28 November 2023

Today we began those celebrations with the Thanksgiving Service conducted at Marsden Park where we acknowledge the hard work the School has invested in bringing the Marsden Park Campus, originally founded by the School’s foundation Principal Paul Cockrem back, in 2016. As we stand on the brink of the new year, the Campus is posed and ready to become its own standalone school, Marsden Park Anglican College, led by their inaugural Principal Mr Darren Cox. 

Reflecting on the passage of time, it is evident that the establishment of a second campus has proven to be a truly worthwhile investment. The growth and development witnessed over these years have been remarkable, and we attribute much of our success to the collaborative spirit and commitment of the Marsden Park community.

As we close this chapter and look towards the future, our collective prayer is that God's grace and guidance continue to bless and nurture our School. May Marsden Park Anglican College evolve into a beacon of hope for families in Western Sydney, illuminating their lives with the transformative power of the Gospel. We envision our School becoming a lighthouse that not only imparts knowledge but also instils values, fostering an environment of love, understanding, and academic excellence.

In extending heartfelt thanks, we acknowledge the dedication of our staff, the support of parents, and the enthusiasm of our students. Together, we have created a community that cherishes education, embraces diversity, and remains committed to the shared vision of providing a holistic and enriching educational experience.

As we bid farewell to this year, we do so with gratitude in our hearts, excited for the journey ahead, and with the firm belief that the best is yet to come for Marsden Park Anglican College. May the upcoming years be filled with continued growth, meaningful connections, and the fulfilment of our mission to spread the light of knowledge and faith. Thank you, Marsden Park, for being an integral part of this extraordinary expedition.

RJ – FULL OF CELEBRATIONS

Tomorrow evening, we host the first ever Sports Gala Evening where we will recognise our champion athletes, swimmers and teams who have achieved excellence in their fields. Over 70 students will be acknowledged with Awards of Excellence as well as medallions and Trophies for being Age Champions in Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country at School and Zone levels, CSSA Representation, CIS Representation and NSW All Schools. Over 300 people returned an RSVP for catering purposes and are expected to be in attendance. We are also delighted to be able to include our Marsden Park students amongst the award recipients. Students receiving awards are expected to wear their school uniform to this event. 

On Thursday and Friday this week our Year 6 students will take part in their respective Graduation Assemblies at Oakhurst and Marsden Park. This marks an historic moment for Marsden Park Year 6 students, transitioning as the first Year 7 cohort for Marsden Park Anglican College in the coming year. Join us as we also unveil the Junior School Leadership teams for 2024 at this special occasion. As we delve into the last week of Term, the annual presentation events will take place on Tuesday 5 December for Marsden Park and Wednesday 6 December for Oakhurst Senior School at 9:30am and Junior School at 1:30pm. Parents and families, you’re invited to witness the culmination of a year of hard work, with academic and special awards, as well as captivating music and dance showcases being presented. 

As we come to reflect on this bustling Term, we find ourselves at the doorstep of Christmas. There will be days of play and rest as well as excitement for what December 25 will hold. Beyond the festive hustle, let’s embrace the true essence of the season – the gift of love and peace in Jesus. As we exchange gifts and gather with loved ones, may we hold close the significance of God’s perfect gift, His son Jesus, to mankind.

Merry Christmas to our RJ Community! May the blessings of the season carry you into a refreshing New Year.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”. Isaiah 9:6

God Bless
Mr Alan Dawson | Principal 

I often speak to students about the power of reflection and encourage them to build it into their practise of learning. Not just academic learning either, as reflection should be part of our growth across all aspects of our lives. The famous French painter Claude Monet said it well “It's on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way.” At this time of year, even though many of us are growing tired, it is so important to ensure we learn the lessons of 2023 whilst they are still fresh in our minds. These lessons may be positive or negative, but they must always be focussed on improvement and growth. No matter how well or poorly our years have gone, we can always grow from where we are, and at the heart of self-reflection and growth lie the questions we must ask ourselves to see improvement in 2024. 

Did 2023 have academic lessons to learn.  

- Where did you excel or struggle? Did you excel or struggle to complete work on a specific day of the week?  
- Was there a subject where you performed particularly well or poorly? What was it about that subject that caused this? 
- Were your out of school commitments too big to manage? 
- Was your organisation effective or did it undermine your other efforts? 
- Did you have any roadblocks to your learning that need to be addressed or for which you require additional support? 

Perhaps instead there were social lessons. 

- Which relationships blossomed or struggled? 
- What was my part in them being positive or problematic? 
- Is there something I’m doing or not doing that makes it challenging to have positive relationships with others? 
- Do I need to invest my time into different relationships? 
- Have I developed positive working relationships with my teachers this year? 

Still maybe there were challenges or successes in physical or mental health. 

- Do you need to recommit to an activity that is good for your health? 
- Is a lack of physical activity inhibiting your mental health? 
- Do you need to set up better bedtime routines? 
- Are you getting enough sleep to be at your best? 
- Have you learned a new sport, creative outlet or hobby this year or should you aim to do s in 2024? 

Whatever are the right set of questions to ask yourself this year, I encourage us as a community to consider how we can continue to grow into 2024. Our staff team go through an end of year review to consider how to grow and I’m sure many of our parents do this through their workplaces also. But couldn’t we all benefit from a “personal review”. I challenge you to join with me in December in not only using the time as an opportunity to rest and recuperate, but to also seek growth for the next season that lies ahead for us. 

Christmas Mufti, Celebration and Sausage Sizzle 

Our students have a wonderful opportunity on Monday 4 December to celebrate with some Christmas cheer. Students are encouraged to come dressed up in their Christmas best and to make a gold coin donation to charity. Don’t forget too that students who wish to celebrate with a sausage sandwich or drink need to pre-purchase through the following Trybooking link: https://www.trybooking.com/CNQGZ. There will be lots of other fun and celebration on this day and in the lead up as our students seek to decorate RJ. 

I pray that you all have a blessed break and a time to celebrate with your family. Let’s take time to focus over the Christmas period on the greatest gift we’ve been given in Jesus. I lok forward to a great finish to 2023 at RJ and with great expectation of what is to come for us as a community in 2024.

Mr Scott Roby
Deputy Principal

TOYS ‘N TUCKER

Thank you so much for the generous donations to this Christmas appeal through Anglicare. The staffroom is overflowing with boxes that have been packed by our Primary Student Forum and will be collected by the Anglicare van this week. These donations will be used in hampers to help disadvantaged families have some joy this Christmas.

K-2 TWILIGHT NATIVITY EVENT

Last Friday we enjoyed a lovely evening picnic and wonderful Nativity presentation from our youngest students in the Primary Courtyard. The ‘It’s A Miracle’ mini musical was a hit and reminded us of the true meaning of the celebration of our Saviour’s birth at Christmas. The rain stayed away and the coffee and ice cream vans were a big hit! A special thank you to Miss S-D 🎵 and the Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 teachers plus Miss Ross, Mrs Pinney, Mr Hunt and Mr Reed for bringing this all to fruition.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION 

This Friday 1 December, we formally acknowledge the achievement of our Year 6 students in completing their Primary years of schooling at their Year 6 Graduation Assembly. Graduation commences at 9:00am in the School Hall. Parents of Year 6 students are welcome to attend.

Students wear their Summer Uniform. Girls must wear tunics not skorts and dresses should be knee length. Shoes should be neatly polished, and hair styled in a neat, School-appropriate style as per the Uniform Policy. 2023 Leadership badges should be worn. Students need to bring along suitable clothing for the activities to follow later in the day. Morning tea and lunch provided. 

PARENT HELPERS IN 2023

I would like to acknowledge the parents who have helped us throughout 2023. It has been lovely to have had parents and grandparents in classrooms for InitiaLit and Reading groups, assisting with excursions, special events, and more. Thank you so much for the generous sharing of your time to assist our students. We really appreciate it! ❤

PRIMARY PRESENTATION AFTERNOON – OAKHURST CAMPUS

Primary Presentation Afternoon will be held on Wednesday 6 December in the School Hall commencing at 1pm. Parents can take students home at the conclusion of the event. Semester 2 Reports will be available via the Edumate portal this day (no hard copies sent home unless requested via your child’s class teacher and no early access for families who have chosen to go on holidays before the end of Term). Parents of prize-winners will be notified this week.

We will celebrate the achievements of Primary students throughout the 2023 School year in a variety of areas including Christian character, diligence, improvement, and extra-curricular involvement. Student attendance is compulsory at the Presentation Assembly so please mark this important date in your calendar. Rehearsals will take place the day before. Students are to wear their Summer Uniform. Girls must wear tunics not skorts and dresses should be knee length. Shoes should be neatly polished, and hair styled in a neat, School-appropriate style as per the Uniform Policy. 

CHRISTMAS MUFTI-DAY 

Primary students may wear Christmas coloured/themed mufti (red, green and white) on the second last day of School, Tuesday 5 December. Students must have closed shoes and clothing suitable for School (i.e. no strappy tops, very short shorts or inappropriate images/writing on T-shirts). No spray paint in hair, please. Please send in a gold coin donation with your child for our Compassion sponsor children. A reminder that sending in Christmas cards with your child for their friends during the last week is fine, but please do not send candy canes or other gifts for classmates to School.

SCHOOL UNIFORM 2024

Parents are reminded to take the opportunity over the holiday break to review and replace any missing Uniform items or items their child has outgrown. All students require a School hat throughout the entirety of the School year. Sport shoes must be joggers (not basketball shoes) and below the ankle. Please ensure all Uniform items are clearly labelled. Students in Kindergarten and Year 1 only may wear black lace-up or Velcro leather school shoes (full foot coverage – no Mary Jane styles). Students in Years 2-6 must wear black lace-up leather school shoes.  

The Oakhurst Primary Staff wish all families a safe and Jesus-centred Christmas. To the small number of students and families leaving RJ at the end of the year, we pray that you will look back fondly on your time at RJ and experience God’s love and grace as you continue your educational journey.

Enjoy the rest of your week,  

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg
Head of Primary - Oakhurst

WEEK 8 EVENTS

This week sees our Year 10 cohort participate in Service Week, a great opportunity for them to be a practical help to charities and schools that operate within Sydney. Thank you to Mr Rowe for coordinating the week and to the staff helping with the supervision of the students.

RJ’s first ever Sports Gala evening takes place this Wednesday night from 6pm, providing an opportunity for us to recognise the many sporting achievements of our students.

Secondary Chapel and Assembly take place in Week 8, both having a Christmas flavour to them. A great opportunity for students to be reminded of the Christian celebration of Christmas and hear some Christmas carols too!

Year 10 – Luna Park Stem Event was unfortunately not able to go ahead due to Luna Park not able to host any schools on Friday 1 December. Alternative activities are being planned for our Year 10 cohort with information being shared with Year 10 students and their parents/carers shortly.

WEEK 9 EVENTS

Christmas themed mufti on Monday 4 December – students and staff have the opportunity to dressed up as a Christmas themed movie character, with a gold coin donation, with ‘best dressed’ student and staff member up for grabs. With many activities, such as ‘Caroloke’ and a sausage sizzle taking place it is shaping up to be a great day.

The End of Year Secondary Event is taking place on Tuesday 5 December at Cables Water Park in Penrith. All permissions and lunch pack orders were due last week. Any parents/carers who have questions in relation to this event can contact either Mr David Hyde (dhyde@rjas.nsw.edu.au) or Mr Luke Dibden (ldibden@rjas.nsw.edu.au). 

Parents/carers are invited to attend the Secondary Presentation Event commencing at 9:30am on Wednesday 6 December in the Hall. Parents/carers will be able to arrive at the School from 9:10am to be seated in the Hall.

With parent permission Secondary students will be able to leave at the conclusion of the event, at approximately 11:20am. Permission is to be provided via the RJ App by 3pm Friday 1 December. Students without permission to leave early will remain at school until 3:10pm.

Parents/carers who wish to have their children in Secondary attend the Primary Presentation Event need to advise the School by Friday 1 December to ensure sufficient seating is provided. (Please email bmaxwell@rjas.nsw.edu.au).

END OF TERM HOUSE KEEPING

Return of Textbooks

Students in Years 7-10 need to return their textbooks to the Hub to assist in the preparations for 2024. Students are encouraged to check at home, their lockers, and classrooms to make sure they have them all. Any outstanding items may be charged to their school fees account to enable their replacement.

The schedule for returning textbooks is as follows:

Loans for Summer Reading will begin on 4 December, once all books are returned.

Locker Cleanout

All student lockers are to be left empty and unlocked over the Christmas break. Students will be allocated a different locker in 2024. During Period Six on Monday 4 December time will be given for students to clean out their lockers and hand in their combination lock to their Home Group Teacher. The lock will be returned ready to use again from Term 1 in 2024. It is the responsibility of each student to hand in their lock and leave their locker clean and empty, even if they have been given approved leave for Monday 4 December.

Term 1 2024

I am looking forward to seeing our Year 7, 11 and 12 students return for their first day back on Monday 29 January, with students in Years 8-10 returning on Tuesday 30 January. All commencing their first days as students of Richard Johnson Anglican College.

Again please have enjoyable break during the Christmas Holidays. Merry Christmas to everyone in the RJ community.

Mr Brad Maxwell
Head of Secondary

If you are in Year 8 and you have turned 14 years old, or you are interested to start in Year 9 and you are wanting to know more about the Award then you can contact me or talk to me in person about this opportunity. You can also go to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award website at www.dukeofed.com.au and see what the Award involves. This would be a great place to discuss with your parents what it is about and what you could achieve.

We aim to let students experience all kinds of achievement and this is highly recognised way of pursuing this.

Mr Chris Bemrose
Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Leader at RJAS

Mrs Emma Wilson – Music Director 

Mrs Tammy Holder – Backstage and Costumes 

Mrs Joey Green – Backstage and Costumes  

Mr David Robertson – Staging and Props 

Mr Chris Golden – Staging and Props 

Mr Josh Lamb – Staging  

Mrs Kyra Kuitert and Mrs Ely Sembiring – Video and Photography 

PreK to Year 2 teachers 

AWARD WINNERS 

An email has been sent to Award recipients’ families on the 27 November. This serves as an invitation to families to come along to the event to celebrate with the community your child’s performance this year. The note does not specify the Award however but will be revealed on the day.  

Thursday 30 November - Year 6 Graduation Ceremony at 12:00pm  

Parking will be available off Clifton Rd on the grass area.  

We are so excited to host our first Year 6 Graduation Ceremony. Following the service there will be light refreshments for families and a time for photos to remember this special occasion.  

Tuesday 5 December - Marsden Park Presentation Event at 1pm  

Parking will be available off Clifton Rd on the grass area.  

This year’s event will be held onsite in the Marsden Park COLA area. This event will be when all Awards are handed out. Parents whose children are winning Awards will be notified the week prior to the event. 

REPORTS

A reminder that reports will be sent out electronically. These will be uploaded to Edumate, and a note home will be sent once all the grades have been uploaded to the system.    

COMMUNICATION

Please note that the following forms of communication to the RJ Families apply when we are distributing information regarding events. Not all forms are used for the same event.  Please also refer to the RJ App / Calendar for upcoming events and Term dates refer to the calendar on the school website.  

1. A broadcast via the Newsfeed on the RJ App is used for whole section events such as Book week and Easter Hat Parade. 
2. The Fortnightly the RJ Review (Newsletter) – which is emailed to parents and can be found on the home page of our school website. This also outlines events that are happening throughout the term.  
3. From time to time, we will use Emails /Or SMS to highlight changes that may occur that affect events. Such as parent parking.  

SCHOOL BAN ON NUTS

A friendly reminder that a very serious allergy towards peanuts for some of our students has prompted the School to ban peanuts, peanut butter, Nutella, peanut sauce, nut biscuits and fruit and nut mixes, as well as any other food product which contains peanuts. Please note that products which have ‘traces of nut or peanuts’ have not been listed - these are acceptable. We ask parents to be very cautious about this School directive. The health and safety of every student is of paramount concern for the whole School community. 

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

Yours sincerely, 

Mr Luke Sale
Head of Primary - Marsden Park 

It has been an exciting year at RJ for many of our students who have experienced the tremendous challenges and the great rewards of playing a musical instrument for the first time. Small group lessons have taken place to introduce students to the violin, cello, clarinet, flute and saxophone. For many of our students this was their very first experience of playing an instrument. To see their smiles and hear their weekly progress as they have applied themselves to their home learning is a great testament to our RJ students to have the courage to commence and commit to a completely new experience. Students are reminded that this week they are required to return their instrument to Primary reception or to Mrs Marrable in person. 

Enrolments for Individual Music Lessons for 2024 are open, enquire by clicking this link https://forms.office.com/r/FFM68WiyUH 

Mrs Inés Marrable
Director of Performing Arts K-12 

I would like to express my gratitude to all the staff members who gave up countless hours throughout the year to train our students for various competitions. A big thank you must also go out to our external coaches for their assistance in improving our students. Finally, I would like to thank our parent volunteers who made the running of our Carnivals and some Gala Day competitions run smoothly. We look forward to an even bigger 2024.

Tomorrow night RJ will host its inaugural Sports Gala Evening where we showcase the outstanding achievements that our students have achieved in sport in 2023. I’m sure it will be a lovely celebration of sporting success.

Mr Gavin Mitchell
Primary Sports Leader

The Sports Captains did a tremendous job in running this event and are to be congratulated on organising this event.

This Term we also had three teams competing in the Touch Football WSCS Competition. We appreciate and acknowledge the efforts of all teams. The U14s Boys will play the Grand Final today, and we wish them success for their game. Thank you to Mr Hyde for convening this event, and all the work he has put into making it run.

I wish you all a restful break, and look forward to all the sports opportunities ahead of us in 2024. 

Mrs Trish Millard
PDHPE & Sport Faculty Leader

What is your favourite food?

Italian.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Reading, walking my dog. 

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

Term 1 2024. To work in a Christian environment.

What do you think you will enjoy about your role in the School?

Interaction with peers and students. 

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

Being Baptised in the jungle of PNG. 

Why did you become a Christian?

I was called to go to church. I went and after time my life was changed for the better. 

What is your favourite bible verse and why?

Mark 5:3b. I was a new Christian struggling with faith. I read this verse and it hit home to me and helped me. 

What is something you want to achieve?

To be a positive light in the life of people I meet.

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

The cast of Blue Bloods, my favourite TV show.