2 August 2022

In fact, during the holiday break we hosted mock examination sessions for our Year 12 students to take part in under examination conditions. The response from our senior students was simply amazing with the vast majority of students attending the sessions. As a School Community, let us continue to pray for our Year 12 cohort as they approach their HSC Trial exams in the next two weeks in the final lead up to the end of their time at RJ.

This term we will finally see the realisation of the Paul Cockrem Senior Learning Centre as it is handed over to the School in the next few weeks. We anticipate that our Year 12 students will complete their trials in the new centre. It is a remarkable learning space that has been developed and I cannot wait to be able to share it with our School community over the coming term.

I would like to encourage our RJ parents from both campuses to mark in their diaries the following two dates for our RJ Community Connect Evenings – Tuesday 16 August (Oakhurst) and Tuesday 23 August (Marsden Park). We will be hosting some special guests from the Anglican Schools Corporation at both these evenings to demonstrate to parents a single sign in use for our Edumate Portal and Phone Apps and the importance of introducing this feature. 

Also on Wednesday 7 September, we will be hosting a 25 Year Anniversary Alumni Celebration to give opportunity for past students and their families to view and tour the Paul Cockrem Senior Learning Centre as well as take the opportunity to thank Mrs Jenny Clay for her 21 years of distinguished service to the school as an educational leader. Further details for booking into this event will be available soon.

Just prior to the end of last term we were able to purchase and install a Universal Sports Scoreboard for the Oakhurst hall and would like to thank Edmond Atalla MP and the NSW Government for providing the funds for the acquisition through the NSW Government’s 2021 Community Building Partnership Program. The scoreboard will have its first test run this term as our Thursday lunchtime House competition commences in the Hall.

Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the work of one of students in Year 8 and that of some of our staff. We congratulate Sirat K of Year 8 who has been selected to receive a Commended Award as part of the 2022 Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Student Achievement – Community Languages Schools. This is a remarkable achievement and reflects Sirat’s commitment to the study of Punjabi. 

We also congratulate Mr Reed (OAK), Mrs Girgis (OAK), Mrs Oliver (MP) and Mr Lamb (MP) who have been charging ahead with developing and implementing their STEM projects at various ‘student ability levels’ as part of the University of Sydney’s STEM Academy partnership program. Our team recently shared their findings and work with peers from other schools as part of a STEM Academy teacher’s day. 

As we begin the term, let’s continue to be vigilant with respect to personal hygiene and staying on top of illness in order to protect our School community. Please adhere to the COVID guidelines that were communicated to families on July 22 via email for this term. Here’s to a wonderful term ahead. 

God Bless,

Mr Alan Dawson | Principal 

Year 12 are certainly looking forward to gaining access to the Paul Cockrem Senior Learning Centre as soon as possible. It is a beautiful space and is like a little oasis in the midst of busy suburban life. It has a distinct adult education feel to it and I like the diverse learning spaces and furniture. I’m sure our students will be thrilled with the opportunities that are presented in this new area – not just with the senior classrooms, but also the new Textiles and Visual Arts rooms as well. There has also been some refurbishment of the space between C7 and C8 to further support senior learning activities, so this will add to the enjoyment all round. 

Finding joy in learning is important. Learning is not about knowing everything – at the age of 87, the great artist and sculptor Michelangelo said, “I am still learning”. We know what we are told and taught, but we learn by questioning, exploring and taking risks – by not being afraid of making mistakes or getting things wrong (and I know how constricting that kind of thinking can be!). In Philippians 3:14 the apostle Paul speaks about running a race and persevering:

I run toward the goal, so I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done. (CEV)

Don’t give up on learning! What we learn today can make a difference in life tomorrow, and change us for the good of ourselves and others.

School Attendance

As we come back to school, it’s important to remember that all students between the ages of 6 and 17 are expected to attend school every day it is open, unless they are sick.  

This infographic is published by the NSW Government regarding school attendance and the impact that missing even one day per week can have on the school life of a student.

Please ensure that your child is ready for school each day that it is open and that their attendance remains regular throughout the year. This is the best way to keep progressing with learning and responding well to the challenges that lie ahead.

School Uniform & Presentation Policy

I have spoken to a small number of students already regarding haircuts. Please make sure that your child complies with this policy, whether in Primary or Secondary. Ongoing non-compliance means they will be sent home from school until the hairstyle is appropriately addressed. We don’t want to get into this situation, so a quick trip to the hairdressers will save angst and disagreement later.

Child Safe Policy

RJAS is committed to being a safe environment for students, so during the recent Staff Development Days, all teaching staff completed training in the updated Child Protection Program and Child Safe Policy. Links to various policies are publicly available on the website. I will write more about these policies in the next RJ review.

God bless

Mrs Jenny Clay
Deputy Principal  

Please refer to my letter emailed out last Monday that outlines a number of aspects pertaining to Term 3. (uploaded to RJ website)

Our Friday Assemblies resumed last week with 1J bringing us a great presentation on our memory verse for the term from Colossians 3:12, highlighting compassion. 

A special mention and best of luck to our Cantabile Choir as they take part in the Anglican Schools Corporation Choral Festival this Wednesday under the guidance of Miss Shannon-Duhigg at Penrith Anglican College. We know you will do us proud! 

LATE ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL

We still have a number of students arriving after the morning bell at 8:45am. Important information is delivered at our morning lines as well as promoting a settled start to the day with prayer, so please make sure your children arrive before 8:45am. Gates will be locked just before 9am. If your child is late to School for any reason, please accompany them to Primary Reception to sign in as usual. Ring at the Dryden Avenue gate closest to Primary Reception to be buzzed through. 

WINTER ACCESSORIES DAY UPDATE

Oakhurst students raised $675 for Anglicare on the last Friday of Term 2 – thank you so much for your generosity. Over 600 tins were collected to add to food hampers supplied by Anglicare for those less fortunate.

SICKNESS

A reminder to please keep students at home if they are unwell in the morning with symptoms of Covid or Influenza. This saves having to come and pick them up later in the day, as we are being especially vigilant during the current infectious peak and parents will be called. 

YEAR 6 FUN DAY

Last Friday was a special day organised and run by our Year 6 students to raise money for our sponsored children through Compassion. There were a number of fun activities and yummy treats galore. Students were able to purchase tokens and then select their activities/food. A huge thank you to Miss Parata, Mr Hunt, Mr Reed and of course, Year 6 students for their organisation and running of this day. Information on how much was raised in the next RJ Review!

COMPASSION CHILD SPONSORSHIP 

Compassion is a Christian, international, holistic child development organisation. Through their Child Sponsorship Program, more than 2 million children are currently being released from poverty in Jesus’ name. With over six decades of experience, Compassion’s unique approach to solving poverty works: research proves it. 

We will be sponsoring four students in conjunction with the Marsden Park Primary campus.

The names of our sponsor children are; 
• Rio 
• Yuliana  
• Tasya 
• Dion 

Over the coming weeks we hope to make contact with the students and get to know them better.  

REPORTS and PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Semester 1 Reports were made available through Edumate at the end of last term and our Parent/Teacher interviews commence this afternoon and continue to Wednesday afternoon. Unfortunately, bookings for these interviews have now closed. If you did not make a booking and wish to see your child’s class teacher, please email them directly.

PHOTO/ART COMPETITION

As part of RJ’s 25th Anniversary celebrations we are having a photographic/art competition for all age groups. The submitted piece must include the number 25 in some form within the work. Limit of two entries per student. Hand entries in at Primary Reception with name and class details on the back. Closing date Friday 5 August.

HOUSE MEETINGS 

A reminder that this Friday we will be holding House meetings so please send your children in their House shirts on Friday.

Have a great week, 

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg
Head of Primary - Oakhurst

COMPASSION CHILD SPONSORSHIP 

As of this Term, the school is starting to develop a new relationship with Compassion Australia.  

Compassion Child Sponsorship
Compassion is a Christian, international, holistic child development organisation. Through our Child Sponsorship Program, more than 2 million children are currently being released from poverty in Jesus’ name. With over six decades of experience, Compassion’s unique approach to solving poverty works: research proves it.

We will be sponsoring four students in conjunction with the Oakhurst Primary campus. During Thursday’s assembly, the student leadership team introduced us to the students we are sponsoring. 

The names of our sponsor children are; 
• Rio 
• Yuliana  
• Tasya
• Dion  

Over the coming weeks we hope to make contact with the students and get to know them better.  

YEAR 6 FUNDRAISING STALL  

Some photos are attached of the students having a great time serving one another and eating cakes, popcorn and spiders. We raised over $350 for our Compassion sponsor children.  

PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS 

This week (Week 3) will see Parent-Teacher interviews occur on Tuesday and Wednesday. Parents, please note that the ability to book an interview was closed from 8pm Monday 1 August.  

PRIMARY BOOK WEEK – WEEK 5

Primary Book Week, where teachers and children dress up as book characters, has been scheduled for Thursday 25 August (Week 5 of Term 3). Our theme for this year is Disney, as we tie in with our upcoming Primary Musical, ‘The Lion King Jr’ later in the term. You may like to start talking with your child/ren about what book character they would like to dress up as. Emails/Seesaw posts with further details will follow. 

LION KING JNR PRIMARY MUSICAL 

Primary Musical production in September - Week 8. Tickets will be available in the coming weeks so keep an eye on the RJ Review, Teacher Seesaw posts and School emails. You won’t want to miss this!   

UPCOMING TERM 3 EVENTS  

Please see an overview of Term 3 events below. Dates will be confirmed in the note to families in Term 3; 

• Parent Teacher Meetings 
• House Meetings 
• Primary Zone Athletics 
• Year 5 Leadership Program 
• RJ Community Connect 
• Learning Celebrations & National Science Week 
• WSCS Gala Days 
• Book week Parade and CBCA Book Performance 
• Primary Musical – The Lion King 
• Father’s Day Stall  
• Pyjamarama (Year 4 Sleepover now postponed until early term 4)   

ASSEMBLIES

Parents, please arrive by 9 am as the Assembly begins shortly after that. No sign-in is required at the front office and masks are no longer required to be worn. 
Assembly Schedule for Term 2 is as follows: -  

CORRECTION FROM START OF TERM LETTER 

There was a date error in the most recent communication sent to parents regarding the start date for Term 4. To confirm, day one of Term 4 is Monday 10 October. I apologise for the confusion that this may have created.   

HOUSEKEEPING  

• Absences: Please email the absences email address:  absences@rjas.nsw.edu.au or SMS 0438 657 339. 
• Early pick up: To arrange to collect your child early from School please call the Office on the day of the scheduled pick up before 9:00am.  
• Child being picked up by another party: If your child is being picked up by any other person other than parents please call the school before 9:00am or email the names of the person/s and mobile number/s and request that they bring their Drivers Licence as proof of identity.  
• After school care arrangements: If you have arranged after school care please remind your child before dropping them to school. In an emergency please call the office to ensure the message is not missed.  

Mr Luke Sale
Head of Primary - Marsden Park

This will be a great opportunity for our HSC students to present their performances to a live audience in the lead up to their HSC Trials. Please come and support our HSC Music and Drama students for 2022.

Who should attend?

- Family and friends of the Year 12 students
- Year 11 students currently studying Music and Drama
- Year 10 students wanting to study Music and Drama in Year 11 next year
- Anyone from the RJ Community who would like to support our HSC students

HSC Mock Trial Exams

The mock Trial HSC examinations that took place during the holidays were a great success with many of our current Year 12 cohort taking the opportunity to complete Trial papers under exam conditions. I do hope the students continue to revise their work and practice past papers in preparation for their Trial HSC examinations commencing in Week 4.

Parent Teacher Student Interviews and Reports for Years 7-10

The Semester One reports for students in Years 7-10 were published to parents last week, accessible via the Parent Portal on the School's website. The Zoom Parent Teacher Students meetings that took place over the last two weeks created a great chance for discussion to take place. If you were not able to attend or have any questions in relation to a particular subject, please contact the School office to organise a time to speak with the relevant Secondary teacher.

Uniform

I recently asked parents and carers of students in Year 10 to ensure that their child is wearing the correct uniform for sport, whether on Tuesdays or for PDHPE practical lessons, following from a uniform check carried out by staff last Tuesday. This communication promoted discussion between parents, students and the School in relation to what is the correct uniform and if their child was wearing the correct uniform. The School's uniform, the "School Uniform and Presentation Policy", is in the Student Diary and accessible via the school website - https://www.rjas.nsw.edu.au/enrolment/uniform-requirements/.

Students have been reminded that the bag they bring to school needs to follow the Uniform Policy; that is, students are to use the School backpack. The use of branded sports bags and backpacks is not permitted and students will be asked to leave them at home. In ongoing situations where students do not follow the School's uniform expectations, parents/carers will be contacted seeking their assistance. As previously mentioned by Mrs Clay, the Deputy Principal, wearing the uniform well is a positive expression of being part of the school community. Students will be sent home if they refuse to comply.

Students serving others within the School Community and Beyond

It is pleasing to see the number of students wanting to participate in the North West Mission, willing to serve the communities that they will visit. Additionally it is great to see the large number of Service Credits being issued to students during the Secondary assemblies. The willingness to serve others is such a strong expression of community and reflects Jesus' values as seen in Matthew 23:11 and Acts 20:35 where those who serve are viewed as blessed and are considered greater than those who do not. I want to encourage if not challenge all our students to make decisions that look after the interests of others, strengthening the community they are a part of and help make RJ a place to Belong, Serve and Succeed.

Kind Regards,

Mr Brad Maxwell 
Head of Secondary 

We were blessed with exceptional weather, with the sun shining all day. Students participated in various practical activities, including water testing, bird watching and bug catching and identification. All of this data was used to evaluate the health of the wetlands ecosystem and propose future management strategies. Both students and teachers had a fantastic day; for many of these students, this was their first experience of science field studies.

During the final week of the recent School holidays, 78 Primary School aged students from the Richard Johnson Oakhurst and Marsden Park Campuses enjoyed a terrific week long CRU Blast Day Camp facilitated by CRU ( a Christian Schools Ministry Organisation) along with St Mark’s Oakhurst and our School.  Crusaders took overall responsibility for the camp, providing leadership, the fantastic program, advertising, bookings and the Christian Discovery activities. St Mark’s Church provided helpers who co-ordinated the delicious food that the campers enjoyed throughout the week. 

We were also blessed to have Miss Mahaffey, another teacher from Richard Johnson and six of our former students, Erica Hughes, Liana Naidu, Micah Graham, Lani McIntosh, Nikita Kumar and Kartik Kumar returning as senior leaders on the camp. It was wonderful to see our former students using their many gifts and talents throughout the week. Richard Johnson students in Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 were Assistant Leaders during the week, organising and running activities, assisting during the Christian Discovery time through singing, music, drama and helping in discussion groups where the campers discovered more about God’s amazing impossible promises.

The CRU Day Camp ran from 8.00am to 6.00pm each day, with a fabulous range of activities in which the Campers could participate. Some of the activities included Laser Tag, Nerf Wars, scooter ball, the Carnival, Sport, Art/ Craft, dance activities, the Rocket Show, Craft, K-2 visit to Australia Zoo, 3-6 Indoor rock climbing and Low Ropes at  Galston  and the fabulous Christian Discovery Sessions.

The Assistant Leaders from Richard Johnson did a fantastic job during the week, being involved every day from the start to the conclusion of the day’s activities. We had 26 Secondary students from the School involved as Assistant Leaders, which is a testament to the servant hearts of the students of our School. Along with the actual camp, the students also attended up to 4 meetings/ training sessions leading up to the camp. The Camp provided many opportunities for the students to develop and exercise their leadership skills along with the opportunity to develop and share their faith with the Primary students. The Assistant Leaders showed great care, enthusiasm, organisation and commitment during the week and played an integral role in helping the Primary students have a thoroughly enjoyable week with many very positive and lasting memories. Lost property from the camp can be checked by emailing Mr Rowe at school for any items that were lost during the week.

My thanks to Dan Shaw and the other Crusader leaders for their wonderful leadership and facilitation of the Day Camp, to Miss Mahaffey for being a wonderful support during the week, to our RJ senior leaders for their commitment, enthusiasm and encouragement and to Rev Ramsay, Mrs Ramsay and Mrs Fletcher from Oakhurst Anglican Church for their commitment and efforts during the week. Lastly, but definitely not least, thank you to our student Assistant Leaders for everything they did leading up to, and during the Camp. They are a great group of young people who worked tremendously well as a team and were fine ambassadors for our School and their families. 

Our wonderful students were:   

 Stewart Rowe
Director Christian Ministry and Service Learning

Football Gala Day

Unfortunately this Thursday’s Football gala day, which is traditionally held on the same day as the Netball gala day at Jamison Park, has been postponed due to waterlogged pitches. It is unknown when this carnival will be rescheduled.

Zone Athletics Carnival

The rescheduled Zone Athletics carnival has been set for 22 August. It will be held at Parker St Oval, Penrith. If any parents are willing to assist with a job on the track that day, please notify Mr Mitchell  - gmitchell@rjas.nsw.edu.au

K-2 Mini Athletics Carnivals

We look forward to having our K-2 Mini Athletics Carnivals this term at both campuses. The Oakhurst Carnival is scheduled for Thursday 11th August. The Marsden Park Carnival is scheduled for Monday 15th August. More information will be given closer to the date.

OAKHURST CLINICS

All groups that are running this Term commence this week. 

MARSDEN PARK CLINICS

It was great to see the Cricket clinic commence this Monday. All of the boys who participated had a lot of fun.

Unfortunately, there are no soccer clinics this Term due to insufficient numbers at Marsden Park. There will be an additional makeup session for a cancelled wet weather date from Term 2. This will be on the 11th August.

Mr Gavin Mitchell
Primary Sports Leader

What is your favourite food?

Chocolate

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Woodworking

When and why did you come to work at this School?

Start of Term 3

What do you think you will enjoy about your role in the School?

Variety and the fun and friendly team environment

Describe a wonderful experience you’ve had which you’ll never forget.

My wedding day

Why did you become a Christian?

God softened my heart to the gracious sacrifice made be Jesus

What is your favourite bible verse and why?

So many Prov 3:5-6, Romans 12:2, Phil 4:6-7. God has a plan for my life and if I follow Him faithfully, He will give me rest.

What is something you want to achieve?

Psychology Degree

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

Tim Keller – His way of explaining the gospel and deep understanding of the word.