9 August 2024

2 Corinthians 5:17 states that we can embrace a fresh start in Jesus Christ, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."  

This is a wonderful gift we have all been given to start a fresh life through the forgiveness that Christ offers us. 

In a similar way, our staff welcome your children back into the classroom for a fresh start at the beginning of the term allowing them to forget about past failures as they push forward in their learning.

I hope you have all had a restful and rejuvenating holiday break with quality time spent with your children. Nothing beats having some down time with your family and our children need this time to reinforce their identity and sense of belonging within their family.

Our holiday break was highlighted by the CRU Blast event, an inspiring and enriching event where our Christian Ministry and Service Leader, Mr Liam Johnston and our Senior School student leaders led primary aged children through a myriad of activities and fun-filled moments. They were able to showcase their dedication and leadership skills. Their hard work and commitment was evident, and we are proud of their contributions to our College’s culture and spirit.

In the days leading up to the start of Term 3, our staff participated in a series of professional learning days, focusing on enhancing our teaching strategies, student engagement and building on our Learning Power framework being implemented here at RJ. These sessions are crucial for ensuring that our educators remain at the forefront of educational best practices, ready to support and inspire our students in their learning journeys.

As we embark on Term 3, I am excited about the many activities and events planned for our College community. We have a packed calendar of events and activities lined up for Term 3 and here’s a look at what’s ahead:

HSC Showcases: We will have two showcases this year highlighting the exceptional work of our HSC students from across the Fine Arts (Music, Drama, Visual Arts, Multi Media) and the Industrial Arts areas of the College.

Science Week and Book Week: Engaging activities that will promote a love for science and literature among our students. I wonder what book characters our Junior School students will come dressed as this year. 

Year 12 HSC Trials: A critical time for our Year 12 students as they prepare for their final exams in Term 4.

HICES Gifted & Talented Camp: An exciting opportunity for our gifted students to expand their knowledge and skills.

Finding Nemo – Junior School Musical: Our talented Junior School students will bring this beloved story to life right in front of your eyes. Make sure you get in early to secure your ticket. Musical tickets go on sale from August 12.

Spring Festival: A celebration of our RJ community filled with vibrant performances and community activities.

Final Grandparents Day (K-2 students): A special event to honour our grandparents and celebrate their role in our students’ lives.

Farewell Activities for Year 12: As we bid farewell to our Year 12 students, we have several activities planned to celebrate their journey and achievements.

As you may be aware, every year the Federal Government collects student data as part of a national census called the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD). The NCCD is an annual collection of information about Australian school students with disability. The NCCD enables schools, education authorities and governments to better understand the needs of students with disability and how they can be best supported at school. I have provided a link to the privacy notice for this collection for your reference. NCCD Privacy Notice Link

We look forward to an exciting and productive term filled with opportunities for learning, growth, and community building. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our College community.

God Bless
Mr Alan Dawson | Principal 

Senior School families we need your baking skills! A cake box will be sent home with your eldest student early September. Please fill it with delicious homemade cakes, slices or biscuits and return it on Friday 20 September. Junior School families and staff can also contribute by picking up a cake box from Reception. Please do not provide store bought items.

Quality Stand Alone Auction Items > $50 (All families) 

We invite families to donate quality items for our silent auction. Whether it’s a gift voucher, a business product or service, your gift will be appreciated e.g. Nutrimetics pack, sports memorabilia, cleaning service. Please leave items at Reception or email vouchers to Mrs Stephanie Ghali, [email protected]. Please note a minimum value of $50 is required. Business donations will be noted on our website.

General Auction Hamper Items (JS Year Groups)

Each Junior School Year Group can donate new themed items for our silent auction hampers. Collection baskets will be in each classroom and at Junior School Reception.

• Kindergarten: Baby items (e.g. toys, nappies, jumpsuits, light blankets)
• Year 1: Pamper items (e.g. candles, luxury soap, bath bombs)
• Year 2: Games & puzzle items (e.g. monopoly, brainteasers)
• Year 3: Children's craft items (e.g. pom-poms, craft sticks, glue)
• Year 4: Kitchen & baking items (e.g. cake trays, aprons, platters, tea towels)
• Year 5: Gourmet pantry items (e.g. crackers, oils, chocolates, jams)
• Year 6: Books & magazine items (e.g. children’s books, crossword puzzles, appropriate adult books)

Auction Hamper Preparation - Preparation of hampers and donations (Friday, 20 Sept from 9:00am)

Auction Item Security - General supervision of hampers and items/vouchers so they don’t go missing (9:00am to 1:00pm – one hour slots)

Auction Closure – Assist with payment processing, distribution of items/hampers (1:00pm close, 1:15pm announcement of winners)

Children’s Field Activities – Supervision of Giant Jenga, Giant Connect 4 and Table Tennis activities to ensure safe play and that items do not go missing (9:00am to 2:00pm – one hour slots)

Children’s Craft Activities – Setup and supervision – Activities likely to be sandart, origami, colouring in (TBC) (8:00am to 2:00pm – one hour slots)

Cake Stall – Setup and sales (Friday from 3:00pm, Saturday 8:00am to 2:00pm – one hour slots)

Setting Up (8:00am to 9:00am), Pack Down/Clean Up (2:00pm to 3:00pm)

As per policy, volunteers will be required to have a current Volunteer WWCC.

Register availability and interest area -  https://bit.ly/4fw3KnT

Special Roles – Could this be you?

We need a capable person to facilitate the bump-in of our stallholders from 7:00am. Sites have been allocated and stallholders advised of where to go beforehand. However, oversight is required. 

We also need a volunteer to coordinate the children’s craft activities for the day e.g. origami, colouring in, sand art. Activities can be changed to suit the co-ordinator. 

Please let Mrs Stephanie Ghali know if you can assist in the above two roles as soon as possible. For more information or if you would like to contribute in another way please email [email protected].

Whatever sits on the mind of our students as they return to the College, they are encouraged to consider their focus and goal for Semester 2. Students were set the challenge of renewing their focus for Term 3 and for some that means the opportunity for a fresh start if they know they need to improve from the first half of the year. I encourage you to take time out to speak to your students and challenge them to do more than simply “go through the motions” this term.

Co-Curricular Photo Day

Co-Curricular Photo Day is always a very busy day to navigate with students. However, what stood out to me this year was the joy that students brought to their photos. The sense of belonging and friendship that students shared as they gathered for teams, ensembles, groups and more was evident. It has quite a different energy to the nervousness that students sometimes have before year group and individual photos. This immediately points me to the significant value of engaging in life at RJ, both in and out of the classroom. One of the delays of taking photos yesterday was students who were engaged in multiple groups setting up for photos at the same time and/or needing to get changed for another photo. What a great problem to have! At the same time, what was also evident was the incredible Resilience and Resourcefulness that these students demonstrated. These two “R’s” of our learning model benefitted these students outside of the classroom and I have little doubt that they would be capable of adapting this to their learning in the classroom also. Far from being put out by the challenges of the day, these students were only too willing to clearly follow instructions, to get changed quickly or to quickly find the correct line and position for their next photo with a minimum of fuss. It really is a pleasure to work with wonderful students at RJ.

Child Safe Standards

This term we commence with Child Safe Standard 7. 

Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe through continual education and training.

As no doubt would be similar to most workplaces, the staff at RJ go through ongoing training. This happens during formalised staff training periods at multiple points throughout the year, through regular staff meetings, as well as specific needs that arise for students or the RJ community. Staff have the opportunity of learning face-to-face, through online training platforms, in partnership with other staff, through external advisers and through working with families and students in our community.

Specific focus of the training as outlined in the Child Safe Standards includes:

• Nature and indicators of child maltreatment, particularly abuse that occurs in organisations

• RJ’s Child Safe Practices

• Developing practical skills to protect children and respond to disclosures

One of the most important requirements for us as an RJ community is to remain an organisation that is on alert for the indicators of unsafe behaviour and to be monitoring for things that simply “don’t seem quite right”. Effective reporting mechanisms and support for staff to monitor in this way, as well as staff leadership taking these matters seriously when reported, investigating appropriately and reporting quickly will all contribute to a child safe school. With vigilance in the above areas, RJ can continue to be a place that makes it very hard for a potential perpetrator to gain access to the community.

Year 12 Trial HSC Exams

By the time our next RJ Review comes out our Year 12 students will be in the middle of their Trial HSC Examinations. Please pray for them as they embark on this challenging journey through Weeks 4 and 5.

Mr Scott Roby
Deputy Principal

Year 3 rock first Assemblies for the term

Our Friday Assemblies resumed last week with 3W bringing us a great presentation on our theme for this term – Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love others. 3F followed up today with a wonderful reminder on accepting and encouraging one another. We loved seeing all the amazing things going on in the classrooms too. Well done, Year 3 stars!

We are GENEROUS & CARING

Junior School students raised over $500 for Anglicare on the last Thursday of Term 2 – thank you so much for your generosity. More than 1460 tins/packets were collected to add to food hampers supplied by Anglicare for those less fortunate – great effort RJ Junior School!

Let’s get to School – being late isn’t cool ⏰ 

We still have a number of students arriving after the morning bell at 8:45am. Important information is delivered at our morning lines as well as promoting a settled start to the day with prayer, so please make sure your children arrive before 8:45am. If your child is late to school for any reason, please accompany them to Junior School Reception to sign in as usual. Ring at the Dryden Avenue gate closest to JS Reception to be buzzed through.

Year 6 Fun Day a winner! 

We were so excited for this special day today organised and run by our Year 6 students to raise money for our sponsored children through Compassion. There were a number of fun activities and yummy treats galore! Students enjoyed purchasing and spending their tokens. Great job, Year 6!

Go Lions, Go Rams, Go Eagles, Go Sharks!

A reminder that next Friday, August 16 we will be holding House meetings so please send your children in their House shirts on that day. 

Science Week is coming!

Next week is Science Week and our Stage 2 and 3 classes will be participating in some lunchtime activities as well as viewing a special Science show presentation. This has been organised in collaboration with the RJ Senior School Science Department and we are all looking forward to these great opportunities for JS students.

Kindness Day

One of our favourite College values in Junior School is Kindness. We will reinforce this on Friday 16 August with some class-run activities around the kindness theme. The Junior School do this in parallel with the Senior School Bullying No Way Day. This is not a mufti or fund-raising day.

Book Week Celebration Day – got your costume sorted?

Junior School Book Week Celebration Day

This special day is scheduled for Friday 23 August (Week 4). Teachers and students dress up as their favourite book characters.  Parents will be invited to come and view the class parades from 10am in the Courtyard and on the fields.

How to have THAT conversation with your child…

Have you checked out Rowena Thomas’ website https://amazingme.com.au/ yet?

It contains online courses, book recommendations, blogs and helpful links for parents as you navigate pre-adolescence and puberty with your child. Why not sign up for Rowena’s regular email news? These are always honest, relevant and helpful. With so much false information out there, let’s get prepared to teach our kids accurately and sensitively. 

Have a lovely weekend, 

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg
Head of Junior School

Join us for an unforgettable performance as our Junior School presents Finding Nemo JR. the musical. Dive into the fun and experience the vibrant RJ community spirit up close! 

Tickets on Sale to from Monday 12 August at 9.00am

TryBooking – https://www.trybooking.com/CUAEK

Performance Dates

Wednesday 11 September 7pm

Thursday 12 September 7pm

Friday 13 September 7pm

Final Learning Muscle Introduced

We are introducing the fifth and final Learning Muscle, Relationship, throughout Term 3. This addresses the way we relate to God, with self, with others and with the world at RJ and beyond. Essentially this learning muscle underpins the other muscles of Reflectiveness, Resilience, Reciprocity and Resourcefulness, it is central to who we are and shapes how we engage in learning.

An example of how students can stretch and develop in the area of Relationship is the upcoming 40 Hour Famine Challenge, in terms of relating to the World and with Others. Participating in a 40km walk to raise funds for people who are struggling to meet one of the most basic needs, food, is an expression of compassion and empathy towards others while demonstrating stewardship and pursuing justice within the world. I look forward to seeing many students participate in the 40 Hour Famine this year as all our students explore aspects of 'Relationship' within RJ and the wider community.

Respect and Care

During the recent Senior School Assembly students were reminded of the negative impacts aerosol deodorant, perfume and cologne can have on members of the RJ Community. It was communicated to the students that roll anti-perspirant deodorant is the only type of deodorant permitted at the College. They were directed not to bring and use perfume, cologne and aerosol deodorant on campus, demonstrating respect and care to others within the community who are negatively impacted by these products. Please ensure that spray bottles of perfume, cologne and aerosol deodorant cans are left at home. 

Courage and Excellence

Students were also challenged to strive for excellence and to be courageous in approaching their learning and their participation within the College community. Examples raised were being willing and ready to engage in learning, striving to meet College expectations regarding behaviour and uniform and being willing to speak up amongst their peers when looking out for a friend and/or other students. The difference one or two students can make through demonstrating courage and excellence is both powerful and contagious.

College Uniform and Presentation Policy

As communicated in my Term 3 letter to parents/carers the College is seeking consistent support from parents/carers in helping their children meet the expectations outlined in the College Uniform and Presentation Policy. Thank you to those who support the college in ensuring that their child is wearing the correct uniform. It is also appreciated when requests made by the College to have elements of student uniform addressed are responded to in a timely and supportive manner. 

It is concerning that a small number of students persist in not using the correct bags do not or wear sports uniforms on the wrong days, or not meet the College's expectations regarding jewellery and hairstyles. Senior School staff will continue to address these concerns, confiscating items that are not part of the uniform and contacting parents/carers. Students who continue to resist requests to meet the College Uniform and Presentation Policy will be withdrawn from their classes and will be sent home until the issue is addressed.

Final thoughts

As I mentioned earlier this year, in 1 Peter 4:10 we are encouraged to serve others using the abilities that God has given us to benefit of those around us, while reflecting the grace and generosity that God shows us. The willingness to place the needs of others before our own reflects some of the attributes we would like all RJ students to possess: being connected, resourceful and positive contributors. It is also an expression of learning muscle - Relationship - that we are seeking to develop within our community.  

Please ensure to use the RJ APP to keep up with communication and any required permission throughout Term Three. If parents/carers have any questions please make contact with your child's home group teacher.

Mr Brad Maxwell
Head of Senior School

Wednesday 14 August

6:00 - 8:15 pm (Performances from 6:30pm)

Friends and Family join us! Be inspired by the creativity and entertained by our talented and outstanding Year 12 students. Light refreshments provided during intermission.

We have also had a few Olympic themed events including hurdles, two gymnastic events, a football and basketball shootout so far. Our final event celebrating the Olympics will be a handball competition for our Year 6 students. In a hotly contested competition, the placing to date are as follows:

1st place – Rams

2nd place – Sharks

3rd place – Eagles

4th place – Lions

WSCS Competition

The first round of WSCS competition for our RJ students will be on 14 August. Girls football and Stage 2 boys Oztag will be held at Heber Park. Stage 3 boys Oztag and mixed Newcombeball will be held at Popondetta Park. Matches are held at 12pm. Please notify Mr Mitchell if you are able to assist with refereeing or assistance in this time slot.

CIS Softball Trials

Well done to EJ Hyde as he trialled for the CIS boys softball team.He benefited from the experience and while he didn’t make the team, he will no doubt have another go next year!

CSSA Netball Gala Day

RJ sent a stage 2 and 3 team to the CSSA netball gala day yesterday. They competed to the best of their ability and displayed fantastic sportsmanship as they were humble in victory and gracious in defeat.  The Stage 2 girls managed to get to the semi finals of the competition, which is a great achievement. A big thankyou to Mrs Rawlings for her assistance with umpiring at the gala day to assist our College. Thankyou also to our amazing parents who assisted on the day.

Nepean Zone Athletics Carnival

Our students competed on Monday at the Nepean Zone Athletics Carnival at Blair Oval. Despite it being a cold day, our RJ students competed to the best of their ability in track and field events. It was great to see the fantastic sportsmanship on display throughout the course of the day. Congratulations to our students who have been successful in qualifying for the next round of competition – the CSSA State Athletics Carnival. This event will be held on Friday 23 August.

Mr Gavin Mitchell
Junior School Sports Leader