17 November 2020

This week we’re conducting some Orientation occasions by modifying previous programs. For example, Orientations have been reduced from 2 days to 1 day for both Kindy and Year 7 (2021). Further to these changes, whilst parents of Kindy (2021) may drop off (at 9am)/pick up (at 11.30am) their children on site, communication has been effectively managed via online to minimise time on site to a brief 15 minutes question/answer session. Likewise, parents of Year 7 (2021) will zoom into a short 5.30pm session to pose any questions to several staff, as the conclusion to the Orientation program.

The other two events involving parent attendance this week, at night, are being managed to reflect social distancing guidelines: P&F Association Meeting in the Hall; and two Music Concerts, involving students who receive weekly peripatetic tuition, whereby parents will sit in a separate area (Hall or Primary Courtyard) to view the livestreaming.

During next week, we will celebrate the Oakhurst Year 6 Graduation in similar style to the Year 12 Graduation, whereby a maximum of 2 guests per student may attend on site to view the livestreaming of this special occasion in the Primary Courtyard. It will be livestreamed via Zoom so that others not able to attend on site can view the event.

Year 6 Graduation Zoom Link

The Presentation events in the last week of School will all be livestreamed via Zoom, unfortunately without parents on site. They will occur as follows: 

(1) Primary Presentation Assemblies for each Campus will take place in the afternoon, during the normal School day, not at night. Both events will be livestreamed via Zoom, as parents will not be able to attend on site. The Presentation Assembly for Marsden Park Campus on 30 November will start at 1pm in the Hall [NB. Buses will bring all students/staff to the Oakhurst Campus earlier in the day for rehearsals and will return them to Marsden Park Campus by 3pm]; the Presentation Assembly for Oakhurst Campus on 2 December will start at 1.00pm in the Hall. Due to the above changes, Primary Student Reports will be distributed via the students, on the same afternoons as their respective Presentation Assembly;

Oakhurst Primary Presentation Zoom Link

Marsden Park Presentation Zoom Link

(2) Secondary Presentation Night will still take place at night on 3 December, commencing with musical items from various ensembles at 6.30pm. This event will be livestreamed via Zoom, as parents will not be able to attend on site. Other than RJ staff, there will be some official guests attending this final occasion. Secondary Student Reports will be uploaded that night to Edumate Parent Portal and not distributed as hardcopies. 

Secondary Presentation Zoom Link

As previously advised, we delayed the production of our annual Footprints magazine, so that we could include some of the activities we had postponed to Term 4, such as Camps, Excursions etc. Footprints 2020 will be printed in January ready for distribution to RJ families at the beginning of the School year. However, because it will contain my last article, we have organised for this article to be printed earlier and distributed on Friday 27 November, so that it can be read prior to my departure. My final article captures important details and words of appreciation which then do not need to be covered at the Presentation occasions.

As is customary, acknowledgement of departing staff is included in this last RJ Review for the year. We convey our gratitude and best wishes to the following staff: Erica Hales (Secondary Music Teacher and String Ensembles Tutor), Leah Nye (Primary Teacher), Samantha Blok (Primary Teacher), Dhiraj Babbar (Secondary Science Teacher), Janice Lawrence (Primary Learning Support Aide), Kathryn Arkapaw (Teacher Aide), Miranda Steffan (Bus Driver/Aide) and David Madurai (Bus Driver/Aide). Outstanding new teachers and support/operational staff have been appointed for 2021 and have already commenced their induction process. Every RJ family will be able to access a comprehensive letter from Friday 4 December on the RJ Website, about the School’s commencement to 2021.

The past 8 years, from 2013 to 2020, have been a continuance of RJ’s era of consolidation, as well as revisiting our earlier pioneering endeavours via starting a second Campus. During this period of time, our School has not only functioned very effectively from an educational perspective, it has been able to meet the challenge of constructing significant facilities such as Blocks F and G, remodelling extensive playground space (including Pioneers Way and the Sports Fields) and refurbishing the Canteen, Drama Performance, Secondary Hub and Primary Hive. We were not only busy ensuring a strong Christian educational community was blossoming, we were contemplating significant expansion beyond the immediate Campus and visioning the establishment of an RJ clone – another Campus modelled on the successful dynamic learning environment developed at Oakhurst – how challenging and exciting!

Our “20 Year Celebrations”in 2017 brought everyone together, current families with past students and staff, to give praise and thanks to God! It was a superb and momentous event, with the Archbishop speaking to us about the same Bible verses that Rev Richard Johnson had used to inspire the convicts and soldiers in February 1788. Even the same Bible, which had belonged to Richard Johnson, was used!

This is the last edition of RJ Review for 2020 and it is my final one. May God’s blessings continue to shine upon RJ! Our beloved School will always have a special place in my heart. May you continue to confidently trust in our Creator God, who gives everything life and purpose. 

“To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only wise God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 24-25)

Mr Paul Cockrem
Principal

TOYS’N’TUCKER - PRIMARY!

Toys ‘n’ Tucker is an annual program run by Anglicare to demonstrate God’s love by providing food and gifts for those who would otherwise go without. The Primary and Secondary Student Forums have organised a collection of non-perishable goods during the last few weeks of our Christmas Term. Goods can be brought in and given to class teachers up until Monday 30 November for Toys & Tucker. 

TOYS’N’TUCKER MUFTI DAY – SECONDARY (MONDAY 30 NOVEMBER)

For Secondary, Student Forum has added a Mufti Day on the last Monday (30 November) of term. Secondary students are urged to bring in their gold coin donation and contribute an item for their Home Group hamper of non-perishable food, toys and games for the Toys’n’Tucker drive. The Year 11 Hospitality Class will be cooking up a Sausage Sizzle storm so students can purchase a sausage sizzle and a drink at lunch time. All proceeds will go to the Toys’n’Tucker project. Prices are: Sausage Sizzle $2, Cold can of soft drink $2, or purchase both a sausage and a spider as a combo for $3.

Valuable life lessons of being generous and benevolent towards others is learned through this Student Forum project and we thank all students in advance for what they will contribute to this great activity.

We look forward to seeing your children return at the start of 2021 for another fantastic year, but hopefully not as disruptive. Until then….don’t forget our Marsden Park Presentation afternoon (30 November), our Oakhurst Presentation afternoon (2 December) and Secondary Presentation Night (3 December), as well as our Secondary Swim Day (2 December) to finish the year. 

I would also like to take this moment to wish all of our families a safe and happy holiday season. May this holiday break be a time to refresh and reboot with family and friends, and to remember all the good things that God provides for us all, including the greatest gift to humanity, His Son Jesus.

Mr Alan Dawson
Deputy Principal

ASSEMBLY

Students in 2M performed a wonderful Assembly Item in Week 5, teaching how Jesus is the vine and we, the branches. We have to stay connected to Jesus if we are to grow and thrive in Him. Year 5/6 will present our final student Assembly for the year tomorrow, teaching us that Jesus is the bread of life. Their Item will be uploaded to the class SeeSaw. 

CHESS COMPETITION

Congratulations to Dana H who was the Chess Champion for our Marsden Park Campus. Students thoroughly enjoyed the Chess competition this term. Thank you to Mr Reed for organising this for the students and helping to develop their strategic skills. 

CHRISTMAS MUFTI-DAY 

Primary students (including Pre-Kindergarten) wear Christmas coloured mufti (red, green and white) on the last day of School, Thursday 3 December. Students must have closed shoes and clothing suitable for School (i.e. no strappy tops, very short shorts or inappropriate images/writing on t-shirts). They are not permitted to have any spray paint in their hair. 

K-2 HOME READERS

All readers are to be returned by Wednesday 25 November. Thank you for promptly returning these books.

INCURSIONS AND EXCURSIONS

Students in Year 1 had a wonderful time visiting Longneck Lagoon and learning about kaleidoscopes in Week 5. Kindergarten students are excited to be visiting Featherdale Wildlife Park on Monday 23 November. They will also participate in a Science incursion with Fizzics on Wednesday 2 December.  

PRE-KINDERGARTEN CHRISTMAS CONCERTS – EVENT CHANGE

Due to COVID-19 restrictions relating to parent visitors on site, the Pre-Kindergarten End of Year Christmas Concerts on Tuesday 24 November (for students who attend Monday/Tuesday, Monday/Tuesday/Friday or Monday-Friday) and Wednesday 25 November (for students who attend Wednesday/Thursday or Wednesday-Friday) will be livestreamed on the School Facebook page. Unfortunately, parents are unable to attend the Campus to watch the Concerts in 2020. The livestream will commence at 2:00pm and will run between 20-30 minutes. Students wear their Pre-Kindergarten Summer Uniform as normal. Students will receive their Semester 2 Report on the afternoon of their Concert so please check your child’s bag for their Report. 

PRE-KINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION DAYS

Our Pre-Kindergarten Parent Information Session was held via a video presentation and Zoom session on Monday 16 November due to restrictions for visitors onsite. We look forward to welcoming our new Pre-Kindergarten students in 2021. 

Students in Kindergarten 2021 have been assigned one day of attendance at their Campus this week with Oakhurst Kindergarten Orientation Days held today, Tuesday 17 November and tomorrow, Wednesday 18 November from 9:00-11:30am. Pre-K students travel directly to and from the Oakhurst Campus with parents. Students who normally attend RickyJs on these days may return to Pre-Kindergarten after their Orientation morning. They may wear casual clothes to the Orientation Days or their RickyJ Uniform. If returning to Marsden Park Campus they should be in their RickyJ Uniform. Marsden Park Kindergarten Orientation Days will be held this Thursday 19 November and Friday 20 November from 9:00am-11:30am. Students who normally attend Pre-Kindergarten on their designated day should wear their RickyJ Uniform as normal. Staff will assist them to and from Orientation morning activities.  

PRIMARY PRESENTATION AFTERNOON AND YEAR 6 GRADUATION – EVENT CHANGE

As parents remain unable to attend Presentation events in 2020, the combined Primary (K-6) Presentation Assembly and Year 6 Graduation has been moved to an afternoon rather than an evening event. The Presentation event will still be held on Monday 30 November in the Hall at the Oakhurst Campus but with a new commencement time of 1:00pm. The Presentation afternoon will be livestreamed via Zoom. The Presentation Assembly will be approximately 75 minutes. 

Marsden Park Presentation Zoom Link

Students will be transported to and from the Oakhurst Campus by bus for rehearsals and the Presentation Assembly. They will return to the Marsden Park Campus after the Presentation event in time for normal School afternoon dismissal. 

All students (K-6) wear their Summer Uniform. Girls dresses should be knee height. Shoes should be neatly polished, and hair styled in a neat, School-appropriate style as per the Uniform Policy. Student Reports will be sent home with students on this day. There will be performances by musicians, RJ SingStars, Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 3/4 and Year 6.  

SCHOOL UNIFORM 2021

Parents are reminded to take the opportunity over the holiday break to review and replace any missing Uniform Items or Items their child has outgrown. All students require a School hat throughout the entirety of the School year. Sport shoes must be plain joggers (no graphics or fluro colours) and below the ankle. Please ensure all Uniform Items are clearly labeled. Students in Kindergarten and Year 1 only may wear black lace-up or Velcro leather school shoes (full foot coverage – no Mary Jane styles). Students in Years 2-6 must wear black lace-up leather school shoes.  

SWIM SCHOOL LESSONS

Swim School lessons conclude this week for students in Years 1-4. The lessons have been very successful with many children overcoming a fear of water and learning life-saving water skills.  

YEAR 6 GRADUATION ACTIVITIES AFTERNOON

On Thursday 26 November, Year 6 students will combine with Year 6 students from the Oakhurst Campus for a fun day of activities and enjoy a pizza lunch together. Students wear casual bowling clothes for the full day. Our Year 6 students have modeled excellent behaviour throughout the year. We wish our Year 6 students all the best as they commence their Secondary years.     

YEAR 7 ORIENTATION DAY

Students in Year 6 will attend a Year 7 Orientation Day at the Oakhurst Campus this Thursday 19 November. Students need to arrange direct transportation to the Oakhurst Campus on this day. Students in Year 5 attend School as normal and will spend the day with their class teacher. 

The Marsden Park Staff wish all families a safe and spirit-filled Christmas. To the small number of students and families leaving us at the end of the year, we pray that you will look back fondly on your time at RJ and experience God’s love and grace as you continue your educational journey.

Mrs Narelle Taylor
Assistant Principal/Head of Primary - Marsden Park

PERFORMANCE ASSEMBLY

Our Assembly this week will include performances from some of our Creative Arts groups. Please make sure if your child is involved and needs any costume Items that these are brought to School this Friday 20 November. 

CHRISTMAS MUFTI-DAY 

Primary students (including Pre-Kindergarten) at both Campuses may wear Christmas coloured mufti (red, green and white) on the last day of School, Thursday 3 December. Students must have closed shoes and clothing suitable for School (i.e. no strappy tops, very short shorts or inappropriate images/writing on t-shirts). No spray paint in hair, please. 

KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION DAYS

We welcomed over 60 Kindergarten students and their families to the RJ community this week. The students were very cute as always and settled quickly into their new environment. We look forward to getting to know our new students and their families in 2021. 

TOYS ‘N TUCKER

A note went out last Friday about our annual collection of food and presents for families struggling this Christmas time. Each class will have a basket in their room for goods to be placed in and we will collect until Wednesday 2 December. Please give generously to those less fortunate. The Primary Section is not having a mufti day for this particular event.

YEAR 7 ORIENTATION DAY

This Thursday 19 November Year 6 students continuing on at RJ next year will take part in their Year 7 Orientation Day. Most of them are excited about transitioning to Secondary in 2021. 

YEAR 6 GRADUATION 

Next Thursday 26 November, we formally acknowledge the achievements of our Year 6 students in completing their Primary years of schooling, at their Year 6 Graduation Assembly. Graduation commences at 9:00am in the Hall, with a livestream to the Primary Courtyard for parents. Please make sure you have registered for this event – two adults only per student. 

Year 6 Graduation Registration

Year 6 Graduation Zoom Link

Students wear their Summer Uniform. Girls dresses should be knee height. Shoes should be neatly polished, and hair styled in a neat, School-appropriate style as per the Uniform Policy. 2020 Leadership badges should be worn.  

YEAR 6 ACTIVITIES AFTERNOON 

On Thursday 26 November, Year 6 students head out for a fun day of activities and enjoy a pizza lunch together. Students from the Oakhurst Campus will change into casual bowling clothes after their Graduation Assembly. Our Year 6 students have modeled positive behaviour throughout the year and have been wonderful buddies to our Kindergarten children. The Year 6 Leaders have been excellent role models in the School and I thank them for their service throughout the year. We wish our Year 6 students all the best as they commence their Secondary years.     

PRIMARY PRESENTATION NIGHT – OAKHURST CAMPUS

Primary Presentation Night has been changed this year due to parents unfortunately not able to attend on site. We will still hold this event on Wednesday 3 December in the Hall, but it has been moved to the afternoon, commencing at 1pm. School will finish at normal time on this day and class teachers will issue children with their Semester 2 Reports prior to home time. A livestream, via Zoom will enable RJ families to view and enjoy this event.

Oakhurst Primary Presentation Zoom Link

We will still celebrate the achievements of Primary students throughout the 2020 School year in a variety of areas including Christian character, diligence, improvement, and extra-curricular involvement. Student attendance is compulsory at the Presentation Assembly so please mark this important date in your calendar. Rehearsals will take place during the morning session of the day. Students wear their Summer Uniform. Girls dresses should be knee height. Shoes should be neatly polished, and hair styled in a neat, School-appropriate style as per the Uniform Policy.    

SCHOOL UNIFORM 2021

Parents are reminded to take the opportunity over the holiday break to review and replace any missing Uniform Items or items their child has outgrown. All students require a School hat throughout the entirety of the School year. Sport shoes must be joggers (not basketball shoes) and below the ankle. Please ensure all Uniform Items are clearly labeled. Students in Kindergarten and Year 1 only may wear black lace-up or Velcro leather school shoes (full foot coverage – no Mary Jane styles). Students in Years 2-6 must wear black lace-up leather school shoes.  

The Primary Staff wish all families a safe and Spirit-filled Christmas. To the small number of students and families leaving RJ at the end of the year, we pray that you will look back fondly on your time at RJ and experience God’s love and grace as you continue your educational journey.

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg
Head of Primary - Oakhurst

Once we arrived, we were amazed at how many different types of animals there were. We loved the Tasmanian Devil, we marvelled at the size of the eagles and we giggled at the penguin antics as they splashed about. In our wildlife show, we got to meet lots of different cuddly animals, as well as some slightly scary ones! We were so excited to learn about them and give them a big pat. 

We are very thankful to our parent helpers - Mrs Pula, Mrs Anderson, Mr Shaw, Mrs Gilhooly, Mrs Smith, Mr Fernandez, Mrs Seto and Ms Li - for helping us explore the park and for making sure we came home safe and sound. 

We had a wonderful day and are so excited for the excursions we will go on when we are in Year 1!

Mrs Fiore, Mrs Frakes and Miss Murray
Kindergarten Teachers (Oakhurst)

Many students have received university offers and are excited to begin their new courses. Others have already started fulltime employment, forgoing holidays to begin apprenticeships and make their way as young adults in the world. We may not have been able to do everything we planned this year, but everything we were able to complete was done at the highest level.

And so we come to the end of another academic year for all our students. Change is around the corner for all of us, but I hold fast to the truth that God does not change, and He holds our School (and each one of us) in His hands. Our new arrangements in Secondary may take a little adjustment, but please continue to contact the School if an issue arises and we will address the matter as soon as is practically possible.

All Reports will again be electronically uploaded and be available for viewing in the Parent Portal, at the end of the term. Teachers will still be available for a few days if you need any clarification of comments written (Years 7-8). Reports in Years 9-10 follow the on-time reporting system used at the end of Semester 1. 

We sincerely thanks Mrs Hales for her work in our Music Faculty, and ask God’s blessing as she and her husband move to the far north coast. Our Strings program and Ensemble groups are a testament to her vision and commitment in developing this area of our musical program. We look forward to this program being further developed in 2021. Likewise, to Mrs Babbar (Science) and Mrs Arkapaw (Learning Support), we thank them for the help and assistance they have given our students in their time with us. New opportunities lie ahead, and we look forward to hearing about God’s plans for their future.

Finally, thank you for your continued encouragement and prayerful support during my own “challenging” 2020. The kindness and care shown by students and families has been a real blessing to me, and a contributing factor to my good health now. May your Christmas and New Year celebrations be “happy and bright”, as you dwell on the wonder of God’s great healing gift to all mankind – Jesus.

Mrs Jenny Clay
Assistant Principal/Head of Secondary

We are currently unable to have parents on site, so parents can either drop off their children at the School gate on Hyatts Road, or alternatively drop off in the School turnaround (only 2 min max). 

• 8:30am Student introductions in the Hall. Please note laptops are not required on Orientation Day.
• 9:00am Two Testing Sessions, through to lunch; the results assist Staff to plan for learning needs and for class placements in Year 7 2021.
• 12:30pm Lunch – Students are asked to bring a packed lunch, however, lunch may be purchased from the School Canteen.
• 1:30pm Home Groups and Year 7 Introduction. 
• 2:15pm Team building activities.
• 2:45pm Pick up at School gate on Hyatts Road or drive into School turnaround. NB. Please ensure your child knows which option. (RJ Year 6 students may finish as normal at 3.20pm.)

Year 6 students are to wear their current Summer Uniform and bring a writing pad/pen and their own Morning Tea and Lunch in a small bag.

PARENT INFORMATION SESSION - ONLINE

We will hold our Parent Information Session via Zoom from 5:30pm, which will also include the BYOD segment and time for questions. Please find the link below:

Parent Information Session Zoom Link

Mrs Julia Scrimshaw
Director of Studies

Operation Christmas Child is rapidly becoming a whole School initiative with the increasing involvement of many other Home Groups from other Stages. As a result, this year is by far the greatest number of shoeboxes we have ever had the privilege of sending to Samaritan’s Purse for distribution around the world. At the present stage we have over 220 boxes with donations of over $580 to help with the cost of delivery. This is a tremendous effort on the part of everyone involved and over 80 boxes more than we have sent before.

Thank you, Stage 4 students and parents for such a wonderful effort and a special thank you to students in other Years who, despite this being a Stage 4 initiative, generously donated shoeboxes, items and donations. A big thank you to our Service Learning Captains Jacob B, Alyssia B, Kate N and Connor M for their enthusiasm and leadership in this project. 

Mr Stewart Rowe
Director of Service Learning/Ministry

There are a variety of different opportunities for the students to serve others and these activities were outlined on the sheet that parents received two weeks ago. In general, students will come to School at the normal times and will leave for their different activities after Home Group. The students will return to School in time to catch their bus or be collected. However, there are several activities where students will need to be at School before 8.00am. Students were informed of particular travel times when they received their activities for the week.

If students are going outside the School, they will need to bring their own food and drink for the day. Students will wear full Sports Uniform for the activities, which includes correct shoes, socks and School hat. They can alternate the School Sports shirt and their House shirts during the week. Also, if their School sports socks are in the wash, they can wear plain white socks only, as an alternative.

A big thank you to the parents who donated bikes for our bike maintenance group. The students will have a good range of bikes to clean and maintain during the week. 

We are looking forward to a week filled with many opportunities for our students to serve others. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at School on 9677 2455 or by email – srowe@rjas.nsw.edu.au 

Mr Stewart Rowe
Director of Service Learning/Ministry 

Over the summer holidays students can suffer from a loss in reading skill. When they stop reading, students reading proficiency declines, and they can lose up to two months of reading skills. This can compound over the years, leaving non-readers several years behind their reading peers. However, if students read over the summer, the reverse is true, and they can gain two months reading proficiency, advancing their skills and giving them a boost as they return to the new school year. 

This year students are completing posters to recommend the books they have enjoyed so that others can get some great ideas. The library will be open from December 1st for summer borrowing and students will be able to bring books home for the holidays. 

Students should choose books that they think they will enjoy, and ones that advance their reading level. A rule of thumb in assessing a book is to look at the first page of a novel. If it has 4-5 words on it that are new to them, then it is at the right level. If it has more words on it that they don’t know, then it is too hard; and if they know all the words, it is too easy. Ultimately the main idea is to keep reading. So if they are interested in a book let them go for it! 

Students should record their reading on a form that will be emailed to them and in the new school year, English teachers will be following up and issuing certificates and tokens for those who participate. 

So, let’s read RJ!

Have a great summer!

Mrs Sally Morrow
Curriculum Co-ordinator (English/Drama)

The schedule for returning textbooks is as follows:

• Year 10 - Friday 20 November
• Year 7 - Wednesday 25 November
• Year 7 - Thursday 26 November
• Year 9 - Friday 27 November 

SUMMER READING

Loans for Summer Reading will begin on Tuesday 1 December, once all books are returned.

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 school website, or from the Library course on Canvas. Log in using your school network username and password.

Watch this short video for some tips on downloading your audiobook using the ePlatform mobile app for offline listening to save your personal data use - https://youtu.be/xaeJadKUTrg

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 Pam Shaw
Secondary Librarian 

GYMNASTICS 

The last gymnastics lesson for Years 4-6 at the Oakhurst Campus will be in Week 7. The students have enjoyed participating in lessons run by School Gymnastics this term. It has been pleasing to see their confidence grow as they have improved their gymnastic abilities.

SOCCER CLINICS

The Soccer Clinics held at the Oakhurst Campus will finish in Week 7 as well. The Years 1-2 clinic group will have their final coaching sessions on Thursday 26 November and the Years 3-6 group will have their final coaching sessions on Friday 27 November. After the success of the Soccer Clinics over the course of the year, we look forward to offering this service again in 2021, as it has been fantastic to see the development of the RJ students' footballing abilities.

Mr Gavin Mitchell
Primary Sports Co-ordinator 

School Sport will be finishing up on the last Tuesday on Term 4. Current sport rotations are posted on the Sports Noticeboard. The PDHPE led Swim Safety sessions have been a popular activity with students gaining knowledge and skills in basic water rescues as well as swimming skills. Stage 4 Rams and Sharks will be spending the last two weeks in these sessions to finish off the term.

The End of Year Swim Day at Cables Penrith will be on Wednesday 4 December. Thank you to all the parents and carers getting on the RJAS App giving permission for the students. It has been a very successful process for the vast number of students needing to be followed up. Please make sure that a Cables Waiver is also returned this week as this will be the student’s permission to participate in the activities offered on the day. If we do not receive a waiver, students will not get this opportunity to participate at the venue. With consultation with the venue, we have been able to offer some meal combos to limit student waiting time for lunches. Please use the following link to book a meal combo for the day:

Book a Meal Combo

Lastly, with 2021 just around the corner I would like to let you know that the RJAS 3–12 Swimming Carnival will be on Thursday 4 February. At this stage it will be staff and students only attending this event to current COVID restrictions. If these restrictions are lifted during the holiday break, we will inform you of the changes. Online permissions will be required for this event and will be available in the first week back of 2021.

Mr David Hyde
Secondary Sports Coordinator 

Students who have changed school/campus, changed address, repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should re-apply or update their details.

Where there is a change of distance eligibility based on a student’s grade, the system will automatically update a student’s entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, applicants will receive an expiry notification via email.

Applications need to be submitted before 3 December 2020.

New cards will be sent to the nominated postal address in January 2021.