5 September 2025

In recent weeks, students have demonstrated impressive growth and achievement through their presentations at the HSC Showcases and the TAS Exhibition, where Years 7 to 12 displayed outstanding ITT projects, digital creations, and textile pieces. Our Hospitality students also delivered a memorable experience by serving exceptional food at these events, showcasing both skill and professionalism. Sincere thanks go to every student who participated, as well as to the dedicated staff whose guidance made these accomplishments possible.

Earlier this week, all families received a letter about the Study Leave I will be undertaking in Term 4 which I believe will be a meaningful opportunity for my continued professional growth. I look forward to rejoining our RJ community for the year’s closing celebrations and am committed to ensuring that what I gain from this experience will help inform our next steps as a learning community.

It was wonderful to see so many of our dad’s turn out for the Junior School Father’s Day Breakfast. I trust that as we approach the weekend that our dad’s, uncles, grandfathers and special male friends in the lives of our students, are honoured across the weekend as we celebrate Father’s Day.

This coming Monday, our Junior School singers and dancers will travel into the Sydney CBD to participate in the IPSHA Performing Arts evening, joining students from independent schools across Sydney. We are always proud of the way our students represent us and we wish them every success as they perform.

Today, we announced the students who will comprise our 2026 Leadership Team, our College Captains and the Senior School portfolio leaders, with their final portfolios being revealed on Thursday 25 September, during a special Induction Assembly. Families of the selected students will receive invitations and are encouraged to save the date so they can join this important celebration.

As I travelled to work today, I reflected on Psalm 33:20–22, which encourages us to:

“Put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In Him we rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you.”

May this message inspire each of us to consider how God’s hope and unfailing love might surround and support our families in the weeks ahead.

God Bless
Mr Alan Dawson | Principal 

For some students and their families, this is a time to celebrate the leadership opportunity and responsibility on which they are about to embark. For others, it may be a time of disappointment as they process missing out on the opportunity. 

Leadership in any form is both a privilege and a challenge. It demands your focus, time, talent and treasure. Many of our Senior School leaders reflect on the rewards of leadership, while also acknowledging the demands of managing their time and responsibilities - particularly when wrestling with the challenging environment of Year 12. Those who have put themselves forward for leadership are called to embrace the opportunity, whilst also shouldering the responsibilities that come with it.

At the same time, there will always be students who miss out on the opportunity to be part of the formal leadership team. This can be a challenging time for them as they deal with what feels to them as a lost opportunity. Complex emotions of not feeling good enough or being properly recognised can be difficult to process. For students who feel as though they have missed out, families can play an important role in providing support and working with them on finding other opportunities. My own children have experienced both outcomes: being badged as a leader, and missing out. Where encouragement was required to support my child who felt as though they had missed out and that they were a more suitable candidate than some who had been badged, we explored other ways they could still make a positive impact on their school community. 

In my time working across schools, I have often found that missing our on leadership can play a crucial (and often very positive) role in a young person’s development. Sometimes this allows them to focus on academic outcomes, or discover alternate ways to contribute to the life of the College. This is true at RJ, where students have a significant role to play whether they wear a badge or not. Our senior students strongly influence the culture experienced by younger students, whether it be positive or negative. They are vital role models, driving expectations and setting standards. They should be our best advocates for “how we do things around here”. 

I remember being corrected by a senior student when I was in high school. Far from resenting them, I was impressed by the way they carried themselves, the leadership evident in how they spoke to me, and the firm and respectful way they expected me to ‘toe the line’.

As we work with our students, no matter what age, we can encourage them to be the standard that we want to hold in the RJ community. Whether they celebrate or commiserate, it is how their response to both good and bad news that defines them far more than the badge they do or do not receive. Let’s continue to guide our students on how to move forward, rather than dwell on what might have been.

Mr Scott Roby | Deputy Principal

From Term 4 we all move to Summer uniform only. Please do not mix and match Summer and Winter uniform components, e.g., tights with the Summer tunic. The mornings are still a little chilly so the RJ jacket is recommended.

FATHER’S DAY BBQ BREAKFAST 🥖🍞

Over 200 Dads joined us for our Father’s Day BBQ breakfast this morning. It was a great time with lots of smiles, yummy sausages, tests of skill in the Courtyard, some terrible ‘Dad’ jokes and a fun general knowledge Kahoot quiz! 

DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE LUNCH EACH DAY?

An increasing number of students are coming to school with no packed lunch or canteen order. Please make sure your child has sufficient food for the day – it has a big effect on concentration and energy levels. If children present with no lunch, a basic sandwich will be supplied (no hot food) from the canteen and charged to your Munch Monitor account. Three or more missed days will result in communication from the College.

IPSHA PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL  🎵

We wish the Cantabile Choir and Junior School Dance Company all the best for next Monday evening’s big performance in the Sydney Town Hall. These groups have been rehearsing with great dedication and are sure to bring the energy and entertainment levels soaring. We know you will do RJ proud!  

IPSHA VISUAL ART SHOW

This is a wonderful ART initiative, showcasing artwork from across 34 independent schools in NSW. We have ten artworks in the Art Show across all grades.

Just visit www.ipshavirtualartshow.com  and use the password IPSHAart2025

KISS & DROP IN PIONEERS WAY

A reminder for parents to please not walk your children down into the Courtyard of a morning –  say a quick goodbye up near the picnic tables in Pioneers Way. We are in 3rd term now so all students should be able to manage this. Teachers on duty will assist if necessary.

AFTERNOON PICK-UP ON DRYDEN AVE  🚗🛺

A reminder that vehicles should not be parked along the pick-up zone on Dryden Ave for more than 2-3 minutes. A number of parents are parking and waiting from as early as 3pm. This causes a long line of waiting cars, especially as students do not come out until 3:20pm or later. An ideal time to arrive is around 3:30pm. Council rangers are doing spot checks and have threatened fines. Please also be considerate of our neighbours’ driveways.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

A request from the Junior School Reception team – if you could please check the Edumate emergency contact details for your children, it would be very much appreciated. Ideally, aim to have someone who could get to school in around half an hour or less, so if your child is unwell or needs medical attention, they are not left in sickbay for an extended period of time.

YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAM

As part of our ongoing commitment to service at RJ over the next few weeks, students in Year 5 are being challenged to take part in service opportunities. Many of these activities have been occurring at school and parents of Year 5 students would have received communication regarding this from the teachers. Please encourage your child to participate as this is a great opportunity to serve. This program is also a prerequisite for College leadership in 2026 and will conclude at the end of this term. 

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

Please uphold them in your thoughts and prayers as they participate in "HSC in a Day" revision sessions for their subjects in Weeks 8 and 9. These  sessions are an essential part of the support the College provides as students prepare for the HSC examinations beginning early in Term 4. Year 12 will also enjoy their Reflection Day on Friday 19 September at Vision Valley.

Families of Year 12 students may book up to four seats for the Graduation Assembly on Friday 26 September. Please use the RJ App to access the Trybooking link.

Our Year 11 cohort will begin their yearly exams in Week 8, concluding on Wednesday 24 September. Students will return to normal classes the following day. Please continue to pray for them during this period.

Spring

As we move into Spring, students are encouraged to wear the RJ sports cap whenever outdoors. Hats will be compulsory next term, but students do not need to wait until then to begin wearing one. A reminder that only the RJ sports cap is permitted.

From Monday 8 September, students may wear the summer uniform. This means students in Years 7-10 no longer need to wear their blazer or the College tie/scarf. Students in Year 11 and 12 are to continue to wear their ties/scarves. The winter RJ scarf and beanie can only be worn with the winter uniform.

If a student chooses to wear the blazer, the RJ tie/scarf must also be worn.

Thank You

Thank you to the staff and students who have contributed to recent College events, both on campus and beyond. 

It was particularly encouraging to see so many members of our Community support the TAS Exhibition, which was a great celebration of the creativity that God has given our students.

Some of the recent events were:

• CSSA E-Sports Rocket League Competition

• TAS Exhibition Evening

• World Vision 40 Hour Famine 40km Walk

• CSSA State Athletics Carnival

• Christian Ministry Team Community Lunch

Alongside these, our weekly programs such as Ignite and many co-curricular groups continue to provide opportunities for students to grow, connect, and contribute positively to College life.

Reminders

• Year 11 students. Please finalise your orders for the Year 12 2026 Jersey as soon as possible. Orders will be placed once all payments are received.

• Year 12 students. Tickets for the Formal must be purchased by Friday 26 September.

• Year 12 families. Book your seats for the Graduation Ceremony by Friday 20 September. Space is limited.

Links and QR codes have been shared via Broadcast and email.

Parents and carers are reminded that the Home Group teacher is the first point of contact for questions about upcoming events, wellbeing concerns, or subject matters. If you wish to meet with a staff member, please contact the College via main reception to arrange an appointment or email via the website.

Mr Brad Maxwell | Head of Senior School

We celebrated two individual place-getters and one relay team placing—all of whom advanced to the CIS Athletics Carnival. Even more exciting, some All-Time RJ Records were broken, highlighting the fantastic progress of our athletes. We look forward to sharing results from CIS soon!

⚽ WSCS Competition

It’s hard to believe it’s already Week 6 and only now our WSCS competition has begun—thanks to weeks of rain delays! RJ students are thrilled to finally take the field. After next week’s matches, RJ will have a scheduled bye round during Stage 3 camps, before returning for a catch-up round in the final week of term. 

Mr Gavin Mitchell | Director of Sport