition to be selected throughout the state was intense and much sought after.

Students that were ultimately selected across the state included one of our very own 2024 Year 12 Visual Arts students Christopher M.

Christopher participated in several specialist drawing and painting workshops run by some of Australia’s most prominent artists. The artwork produced by Christopher was outstanding and was chosen to be showcased in the final exhibition of student’s work in National Art Schools Gallery. The technical skills he developed during the workshops have now become a part of Christopher’s artmaking repertoire and will inevitably become a part of his HSC Body of Work in 2024. Christophers outstanding skills in Visual Arts and his commitment to building the profile of Fine Arts at RJ has also seen him become a wonderful Art Vice Captain for 2024. 

Mrs Sarah Key
Secondary Visual Arts/TAS Teacher  

Additional event information will be provided closer to events through the RJ App. Please continue to read the fortnightly RJ Review for updates throughout the Term.

We appreciate your prayers and support for the remainder of the School year.

Yours sincerely, 

Mr Luke Sale
Head of Primary - Marsden Park 

Congratulations also goes out to the U/14 and U/16 Mixed Volleyball teams who both won their Grand Final in the WSCS Tuesday Sport competition. Both teams were very competitive throughout the season, and are well deserving of their wins.

Last Tuesday we saw the U/16 Boys Rugby League team compete in their WSCS Rugby League Grand Final. The boys played well however, weren’t up to the standard of PCS. There was an unfortunate injury resulting in the game being called early, and RJ walking away with the Runner Up title. Well done boys!

On Tuesday 19 September we saw six students compete at the CIS Athletics Carnival. A fantastic achievement by all in their respective events. Well done to Owen, Jackson, Joyce, Rihanna, Johan and Alex.

Special mention to Jackson M in Year 10 for coming 1st and 2nd in the 200m and 100m respectively. This saw Jackson progress to the NSW All Schools Championships on the 23-25 September, where he competed in the 100m and 200m. Jackson ran 11.05sec in the 100m, finishing 5th, and 22.77sec in the 200m finishing 8th. Well done Jackson!! We look forward to watching you progress and continue to achieve in Athletics.

Mrs Trish Millard 
PDHPE & Sport Faculty Leader

GYMNASTICS LESSONS

Gymnastics lessons commence this week for students in Years 3 and 5 at the Oakhurst Campus. 

RUN CLUB COMMENCEMENT

It was great to see our revamped Run Club commence again. There were so many students in attendance which was great. We hope to see as many students next week as we continue to build our fitness.

TENNIS PROGRAM FOR YEAR 2

Our tennis program for Year 2 students is commencing tomorrow morning in the Hall at 7:45am at the Oakhurst Campus.

Mr Gavin Mitchell
Primary Sports Leader