22 November 2024

It often leads me to imagine what it must have been like centuries ago, on the night of the historical birth of Jesus Christ. The brightest star, far surpassing any that crowns a modern Christmas tree, illuminated the sky, and the most glorious carol ever heard was sung by the heavenly host, proclaiming joy to the world.

To know and experience the love of God revealed in the gift of His Son, Jesus, is a profound blessing. Recognising Him as Emmanuel – God with us – and the Savior of the world brings a freedom to our lives that no person, possession, or experience can offer. When we place our trust in Him as Lord our lives are transformed.

This Christmas, my prayer for the RJ community is that you would rediscover the awe and wonder of God’s gift: His Son, Jesus. Through Him, humanity is invited into restored relationship with the Creator of the world. May you come to know Him as a personal and living God, who longs to walk with you and bring hope, peace, and joy to your life.

As we wrap up the final term of the year, I invite you to join us in celebrating these special events:

• K-2 Nativity Twilight Event – This afternoon @ 5pm
• 2nd Annual Sports Gala Evening – Wednesday, 27 November @ 6pm
• Year 6 Graduation – Friday, 29 November @ 9am
• End-of-Year Presentation Day
  - Junior School: Thursday, 5 December, at 1:00 PM
  - Senior School: Thursday, 5 December, at 9:30 AM

Merry Christmas RJ! May this festive season bring joy and peace to you and your families. As we step into the New Year, may God’s grace guide and sustain us all.

God Bless
Mr Alan Dawson | Principal 

When I first started sprinting (and possibly because my primary school had a big hill almost immediately after the finish line of the 100m), I used to stop running almost immediately at the finish line. My athletics coaches had to train me to “run through the finish line”, in fact as a sprinter you should be running at maximum speed as you cross the finish line. The outcome of this is that not only are you finishing your race at top speed, but that it is not possible to stop immediately at the finish line. Whilst in my later years of primary school this meant that I would be forced to run down the hill after the finish line, the limitations of my primary school oval do give us a good metaphor for our students to consider. In fact, it is one that I have adopted in my career also.

Whilst there are only two weeks left of term time for our students, the mentality of slowing down before the finish line is as unproductive for learning as it is for sprinting. Our staff and students are reminded that the focus should remain on learning right up until the conclusion of Term 4. In fact, what I learned in competing was that where other competitors look to switch off or avoid putting their focus, this is precisely where I could gain advantage over my competitors. As a 200m runner this was particularly “attacking the corners”. Other competitors would at times struggle to convert their top speed in a straight line, into an equally impressive speed around the bends. In this case where some students or schools may look to ways to wind down the year, we ought to be encouraging our students to look for possible gains where others are “slacking off”. Join with us in encouraging your students to “run through the finish line”.

Child Safe Standard 9 – Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is continuously reviewed and improved

We finish the year discussing Child Safe Standards by addressing Child Safe Standard 9, which calls on organisations to undergo continuous review and improvement. Whilst RJ seeks to continue to uphold high standards around child safety, it is incredibly important that we continue to review our practices and processes. This allows us to take a “bird’s eye view” on what we are doing and how we are doing it, to ensure that the daily operations of the College can be improved upon where necessary. Importantly, whilst the leadership team reviews our processes at RJ, there is an additional layer of protection for students at RJ as the Anglican Schools Corporation conducts an annual review of our adherence to the Child Safe Standards. This rigorous process provides our community with extra assurance that RJ is safeguarded against activity that could put child safety in danger.

When considering improvement in any area of our lives or our organisations, it is critical to identify both areas of weakness and areas of strength. Whilst it would be enjoyable to discuss areas of strength, these have partly been addressed throughout the year when discussing the various standards. What is important to communicate whilst discussing Standard 9, is that RJ also identifies areas of weakness and seeks to address them. As we continue to prioritise student voice (Standard 2), one such initiative commencing in 2025 will be the Child Safe Working Party. This will incorporate student members to ensure they contribute to the decisions that RJ makes about the safety of our students. Whilst it is a challenge to meaningfully engage students in organisational decisions in a way that maintains the privacy of our community, it is important to ensure that students have significant agency in decisions that directly affect them. We look forward to this significant step in 2025.

Christmas Mufti and Sausage Sizzle (Senior School)

Whilst a broadcast has been sent out to parents and students regarding the Christmas Mufti and Sausage Sizzle a warm reminder that there are a few significant aspects to the conclusion of the year in addition to learning. Firstly on Monday 2 December, we have a Christmas Mufti Day where students have the opportunity to purchase a meal deal, sausage sandwich or drink. To do so parents need to pre-purchase tickets through the

TryBooking link here: https://www.trybooking.com/CXJDY

In addition, there will be other fun events run at lunch time to celebrate Christmas including “Caroloke” (karaoke with carols).

For students to attend on Monday 2 December in Christmas Mufti attire, they have been asked to bring a hamper contribution by Thursday 28 November, to be handed in to their Home Group teacher. This is part of our Christmas Hamper Appeal where all donated products will be forwarded to Anglicare to be distributed to those in need over the Christmas period. All donations are to be non-perishable items. Tinned products with ring pulls are particularly useful for families in need (e.g. spaghetti). Rather than requiring students to bring in a gold coin donation, it is their contribution towards the Christmas Hamper Appeal that will permit them to dress in Christmas Mufti. Please help your students shop for and bring in one or more items to help those in need over the Christmas period.

Mr Scott Roby
Deputy Principal

TOYS ‘N TUCKER

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

K-2 TWILIGHT NATIVITY EVENT

This evening (Fri 22 Nov) we are looking forward to a lovely evening picnic and wonderful Nativity presentation from our youngest students in the Junior School Courtyard. The ‘I’m Gonna Shine’ mini musical is a joyful reminder of the true meaning of the celebration of our Saviour’s birth at Christmas. Hopefully any rain will stay away and the coffee and ice cream vans will be popular! 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 

Next Friday 29 November, we formally acknowledge the achievement of our Year 6 students in completing their Junior School years at their Year 6 Graduation Assembly. Graduation commences at 9:00am in the College 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, College-appropriate style as per the Uniform Policy. 2024 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 2024

I would like to acknowledge the parents and family members who have helped us throughout 2024. 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! ❤

CHRISTMAS MUFTI-DAY 

Junior School students may wear Christmas coloured/themed mufti (red, green and white) on the second last day of term, Wednesday 4 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. 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.

JUNIOR SCHOOL PRESENTATION AFTERNOON 

Junior School Presentation Afternoon will be held on Thursday 5th December in the College Hall commencing at 1pm. Parents can take students home at the conclusion of this 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 prizewinners will be notified next week.

We will celebrate the achievements of Junior School students throughout the 2024 academic year in a variety of areas including Christian Character, Powerful Learner, Courageous Learner, 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, College-appropriate style as per the Uniform Policy. 

COLLEGE UNIFORM 2025

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 College 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 labeled. 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 Junior School 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.

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg
Head of Junior School

The Class of 2024 completed their HSC examinations and enjoyed their formal at Stone Cutters Ridge last Friday evening. The second annual Visual Arts Exhibition was a great success earlier this week, great art, music and food making it an amazing experience for all who attended. Students in Year 10 dressed up for the 1980's Day hosted by the HSIE staff. The Principal's Cup '3 on 3' basketball competition has seen many games take place, with the final game taking place next week. Thank you to the students and staff involved in making these events a great success.

Looking Forward

Thank you to the students and families who are putting together a 'shoe box' for Operation Christmas Child. Students are able to bring in their boxes and give them to their Home Group teacher this week. Also, in preparation for the upcoming Christmas Mufti on Monday 2 December, students are reminded to bring in an item of non-perishable food for the Christmas Hamper that their homegroup is putting together.

Next week our Year 10 students will engage in Service Week, taking up a variety of opportunities to serve the wider community.

All students must leave their lockers empty and hand in their lock on their last day at the College in Term 4. Lockers cannot be left locked nor have any student belongings left in them as they are cleaned during the break and reallocated for the start of 2025.

All permissions for the End of Year Swim Day at Cables Wake and Aqua Park are past due. Please contact the College if you have not yet done so.

The Senior School Presentation Assembly is taking place at 9:30am on Thursday 5 December in the College Hall. Parents/carers will be asked to provide permission for their child to leave after this event, at approximately midday. Students without permission to leave will be required to stay at the College supervised by RJ staff until 3:10pm.

Looking around

Students were reminded during our recent Secondary Assembly of the importance of making wise and responsible choices in relation to their contributions to the school community. It is pleasing to see the majority of our students demonstrating the core values of the school of respect and care towards their peers and teachers. Sadly there have been situations where students have not made wise choices resulting in distractions in the class room and lack of respect towards the school community and its resources. It is hoped that during the remaining weeks of the term all students will take on the shared responsibility of making helpful contributions to the learning that will take place.

Students are to wear the school uniform in accordance with the School Uniform and Presentation Policy - https://www.rj.nsw.edu.au/enrolment/uniform/. It is concerning to see a number of students not meeting the College's expectations particularly in the areas of jewellery and general wearing of the uniform. Sport uniform is only to be worn to school on Tuesdays. The sport tracksuit jacket is not to be worn with the normal school uniform. Boys are to wear a belt, grey socks and have their shirts tucked in. Girls are to wear only one set of earrings that are either plain studs or sleepers. Earrings with gemstones or similar are not permitted. Bracelets and anklets are not to be worn. The expected length of the skirt is to the knee, the waist is not to be rolled up to shorten the skirt. Hats are to be worn when outside during Term 4. Parents and students are encouraged to revisit the School Uniform and Presentation Policy to ensure that there is an improved consistency in the wearing of the uniform.

Reminders

• Parents needing to contact their children during the day are to either email or phone the administration team at the College. Students are not permitted to access their mobile phones after 8am and before 3:10pm.
• 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 need to contact the College via main reception to organise an appointment.

Final thoughts

I hope and pray that all members of the RJ Community have a restful and safe Christmas break. May all our students try something new, while ensuring that they take advantage of the opportunities to catch up with friends and family face to face and manage their time on social media/screens wisely.

As family and friends gather at Christmas time I pray that the words found in the book of Titus are refreshing and an encouragement as we remember the birth of Jesus.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior. (The New International Version, Titus 3:4–6)

Looking forward to seeing you all again in 2025.

Mr Brad Maxwell
Head of Senior School

The schedule for returning textbooks is as follows:

Loans for Summer Reading will begin on 2nd December, once all books are returned.

Summer Reading

As well as borrowing books from The Hub, don’t forget that we have our eBook platform Wheelers, which has eBooks as well as audiobooks.

Enjoy some reading over the Summer holidays, or maybe listen to your favourite book. 

 Find the ePlatform at https://rjas.wheelers.co/ , via the library catalogue (Oliver) link from the RJ Learning tab of the Portals section on the school website, or from the Library course on Canvas.  Log in using your school network username and password.

Watch this short video for some tips on downloading your audiobook using the ePlatform mobile app for offline listening to save your personal data use - https://youtu.be/xaeJadKUTrg

If you need some help or would like a demonstration as to how the eBook platform works, come to The Hub at lunchtime.

Happy reading…

Mrs Shaw
Senior School Librarian