9 February 2024

I read several books over the break, but one that I really struck gold with was Atomic Habits by James Clear. He provides us with a very practical guide to developing habits in our lives that can form the foundation for change and reset as we aspire to improve our lives by 1% each day. I particularly liked his quote, “All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision.” 

RJ commenced as small beginnings, but by the grace of God, we are a College of 1000+ students learning to Trust in the Lord each day, knowing that having a relationship with Him improves our lives. This could be your year of change or growth. As part of our RJ community, let me offer you opportunity to explore what trusting in God looks like in life.

Welcome & New Staff

I would like to welcome all of our new families to Richard Johnson Anglican College (yes, a slight name change), in particular our new cohort of students in Kindy and Year 7, as well as those joining us from Year 1 to Year 11. It’s wonderful to have you on board as we commence this great year ahead of us; the year of the Junior School Musical – Finding Nemo Jnr and the biennial Spring Festival!

I’d also like to introduce our families to our new staff as they begin their journeys here at RJ. I’m sure you will welcome them to our College community when you have opportunity to do so, but feel free to refer to pages 3-5 in our 2024 Parent Letter to see who they are and what roles they have in our College. Likewise, if at any time you have concerns about your children’s learning or wellbeing at RJ, please refer to the Lines of Communication document for the best person to make contact with about your query.

The RJ Parent App is a must for all of our parents at our College. It is our way in keeping in contact with parents in this digital age and providing you with vital communication about your child’s learning experiences and College events. Other functions in the App are viewing your child’s timetable, assessment tasks and excursion notifications. If you’re having trouble navigating the App, give the College Main Reception a call and they will be more than happy to assist you find your way.

Carnivals, Camps & Curriculum

The Junior School conducted their annual Swimming Carnival on Monday with great success in the Western Sydney heat. Students engaged in lots of swimming and splashing both in the main carnival and novelty events staying wet and cool for most of the day.  Our Year 11, Year 7 and Year 5 and 6 camps take place over the next few weeks. These are exciting and important times for our students to have a chance to build relationships with one another outside the classroom setting. We should never underestimate the benefit of our Outdoor Education programs here at RJ. They broaden our students educational experiences in ways that cannot be achieved inside the four walls of a classroom.

The 2024 academic year also sees us build on our learning approach at the College; something we want our parents to know more about as the year unfolds. Our Building Learning Power framework engages students in knowing how they learn, helps them to build their learning muscles (Resilience, Resourcefulness, Reflectiveness, Reciprocity and Relationships) and affords opportunity for each student’s growth in their learning.

Parents & Policies

One of our points of difference here at RJ is the high expectations we have for our students with regards to their behaviour and presentation, and as we commence 2024, this remains a part of who we are as a College. When parents enrol their children at RJ, they agree to abide by our Student Presentation and Uniform Policy. This enables us as a School to focus on a student’s wellbeing and learning rather to have to continually address uniform issues that have been clearly stated at the beginning of the RJ journey. 

Unfortunately, many of our students have arrived at RJ not looking their best with shirts untucked, skirt lengths not on the knee, uncompliant haircuts and colours that distract from our educational focus. Please refer to Mr Roby’s article in this edition for more and a link to this policy. 

Our College Policies are on our College website www.rj.nsw.edu.au for your reference. 

We also have opportunity for some of our parents to be Parent Ambassadors. An ambassador helps monitor our Year level Facebook pages and provides assistance to parents throughout the year through this digital platform. If you’re interested in being involved in this way, please click on the Expression of Interest.

We also want to celebrate the completion of the new playground equipment for Junior School which we were able to install with $56,490 of funding from the NSW Government’s 2022 Community Building Partnership program and $30,000 from parent-based fundraising monies.

There is so much to be looking forward to this year at RJ, I can’t wait to meet you at one of our events. I’ll also share with you some of the other revitalising that occurred to some of our facilities over the Christmas/January break in the next edition of the RJ Review. So, until then, let’s celebrate the start of the college year with thankfulness to God for all He has done.

God Bless
Mr Alan Dawson | Principal 

We wish them every success as they take the opportunity to grow and learn this year. Like training for sport or practising your instrument as a musician, we want our students to build learning power, develop their learning muscles and grow as learners. We also encourage our students and families to be fully engaged in “Life at RJ”, being courageous both in their learning and becoming involved in the many opportunities available.

Child Safe Standards

Throughout 2024 we will continue to clearly articulate to our students the importance of the child safe standards. We do this to both increase their familiarity with the important ideas and precedents that they establish and to empower them to have a voice in their education. To aid with families’ understanding of these standards and increase engagement, the RJ Review will contain snapshots of the Child Safe Standards. Much of this material will be taken from the Office of the Children’s Guardian documentation that can be found here: https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-12/g_CSS_GuidetotheStandards.pdf 

However, we aim to distil this information for you as we unpack each standard.

Standard 1 – Child safety is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture

Aim – Organisations need to prioritise child safety in what they say and do.

RJ is seeking to meet this standard in a variety of ways. One of our key mechanisms for continuing to uphold Standard 1 is to ensure that child safety remains a key part of what we discuss and how we present to students and their families. During Assembly throughout 2023, students were presented with the Child Safe Standards and encouraged to communicate as issues arose that challenged these notions. Our students have responded well to this ongoing communication and have sought opportunities to ask questions and raise questions as they arose both individually and more broadly. Staff also continue to be briefed and directed towards increased awareness of, and engagement with, the standards. This is evident in child safety now being a standing item on our meeting agendas.

Our RJ events continue to be assessed for risk prior to undertaking them and all events are expected to be reviewed to consider whether they remain fit for purpose or require adjustment or discontinuation. This is evident in the modification of our Senior School sporting program for 2024 where we are seeking to increase skill development and minimise potential for injury. This is intended to be achieved by modifying not only what activities we engage in for Tuesday Sport, but also the format for activities where we are seeking to develop skills and experience for our students.

Communicating to parents via the RJ Review is another way of ensuring that child safety is not only embedded in what we do, but it is also visible to families and gives them the opportunity to engage with their students and the staff at the College.

Student Presentation

The Senior School students have now been addressed directly by both Mr Maxwell and Mr Dawson about ensuring they meet the standards of presentation required of RJ students, particularly with regards to uniform. Jewellery, skirt length and makeup remain areas for improvement for our girls and tucked in shirts, hair cuts, belts and socks remain the challenges for our boys. Please assist us in maintaining high standards for our students as they continue to learn that attention to detail in the “little things” is a predictor of success in the “big things”.

I wish you all a wonderful 2024 and don’t hesitate to contact us at RJ if you have concerns or queries that you want to raise. Raising great young people is a wonderful responsibility in which we have the joy of partnering with you.

Mr Scott Roby
Deputy Principal

Our new Kindergarten classes have made a positive, settled start to ‘big school’ and I’m sure there were a number of weary little people by last Friday!

A special welcome to new teachers joining us in the Junior School in 2024

• Mrs Alissa Victoria  1VE
• Ms Valasce Woolley 2W 
• Mr Brayden TiiTii  4T
• Ms Tracey Parker  First Aid/Reception

We also wish Mrs Frakes well as she finishes up this week to commence maternity leave for baby number 3. We are all looking forward to hearing the arrival news in a few weeks!

The beginning of Term Parent Information note was uploaded to the RJ website at the start of the College year. www.rj.nsw.edu.au 

PARENT INFORMATION FOR START OF YEAR

A series of video links will be emailed out this week outlining important information about each Junior School Stage group with extra updates on Sport, Curriculum, Technology and Learning Support in 2024. Parents will be able to click on the links pertinent to your child’s Year/Stage level. Teachers have now sent out additional class information that will assist in timetabling and packing the correct equipment for each day. 

Seesaw and Mathletics accounts for 2024 have now been rolled over. Check with your child’s classroom teacher or Mr Reed if there are any Seesaw or Mathletics issues. 

There will be Parent/Teacher interviews in Week 4 to tell your child’s class teacher more about your child and find out how the first few weeks have been. Online interview booking links will be emailed shortly.

JUNIOR SCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Last Monday Years 3-6 took part in our Swimming Carnival held at Mt Druitt Pool. It was an extremely warm day, but the students took part with enthusiasm. Novelty events, 50 and 25m races and ice blocks from the canteen were the order of the day.

A special thank you to Mr Mitchell for his organisation and running of this event and to the parent helpers on the day.

THINGS TO ASK YOUR CHILD AFTER SCHOOL

After a long day at school or being away, it can be tough for children to come back home and reconnect with their family.

Parents can create opportunities for connection to help children feel seen and heard when they get home.

You could ask them about their day, what they learned, or who they played with. This can help children feel like they have your full attention and that their experiences are valued.

UNIFORM

We have deliberately commenced the academic year with a strong emphasis on adherence to our College Uniform and Presentation policy. This can be viewed on the College website. In particular - jewellery, school shoe styles and hairstyles. Please make yourself familiar with RJ’s uniform expectations and make any uniform adjustments if reminders are sent home with your child.

RJ DAY 

We celebrated the founding of our College last Friday on Richard Johnson Day with a combined Assembly for Years 2-12 led by Mr Dawson and Student Leaders. Students enjoyed an ice block at lunchtime to celebrate RJ Day.

HOLIDAYS IN TERM TIME

A reminder that any leave outside school holiday time needs to be approved by the Principal and that teachers are not expected to provide work for students away on holidays during term time. The start of the College year is very important for setting routines and establishing connections. I would strongly encourage families to return from trips before the start of Term 1.

MOBILE PHONES

Primary students who bring a mobile phone to School must hand it in at Junior School Reception in the morning and collect it at the end of the school day. JS students found using a mobile phone on College grounds will have it confiscated and parents will be notified to come and collect the phone from Reception. The College does not accept any liability for lost or stolen phones brought to school. Smart watches with phone capabilities are not part of the College uniform and students wearing these will be issued with a uniform infringement note.

YEARS 5 AND 6 CAMP

Our Stage 3 students head to Teen Ranch from Wednesday next week for an overnight (Yr 6 two nights) camp. This is a wonderful time for students to forge friendships, enjoy God’s creation and challenge themselves with a variety of activities including archery, giant swing, horse riding, bush skills and a campfire. 

DROP OFF AND PICK UP

We ask all parents to co-operate in the matter of punctuality regarding bringing and collecting their child/ren from School. No child should arrive at School before 8.00am or remain after 3.40pm.  

• Mornings - Staff are on duty in the morning from 8.00am. Supervision between 8.00-8.15am will occur near the canteen. From 8:15am students can move to play areas supervised by Junior School teachers. Please drop your children at the Dryden Ave gates or the Turnaround area. 

• Afternoons – Students can be picked up from the base of the Grass area (enter via Jersey Rd gate), Dryden Ave, Turnaround or meet Senior School siblings on the Hardcourt. Students attending after school care are escorted to the relevant Church buildings.

A reminder that the Dryden Ave pick up is the busiest one and is best for children who can access vehicles independently. We do not want parents exiting cars to assist children into seats as this substantially slows the pick-up process. Please use the Turnaround option if you need to assist your child into a vehicle.

Kindergarten children may be collected from the Courtyard area at 3.00pm in Week 2 if being picked-up by parents/carers. Enter via lower Dryden Ave gate. 

COMING UP

• Year 5 Camp: Thurs-Fri 15-16 February
• Year 6 Camp: Wed – Fri 14-16 February
• Tell us about your child meetings: Tues-Wed 20-21 Feb

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg
Head of Junior School

The first few days of the school year involves a fair amount of organising and settling into new routines, both at home and at the College. By the time you read this article all Senior School students would have received their timetable, locker, combination lock and student diary.

Both parents and students are reminded of the following:

• Students are to write in their diaries each lesson every day.

• Diaries are to be read and signed by parents each week.

• Students are to use the lockers allocated to them and the combination lock supplied by the school.

Term 1 within the Senior School is well underway with our Year 11 Camp and the Information Nights for Years 7, 8 and 11 already completed. House Meetings are on Friday 16 February in Week 3. The Senior School Swimming Carnival, Years 9 and 10 Information Night and Year 7 Camp are taking place in Week 4. Please ensure that our students are aware of these events and that they engage well in their relevant activities.

Across the college, we have high expectations of our students and staff with a particular focus being consistency in upholding the College Uniform and Presentation Policy. We do expect our students to wear the correct uniform well and consistently.

Several students have had to remove jewellery such as necklaces/chains and bracelets, and the need to wear a tie/scarf for our Stage Six students. Some of the male students have been reminded to wear a belt, wear grey socks with the summer uniform and change their hairstyle to comply with the College's expectations. Female students have been reminded to wear their skirts mid-knee length and to only wear one set of plain earrings - sleeper or stud, as well as keeping their hair up and back with a hair elastic. We do want our uniform to be uniform across Years 7-12 that is worn correctly by all our students. Thank you for your support in this area.

I am looking forward to seeing our students engage well in their learning this year both in the classroom, during sporting activities and also the broad range of co-curricular activities that are taking place. Please watch out for updates and permission requirements for all activities at the College via the RJ App.

Remember if you any questions please contact your child's Home Group teacher as soon as possible.

Looking forward to a great year at RJ.

Mr Brad Maxwell
Head of Senior School

I would like to draw your attention to this opportunity here at RJ. Students from years 7-11, are invited to nominate to be part of our 2024 Student Forum.

The Student Forum serves as a vital conduit between the student body and the College executive, aiming to foster a collaborative and supportive educational environment. One of the primary objectives of the student forum is to ensure that the voices of students are heard and considered in the decision-making processes within the College. Through open communication channels, the Student Forum strives to address the concerns and aspirations of students, advocating for positive changes that enhance the overall learning experience. By actively engaging with both students and parents, the Student Forum aims to create a sense of unity and shared responsibility for the well-being and success of every student.

Moreover, the Student Forum is committed to promoting a culture of leadership and engagement among students. By organising various events, and initiatives, the Student Forum aims to develop essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Through these activities, students learn to take ownership of their educational journey, fostering a sense of empowerment and accountability. The Student Forum seeks to create a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, ultimately contributing to the overall growth and development of the College community.

If you are excited about this opportunity, please talk with your child as nominations for student forum will take place in week 3.

Mr Steve Millard
Director of Engagement 

This project, now in its 4th year, has evolved continuously, adapting to new technology trends and benefiting from the insights of various technology teachers who model learning practices through the design process.

Within the newly upgraded technology rooms, now featuring modular whiteboard desks, workshop tables, and areas reserved for upcoming machinery and 3D printers, students participated in collaborative quizzes focused on the principles of mechanical and electrical engineering. This setup, specifically designed to foster interactive and immersive learning experiences, ensures students are both engaged and absorbed in the learning process, demonstrating their resilience and resourcefulness.

The students began by exploring the history of pinball machines. This gave them an understanding of their development and their pivotal role in the advancement of modern arcade games. This foundational knowledge prepares them for the practical tasks ahead.

The lesson aims to bridge theoretical concepts with hands-on practical activities, encouraging students to apply their knowledge of design and engineering principles in their projects. By designing and building their own pinball machines, students are developing critical skills in design and problem-solving, directly applying their knowledge about mechanical and electrical components. This hands-on experience not only solidifies their understanding of theoretical concepts and practical applications but also instills a sense of achievement and readiness to navigate real-world engineering challenges.

The highly successful Year 1 String Program has been extended in 2024 to Year 2. Weekly class lessons will take place under the guidance of Mrs Statheos and Mrs Duncan. 

For the first time, Year 4 will be having the opportunity to choose a band instrument (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and percussion). In class time students will be receiving tutoring on their chosen instrument. Brand new instruments will be given to each of our year 4 students to take home each week to engage them in their home learning and provide the opportunity for mastering the skill of playing an instrument. As the year progresses the groups will come together to form a Year 4 Concert Band. This is an exciting new initiative for 2024.

Co-curricular groups and ensembles continue to be a central component to engaging RJ students in the Fine Arts. Vocal groups, dance, drama and visual arts clubs and various instrumental and string groups play a crucial role in engaging our students effectively in school life. Through weekly commitment students experience first-hand how involvement and commitment lead to strong connections, and through connection comes engagement. Performances, and having the opportunities to creatively display the results of their hard work for all to enjoy, is a large part of the life of our College. 

This year our Junior School Musical ‘Finding Nemo’ under the directorship of Miss Shannon-Duhigg and her team of teachers will certainly be an exciting opportunity for our Junior School students.   

Individual Instrumental and vocal private lessons abound in 2024.  An ever-increasing team of specialised tutors come to RJ on a weekly basis and provide focused and skill-based tutoring for our students. It is wonderful to see our students grow in confidence as they progress and improve in their chosen musical instrument. 

Engagement, commitment and connection are fundamental factors for a successful and fulfilling experience for our RJ students. Opportunities to explore new skills, develop friendships across year groups and grow in confidence in various experiences throughout the year ahead. 

Fine Arts Co-curricular information:

Junior School Co-curricular 2024

Senior School Co-Curricular 2024

Individual Music Lessons: https://forms.office.com/r/FFM68WiyUH  

For more information on RJ Co-Curricular activities, please email finearts@rj.nsw.edu.au 

Mrs Inés Marrable
Director of Fine Arts

Swimming Carnival

It is hard to believe that the swimming carnival has already occurred – the year definitely started with a splash! It was great to see so many students enter races in either the 50m or 25m strokes. There was some outstanding chants which were presented with gusto. 

These types of events can’t run well without the support of parent volunteers. A big thank you definitely goes out to each and every parent helper. The Junior School Staff were amazing and the teacher race at the end of the day was very competitive. 

Due to CIS changes last year, there is now a junior division (8, 9 and 10 year olds) for backstroke breaststroke and butterfly where the top two swimmers will move onto the Zone Carnival. Freestyle is still swum in individual age groupings. Records at RJ will still be kept though for the individual age groups with regard to backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.

• Swimming – those swimmers who compete in the Zone swimming carnival in the 100m freestyle and 200IM will only qualify for CSSA State if they are in the top 20 times across all CSSA zones for those individual events. 

• Swimming – the CSSA State Carnival will be moving to SOPAC at Homebush as we have outgrown the venue at Blacktown. Unfortunately, this will mean a twilight carnival for our students. This event is scheduled to commence at 4pm and conclude around 8pm.

Zone Swimming Carnival

We look forward to the upcoming Zone Swimming Carnival on Thursday 22nd  February at Glenbrook. The students who have qualified for the Zone Swimming Carnival will be placed on the Junior School sports board before the end of Week 2. If you would like to volunteer on the day (possibly with timekeeping or marshalling), please let Mr Mitchell know at gmitchell@rj.nsw.edu.au

Jump Rope For Heart

We look forward to another year of participating in Jump Rope for Heart and raising money for the Heart Foundation. Our program officially launched this week and students should have received flyers on Wednesday afternoon. All other information including a PDF of the flyer is found on the RJ App. Feel free to register now at  https://www.jumprope.org.au/parents 

Our Jump Off program will skip along until the end of Term 1 which will culminate in our Jump Off Day on Friday 12 April. Happy skipping!

Football (soccer) Clinic

The football clinics held last year will continue in 2024. The clinics will run for the duration for the year and there is no need to commit to the year. Each Term there will be an option to participate and there will be limited places available for these clinics. Please ensure that you register by the closing date for registrations as noted in emails, the RJ App or via the RJ Review. Due to processing times, there will be no exceptions for late entries.

Information regarding the football clinics will be sent out via email and placed on the RJ app in Week 3, once the cast of the Junior School Musical has been announced.

If your child is attending afterschool care for any of these sessions, please notify afterschool care and let Mr Mitchell know via gmitchell@rj.nsw.edu.au 

CSSA and CIS Trials

At various stages of the year, there will be trials in various sports at CSSA level and CIS level (higher level) for representative teams. Notification of trials will be found in the RJ review every fortnight as well as being found on the CSSA and CIS apps. 

If your child is playing in a representative team in their chosen sport, this is the standard required to try out for these types of teams. Anyone interested in trialling needs to inform Mr Mitchell via email (gmitchell@rj.nsw.edu.au)  by the cut-off date listed in the RJ Review for potential entry. My cut off dates are earlier than the CSSA and CIS dates as I need to process these applications.

CSSA Events – Term 1

• Zone Swimming Carnival (Event Date – Thursday 23rd   February)

• Primary Boys and Girls Tennis Trials cut off -Friday 10th February (Event Date – Monday 27th   February)

• Primary Boys Football Trials cut off - Friday 9th February (Event Date – Friday 23rd  February)

- Must be playing in Skills Acquisition Program (SAP) to be considered.

• Primary Boys and Girls Tennis Trials – Monday  12th February (Event Date – Monday 26th    February)

- Must be playing in Inter-District tennis comp to be considered

• Primary Boys and Girls  Basketball Trials cut off - Friday 23rd  February (Event Date – Friday 8th  March)

- Must be playing in Waratah Junior League to be considered (e.g. play for Penrith Panthers or Hills Hornets)

• CSSA Primary Girls Netball Trials cut off Friday 23rd February (Event Date – Friday 8th   March)

- Must be playing in a 11 Years Development Squad or Under 12 reps team to be considered

• CSSA State Swimming Carnival (Event Date – Thursday 7th  March)

CIS Events – Term 1

• Primary Girls Football (soccer) Trials cut off – Monday 11th  March (Event Date – Monday  25th  March)

- Must be playing in Skills Acquisition Program (SAP) to be considered.

CSSA App

One way to keep up to date with everything CSSA related is to download the CSSA app. This is fantastic to have for up to date information regarding wet weather, location details, team meetings and training sessions. (CIS also have an equivalent app that you can download)

Mr Gavin Mitchell
Primary Sports Leader

Sport is going to look a little different this year, with terms being broken down into two 5-week blocks. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a sporting skills program, aimed to develop their skills and game sense to a different sport each term. They will also have the opportunity to nominate their preference for a recreational sport they will then be participating in for 5 weeks, with the goal of striving for improvement. Year 7 will participate in the Learn to Swim/Swim School Program for the entirety of the Term, before commencing the rotation with the rest of the Senior School in Term 2.

We have three teams representing RJ at the Nepean Zone Sporting competition on Tuesday afternoons this Term, all competing in the Basketball competition, held in Penrith. We wish them well and look forward to hearing about their weekly competition. 

We have our annual Senior School Swimming Carnival coming up on Monday 19 February, in Week 4. We look forward to a communal day, celebrating the abilities and talents of our students in the pool, as well as having the opportunity to participate in other water-based activities, run by our Year 12 students. 

We pray this year we can be participate with enthusiasm in all events offered, showcasing and celebrating the range of gifts we have in the sporting realm. 

Mrs Trish Millard
PDHPE & Sport Faculty Leader

This strategic role primarily involves moderating the Facebook posts in the relevant Year Group. This year, we will also trial a WhatsApp Group for Year 6 families. Ambassadors are not expected to answer all the parent questions as the groups are intended to be a place where all parents can help each other. Ambassadors will primarily be checking posts for tone and appropriateness. Nevertheless, Ambassadors may find it helpful to post a class note on the page occasionally if there are a few questions about the same event.

For more information, refer to Mr Dawon’s letter - Here

To apply, please complete an Expression of Interest - Expression of Interest

New families:

2024 Kinder – www.facebook.com/groups/1057812582086815 

2024 Year 1 - www.facebook.com/groups/1277455589755812 

2024 Year 2 - www.facebook.com/groups/1552909711750566

2024 Year 3 - www.facebook.com/groups/189558569615974

2024 Year 4 - www.facebook.com/groups/168824368158294  

2024 Year 5 - www.facebook.com/groups/730865297623328  

2024 Year 6 - www.facebook.com/groups/2886300181607815 

2024 Year 7 - www.facebook.com/groups/2814133732135861 

2024 Year 8 - www.facebook.com/groups/2954299434808467 

2024 Year 9 - www.facebook.com/groups/2814840822104199 

2024 Year 10 - www.facebook.com/groups/455036309188388 

(Year 11 & 12 Facebook pages not available.)