22 August 2025

I have always loved this quote by Napoleon Bonaparte, because it so beautifully captures the power and importance of reading. As American journalist Mary Schmich once wrote, “Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.” Through books, we can be transported to unseen worlds, find new wisdom without a teacher, and discover inspiration to transform our lives. This is one of the many reasons I treasure opening and reading God’s Word each day.  

At our College, we place great emphasis on Scripture as the foundation of our lives. Yet, without strong reading skills, we risk missing the treasures of revelation contained in it. That is why reading is not just part of our curriculum, it is a passion we seek to instil in our students: first, the ability to read well and then the joy of reading for life.  

This week we celebrated Book Week, an event that never fails to bring joy and colour to our community. Staff entered into the ‘Book an Adventure’ theme with creativity and enthusiasm, while students delighted us all by dressing up as their favourite book characters and sharing their chosen stories. It was especially wonderful to have so many parents join in the celebration.  

Our Year 12 Trial Exams are nearing their end and it has been heartening to see the determination and focus of our senior students as they prepare for their HSC in Term 4. At the same time, our recent HSC Showcase was an outstanding display of student talent, passion and dedication. Visual Arts, Textiles, Society and Culture, Music, Drama and Dance students all presented their major works to the RJ Community, and the results were nothing short of inspirational. Congratulations to each student for the countless hours of effort poured into these projects and their teachers for their guidance in these endeavours.  

Looking ahead, next week we host our Term 3 Community Connect Evening, a valuable opportunity for parents to meet with our Leadership Team and engage in meaningful conversations about the College. I will also be sharing some exciting updates about our future, including:  

• Plans for our 30th Anniversary celebrations in 2027  

• The launch of a new College logo and uniform in the same year  

• Developments from our College Master Plan and building projects  

• A new curriculum initiative for our Year 9 students in 2026  

As we approach September, please also mark your calendars for our Junior School Father’s Day Breakfast on Friday 5 September at 8am. This is always a joyful occasion for our dads and father figures to enjoy a BBQ breakfast with their children and perhaps even take home a prize or two!  

As I began, so I will end, with the reminder of what a precious privilege it is to open the Bible. Within its pages we find the greatest love story ever told: God’s invitation to each of us to know Him through His Son, Jesus. May I encourage you to find time this week to open His Word afresh and discover His love, faithfulness and peace. 

God Bless
Mr Alan Dawson | Principal 

Join us for a relaxed evening with light refreshments and great company. Connect with fellow parents and the RJ Executive team as we share exciting updates on:

- Plans for our 30-year anniversary in 2027
- New College uniforms
- Future building developments 

You’re also welcome to raise topics for discussion when registering that are relevant for the wider community.

RSVP by 1:00pm Tuesday 26 August - https://bit.ly/45qZnWZ

The Hub is on the left as you enter the College turnaround, past the hall towards Block B.

Onsite parking available as staff have left for the day. We kindly ask that children do not attend, to allow parents to connect without distractions. 

Major Works and Student Learning

Each year it is a privilege to witness the efforts that culminate in our students' major works, as they cultivate their ideas and refine them into a final product. Yet even at this stage, our students continue to fine-tune their performances and strive for further improvement. This attitude provides a helpful model for all of us to consider at this point in the year for student learning. Much work may have gone into Semester 1, while other students may have been keen to start afresh for Term 3. Now is the time to take stock of earlier efforts and make the refinements that will carry learning forward. Let’s continue to be active in supporting our students as they review and strengthen their learning. We also continue to pray for our Year 12 students as they complete their Trial HSC Examinations this coming week.

Book Week

Every year I look forward to Book Week and seeing the joy it brings as students and staff celebrate the characters and stories that mean a lot to them. Apart from the great delight of seeing our students’ excited faces, it is so heartwarming to witness the commitment of our staff in dressing up! From full face paint to “Men in tights”, to fake moustaches, or inflatable costumes, they were ably led by our Flight Captain and Air Hostess.

Book Week also reminds me of the “worlds” I’ve been transported to through reading books that have been so valuable to me.

From the zany and rhyming worlds of Dr Seuss to the fully immersive delight of Tolkien’s Middle Earth, I have such rich memories of time spent in books and the joy of being immersed in other worlds. Books can be a welcome escape, a place you’re desperate to come back to, a new world opened up, or simply a source of laughter with your children as you loudly proclaim “Bored, bored, bored. I’m so bored, wailed Claude the shark.” (Bored Claude was a big hit at my home.)

I encourage your children to read, and for you to read with them and nurture in them a love of books. Their language development and imagination can soar as they explore and discover. Perhaps this weekend you could start a new book together or continue a current book, modelling for your children the love of reading.

Mr Scott Roby | Deputy Principal

There was a great buzz around the Junior School leading up to our Book Week Parade Day on Monday and then other activities celebrating quality children’s literature throughout the week. Many parents joined us for the parades, where we were treated to an amazing variety of costumes. A highlight was the special performance from Captain Adventure the pilot, the flight attendant, Ms Book Ann, and our teachers who brought the destination books to life! Mrs Peterson, our treasured Librarian, also led activities across the week to celebrate all things reading and promote a love of literature here at RJ ❤

KINDNESS is ‘KOOL’

Being kind is one of the values that underpins our College, so the Junior School had a lovely time celebrating Kindness Day last Friday. Selected House meeting activities were devoted to showing kindness in the form of writing appreciation notes to teachers and making Kindness wall displays.

CELEBRATING DADS!

On Thursday 4 September, we will be holding our Father’s Day stall for students to buy an item for the special father figure in their life. Students are asked to bring a maximum of $10 to purchase one gift.

On Friday 5 September we will hold our popular Fathers’ Day Sausage Sizzle complimentary breakfast from 8am. Come along to Pioneers Way near the picnic tables. Accompanying students may also enjoy a sausage sizzle breakfast.
Registrations essential: https://www.trybooking.com/DEPOF

How to have THAT conversation with your child…

‘Amazing Me’ specialises in providing primary aged children, parents, and educators with positive and empowering information. ‘Amazing Me’ has been developed by Rowena Thomas, a primary school teacher with over 30 years’ experience in her field of sexual health education. Her respectful, age-appropriate and engaging programs are experienced by thousands of children and adults every year. She is passionate about educating children and their families about how amazing they are and opening up conversations in the context of their beliefs and values. Stage 2 and 3 students (Years 3-6) and their parents have the opportunity to participate in these valuable sessions. Please consider coming along with your child!

Time/Date: 5:30pm-7:45pm Thursday 4th September in The Hub (Senior Library)

To attend the program/s a ticket must be purchased via this link - https://www.trybooking.com/DDVOT

RJ COMMUNITY CONNECT

Come along on Tuesday 26 August to the Hub (Senior School Library) at 7:00pm to hear the latest news on our College and have questions answered by our Executive Team. Please register accordingly.

Enjoy your weekend, 
Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg | Head of Junior School

Upcoming Events

• HSC Trial Examinations continue in the SLC until Wednesday 27 August.

• Year 12 students will resume regular classes on Thursday 28 August.

• TAS Showcase Evening – Join us on Thursday 4 September, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm to celebrate student creativity and innovation.

RJ Values in Action

Respect and Care

Thank you to the many students and families who consistently support our College by ensuring the correct uniform is worn each day. Wearing the uniform with pride reflects respect for our community and strengthens the sense of belonging among our students. If there are any concerns regarding our uniform, please reach out to your child’s Home Group teacher.

Courage and Excellence

It’s encouraging to see so many Year 11 students stepping forward to apply for leadership roles as they prepare to become the Class of 2026. Through the selection process with promote courage and a commitment to excellence—always striving to grow and lead with integrity regardless of whether they wear a leadership badge.

Wisdom and Integrity

As we reach the midpoint of Term 3, it’s encouraging to see students making wise and thoughtful choices—whether it’s helping to tidy shared spaces, staying focused during lessons, or choosing appropriate places to be during wet weather.

At our recent Senior School Assembly, students were reminded that integrity means owning up to mistakes and being honest, even when it’s difficult. We encourage students to accept consequences and most importantly learn from their experiences to make better choices in the future. 

HSC Showcase

It was wonderful to see such a strong turnout of family and friends at last week’s HSC Showcase, celebrating the talent of our Year 12 students. The evening was a powerful testament to the creativity and skills with which God has given our students. Thank you to the dedicated staff, supportive peers, and encouraging families who have walked alongside our students throughout the journey of planning, developing, and presenting their major works.

Bullying No Way Day

Thank you to our Student Voice Representatives for their dedication and enthusiasm in organising a range of events last Friday. It was inspiring to see so many students actively engaging in activities and conversations around identifying bullying and supporting peers in challenging situations.

We encourage all students to continue fostering a safe and inclusive environment by speaking up when needed, reaching out to a trusted adult, or accessing RJ Cares—whether for themselves or on behalf of a friend.

Class of 2026 Jerseys

Excitement is building as our Year 11 students begin selecting their senior jerseys for next year. A TryBooking link will be sent to parents/carers shortly to enable payment for the jerseys. The students will also be trying on sample jerseys at the College to ensure they order the correctly sized jersey.

Social Media Awareness

Recent discussions in the media about social media use among young people—including the implementation of the laws to raise the minimum age from 13 to 16—highlight the importance of ongoing conversations between students and their families.

We encourage parents/carers to stay engaged with their child’s online activity, including social media and photo galleries. If concerns arise, the eSafety Commissioner offers valuable resources and support:

• For Parents/Carers  - https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

• For Senior School Students  - https://www.esafety.gov.au/young-people

The site provides practical advice on navigating challenging topics such as sexting and image sharing, and offers strategies for both students and families to respond effectively.

If you have any concerns about your child’s online interactions, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of the College’s Wellbeing Team. Raising a concern is the first step in supporting our students and their families.

Looking Ahead

As Year 12 students complete their Trial HSC Exams, they are nearing the end of their school journey. Our staff continue to pray for their success and look forward to celebrating with them and their families at the Graduation Assembly on Friday 26 September.

Please continue to check the RJ App for updates, permissions, and communications throughout Term 3. If you have any questions, your child’s Home Group teacher is your first point of contact.

Mr Brad Maxwell | Head of Senior School

The following vaccine is offered for free to all Year 10 students on Wednesday, 27th August.

Meningococcal ACWY vaccine Single dose

In 2025 parents/carers can provide online consent for their child’s vaccinations or use traditional paper consent forms. Vaccination will only be provided at the College if consent has been received.

To complete online consent for your child’s school vaccinations, visit:

https://engage.health.nsw.gov.au/engage

Paper consent forms are also available for collection from Student Reception and MUST be returned to Student Reception by Monday, 25th August. 

For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination.

If you require information in your language, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/school_vaccination_language.aspx

The students played with determination and teamwork, giving their all in every match. Many are excited to bring their new skills into the upcoming WSCS competition—fingers crossed the weather plays along!

🏃 CSSA Athletics Carnival

Despite a gloomy forecast, our athletes competed with courage and grit at today’s CSSA Athletics Carnival. We can’t wait to share results in the next RJ Review, including who has qualified for the CIS Carnival on Friday 5 September. A reminder: students who progress will need to purchase a CSSA singlet and may wear a CSSA jacket on sports days for the next year.

Mr Gavin Mitchell | Director of Sport