21 November 2025

Showcasing wonderful work from our students from Year 5 to Year 12, the exhibition highlighted artmaking across every stage of our student artists’ journey. From talented musicians to beautiful artwork and spectacular food, it was a true celebration of creativity. Be sure not to miss it next year as it goes from strength to strength.

Open Days and Year 7 Orientation Days

It continues to be a great delight to welcome interested families, prospective parents and future students onto our campus. Open Days allow us to showcase all that RJ has to offer, while our Year 7 Orientation Days play a special role in supporting current and new families as they navigate the transition to Senior School. Ultimately, we want everyone to experience RJ as a place where they belong.

Belonging

This term in Senior School Assembly, I have been addressing our students on our College tagline: “A place to belong, serve and succeed”. I have reminded them that all three elements are integral to what we aim to achieve at RJ. Recent conversations with prospective families have also highlighted the importance of belonging at school. Parents often consider whether RJ aligns with their values, offers high quality learning, and provides a supportive environment. Prospective students, on the other hand, are thinking about whether their interests and passions are catered for, whether they know anyone already at the College, and what opportunities await them. Whatever the focus, there is no doubt that belonging lies at the heart of what we want for our children. 

Belonging socially is particularly important for most young people. Part of growing up and socialising is learning how to make friends, how to move away from people you don’t connect with, how to learn to live and work alongside those you may not choose as friends, and how to read social cues, and much more. Many young people need explicit teaching in these skills, and it can be challenging to fit in when they cannot yet adapt confidently to social situations. 

It can be heartbreaking to watch a child go through a period where they feel like they don’t fit in or have friends. As parents, our instinct is to step in and protect. It is ingrained in us from the moment our children are born. But as they grow and learn, children become increasingly autonomous. Some parents find it difficult to transition from “I do everything for my child” to “I walk the journey with my child”, especially when we observe our children making poor choices. Fostering agency in age-appropriate ways is an essential role for both parents and for educators. Supporting children to find their own solutions, rather than solving problems for them, is a key step in developing resilience.

As our students grow, we hope to see moments where they advocate for what matters to them, take initiative in their learning, help around the home, or take ownership when they make a mistake. These are the moments where we partner with them, and foster increasingly autonomous and mature behaviours that remind us (sometimes a little sooner than we expect) that personal growth is helping them find a place where they truly belong and can succeed.

 Mr Scott Roby | Acting Principal 

Developing these muscles is a critical part of our work as educators. We believe that cultivating students who are reflective, resourceful, resilient, show reciprocity and build strong relationships will bear dividends both in school and once our learners go into the world. 

This term, staff have been particularly concentrating on our Relationship and Reflectiveness muscles.  

Learner Power@ RJ:  Reflectiveness 

At the heart of our educational philosophy lies the belief that students must not only gain and apply deep understanding, knowledge and skills, but also develop a thorough understanding of their own learning processes. We address this by explicitly teaching and embedding strategies that help each student strengthen their Reflectiveness muscles. 

At RJ, we want our students to become reflective learners (They think about their learning) by addressing the following: 

I think about how I have approached learning in the past and try to use my learning muscles to help me when I try new things. 

I know what I am learning and how to be successful. 

I use feedback to help improve and move forward. 

I can set goals and grow as a learner. 

Professor John Hattie highlights the significance of learning dispositions in student success. It is well documented that when learners actively think about their learning, understand what they are learning, utilise feedback for improvement, and employ effective self-regulation strategies, they become more engaged, self-directed, successful, and motivated learners.  

Hattie’s work also underscores the importance of self-regulation for becoming a reflective learner. By mastering self-regulation, students learn to monitor and adjust their learning strategies, fostering a deeper understanding and the ability to employ the most effective ones. Research has emphasised the importance of building self-regulation and metacognitive skills as these empower students to monitor their knowledge, identify areas of confusion and employ effective learning strategies.   

How can you help at home? 

We see our relationships with our RJ Learner families as partnerships. We know that learning happens not just in the classroom but also outside of the College, in your homes, and in our community. As we develop a language of learning at the College, we call on you to begin using the same language at home. It has been shown that small incremental changes can make considerable differences in students' academic success.  

Take Homes 

I offer the following tips so you can further support the development of reflective learners at home: 

• Support your child in planning activities. The Summer holidays are an excellent opportunity to plan a trip or activity for the whole family. Let your child lead the day; if things don’t go as planned, help them find solutions. 
• Encourage reflective conversations: Engage your child in discussion about learning, physical and social experiences to build their ability to reflect on experiences. Ask questions that prompt them to articulate their thoughts and reflect on what they have learned. 
• Create a feedback-friendly environment: Help foster an environment where feedback is viewed as a tool for growth rather than criticism. Please encourage your child to seek feedback, then support them in using it to improve and flourish. 
• Set up home practices and routines that encourage responsibility. You could develop routines that help them to prepare themselves for school, may be pack their lunch, checking their uniform is ready, or ensure they have their books or equipment. 
• Encourage acceptance when things don’t go the way they think they should. 

By nurturing reflective learners who possess strong self-regulation skills, together we can further empower them to become more engaged, self-directed and motivated in all learning endeavours at college and beyond the college gates. 

Mrs Julia Scrimshaw | Acting Deputy Principal

Our Swim and Gym sessions finished last week, and this was again a successful venture as our students gained water confidence and honed their skills. Why not think about continuing this progress with swimming lessons over the break at your local pool?

Our final House meeting was a busy event, with Year 5 students running for House Leadership in 2026 putting House members through their paces in a variety of outdoor activities. This was followed by some great speeches outlining why they would like to be a House Leader next year. Leadership positions will be announced at the upcoming Year 6 Graduation Assembly.

TOYS ‘N TUCKER

Thank you so much for the generous donations already coming in for this Christmas appeal through Anglicare. The class baskets are getting full, and boxes are being packed by our Junior School Student Voice team ready for collection by the Anglicare van in Week 8. These donations will be used in hampers to help disadvantaged families experience some joy this Christmas.

K-2 TWILIGHT NATIVITY EVENT  

Next evening (Fri 28 Nov) we are looking forward to a lovely evening picnic and wonderful Nativity presentation from our youngest students in the Junior School Courtyard. The ‘Bundle of Joy’ 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, along with Miss Ross, Mrs Pinney and Mr Reed, for bringing this altogether.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION 

On Friday 5 December, we will formally acknowledge the achievement of our Year 6 students as they complete their Junior School years at the Year 6 Graduation Assembly. Graduation commences at 9:00am in the College Hall. Parents of Year 6 students are warmly invited 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 & Presentation Policy. 2025 Leadership badges should be worn. Students also need to bring suitable clothing for the activities later in the day. Morning tea and lunch will be provided. 

Have a lovely weekend,

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

Our Class of 2025 completed their HSC exams and celebrated in style at their formal held at Novella on the Park last Friday evening. Earlier this week, the third annual Visual Arts Exhibition, The Curators Collection, showcased incredible creativity through stunning art, music, and delicious food—a truly memorable event for all who attended. Meanwhile, the Principal’s Cup ‘3-on-3’ basketball competition has been in full swing, with many thrilling games played. A heartfelt thank you to all students and staff who contributed to making these events such a success! 

Looking Forward

Thank you to the families participating in Operation Christmas Child. Students can bring their completed shoeboxes to their Home Group teacher by Monday, 24 November, as we’ve extended the original deadline. In preparation for our upcoming Christmas Mufti Day on Friday, 5 December, students are reminded to bring a non-perishable food item for their Home Group’s Christmas Hamper.

Next week, Year 10 students will enjoy a variety of activities, including Your Choicez, All My Own Work, 1980s Day, and a Financial Literacy Day. They will also participate in Service Week during Week 8, engaging in meaningful opportunities to serve the wider community. Parents and students are asked to complete all permission forms promptly to ensure smooth planning.

Please note:

• All lockers must be emptied and locks returned on the last day of Term 4. Lockers cannot be left locked or contain belongings, as they will be cleaned and reallocated for 2025.

• Permissions for the End-of-Year Swim Day at Cables Wake and Aqua Park are now overdue. Please contact the College if you have not yet submitted these.

• The Senior School Presentation Assembly will be held at 9:30 am on Wednesday, 10 December in the College Hall. Parents/carers will need to provide permission for students to leave after the event (around midday). Students without permission will remain at the College under staff supervision until 3:10 pm.

Looking Around

During our recent Senior School Assembly, students were reminded of the importance of making wise and responsible choices that reflect our core values of respect and care. While most students consistently demonstrate these values, there have been instances of poor choices leading to classroom disruptions and disrespect. We encourage all students to take shared responsibility for creating a positive learning environment in these final weeks of term.

Students must use the RJ PE/Excursion Bag for sports uniforms and excursions. It’s disappointing to see some students sharing bags due to not having the correct one. Additionally, the RJ Sport Cap must be worn whenever students are outdoors—including recess, lunch, Hanna Reserve events, and PDHPE practical lessons.

Thank you to parents/carers who ensure students wear the correct uniform with pride. The College will continue to uphold high standards and address any ongoing concerns.

Social Media Reminder

With age restrictions for social media platforms applying to those under 16 from Wednesday, 10 December, we are concerned about students making poor choices online. If your child uses TikTok, please ensure they are not following or engaging with any account using the RJ name or logo. These anonymous accounts are not affiliated with the College and often share harmful content.

We encourage parents/carers to stay involved in their child’s online activity. The eSafety Commissioner provides excellent resources:

• https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

• https://www.esafety.gov.au/young-people

If you have concerns about your child’s online interactions, please contact the College Wellbeing Team. Raising concerns early helps us support students and families effectively.

Reminders

• Parents needing to contact students during the school day should email or phone the administration team. Students are not permitted to use mobile phones between 8:00 am and 3:10 pm.

• For questions about upcoming events, wellbeing, or subject-specific matters, please reach out to your child’s Home Group teacher as the first point of contact. To arrange a meeting with staff, contact the main reception.

With only two and a half weeks left in Term 4, we encourage students to make the most of every opportunity. We look forward to celebrating together at Presentation Day and our Year 3–12 Christmas Service on Monday, 8 December, as we reflect on the birth of Jesus:

Luke 2:11 – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

In Week 4, the Band and String Concerts showcased our Junior School students who have been learning an instrument throughout the year as part of our weekly classroom programs. Year 1 and Year 2 string students charmed their audience with a range of very entertaining and well-played pieces under the guidance of Mrs Statheos and our Violin Tutor Mrs Duncan. It was wonderful to hear how much progress our youngest musicians have made throughtout the year.

Music Monday Strings performed a wonderful array of pieces, demonstrating the benefits of individual lessons and the value of playing and performing in an ensemble. 

Year 4 also demonstrated how they have excelled in playing a band instrument in 2025. Through small-group tutorials with our specialised tutors and staff, students have successfully learned the clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, flute and percussion instruments.

This was also the first year that students outside the classroom program, who receive individual lessons and are part of the Music Monday’s Junior School Band, had the opportunity to perform three impressive pieces. Students at this concert showcased their skills and abilities with musical precision, demonstrating the power of teamwork.

We also enjoyed the Artistic Pulse Concert, where our Dance, Drama and Music ensemble groups took to the stage. The Stage 4 Drama Club captivated the audience with their performance of ‘Roll the Dice’ under the guidance of Mr Derrington. Our Elective Year 9 Dance class and our co-curricular Dance Company presented energetic and well choregraphed items led by Miss Shannon-Duhigg. Secondo and Pagannini Strings combined together with Mrs Statheos to perform a collection of pieces showcasing their learning journey across the year.

Kai G and The Funky Guitar Ensemble, with Mr Bogaz, entertained everyone with their collection of well-played guitar works. The concert concluded with a highly engaging performance from VOX and Soultice, who weekly rehearse with Mr Manaloto. The event was a tremendous celebration of the benefits of creating together and the value of being part of a group where dedication and commitment helps everyone to collectively shine.

This week, we have also been treated to the creative talents of our Visual Arts students from Year 5 through to our graduating Year 12s, at the Curator’s Collection Visual Arts Exhibition. It was a spectacular display of art works from across the College, highlighting the creativity and artistic abilities of our students.

Under the direction of Mrs Key and Ms Linehan, students, parents, families and friends had the opportunity to admire and enjoy a wide variety of works across multiple mediums, with paintings and sculptures beautifully exhibited throughout the College Hall. Music students provided wonderful background music, and Mr Chen and the Year 12 Hospitality class wowed everyone with their incredible food creations.

It was a truly outstanding event that brought our College community together to celebrate the many talents and achievements of our students. 

Mrs Marrable | Director of Fine Arts

The schedule for returning textbooks is as follows:

Loans for Summer Reading will begin on 8 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 RJ website, or from the library course on Canvas.  Log in should be automatic (it is your RJ network username and password).

You can also download the free ePlatform app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store or visit eplatform.co on any device (look for this logo).

• Look for Richard Johnson Anglican College, log in using your school username and password.

• Browse, borrow, and start reading or listening to your favourite books—anytime, anywhere

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

Football Clinic

Our football clinics conclude in Week 8, with the last sessions scheduled for:

• Kindy & Stage 1: Thursday, 27 November

• Stage 2 & 3: Friday, 28 November

It’s incredible to see how much the students’ football skills and game knowledge have developed. A big thank you to everyone who participated and supported these clinics!

Mr Gavin Mitchell | Director of Sport 

CRU Day Camps—one of our valued partner organisations—will once again be running CRU Burst at Arndell Anglican College for students in Years K–6. Although Arndell is hosting the program, it is a CRU-run event, and RJ staff are not involved; we are simply sharing this opportunity for interested families.

Throughout the week, students can enjoy a wide range of fun activities, including carnival games, a jumping castle, laser tag (Years 3–6), Nerf tag (K–2), water games, and a 10m splash tunnel. Each day also features a Christian Discovery session led by trained CRU leaders. Campers will be supported in a caring environment with a 1:5 leader-to-student ratio, and families are invited to a special parent finale on the final day.

Registrations are completed directly through CRU at crudaycamps.com.au. For further details, please contact Emily Donald at [email protected].