25 October 2024

I particularly welcome Miss Brooke Mitchell in our Senior School PDHPE Faculty and Ms Liz Byrne as our new Senior School Diverse Learning Leader (2025) who joins us in shadowing Ms Kristy Parker til the end of the year. 

For our Year 12 (2024) students, this term marks the culmination of their school journey as they sit their HSC exams. We wish them the very best and are confident their hard work and dedication will serve them well in these final steps. After the exams, we will gather to celebrate their remarkable achievements at the Year 12 Senior Formal in early November. This special evening will be a wonderful opportunity to reflect on their school years, honour their friendships, and mark the beginning of their exciting futures.

Last week, our students in Stage 4 successfully completed their exams and now it's time for our Year 9 and 10 students to take theirs next week. For Year 11 students, the journey into HSC studies begins in earnest this term and we know they will embrace this new chapter with determination and focus. We had a very informative launch evening last Wednesday with this cohort to help set them up for the next chapter.

Beyond academics this term, we will also celebrate the vibrant co-curricular life of our College community. We are excited about the various events that showcase our students’ talents, including the K-2 Christmas Twilight, a series of music concerts including the Senior School Fine Arts 'Artistic Pulse' event. Additionally, our 2nd Annual Sports Gala Evening promises to be a great celebration of our athletes’ achievements and, of course, we’ll round off the term with the annual Presentation Day on Thursday 5 December, where we recognise the hard work and successes of our students across all areas of College life from Junior School to Senior School.

I encourage all parents to read Mr Roby’s article this fortnight to gain an understanding of our Co-Curricular Medallion Awards and how these awards are calculated. Over the next couple of reviews you will be able to see how your child/ren may have fared in preparation for the Presentation Day awards.

We also congratulate and welcome our new student leadership team for the 2025 academic year. These students have been carefully selected for their dedication and leadership qualities, and we are eager to see the positive impact they will make in their new roles. Please see the list below. Our Sports Captains are keen to lead out with the 3-on-3 Basketball Principal’s Cup this term and students have been registering for this term long lunch time competition.

College Student Leadership 2025 List

As we begin this final term, let's encourage our students to finish the year strong—doing their best, being their best, and celebrating their best. Together, let's make this ‘Christmas term’ one to remember.

God Bless
Mr Alan Dawson | Principal 

At this time of year we also commence the leadership process for our Junior School. Our Year 5 students have the opportunity to nominate for leadership and Mrs Shannon-Duhigg and I have the great privilege of interviewing these students. It is a big step up for our Year 5 students to sit and talk to leaders of the school in an interview. However, it is also a wonderful opportunity for young people to begin to develop their speaking skills, preparing them for the big challenge of speaking to the Junior School staff and students at various points throughout 2025. There are even some opportunities to speak to the whole of RJ! If you are a Year 5 parent, please take the opportunity to talk to your students about the possibility of putting their hand up for leadership and where they might be best suited for leadership.

Sport and Cultural Medallions

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.

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 2024. 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 presented at Presentation Day in the final week of Term.

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.

Medallion Activities and Points List

Mr Scott Roby
Deputy Principal

It has been good seeing the students in Summer uniform. Please make sure your children have sunhats every day – ready for those warm sunny days. A reminder that girls with hair length that touches the collar must have their hair pulled back with a hair tie and that boys’ haircuts should not be uneven in length or overly shaved.

Class KW kicked off our new Assembly theme on Our God is so Big with high-cuteness levels last Friday. We are looking forward to our other two Kindergarten and 1VE 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 here at the College 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 Morning Lines later this term. Students should be proud of their achievements. Great effort, Year 5! 😁 

JUNIOR SCHOOL LEADERSHIP 2025  

Last week I spoke with the Year 5 cohort about Junior School student leadership roles at RJ in 2025. Year 5 were required to submit their application forms in this week to apply for Junior School 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 Junior School Captain positions. Interviews for these roles will be held on Monday 4 November. 

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 Junior School will be announced at the Year 6 Graduation Assembly on Friday 29 November. (Parents of Captains and Leaders will be advised prior to this event and invited to attend). 

MUSIC CONCERTS

Our Year 4 students have made great strides with their band tutorials this year as have Years 1 and 2 with Violin. We look forward to celebrating their achievements on Tuesday 5 November for Year 4 Band (College Hall) and Wednesday 6 November for Years 1-2 Strings (Courtyard). Both concerts are straight after school at 3:45 pm. 

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 Junior School 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. The Junior School will be collecting for this worthwhile cause. In 2024 Anglicare’s goal is to distribute 6000 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 3 and 4 we have – 

• KB Assembly: Friday 01 November  9:10am  
• Year 4 Pyjamarama: Friday 01 – Saturday 02 November
• Junior School Band Concert: Tuesday 5 November 3:45pm College Hall (Year 4 students)
• Junior School Strings Concert: Wednesday 6 November 3:45pm JS Courtyard (Years 1-2)
• Gymnastics (Yrs 3 and 5 Wednesday from week 4 - Nov 6) Swimming (Yrs K-2 plus Years 4 and 6 Wednesday from week 4 - Nov 6) students wear Sports uniform on these days
• House Meetings  Friday 8 November– students wear House shirts

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg

Head of Junior School

It was pleasing to meet with quite a number of students and their parents/carers during the recent Year 11 Learning Conferences and the Launching Year 12 2025 event that followed. 

Our students in Years 7 and 8 have just completed their formal exam period this week and students in Years 9 and 10 are commencing their exams on Monday 28 October.

Over the next six weeks of Term 4 we have many events taking place, particularly for our Year 10 cohort. Permissions and information regarding events like Service Week, 1980's Day and Your Choicez will be sent to the parents/carers of our Year 10 students. Information regarding the end of year swim day will be shared with all of the families within the Senior School.

The next Senior School House Meetings will take place on Tuesday 5 November. Senior School students are to wear their House Shirt as part of their sport uniform. 

College Uniform reminder - Hats

As we move into spring students are to wear the RJ sports cap whenever they are outside at recess and lunch, as well as when they are participating in outdoor sports and PDHPE practicals. It is disheartening to see students ignoring the need to observe sun safe practices when they are outside, such as wearing the RJ sports cap and using sunscreen. The support of the parents/carers in relation to this matter is greatly appreciated.

Communication

Being part of the RJ community can be a great encouragement when we are able to support and build each other up. This often relies on clear and efficient communication. In the last week I have spoken with a number of students and have needed to encourage them to make known any concerns they may have for themselves or others. We have then been able to offer support and communicate with relevant staff and families of the College. Additionally it is helpful when parents/carers encourage their child to reach out to a trusted staff member or they contact their child's homegroup teacher themselves. 

Respect and Care - Use of Technology 

I have raised this topic in recent editions of the RJ Review, and will continue to do so in an effort to help our students navigate their way through their use of technology. While technology creates both the opportunity and freedom for individuals to share their ideas and opinions, we want students to do so with respect and care. This means being accountable for what they share, being considerate to those accessing what is shared as well as those that might be the focus of a discussion or similar.

One of the concerns often linked to activity on social media is the 'anonymous' or nameless creators of the accounts and posts. Anonymous comments and/or accounts are acts of cowardice and are not be part of the RJ community. Additionally it appears that the sense of separation or distance from the 'real world' results in comments being posted  that would not be shared when speaking face to face. A useful guide regarding the appropriateness of something being shared or not could be thinking if you would be prepared to share this in person. Better still applying the principle outlined in the Matthew 7:12 which is treat others in the way you wish to be treated, would be most helpful. While appearing simplistic on one level, it would go a long way in reducing the negative impact often seen with use of social media platforms.

Students are encouraged to advise a trusted adult if they encounter any unhelpful interactions via social media or similar. If any member of the RJ community is concerned about what they see on social media they can report the account or post directly to the social media platform, they can also make a report to the E-Safety Commissioner, https://www.esafety.gov.au/report, and in some situations, a report can be made at the local police station.

Reminder

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.

With only 29 school days left for this year I do hope that our students take up every opportunity possible to engage in their learning and make positive contributions to the RJ community in all that is taking place at the College. 

Mr Brad Maxwell
Head of Senior School

Samaritan’s Purse is a non-profit, Christian organisation providing emergency relief and development assistance to suffering people around the world. Samaritan’s Purse is meeting the physical needs of victims of war, famine, natural disaster, poverty and disease with the aim of demonstrating God’s love and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. The aid and assistance are given to all people, regardless of their race, creed, gender, religion, or ethnicity. 

Some of the additional projects that Samaritan’s Purse operates along with Operation Christmas Child are: Water, Sanitation & Hygiene; Health & Nutrition; Education & Vocational Training; People at Risk; Animals & Agriculture Livelihoods and Church Resourcing.

All students in Stage 4 will receive a letter that outlines the Operation Christmas Child Program and will be encouraged to contribute to the program by bringing in, or collecting items for two of the categories each week.   Operation Christmas Child is primarily run in Stage 4, but all students are encouraged to be involved. Special boxes to pack the gifts are available at School from Mr Johnston in the B Block staffroom. These boxes, and a brochure will be sent home with students in Stage 4 soon so that you can start collecting items from the list at the bottom of this note. The boxes are then distributed to children around the world. 

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 following categories. We are asking that students bring in  or collect 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 checking the boxes at School. The boxes will then be delivered to the Samaritan’s Purse warehouse at Kings Park, near Blacktown. Please do not include the following: items that leak e.g. toothpaste, shampoo, bubbles, batteries etc; food or lollies of any kind – including vitamins etc; used or damaged items; breakable items e.g. glass mirrors; items that might scare a child e.g. toy guns, military figures; gambling related items e.g. playing cards, play money and dominoes and religious, racial or political items. 

Along with buying goods to go into the shoebox, any donations towards the cost of distributing the boxes around the world would be gratefully received. Samaritan’s Purse have suggested that $12.50 would help greatly towards distributing one box to a child.

Here is a proposed timetable of items to bring in.

We hope that all students can participate in the Operation Christmas Child project and we will be able to send many shoeboxes to help other children around the world celebrate this special time of the year. 

Mr Liam Johnston
Leader Of Ministry & Service

CSSA Nepean Zone Athletics Carnival

We started off with the CSSA Nepean Zone Athletics Carnival on 2 August 2024. With close to 100 students who represented the College, we had some great results across the age groups. Throughout the day students were competing for points that would contribute to an overall Age Champion for each age group. RJ had four (4) students who were crowned Age Champion:

1. Joshua O – 12 Boys

2. Kiara F – 17 Girls

3. Jackson M – 17 Boys (Joint Champion)

4. Alex I – 17 Boys (Joint Champion)

CSSA Secondary State Athletics Carnival

The CSSA Secondary State Athletics Carnival was held at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre. With a group of 42 students representing the College, there were some stand out achievements. The following students progressed through to the CIS Secondary Athletics Carnival:

1. Owen G – 100m (2nd)

2. Aeden M – 200m (1st)

3. Sayed M – Shot Put (3rd), 100m (2nd) and 200m (3rd)

4. Joshua O – High Jump (1st), 100m (1st) and Long Jump (1st)

5. Daniel R – 800m (1st)

6. Jackson M – 100m (1st) and 200m (1st)

From this event Joshua O was the 12 years Boys Age Champion across all CSSA Schools. This was an awesome achievement.

CIS Secondary Athletics Carnival

With 6 RJ students heading out to the CIS Athletics Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park, all students represented their families and College community well. To make it to this level is an amazing achievement and they should be proud of their effort and dedication to get this far. There were 3 students from RJ who made the CIS Merit Team for Athletics by placing in the top 3 for their events:

1. Joshua O – 100m, High Jump and Long Jump

2. Jackson M – 100m & 200m

3. Sayed M – Shot Put

4. Aeden M - 200m

CSSA eSport Rocket League Tournament

This was the biggest number of RJ students to participate in an event like this. We had 45 students who were in teams of 3 competing in Rocket League. This is a computer game that uses RC Cars to try and get a soccer ball in the goal. Throughout the tournament, we had many students progressing towards the finals. The team of Darnell K, Arin S and Joshua F placed 3rd overall. This was a great achievement.

CSSA Secondary State Oztag Gala Days

The CSSA Oztag Gala Days were held for 15 & Under and Opens across two days. Our Boys and Girls in the 15’s division played in some heavy conditions with rain throughout the day. Mrs Millard and Mr Chen reported that all student represented the College well through trying conditions. The Opens were postponed due to the amount of rain that fell on the previous day. A few weeks later the Opens divisions (Boys and Girls) had some great weather conditions to compete against a range of other CSSA Schools. While they didn’t make it past the pool stage, both teams had some close games and showed improvement in game play throughout the day.

RJ Student Spotlight

Jackson M: Attended NSW All Schools Athletics Championship where he placed 3rd in the 100m with a time of 10.81 secs. With this achievement Jackson has been selected to represent NSW at the 2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian All Schools Athletics Championship in Queensland from the 6th – 8th of December.

Edyn S: Attended the National Clubs Gymnastics Carnival during the holidays. This was a 2 day event where her team competed against 60 teams. Edyn’s team placed 2nd in the floor for their division and placed 10th overall in this discipline.

Mr David Hyde
Leader of Student Wellbeing (10-12)

What is your favourite food?
Carbonara

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time, I love spending time outdoors with my partner and dog. I also enjoy keeping active, going camping and exploring new places.

What are you looking forward to in your role at RJ?
I am looking forward to building strong relationships with the staff and students at RJ. I am also excited to create new and exciting learning experiences for my students.

Describe a wonderful experience you’ve had in your life.
A wonderful experience in my life was bringing home my puppy, who I have now shared many amazing experiences with and brings lots of joy to my life.

Share something about your Christian journey.
My Christian journey has been about trusting in Gods decisions and knowing that I will continuously grow and strengthen my faith through every challenge and blessing I encounter.

What is your favourite Bible verse and why?
Proverbs 16:4 - "The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble." - This is my favourite Bible verse as it asserts that God has a purpose for everything He created, reminding me that even the challenges contribute to my growth and shape me into the person I am meant to be.

What is something you want to achieve (at work or personal)?
Something I want to achieve is the creation of a positive and inclusive environment where all my students feel valued and supported in reaching their goals and successes.

If you could meet any person in the world, who would it be and why?
I would meet Simone Biles as she is not only one of the greatest gymnasts in the world, but her devotion, courage and advocacy for mental health is inspiring. I admire her strength and bravery in everything she does and her ability to prioritise well-being above all else.