7 March 2025

Choosing the right learning environment for your child is one of the most important decisions in their development. At RJ, we are passionate about providing a Christian education that is committed to excellence and helps every student to discover their God-given potential.

Our goal is to equip every student with the skills and dispositions that support their learning journey. At our recent RJ Community Connect evening, we introduced our Learning Power @ RJ framework through a series of short video presentations. These videos – an Introduction to Learning Power, Learning in the Junior School, and Learning in the Senior School – are now available on our website and YouTube. We encourage you to watch them to discover more about how your child learns at RJ. If you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you!

RJ is a place where families and children can belong, serve, and succeed. Right now, we are finalising sibling applications for 2026 entry into Kindergarten and Year 7. If you have a child ready to start their RJ journey, please ensure you have submitted our online enrolment application to secure their place. Know a family considering enrolment? Let them know that time is running out and they should apply for a place now! Applications for Years 8-12 in 2026 are also open. RJ offers an affordable, high-quality Christian education for families and is highly respected within the Western Sydney community.

For families interested in joining us in 2026, invite them to our Twilight Open Day on Wednesday, 19 March at 5pm. Registrations online and spread the word!

Upcoming Events:

📌 NAPLAN: Testing begins soon—details are in the newsletter.

🎭 Senior School Musical – Newsies: Tickets are now on sale! Secure your seats early. WWW.TRYBOOKING.COM/CZKBI

🏃‍♂️ House Meetings: Junior and Senior School students are preparing for the annual Cross Country event.

We look forward to seeing you at these events and welcoming new families into the RJ community!

God Bless
Mr Alan Dawson | Principal 

The theme of the day was Leading with Learning Power, as our staff worked alongside students to explore how our learning framework connects to leadership - and how it can and should shape their approach to leading others.

Mr Dawson opened the day by introducing the concept of leadership to the students and guiding them to think through Integrity and Wisdom, the final values couplet introduced at RJ in 2025. The remaining sessions focussed on 4 of the “Five R’s” of our Learning Power @ RJ learning framework:

• Reflectiveness: Mr Sukkarieh emphasized the importance of developing Reflectiveness, encouraging students to reflect not only after failure but also after success.
• Resilience: Mrs Viatos highlighted Resilience as a key factor in managing setbacks, maintaining persistence, and pushing through challenges.
• Reciprocity: I had the pleasure of focusing on how students can become Active Listeners and Imitators—watching experts at work and applying what they learn.
• Relationships: Mr Maxwell concluded the presentations by discussing the role of Relationships in supporting and sustaining effective leadership.

I am sincerely thankful to our staff for their outstanding contributions, presenting at a level that even professional adults would find valuable. A special thanks also goes to our student leadership team, who were focussed on learning and growing throughout the day. Our School Captains and Vice Captains led with humility, taking initiative to ensure the event ran smoothly whilst also supporting their peers. I eagerly anticipate what our student leaders will be able to achieve throughout 2025 and trust that their leadership will enrich the RJ community. 

Child Safe Working Party

I often take the opportunity in the RJ Review to discuss Child Safe Standards, and within the last fortnight we convened the Child Safe Working Party - a strategic initiative addressing Standard 2 – Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously. The Working Party brought together key wellbeing staff and student leaders who tackled questions like:

• What child safe initiatives are we engaging in?
• Can we improve them?
• What enhancements can be made to existing initiatives?

The team is also directly involved in reviewing Standard 9 - assessing how we meet the child safety standards and identifying areas of improvement. By actively involving students in these conversations, we reinforce student voice, ensuring that RJ continues to be a place where all students belong, serve and succeed.

Mr Scott Roby
Deputy Principal

It is great to see the array of learning activities taking place in the presenting classes each week. Kindergarten joined us for the first time today for Assembly and are doing amazingly well sitting through the presentations, songs and awards.

LITERACY MORNING TEA  

Last Tuesday we held our Literacy information session for parents with children in Years K-2. The elements of literacy were outlined along with teaching methods used at RJ and associated hints for parents to promote literacy development at home. A special thank you to Mrs Pinney, Miss Parata and Mrs Smith for their input. A summary handout of information shared on this evening is available. Please email me if you would like a copy: [email protected]                                                                                                                                    

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART                                                                                                                     

Mr Mitchell has been busy organising our Jump Rope for Heart program this term, and our students have embraced the challenge with enthusiasm! Students have watched Heart Foundation videos explaining how their fundraising efforts directly support medical advancement in the fight against heart disease - one of Australia's leading causes of death. Thanks to the generosity of our RJ community, we have already raised over $2000!

In PE lessons, students have been practising and honing their skipping skills readying themselves for Jump Off Day in Week 11. The big question is, who will win the ‘Miss a Loop’ competition this year – teachers or students? Stay tuned for the results, and keep up the fantastic skipping and fundraising!

WEARING JOGGERS AT SCHOOL

A reminder that students only wear joggers to school on their allocated Sport day (Years 3-6 Wednesday). PE lessons with Mr Mitchell or Mr Law on other days throughout the week require joggers to be brought to school to get changed into, so school shoes are worn to and from RJ as normal. Black joggers cannot take the place of school shoes and uniform infringements will be sent home. 

1-2 SWIM SKILLS DAY

Our Stage 1 Swim Skills Day was held last week at The Little Fishes Swimming Centre. In small groups, students practiced pre-swimming skills with noodles, kickboards and balls. A small water slide added to the fun! A special thank you to Miss Edwards, Ms Dumicus and Mr Rees for their wonderful assistance and Mr Mitchell and Mrs Smith for their organisation.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN commences for Years 3 and 5 on Wednesday 12 March. Writing is the first discipline followed by Reading on Thursday 13 March, Language Conventions Friday 14 March and Numeracy on Monday 17 March. There will be some catch-up days on 18 - 20 March for any students who were absent. Practice NAPLAN tests are being carried out at school to help prepare the students.

Mrs Scrimshaw has emailed out NAPLAN information to families this week.

RESPECT AND CARE Day

On Friday 14 March we will be celebrating ‘Respect and Care Day’ to raise money for our Compassion sponsorship children in each Stage while reflecting on our College values. We are asking Junior School students to wear the colours of the rainbow – a different colour for each grade and bring in a gold coin donation for the mufti day. Care activities such as card writing and pavement chalk decorating will be held throughout the day.

K-red, 1–orange, 2–yellow, 3–green, 4–blue, 5–indigo, 6-violet

STRATEGIES FOR BUILDING CHARACTER IN YOUR CHILD

CONTACTING YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER

If you have a question or need to pass on information to your child’s class teacher, please do this via the teacher’s RJ email address rather than through Seesaw. The Seesaw app is for teachers to promote events, publish photos and provide reminders to families. Teachers will not be responding to parent queries on the Seesaw app.

DIARY DATES

• Wednesday  12 March - Thursday 20 March
  NAPLAN for Years 3 and 5
• Friday 14 March       
  Respect and Care Day Dress in a rainbow colour mufti. Gold coin donation
• Friday  21 March
  House Meetings Students wear House shirts

Enjoy your weekend.

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg
Head of Junior School

So far this term, we've experienced two camps, three parent/carer information sessions, and numerous rehearsals for the Senior School musical. We have also held our Senior School Leadership Day. Assessment Calendars for Years 7-10 have been shared with parents/carers via the RJ App.

Looking Ahead this Term

🎭 Senior School Musical – Newsies: We’d love to see our RJ community in the audience for our Senior School Musical. Don’t miss out—get your tickets today! 🎟 www.trybooking.com/CZKBI

💇 Uniform and Presentation Reminder: For some of our Senior School students, Week 6 is also a good time to check if they need a haircut to continue meeting the College Uniform and Presentation Policy. Here’s a quick reminder of the expectations:

• All students: Hair must be clean, tidy, and well-groomed. It should not hang across the face or eyes.
• Boys: Hair must be above collar length.
• Girls: Shoulder-length hair or longer must be tied back.
• Clippers: Must be No. 2 blade or above—skin fades or similar are not permitted.

Students who do not meet uniform and presentation requirements will face consequences.

👕 Year 12 Jerseys: Our Year 12 students were thrilled to receive their Class of 2025 jerseys last week, which they were keen to wear despite the warm weather! A reminder that jerseys may be worn Monday to Thursday, but not on Fridays, as students are expected to wear full College Uniform with an RJ tie/scarf for Chapel and Assemblies. Failure to do so may result in jerseys being temporarily confiscated.

Year 10 Careers Testing

This week, our Year 10 Cohort completed Careers Testing, which will help build a profile for each student as they consider future career paths and Stage 6 subject choices. Parents/carers will receive more information regarding test results and Subject Selection Interviews later in the year.

NAPLAN

Students in Years 7 and 9 will complete the NAPLAN tests in Weeks 7 and 8 in the Hall during the morning from 8:30am until recess at the latest. This will take place from Wednesday 12 March through to Monday 17 March, covering the four individual NAPLAN tests. Students will need to have their fully charged laptops, headphones, pen and a lead pencil with them each morning, as the NAPLAN tests are conducted online

If any student is sick during the NAPLAN tests please contact the school via the RJ App to advise of the absence. There will be catch-up sessions for NAPLAN during Week 7 and in Week 8. 

The NAPLAN timetable and an information letter has been emailed to Parents/Carers by Mrs Scrimshaw - Head of Academics.

Reminders: Gum and Liquid Paper

During our recent Senior School Assembly, students were reminded that gum and liquid paper are not permitted at RJ. Due to potential damage and cleaning costs, any student found with these items will have them confiscated and receive a lunch detention.

RJ App

I encourage all parents/carers to stay engaged with the RJ App, where you can track your child's RJ Attribute Tokens, awarded for demonstrating key values such as:

✅ Courteous & Kind
✅ Courageous
✅ Resourceful
✅ Connected
✅ Reflective
✅ Critical & Creative Thinker
✅ Positive Contributor
✅ Willing Learner

The app may also show late arrivals to school or class. If you notice multiple late entries, please discuss this with your child, as repeated lateness may indicate a casual approach to class attendance.

Final Reflection

It was a privilege to spend time with our Senior School Student Leaders, helping them explore leadership and how it links with our five Learning Muscles. A key challenge for them is to lead in a way that reflects the wisdom of Micah 6:8:

"To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

I look forward to helping them seek the best for others and the RJ community as a whole, while being generous and leading with humility. My hope and prayer is that their leadership will have a positive and constructive impact on their peers, and the broader student body.

Mr Brad Maxwell
Head of Senior School

Fine Arts Co-curricular information: 

Fine Arts Junior Co-Curricular_ Weekly Calendar  

Fine Arts Senior Co-Curricular_ Weekly Calendar

Individual Music Lessons: 

Enquiry Form

For more information on RJ Co-Curricular activities, please email [email protected]  

Tuesday Sport Reminders

☀️ Reminder for all students participating in outdoor sports offsite:
✅ Bring a water bottle
✅ Wear a hat

🏊‍♀️ Year 7 students: Don’t forget that swimming lessons begin at the start of lunch—be on time!

Rep Basketball

This week our boys team returned victorious from their matches whilst our under 15 girls battled hard but were missed the win. Next week, due to venue changes our teams will play in two different locations:  our students are unable to play at the normal venue and RJ’s matches will be held in two locations.

🏀 Under 15 Boys → PCS
🏀 Under 15 Girls & Open Boys → Wycliffe Christian School

Best of luck to all teams—compete with determination and sportsmanship!

Inter-House Sport

The Inter-House Oz Tag competition is in full swing, with teams battling for crucial points each week.

🏆 Points system:
🏅 2 points – Win the match
🏅 1 point – Full team at kick-off
🏅 1 point – All players in House Shirts

🎉 Come and support your House! Don’t forget to wear a hat when cheering from the sidelines.

Mr Gavin Mitchell
Director of Sport 

Zone Swimming Image

Sporting Groups - Before and After School - Attendance Reminder

A friendly reminder that punctuality is key for students attending our before and after school sporting sessions.

⚠️ Important notes:
✔️ Some sessions are capped, and spots are limited—students may lose their place if they miss multiple weeks.
✔️ Parents: Please ensure timely pick-ups so staff can attend to marking and meetings.
✔️ Pick-up location:Dryden Avenue – students must not be picked up from the turnaround, as they are unsupervised.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping these sessions running smoothly!

🎗️ Jump Rope for Heart – Keep Skipping!

After weeks of skipping and fundraising, we’re thrilled to recognize students who have earned the "Fundraiser of the Week" award!

You can still register your child online to unlock the full program benefits and start online fundraising: www.jumprope.org.au/parents  

Students will be skipping in PE lessons, recess and lunch breaks, and after school in the skipping club. Share your child's fundraising page with family and friends to help raise money for this great cause!

Jump Off Day on 10 April will be the grand finale of the program. It’s a chance for students to show off their new skipping skills, celebrate their efforts, and take part in the highlight event of Term One—the Student Team vs. Teachers showdown!

Thank you for supporting the Jump Rope for Heart program and making a difference!

Mr Gavin Mitchell
Director of Sport 

What is your favourite food?

I really enjoy a good pasta or potato bake. Potatoes are so versatile—you can boil them, mash them, stick them in stew, or make lovely big, golden chips. You name it!

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love listening to music, either to sing along or to reset the mood. I used to perform! A great film with a great score also does the trick.

What are you looking forward to in your new role at RJ?

I can't wait to expand and deepen my love for fixing things. From the garden to the garage, I enjoy all kinds of improvement projects!

Describe a wonderful experience you’ve had in your life.

I’ve been to Tasmania twice—once with my mentor to celebrate finishing school, and again ten years later with my wife for our honeymoon, which was extra special.

Share something about your Christian journey.

I grew up knowing God, but as I entered high school (still in a Christian community), I knew I was running away from Him. In my heart, I asked that, even at my worst, He would never leave me. It wasn't until the end of school that I truly turned back and befriended God, who had never left my side.

What is your favourite Bible verse and why?

Hebrews 9:26 was a real game-changer for me to understand two things: 1) how much I take Jesus for granted, and 2) how Jesus makes up for everything.

What is something you want to achieve (at work or personally)?

Professionally, I hope to become more proficient in Australian Sign Language (Auslan), and personally, I’d like to take the stage in a musical I’m passionate about.

If you could meet any person in the world, who would it be and why?

Dr. Emma Watkins, also known as Emma Memma, formerly known as Emma (Yellow) Wiggle. I’d love to discuss her degree in Auslan and the Arts, as well as her experience as a children's entertainer.

at Wawai Ngurra inclusive adventure playspace which is located in a natural space in the heart of Nurragingy Reserve.

Where: Wawai Ngurra in Nurragingy Reserve

(Woodstock Avenue Entrance. Look for

Blue and White Balloons)

When: Sunday 30 March 2025

Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm

BYO picnic rug/chair, picnic foods/snacks and beverages or a ball to kick if you like.

Please come & enjoy the afternoon, meet with other RJ families & make new friends. We’d love to see you there.

If you have any questions contact your year group ambassador.