7 February 2025

Our students have been getting back into the routines and rhythms of life at school again after a refreshing break and with that comes the requirement of all our students and families to ensure they develop an understanding of our expectations at RJ. If there are any concerns with this or you have a question you would like answered, please refer to the Lines of Communication document posted on the website.

All class teachers will have instructed students this week on their expectations in their classrooms around their learning and behaviour. Home Group Teachers in Senior School will have covered off on our expectations around the College Uniform and Presentation Policy and what is expected of our students. This policy is restated in their College Diaries which our students in Year 6-12 receive each year

As a community, we also have expectations of our parent body, and these are outlined in the Parent Code of Conduct available on our website. As we come together for different events and occasions across the College throughout the year there are protocols we need our parents to follow in order to ensure that our College environment is safe for all people. 

Community Connect evenings will be hosted by the College Executive Team again this year and we invite all parents to attend. The events provide an opportunity for parent voice to be heard, to meet other parents and to connect with the leadership of the College. These evenings are not long, and they only occur once per term.

Today marks the end to Week 2 on the calendar and already we have checked off many events in these first 7 days of the academic year. The RJ Day Assembly for Years 2-12 was a great reminder of our College’s namesake and the great work he came to do in early Australia. Our Year 7, 8 and 11 cohorts have been involved in Information Evenings, the Junior school swimming carnival was a great success, and the Senior School swimming carnival will take place this coming Monday (Feb 10). Parents are invited to attend, and Mr Roby has sent a broadcast notice to inform parents about where parents can view the carnival within the venue.

We welcome our new staff to the College as well and if you click on the link, you will see which part of the College they will function. One of the new roles we have invested in this year, is the role of College Chaplain. Mr David Janzen has been appointed to this role and in the coming weeks, our College community will get to know him and how his role will play out within our College community.

With a wonderful start to the year under our belt, we look forward to what the next fortnight will bring. We pray that God will bless you and your family as we commence the year and that He would go before you and prepare the way for you ahead.

As an aside, all 2024 families will receive shortly a copy of our 2024 Footprints College magazine. We are delighted with its fresh new look and it is as a wonderful memento of our experiences last year. If you don't receive a copy by the end of next week, please contact main reception.

God Bless
Mr Alan Dawson | Principal 

With students and staff gathering this week for our RJ Day Assembly, we had a valuable opportunity to celebrate RJ and what makes this a special community. Mr Dawson also shared with us some of his new learnings about Richard Johnson, the first minister to preach in Sydney Cove and his travels to Parramatta. We also had the opportunity to welcome and get to know our new staff and some of their passions and interests. I had the great delight of interviewing the House staff and student leaders and eagerly look forward to students building identity and connection through the House Competition. We look forward to some new opportunities for students to represent their House in 2025.  

There is much to celebrate as a community and we warmly welcome new families to RJ. There are so many opportunities available to our students and we trust that both new and returning students will take the opportunity to engage in their learning and all that RJ has to offer. Whether it be Inter-House Competitions and carnivals, lunchtime clubs or co-curricular activities, students are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and try something new or showcase their talents and passions, or simply to have fun with friends and make new ones. 

Student phone use on campus 

Please note that to ensure that students are learning in a safe and supportive environment, RJ requires students to put their phones away when they come onto campus. This supports Child Safe Standard 8 – Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse to occur. Students who arrive early on campus are expected to have their phones away from the time they arrive at RJ. Senior School students are expected to put their phones in their lockers immediately when permitted to move to their lockers. Junior School students are expected to take them to the Junior School office for safekeeping until the end of the day.  

Parents/carers are also reminded not to contact their student through the day by phone call or SMS. This discourages students from meeting College expectations around phone use and works against establishing a safe and confidential environment for students to focus on learning. 

Student uniform 

Over the first weeks of students returning to the College, it has been apparent that some families need to support their students to familiarise themselves with College uniform expectations. Of particular note are boys haircuts and girls wearing jewellery and makeup. We expect that students will deal with these matters promptly, prior to returning in Week 3. 

Utilising the diary 

We encourage all families to look through the diary with their students if they have queries about College expectations, A new addition this year is the “Learning Power @ RJ” section at the rear of the diary. This will give families some insight into our learning framework and how we are seeking to teacher our students how to learn about learning. This should help you understand the language being used by the staff and students of RJ when they are talking about what we do here. 

I pray for, and look forward to, a wonderful 2025 with our RJ community. 

Mr Scott Roby
Deputy Principal

I hope everyone enjoyed Christmas and managed to spend time with family and friends, getting outdoors to enjoy Summer. It was great to see the smiles and hear the chatter and laughter of our Junior School students as they returned last week. A special welcome to new families joining our College community this year. 

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 Monday!

A special welcome to new teachers joining us in the
Junior School in 2025

• Mr Marshall Law – PDH/PE
• Mr Isaac Elliot – ASC Intern (5B Term 1)

The 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 in the next week outlining important information about each Junior School Stage group with extra updates on Sport, Curriculum, Technology and Learning Support in 2025. 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 2025 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 a lovely sunny day and the students took part with great 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 Wednesday 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 strongly encourage families to return from trips before the start of Term 1.

ASTHMA/ANAPHYLAXIS/ALLERGY PLANS
If your child has a medical plan for any of the above conditions, please have this updated by your GP for 2025 and provide the Junior School Reception staff with a copy as soon as possible.

MOBILE PHONES
Junior School 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
The Stage 3 Camp has been moved to Term 3 so information will be available closer to the time.

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 the College. 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 Weeks 2 and 3 if being picked-up by parents/carers. Enter via lower Dryden Ave or Jersey Rd gates. 

COMING UP…

• House Meetings – Friday 14 February (Years 1-6 wear House shirts)
• Tell us about your child Parent/ meetings: Tues-Wed 18-19 February

We look forward to a happy Term 1!

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg
Head of Junior School

The first week or so 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 and used them for at least a week. Hopefully the routines become normal very quickly.

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 College.

Term 1 within the Senior School is well underway with our Year 11 Camp, the Information Nights for Years 7, 8 and 11 and the RJ Day Assembly already completed. The Senior School Swimming Carnival is on Monday 10 February, the Years 9 and 10 Information Night on Wednesday 19 February (Week 5) and Year 7 Camp is taking place on Wed 26 to Friday 28 February in Week 5. 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 6 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. 

An additional reminder relates to Senior School Students and their use mobile phones. Students are permitted to bring a phone to the College. They are to  leave their phone in their locker from 8am or when they arrive at the College. The phone is to be left locked in the locker until 3:10pm. Any phone seen in the possession of a student between the previously mentioned times will be confiscated.

While it may be acceptable in some social settings for teenagers to photograph/film each other and share the files with each other to social media, it is not the case when they are wearing RJ uniform and/or attending RJ events. Student are not permitted to film or photograph their peers/staff using their mobile phones or laptops. These expectations have been put in place to protect the privacy of our students as well as protect the image and reputation of the College.

This year sees the College add the final couplet of core values - that of Wisdom and Integrity. I look forward to exploring with our students how they can intentionally develop and consistently demonstrate these values in their words and actions, reflecting the challenge presented in Proverbs 4:26-27 26 "Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways." 27 "Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." 

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

Students should not be late to the College in anticipation of catching a bus to the carnival. We hope to see plenty of participation in the 50m pool and hopefully several records tumble along the way. Students must wear sports shoes and socks to and from the carnival. They will not be permitted to wear slides.

Tuesday Sport

Tuesday Sport got up and running last week. Students need to ensure that they are prepared for the conditions and bring adequate water to school and their school hat, specifically under the hot Australian sun. Year 7 students commence their swimming program, Year 8 commence their motiv8sports session while students in Years 9 and 10 begin a variety of sports.

Basketball trials have already occurred and they will have a week of training before commencing their competition in Week 4. 

Representative CSSA and CIS Trials

Thank you to several students for expressing interest in trialling for a CSSA or CIS sport. The deadline for the Microsoft Form is now closed. All applications will be carefully considered before the Director of Sport will decide who is able to attend trials. Please note that only several students are allowed to trial in specific sport. These trials are of a very high calibre and only rep sports players are usually chosen to attend these trials.

Mr Gavin Mitchell
Director of Sport 

It was fantastic to see four records broken by two of our students who attended the squad swimming sessions held at SGAC last year. A fantastic effort from our amazing Junior School staff who ensured that the students had an amazing day. I think they were more excited than the students as they had a teacher race to conclude the day. I wish the students who qualify for zone all the best at the upcoming zone swimming carnival at Glenbrook Swimming Pool on Thursday 20 February.

Representative CSSA and CIS Trials

Thank you to several students for expressing interest in trialling for a CSSA or CIS sport. The deadline for the Microsoft Form is now closed. All applications will be carefully considered before the Director of Sport will decide who is able to attend trials. Please note that only several students are allowed to trial in specific sports and these trials are not for an RJ team. These trials are of a very high calibre and only rep sports players are usually chosen to attend these trials.

Football Clinics

The Year 1-2 Football Clinic held every year will recommence in Week 3 on Thursday 13 February. This will commence at 7:45am. Please ensure your child has shin pads, blue football socks and wears their sports uniform. As Year 1 and 2 do not have sport on Thursday, they will need to change into their school uniform at the end of the session.

The Years 3-6 football clinic commences in Week 3 on Friday 14 February. This will commence at 3:40pm and conclude at 4:40pm.  Please ensure your child has shin pads, blue football socks and wears comfortable clothing. If your child is going to after school care, please inform them and let Mr Mitchell know via email gmitchell@rj.nsw.edu.au . Your child can be picked up from the fields or alternatively you can park in Dryden Avenue and have your child transported there. Please do not park in the turnaround.

Skipping Club

We are looking at recommencing our skipping club, which did a fantastic job at the inaugural CSSA skipping competition in Week 4. Miss Stokes is approaching skippers for this. 

Run Club

We are looking forward to our Run Club recommencing for the year in Week 4. Miss Stephens and Miss Stokes are eager to see a new batch of runners pounding the pavement.

Tennis Club

The Todd Woodbridge Cup group will look to recommence in Week 4.

Jump Rope for Heart kicks off this term at RJ

Jump Rope for Heart is the Heart Foundation’s primary school skipping challenge that helps kids move more, have fun, and raise funds for life-saving research and programs.

This year we’ve got an audacious goal to see our student Heart Heroes at RJ to log 40 hours of skipping throughout the program!

Register your child online, so they can receive the full benefits of the program and participate in online fundraising. Simply follow the link below to get started. www.jumprope.org.au/parents  

Students will be skipping throughout the term in PE lessons, during recess and lunch breaks, as well as after school for the skipping club. During this time, you can share their online fundraising page with family and friends to help raise money for this great cause.

We will hold our school Jump Off Day on 10 April. This will mark the end of the program and is a chance for everyone to come together to skip and show off their newly learned skills. It is also a highlight event in the Term 1 Calendar with the winning student team vs the teachers.

Thank you for supporting the Jump Rope for Heart program!

Mr Gavin Mitchell
Director of Sport 

If you know a family interested in RJ in 2026, please inform them about our upcoming Open Days:

* Wednesday 19 Feb (9am)

* Wednesday 19 March (5pm).

Online registration is available via our website.

What does a Parent Ambassador do?

Parent Ambassadors primarily help moderate their Year Group’s Facebook page by ensuring a positive and respectful tone in discussions. While they are not expected to answer every question, they can post occasional reminders or updates when needed.

Each K-10 Year Group will have one Parent Ambassador. (Ideally, a Kindergarten Ambassador will have an older child at RJ.) Some of long-term Ambassadors are ready to pass on the responsibility, so please be open to the opportunity.

Ambassadors are encouraged to:

✅ Attend RJ Community Connect events to meet and support families.

✅ Assist in rallying volunteers for College fundraisers like the Mother’s Day Stall.

✅ Encourage engagement in College activities such as the Trivia Night.

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

How to Apply:

If you’re interested (current Ambassadors are welcome to reapply!), please submit your Expression of Interest via the link below by 9:00am, Monday, 17 February.

📌 Expression of Interest Link

Click on the relevant link below and answer the membership questions: 

2025 Kinder - www.facebook.com/groups/1258150755385565 

2025 Year 1 - www.facebook.com/groups/1057812582086815 

2025 Year 2 - www.facebook.com/groups/1277455589755812 

2025 Year 3 - www.facebook.com/groups/1552909711750566 

2025 Year 4 - www.facebook.com/groups/189558569615974  

2025 Year 5 - www.facebook.com/groups/168824368158294  

2025 Year 6 - www.facebook.com/groups/730865297623328 

2025 Year 7 - www.facebook.com/groups/2886300181607815 (Also trialling WhatsApp - RJ Year 7 2025) 

2025 Year 8 - www.facebook.com/groups/2814133732135861

2025 Year 9 – www.facebook.com/groups/2954299434808467  

2025 Year 10 – www.facebook.com/groups/2814840822104199 

(Year 11 & 12 Facebook pages not available.) 

Please note that self-managed Bpay instalment arrangements are not an accepted payment arrangement – families needing instalments must be on a formal direct debit plan as per the Conditions of Enrolment. Late payments may incur a fee of up to $100. 

If you have not received your invoice due to an email issue, please contact Main Reception and we will resend it to you.