1 November 2022

I’m particularly looking forward to meeting our new Year 7 (2023) students on Thursday this week as they commence their orientation to our School; introducing prospective families to our Marsden Park Campus at our Open Morning this Saturday; and badging our new senior student leaders next week. 

I am even starting to get excited for our K-2 students who will perform in their Twilight event later this month and being that proud Principal who will celebrate with the rest of our community the students across Kindergarten to Year 12 who have improved and made great advancements throughout 2022 as we approach our Presentation Events. It’s an exciting time of the year, albeit a busy one. 

As a Christian educational community, founded on the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we endeavour to foster learning excellence and provide opportunity for students to develop their character and identity in Christ. As a 10 year old, sometime ago now, I came to know of Jesus Christ and accepted Him as my Lord and Saviour. In the time since making that initial decision to walk with God, I have learned to trust in Him and rely on His grace each and every day of my life.

In the midst of a very busy term and as we make our way through to the Christmas season, I am comforted to know that our God Almighty is sovereign and loving towards us all as seen in Psalm 71. Here are a couple of verses from that Psalm to encourage you all.

I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and grey,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.
Psalm 71:16-18

What an awesome privilege we have to make a positive and meaningful difference in the life of every RJ student each day. Our staff do an amazing job of caring for your children and ensuring they are known by name. 

May we all come to learn of God’s great love for each one of us, proclaim of His marvellous deeds, and understand that He too knows us by name.

God Bless,

Mr Alan Dawson | Principal 

Mrs Cocks reported that it was a great day and everyone enjoyed the thought provoking content and energy of the day. Our leaders will be badged at the Assembly on 18 November. In the meantime I know many groups have already started to organise various proposals and collect suggestions from their peers for ways they can serve and build a sense of belonging in the School community in 2023.

Our Performing Arts Vice-Captain, Jack Izzard, had the opportunity during the last holidays to travel interstate as a member of the Premier’s ANZAC Memorial Scholarship Tour. Jack has written an article for the RJ Review this week – it was a fascinating opportunity and we congratulate him for his selection and involvement.

General Knowledge

Congratulations to our Primary General Knowledge Winners for Term 3! They are:

Oakhurst

Stage 2

1. Madina T Daniel’s  Lions 4R           

2. Mia F Noah’s Sharks 4J           

2. Mark B David’s Rams 4J            

Stage 3

1. Joshua C Isaiah’s Eagles 5J            

2. Brandan M David’s Rams 5J           

2. Trinity C Daniel’s Lions 6J           

Marsden Park

Stage 2

1. Raina C 4M Isaiah’s Eagles    

2. Ruby H 4M Daniel’s Lions     

3. Rithu R 3P David’s Rams & Emily N 4P Isaiah’s Eagles  

Stage 3

1. Ryan H David’s Rams     

2. Joseph C Isaiah’s Eagles    

RJ Reads

This is a great initiative of the English faculty and leads to a myriad of different books being recommended. We have such diverse interests, which is wonderful! If you are looking for some good reading recommendations, then I’ll suggest The  Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri and  Exiles by Jane Harper (author of The Dry). They are two very different stories and settings – one follows the traumatic journey of Syrian refugees fleeing Aleppo as their lives, family and friendships are torn apart through civil war; the other is set in regional South Australia and – as always with Harper’s books – the language is evocative of the Australian landscape. I have only just started Exiles but it has the same haunting atmosphere of her earlier books, which have been widely acclaimed. I didn’t know what to expect when I read Lefteri’s book, only knowing that it was highly regarded, but by the end I shed some tears, and that speaks to the emotional power of the book. So many of us have such a media filtered understanding of the plight of refugees, that we are immune to really understanding their hardships and the mental and physical trauma of war-torn worlds. Lefteri’s book takes you on their journey and confronts the reader with experiences built not from one individual’s tale, but the stories of many. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it on the HSC list in a few years’ time.

Sporting and Cultural Medallions

For the past two years we have been unable to award Sporting and Cultural medallions, as the range of events and activities had been seriously impacted by COVID restrictions and cancellations. There was not equal opportunity for all.

The good news is that in 2022 we have been able to reintroduce the medallions and Mrs Champion has worked very hard to compile the list of medallion recipients, based on the criteria the school has set for many years. Students accrue points depending on their level of representation at School events, activities and competitions. A list of award winners will be published in the next RJ Review.

God bless

Mrs Jenny Clay
Deputy Principal  

Year 4 Pyjamarama which was carried over from last term, took place last weekend. The students enjoyed a yummy BBQ dinner cooked by our amazing parent volunteers, team tabloid games, the traditional slipper parade in The Hive and a movie with popcorn before bedtime. A trip over the road to McDonalds for breakfast completed another successful Pyjamarama event. Special thanks to Mr Reed, Mrs Girgis, Mrs Fiore and Mrs McCormick.

Our inaugural ‘Buzzy Books’ took place last Tuesday morning up in The Hive. This initiative is aimed at our new Kindergarten enrolments for 2023 to promote the love of reading and help our newest students become familiar with their new ‘big school’. This will continue for the next few Tuesdays at 8am.

Swim school got off to a great start last Wednesday for K-2 students at nearby Little Fishes indoor pool centre. This will continue for the next 3 weeks. Please think about building on these learn-to-swim lessons by enrolling your child for further instruction over the summer break. Contact your Local Government-run pool and inquire about swimming lessons for children.

FAREWELL MRS BICHESCU

We farewelled our lovely 2R teacher, Mrs Melissa Bichescu, last week as she excitedly awaits the birth of her first child. We welcome Miss Jordan Foster who has ably stepped in to take 2R for the remainder of the year.

AFTERNOON PICK-UP SUPERVISION

A reminder that after school pick-up supervision finishes at 3:40pm. Please be punctual in picking up your children. Any students not picked up by 3:40pm will be taken to Primary Reception and parents phoned.

TOYS ‘N TUCKER

Toys 'n' Tucker Anglicare Sydney provides a way for churches, schools, businesses and community groups to share the joy of Christmas and demonstrate God’s love by providing food and gifts for those who would otherwise go without. Both Primary campuses will be collecting for this worthwhile cause. In 2022 Anglicare’s goal is to distribute 5000 food hampers and 4000 toy hampers to families in need this Christmas. There will be baskets in each classroom for donations of non-perishable food items and toys in good condition. The Anglicare van will collect our donations in Week 8 of term.

ABSENCES AND LEAVE DURING TERM TIME

A reminder that any leave taken during term time that is not sickness related, must be approved by our Principal, Mr Dawson. Teachers are not required to set work for students who take leave outside of school holiday periods. Please consider carefully  before taking your children out of School as catching up on missed content is not always easy. We also have a number of families with concerning high student absenteeism. School attendance is mandatory in NSW and students who continue to miss School regularly will have parents contacted by our Deputy Principal for medical certificates and/or explanations.

WHAT’S COMING UP?

Ahead in Weeks 4 and 5 we have – 

Primary Captain Interviews
Tuesday 1 November  (selected Yr 5 students)

Year 7 Orientation Day
Thursday 3 November (current Yr 6 students)

Year 7 2023 for a day
Thursday 10 November  (current Yr 6 students)

I love this time of year in Sydney, with the beautiful jacaranda trees coming into bloom.

Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.
Song of Songs 2:12

Enjoy the rest of your week,

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg
Head of Primary - Oakhurst

We have continued at the fast pace that we started. A highlight has been the RickyJ’s and Kindergarten farm incursions. This was an opportunity for young children to interact with various farm animals, including ducks, chickens and a goat. What was interesting was to see some students enjoy the experience and be engaged with a completely different type of learning. This last week also saw potential house leaders give speeches to each of their houses about becoming house leaders for 2023.   

Pyjamarama 

Pyjamarama was held and a fantastic time was had by Year 4 students on Friday night and Saturday morning. We were ably assisted by Year 8, 10 and 11 students from the Oakhurst campus. A mixture of Year 10 and 11 students helped to run some games in the evening which provided lots of opportunity for fun and excitement.

Learning Outside the classroom  

This week Stage 3 investigated a new style of artwork called Rangoli. Students were highly engaged during the activity.  

Student quotes on the artwork 

In Art we used chalk to make Rangoli on the concrete in the Primary Plaza. My group used red, green, blue, yellow, brown, and purple. First, we drew one circle in the centre of one of the concrete squares, then drew circles around the first one. Lastly, we coloured it in. -Joseph C 

I personally really enjoyed the Rangoli art, and although it was a bit challenging toward the end, as my team was running out of time, I was so happy with the finished product. Overall, even though it was slightly stressful to finish it in time, I really thought it was a great experience. ‘Our one looked like a sunset, one part bright and sunny, the other half dark.’ -Selah K 

Marsden Park Primary – Presentation Event, Monday 5 December 1 pm. 

It is with great pleasure that I can announce that the 2022 final assembly and award presentation will take place at the Marsden Park Campus. The school Executive believes that this is an important step forward for the Marsden Park community and it is my hope that as many parents can support us for this celebration of learning at RJ. 

Swim School  

A continued reminder that Students in Years K-2 will be attending swim school. This provides children with an opportunity to develop their swim safety skills. Information regarding this event will be issued separately. Classes will be travelling in class groups to Little Fishes at Oakhurst. As a general reminder, please be aware to label all your child’s clothing, including their swimming costume and towel.  

Term 4 Events (Still to come)

Please see an overview of Term 4 events below. Dates will be confirmed in the note to families in Term 4.

Assemblies
Assembly Schedule for term 4 is as follows: -  
We will be looking specifically at Isaiah 9:6-7.  

Parents, please arrive by 9am as the assembly being shortly after that. No sign-in is required at the front office, and masks are no longer required to be worn.

Housekeeping  

• Friday Lunch Order Cancellations: Please be aware that any orders cancelled on Friday mornings are non-refundable.
• Contact Details: From time to time, phone and contact details can change. If that is the case, please contact the school if you changed any contact details i.e. mobile numbers, email addresses or home addresses, please contact the school via email on [email protected] or the Parent Portal. 
• School Uniform: Students should be wearing their full Summer Uniform in Term 4. To protect students from harmful UV rays, all Primary students must wear their hats at school daily. Students may wear the Primary broad-brimmed hat or legionnaire cap during Recess and Lunch breaks and during PE/Sports lessons as per the Compulsory School Uniform and Student Presentation Policy. Please ensure hats, like all uniform items, are clearly labelled with your child’s name. 
• Absences: Please email the absences email address:  [email protected] or SMS 0438 657 339. 
• Student Medication: Students are not to have any form of mediation in their school bags be it anti-histamine, Panadol, ointments etc. Only Asthma Puffers and diabetic medication are the exception. All other medication is to be brought to the office for safe keeping and a permission form filled in which can be found on our website under resources.     
• After school care arrangements: If you have arranged after school care, please remind your child before dropping them to school. Please call the office to ensure the message is not missed in an emergency.  

Mr Luke Sale
Head of Primary - Marsden Park

They were inspired by God’s amazing creation as they taken through space; all the way from our planet, our Solar System, and right out to our galaxy; The Milky Way. Students consolidated their learning from class on Earth and Space and were captured by Indigenous stories of the stars. Upon completion, student’s minds were buzzing with fascinating questions and exciting reflections.  I wonder what they can recall about our awe inspiring galaxy!

Mrs Job spoke to us about the importance of graphic design in written communication. We learned some techniques that would help us make text more appealing and engaging for a reading audience. RJ Writers meet every Friday at Recess with Mrs McCormick to create and publish texts. We are looking forward to putting the skills Mrs Job has taught us into practice!

Mrs Claire McCormick
Primary Teaching & Learning Leader

It will be an exciting time for both the students and staff involved as we prepare their commencement in the Secondary Section next year. Parents of students starting Year 7 next year have received information regarding the orientation days via email.

Well done to our Year 10 students who successfully completed their Semester Two exams last week. I do hope that all our students in Secondary are able complete their assessments to the best of their ability over the coming weeks. Our Year 12 students will be completing their final HSC exams across this week, with some finishing their exams last week. As always our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time. 

It was pleasing to see the number of interviews (via Zoom) that took place last week for our Year 11 students, their parents and teachers. If you were unable to attend the interviews and wish to speak with a teacher please contact main reception to organise a time for a phone call to take place. 

Next week will see our Year 12 students back on campus on Wednesday 9 November to return their textbooks and clean out their locker one final time. Leadership Handover will also take place on that day with the departing student leaders meeting with the incoming student leadership team for 2023. I am certain that our Year 12 students (and RJ staff) are looking forward to Friday 11 November, when the Year 12 Formal takes place from 5:30pm at Novella on the Park.

It has been pleasing to see an improvement in the number of students using the correct bags, the RJ Backpack and RJ laptop bags. Staff will continue to monitor all aspects of the RJ uniform and be in communication with students and parents if an area of uniform or student presentation needs attention. Students are reminded they are to wear the RJ sports cap at breaktimes and for all PDHPE practical lessons and Tuesday sport, to ensure they are permitted to be out and about on the playground, particularly the sports fields. 

Sadly the issue of rubbish being left behind by students after recess and lunch has been raised again, particularly around the canteen area. Students have been reminded of their need to clean up after themselves and ensure that their friends do the same, making sure they leave the playground free of their rubbish. There are plenty of bins available to be used, it would sad to have students have their break times used to clean up. 

As we progress further in to the term both parents and students are encouraged to read all communication regarding the upcoming events and ensure that any permission that is needing to be given is provided on time. As always if you have any questions please contact the school as soon as you can. 

MAKE GREAT STUDY NOTES

With exam time approaching it is time to seriously think about making study notes – especially if you haven’t been doing them regularly throughout the year. Find out what topics will be tested, make a quick mind map of each topic so you can see an overview of what you need to learn, then start making point form notes about what you need to learn and remember for the exam. You want to make your study notes as soon as possible so you have ample time to learn them and to do lots of practise questions.

Top 5 Tips to Improve Your Notes:

1. POINTS: Avoid long sentences and condense content into key points.

2. TABLES: Use tables wherever you can to create structure and make the content easier to learn.

3. KEY WORDS: Pull out key words and capitalise them (as shown in this list).

4. HIGHLIGHT: Make sure the main content stands out (but don’t go crazy with colour).

5. FEEDBACK: Show your notes to teachers, parents and friends so they can suggest ways to improve them.

You can learn more about making great study notes in the SUMMARISING unit of www.studyskillshandbook.com.au and in the Study Samurai Video Library by logging in with these details:

Username: [email protected]
Password: success21

Mr Brad Maxwell 
Head of Secondary 

Along with nineteen other students from across the state I was chosen to be a part of the Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship (PAMS). A fourteen-day tour studying and visiting various places connected to our rich Australian military history. 

Before embarking, the scholars met at the Anzac Memorial during the winter holidays. It was a great day in which we were got our first insights into the tour, as well as meeting the people who we would spend two weeks with. 

At that meeting we also received our research person who we would present while on tour. I was given Juan Roque Cubillo (known as John), who died during the Bombing of Darwin on the 19th of February 1942. John was a wharfie and played a key civilian service role by unloading ships in Darwin Harbour that had brought vital war material and supplies. Despite being a civilian, he devoted himself to service of his country, a devotion that cost him his life. 

John had a family of nine children and a loving wife, Lousia. They had been evacuated the day before to Katherine, over 310 kilometres south from Darwin. John was the breadwinner of the family, making his loss even more felt with the unimaginable grief the family would have been hit with when they were given the news of the events in Darwin on that fateful day.

On our first day in Darwin, I had the privilege of being the first presentation in the Northern Territory. While up in the Top End, we heard many more courageous, determined, and self-sacrificing stories about pilots, soldiers and merchant mariners. 

Before going up north, we had been travelling to significant sites such as the Cowra POW Camp. The site of what was a bustling small town of 4000 prisoners of war (predominately Japanese and Italian) – now little more than a big open pasture, bordered by sheep paddocks. Yet, one still could gain a sense of the significance of the place, the aura of it, a sense of lingering presence of the past. 

When we arrived for our final leg in Sydney, a true highlight was the Naval Museum at the Garden Island Naval Base. The Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre is a wonderful institution which has some of the most incredible artefacts that reflect our rich naval history. A standout is a portion of the midget submarine M-22 which attacked Sydney Harbour on that fateful night of the 31st of May – 1st of June 1942. On the boat itself it has dents, not from any bad upkeep, but from depth charges which Australian ships threw at the submarine until it finally sank. The boat was recovered by divers later on, it turned out that the boat itself had not been crippled entirely and the engines were still running. However, for the two men inside they took their lives rather than surrender, as was the Japanese custom during the war. The bodies of those sailors inside, Keiu Matsuo and Masao Tsuzuku, were given a funeral with full naval honours at Rookwood Cemetery. 

This tour was an excellent opportunity. For someone like me who has always had a passion for history and commemoration of those who served, it was once in a lifetime. I encourage any student who is turning either 16 or 17 next year and is passionate about history to definitely apply! 

Jack Izzard
Year 11

With Year 8 students participating as group leaders overnight and secondary students from the Service Team ran activities during the evening. It was exciting that the students were able to help at both the Oakhurst Campus and the Marsden Park Campus for the first time. By serving in this way, all the students had the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, support the teachers on the camp as well as help the Primary students to have a wonderful time. 

The Year 8 students were selected from a great group of applicants to be student helpers for the Year 4 Pyjamarama, while 15 students from Years 9-11 organised and ran activities during the evening for the Year 4 students. The students demonstrated excellent skills, being proactive and enthusiastic, completing the tasks for which they were given very responsibly. They were very supportive of the teachers and helped the Year 4 students to have a great time. All the students are congratulated on their efforts during the evening and overnight. 

The wonderful Year 8 students were:    Hannah J, Brodie O, Jade P, Kenzie S, Angus W, Ronit B, Ryan B, Bronte C, Lisa C, Yashita D, Caitlin E, Isobel G, Emily H, Avriella J, Vaani S, Calvin T I and Zander V

The secondary students who did a fantastic job of organising and running the activities for the evening were:  Isabelle F, Sam B, Elijah S, Lailani W, Jaeda M, Heidi F, Stela K, Abuk D, Grace H, Princess M, Siana W, Kisna P, Jessica H, Bianca B and Amber B. 

The team are thanked for their commitment to, and service of the Primary students by giving up their time to prepare and run the fabulous activities during the evening.

My thanks to all the secondary students who applied for these camps. They are encouraged to continue to look for opportunities to serve others at the School and to further develop their leadership skills. A special thank you to Mrs Reed who supported the secondary leaders at the Oakhurst Campus. Thank you also to the Primary teachers for their support and guidance of the secondary students who were leaders on the camps and Pyjamarama.

Stewart Rowe
Service Learning Co-ordinator

Samaritan’s Purse is a non-profit, Christian organisation providing emergency relief and development assistance to suffering people around the world. Samaritan’s Purse is meeting the physical needs of victims of war, famine, natural disaster, poverty and disease with the aim of demonstrating God’s love and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. The aid and assistance are given without regard to the race, creed, gender, religion, or ethnicity of the beneficiaries. Some of the additional projects that Samaritan’s Purse operates along with Operation Christmas Child are: Water, Sanitation & Hygiene; Health & Nutrition; Education & Vocational Training; People at Risk; Animals & Agriculture Livelihoods and Church Resourcing

All students in Stage 4 will receive a letter that outlines the Operation Christmas Child Program and will encouraged to contribute to the program by bringing in, or collecting items for two of the categories each week. Operation Christmas Child is primarily run in Stage 4, but all students are encouraged to be involved. Special boxes to pack the gifts are available at School from Mr Rowe in the D Block Staffroom. These boxes, and a brochure will be sent home with students in Stage 4 soon so that you can start collecting items from the list at the bottom of this note. The boxes are then distributed to children around the world. 

The process for collecting gifts to pack into a shoe box is as follows:

1. Choose whether your box will be for a boy or girl
2. Choose an age group 2-4, 5-9, 10-14
3. Fill the box with new gifts that fit into the following categories. We are asking that students bring in  or collect one item from two categories each week. 

While donations of whole boxes would be wonderful, you don’t have to fill a whole shoe box if that is not possible. Any donations of new items from the different categories would be greatly appreciated.

We will be checking the boxes at School on Tuesday 22 November. The boxes will then be delivered to the Samaritan’s Purse warehouse at Kings Park, near Blacktown. Please do not include the following: items that leak e.g. toothpaste, shampoo, bubbles, batteries etc; food or lollies of any kind – including vitamins etc; used or damaged items; breakable items e.g. glass mirrors; items that might scare a child e.g. toy guns, military figures; gambling related items e.g. playing cards, play money and dominoes and religious, racial or political items. 

Along with buying goods to go into the shoebox, any donations towards the cost of distributing the boxes around the world would be gratefully received. Samaritan’s Purse have suggested that $10.00 would help greatly towards distributing one box to a child.

Mr Stewart Rowe
Director of Christian Ministry/Service Learning (7-12)

The Olympiad, which is in its 25th year, is among the largest Maths Olympiad bodies in the world. The Online Simulated Maths Olympiad is reserved for Select Schools only, and we have been chosen as one of the Select Schools in Australia. Students in Years 1-12 are invited to participate in the Online Simulated Maths Olympiad, free of charge in 2022.

The Olympiad will be conducted online on 19 November (N.B. in Australia this is a Saturday so parents will need to provide opportunity for their child to complete the Challenge unassisted and under test conditions at home). The results will be declared the following week. 

As RJAS is a Selected School, your child can participate in the Olympiad for free. Parents are required to register their child independently using the login link below

Parents have the option of personally paying for an Enhanced Score Card or Test Practice Papers. These are optional extras and there is no obligation for parents to purchase these resources. You can opt for the ‘Olympiad only’ free version.

To do so, you must first create a login and enrol here using the code (RJA@IMO) in the fees section. This code is for our students only and reduces the fees of any of the 4 Selected School courses by $27, making the first course (‘Olympiad only’) a free version. 

You can find all details regarding the Olympiad here www.international-maths-olympiad.com/selected-schools. The deadline to register your child is 5 November. For any queries, you can directly write to [email protected] 

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs Taylor via email [email protected] or phone on 8806-6300. 

Narelle Taylor
Head of Diverse Learning

Our K-2 students from both campuses really enjoyed their swimming lessons. After their initial grading lessons, they will continue to work on their stroke development and safety in the water. With summer coming up, this is a good opportunity to continue your child’s enthusiasm in the pool with swimming lessons if they have never undertaken them before. This is a crucial skill for all students, especially in a unique country like our own where we are surrounded by water.

Swimming lessons are your child’s sport lesson for the remaining three weeks of swim school. They should be wearing their PE uniform on their gymnastics day and on Wednesday for their swimming  (sport ) lesson. Their sport day will revert to normal at the conclusion of swimming lessons.

Mr Gavin Mitchell
Primary Sports Leader

What is your favourite food?

My favourite food has to be lasagne! 

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

In my spare time I love reading, walking my dog, spending time with my family and participating in dance and drama.

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

I begin my time at RJAS in October 2022 because I have a passion for primary teaching! RJAS has an amazing community of staff who are so welcoming and encouraging, which led me to seek work here.

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

I will enjoy getting to work alongside such faithful staff who are all equally passionate about the Christian faith and spreading the gospel of Jesus! 

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

During the holidays, I lead on Cru camps for high school students. On one camp last year, one of the campers in my discussion group decided to commit her life to God and became a Christian! This experience was so incredible as I saw the work of God change somebody's life! 

Why did you become a Christian?

I grew up in a Christian family but chose to personally commit to Christ after my childhood best friend invited me to a Christian summer holiday camp. On this camp, I fully experienced Jesus and decided to give my life to Him.

What is your favourite bible verse and why?

My favourite Bible verse is Galatians 2:20, as I believe this verse summarises the Christian beliefs and message of the gospel, as well as my personal transformation from choosing to live for Christ. I choose to live my life to glorify God and outwardly and actively serve him because he loved me first and gave up his life for my salvation.

What is something you want to achieve?

I would love to study the Bible more in depth and achieve a degree in Biblical Theology.

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

As someone who loves Drama and acting, I would like to meet Julie Taymor and learn more about the process behind some of her famous works!