29 November 2022

Our little people from K to Year 2 did a splendid job as they presented the essence of the good news in their mini-musicals. That message is about God sending His son, Jesus, born to the virgin Mary, who eventually grew to be a man and then give His life for the sins of the world so that we can have relationship with our creator God Almighty. A wonderful message for us to ponder at this time of year.

I offer a huge thank you to both Miss Dunn and Miss Shannon-Duhigg and their respective campus teams who assisted with the production and allowed our K-2 stars to shine. It was also wonderful to see so many of our families from both campuses attending the event. If you missed it, please place it on your calendar for 2023!

Year 10 Events

Our Year 10 students had a great time exploring the 1960’s as they participated in dance, trivia, food and dressing up in 1960’s clothing two weeks ago. This week, our Year 10’s will become active in serving others as part of the Year 10 Service Week program organised by Mr Rowe. Thank you Mr Rowe for taking time to prepare this transforming week for our students.

2023 Staff Appointments 

As I mentioned in our last edition, I am delighted to share with you our new staff appointments for 2023. While the education market is thin, God has been ever-faithful to us in supplying our needs for 2023. We still have a couple of positions to fill, but we will continue to believe God for his provision.  As Marsden Park continues to increase its class offerings and as staff retire, choose work closer to home or accept promotional positions etc, please see the list of incoming staff below.

Holiday Period

As we journey through the last two weeks of the school year, I pray that all our families start to plan and look forward to spending time with family and friends over the Christmas period. If you can’t manage to get away for a break, I encourage you to make use of our beautiful city, Sydney, and its wonderful spots for family recreation. It might look like a trip to the beach or a national park, traversing the beautiful Sydney Harbour on a ferry or taking a short trip to the local aquatic centre or a road trip for the day up to the Blue Mountains. Maybe even the local park can even be a great respite for all of the family to get outside and enjoy our summer weather…. and play some cricket!

Whatever you plan to do these holidays, let us remember to keep Christ in the centre of our Christmas and allow the message of His peace and hope radiate through our lives. 

Let me leave you with this lovely passage from chapter 2 of Luke’s Gospel. Two centuries ago, many people were delighted by the birth of Jesus, the Son of God. May you too delight in His gift to us all.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” Luke 2:8-14

To all our RJ families, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Mr Alan Dawson | Principal 

The review report encouraged the school to clarify its focus around student wellbeing and as such, we are adjusting our leadership to our House structure in alignment with the structure of Home Groups. Secondary Stage Welfare roles will be replaced with the introduction of four Head of House roles. It makes logical sense to have a leader who can oversee all the students in a House with a view to their wellbeing and pastoral care. This enables family connections, sibling information and family history to stay within the context of a House and under the oversight of a Head of House leader.

We are also introducing two new roles, Leader of Student Wellbeing (7-9) and Leader of Student Wellbeing (10-12). These roles will come alongside the Heads of House to assist with more serious matters of wellbeing and behaviour as they arise as well as look at the overall Wellbeing program we will have on offer for our Secondary students. I will advise our RJ families of the staff appointed to these roles via our Annual Letter at the end of the year.

The Rev Richard Johnson preached on these verses in the first Christian service to be held in the new colony of NSW. He was encouraging his fellow “First Fleeters” to be grateful to God for everything He had done in bringing them safely to a new land – far from family and the ‘civilised’ world they had left behind. While the text of Johnson’s sermon never survived, I agree with Bishop Ray Smith who said, in his sermon in 2009, that Johnson – in being concerned for his hearer’s physical and spiritual wellbeing – would have certainly preached the gospel. “Trust in God and a personal faith in Jesus Christ would ensure their safe arrival and eternal life in Heaven – the final home and destination of all God’s people.”  

Johnson continues to promote the gospel with urgency in his surviving tract, published some five years later. His God and Saviour is the same as mine, for God is the same yesterday, today and for all time. He was not ashamed of the gospel and he knew that God would direct the destiny of the colony.  As he said, “The Gospel covers the whole revealed will of God recorded in the Bible. The Bible is our only sure and reliable guide. It was given by inspiration of God. Only the Bible contains all that is needful to make us wise unto salvation. All other books, however good and useful, are but of human composition.”

I love to read but the Bible speaks to me more clearly and loudly than any fiction text or self-help book. It contains words of eternal life. On Sunday we entered the season in the Christian calendar known as Advent. As we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ first coming, my question is, will you be ready for his second?

Our Year 12 leaders are busily preparing for the Christmas Mufti to be held next Monday. Each Home Group has chosen their theme and will decorate a Gingerbread House accordingly – it will be very interesting to see how each Home Group chooses to represent this significant event.

Congratulations to all our new leaders! We will look to badge them at our next Assembly on 2 December.

I have been privileged and greatly blessed to have been able to share in the lives of so many young people and their families over the last 21 years. When I first came to RJ, there were just over 60 students in Secondary and we struggled with enrolments for some time, as the reputation of the school was established and the local community saw that investing in a low fee-paying independent school was worthwhile. There have been some very sad times - the death of staff members or students is always a struggle as we grieve together for what might have been in their lives. No-one ever has the right words to say to students who have lost parents or grandparents or close family either. That is the world in which we live – life is precious and the time we have should be treasured. But  I also remember times of great joy and laughter - when the “first” son or daughter completed Year 12, the first in their family to do so, or the first to go to University. The success in a student’s eyes when something I said ‘clicked’, or a change they had tried to make. Their sense of self-worth and how it changed over time…my list could go on. These are all meaningful and personal memories for me. This year I’ve experienced lots of “lasts”, but that in itself is a joy. God has been faithful in honouring a school and community and staff and students who honour Him.  Next year will be my first year of “retirement”. I don’t know what that means, but I pray that will be another time of blessing and joy as I start a new season in my life. I have a few things in mind – writing is one – but I will see where the Lord leads. 

I leave you with Richard Johnson’s words from his tract:

“But I speak to you as men and women, as intelligent creatures, possessed of understanding and reason. Seek now then, above all things, and interest in the blessings of the gospel. Now is the time to obtain the blessings revealed in the gospel, and which are set before you when it is preached.”

The First Christian Service in Australia

May your Christmas be a time of joy and celebration as we reflect on the most precious gift of all. May there be room for Jesus in the manger of our heart.

God bless

Mrs Jenny Clay
Deputy Principal  

TOYS ‘N TUCKER

Thank you so much for the generous donations to this Christmas appeal through Anglicare. A total of 64 boxes with 5 large bags of over-sized toys were packed by our Primary Student Forum last Friday and collected by the Anglicare van yesterday. These donations will be used in hampers to help disadvantaged families have some joy this Christmas.

K-2 TWILIGHT NATIVITY EVENT

Last Friday we enjoyed a lovely evening picnic and wonderful Nativity presentation from our youngest students in the Primary Courtyard. The ‘Big Little Nativity’ mini musical was a hit and reminded us of the true meaning of the celebration of our Saviour’s birth at Christmas. A special thank you to Miss S-D and the Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 teachers plus Mrs McCormick and Mr Reed for bringing this all to fruition.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION 

This Friday 2nd December, we formally acknowledge the achievement 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 School Hall. Parents of Year 6 students are welcome to attend.

Students wear their Summer Uniform. Girls’ dresses should be knee length. Shoes should be neatly polished, and hair styled in a neat, School-appropriate style as per the Uniform Policy. 2022 Leadership badges should be worn. Students need to bring along suitable swimming gear for water park activities to follow later in the day. Morning tea and lunch are provided. 

PARENT HELPERS IN 2022

I would like to acknowledge the parents who have helped us throughout 2022. It has been lovely to have had parents and grandparents in classrooms for InitiaLit and Reading groups, assisting with excursions and special events, and more. Thank you so much for the generous sharing of your time to assist our students. We really appreciate it!

PRIMARY PRESENTATION EVENT – OAKHURST CAMPUS

Primary Presentation Event will be held on Wednesday 7th December in the School Hall commencing at 1pm. School will finish at normal time this day. Semester 2 Reports will be available via the Edumate portal this day. (No hard copies sent home unless requested via your child’s class teacher). Parents of prizewinners will be notified this week. There is a limit of 2 adults per student to attend and a registration form must be completed prior to the event.

We will celebrate the achievements of Primary students throughout the 2022 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 must wear their Summer Uniform. Girls’ dresses should be knee length. Shoes should be neatly polished, and hair styled in a neat, School-appropriate style as per the Uniform Policy. 

CHRISTMAS MUFTI-DAY 

Primary students may wear Christmas coloured mufti (red, green and white) on the last day of School, Thursday 8 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. Please send in a gold coin donation with your child for our Compassion sponsor children. A reminder that sending in Christmas cards with your child for their friends during the last week is fine, but please no candy canes or other gifts for classmates should be brought to School.

SCHOOL UNIFORM 2023

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 Oakhurst Primary Staff wish all families a safe and Jesus-centred 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.

Enjoy the rest of your week,

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg
Head of Primary - Oakhurst

During my introduction to the event, I talked about those families who have been here since the beginning and have walked along with us. Last night’s community event continues to solidify our intention to be part of the Marsden Park community. We want to put the students front and centre and at the heart of our actions. It was amazing to see such confidence and talent throughout the performance. However, such an event couldn’t have happened without the hard work and dedication of the teaching staff to ensure that children are ready to perform. The intention is that we keep holding these events in the future. Thank you for being so supportive, as it was amazing to see how well-attended the event was. 

Toys 'n' Tucker  

This week was a special week where students showed their desire to serve and share with their community. We had over 15 boxes that were donated for the Toys 'n' Tucker initiative. Each classroom provided a generous amount of gifts. Anglicare aims to provide greatly needed support to many thousands of families across the Sydney area. This is an important tradition of RJ that we need to keep, as we are saying to students that learning can happen in the context of service. Further to that, we also want students to be aware of the Christian context of serving expressed in the following Bible verse.  

Romans 12:1 
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 

Thank you again for your participation in Toys ‘n’ Tucker.  

Assemblies 

While class assemblies are finished, there are still plenty of other opportunities to share with us over the coming weeks though. This includes Year 6 Graduation and the Marsden Park Presentation Event which is listed below.  

Year 6 Graduation and Activity Day 

Year 6 graduation will occur on Friday. A communication has been sent home for students who are involved in those events.   

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 Event 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 many parents can support us for this celebration of learning at RJ.  

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.

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 mpadmin@rjas.nsw.edu.au 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:  absences@rjas.nsw.edu.au or SMS 0438 657 339. 
• Student Medication: Students are not to have any form of medication 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

Inappropriate use of the Internet

Late last week I met with students in Year 9 and 10 to discuss concerning behaviour in relation to accessing a social media website that allows strangers to able to connect via video streaming. While the firewall provided by the school prevents access to sites that are potentially harmful, some students have been hot spotting via their mobile phones and in some cases they have installed software designed to bypass our security settings which enables them to access what should be blocked websites. One particular social media site that has been accessed has no age restriction, allows complete anonymity and does not filter any content that is transmitted / shared. One of the most concerning aspects of students accessing this type of website is the ability of a unknown adult to record and take photos of students who were part of the video streaming. I encourage parents to continue to talk with their children in relation to safe use of the internet, particularly in relation to social media sites of this nature.

End of Term - End of the School Year

It does seem that every year the end of Term Four seems to approach us faster than before. It is hard to believe that there is only one week left of the school year for 2022. With that in mind I bring to the attention of the RJ Community some important housekeeping events and reminders regarding the end of the term.

Textbook Return for Years 7-10 has already commenced, please see the dates below, with Year 12 of 2023 not needing to return their textbooks.

Locker Cleanout will take place in Period Four Tuesday 6 December. Lockers must be left empty during the holiday break and students are reminded that they will not be using the same locker in 2023.

Combination Lock Return will take place on Thursday 8 December BEFORE the presentation event, with all students returning their locks to their Home Group Teacher. The locks will be placed in a labelled snap lock bag and returned to students at the start of 2023. Any student that will be absent  in Week 9 due to approved leave must empty their locker and give their lock to their Home Group teacher before their leave commences. It is extremely unhelpful to have lockers left locked and unemptied over the holidays as it hinders any cleaning and movement of lockers that needs to take place.

The Summer Reading Challenge is on again this year where students will be awarded a certificate in 2023 if they read and record the information regarding two or more novels over the Christmas break. Once textbooks returns are complete The Hub will be open for holiday borrowing.

Secondary Water Park Fun Day takes place on Wednesday 7 December. It will be a great day for students to challenge themselves in the Cable Park and Water Park, as well as relax around the water. Parents are reminded that students will only be able to participate in water based activities if the permission was granted through the TryBooking link sent out earlier this term. 

The Secondary Presentation Event takes place at 1pm on Thursday 8 December in the Hall. Communication regarding parents attending the event will be shared in the coming days. Congratulations to those who will be recognised for their achievements at RJ this year.

I do hope and pray that all of the RJ Community has a safe and restful holidays, while taking the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Luke 2:11 "Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." Remembering that Jesus was indeed born and is our Saviour and Lord.

Mr Brad Maxwell 
Head of Secondary 

I would just like to say thank you to the Stage 4 students, their families, Home Group teachers and Staff members for their support of Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child. A special thank you to students in Stage 5 and 6 who, despite this being primarily a Stage 4 initiative, generously supplied items and donations.

We are excited to send over 210 filled shoeboxes with donations of over $200, which will help greatly with the costs of delivering the boxes overseas. This is a tremendous effort on the part of everyone involved. Also, a big thank you to our Service -Learning Captains Stela Kaway, Jaeda Mohtaj, Amber Bell and Logan Nicholson for their enthusiasm and leadership in this project.

We pray that these Christmas boxes will bring great joy to the children who receive them and help them to know how much God loves them. 

Stewart Rowe  Service Learning Co-ordinator

Moree Flood Relief Fund Raising BBQ

Back in October, the North West Mission team visited Moree as part of the Mission trip, having a wonderful time partnering with the Strahan family in their ministry. Shortly after we returned, Moree was one of the areas severely affected by the floods which have ravaged many towns in country NSW.

The Service Captains and the NWM team wanted to do something to support our new friends in the North West and suggested that a BBQ be held to raise funds to send to Ephraim House, the charity that the Strahan family work with, to then distribute to some of the families who are still recovering from the effects of the flood.

Many students ordered sausage sandwiches and soft drink spiders and the students raised over $1100 to send to the Strahans. Thank you to the students who participated in the BBQ and a special thank you to our wonderful Service Captains and Service Team, and NWM team members who co-ordinated and ran the BBQ. The team would also like to thank Ms Hunter who organised the preparation and cooking of the BBQ.    

Secondary Student Leaders for the Stage 3 Teen Ranch Camps - 2023

Secondary students who are in Year 8 and 9 in 2022 are encouraged to apply to be Secondary Student Leaders on the Stage 3 Teen Ranch Camp for 2023. This is a great opportunity for Secondary Students to be Student Leaders on an overnight camp and the applications are being conducted now as there is only a small window of opportunity at the start of 2023.

The dates for the Stage 3 Camp are Wednesday – Friday 8-10 February, very early in Term 1.

Students in Year 9 in 2023 will accompany the Year 5 students for the first night (8 Feb). Students in Year 10 in 2023  will accompany the Year 6 students for both nights. (8-9 Feb)

Application Forms are available from Mr Rowe in D Block staffroom or from Student Reception. They are due back by Friday of this week.

If you have a child in Year 8 or 9 this year, please talk with them about applying for this great opportunity to serve and grow in their leadership. 

The applications will then be short-listed and students will have a short interview in Week 9, with the students who are chosen being notified before the end of the year.

Mr Stewart Rowe
Director of Service Learning/Ministry

While we have been affected by the weather at the beginning of the year, seeing the smiles on the students faces while they have enjoyed various physical endeavours has been lovely to see.

There are a few changes that have come from our governing body, CSSA, in 2023 that you need to be aware of. These relate to the following sports:

• Swimming – to fall in line with CIS sport, the 8, 9 and 10 year old breaststroke and backstroke will no longer be individual age events at Zone level and up in 2023. This will mean that these events will be a Junior division (similar to butterfly presently). This will mean a Junior division for our 2023 Primary Swimming Carnival but I will still keep age records for the individual age events.

• Swimming – those swimmers who compete in the Zone Swimming Carnival in the 100m freestyle and 200IM will only qualify for CSSA State if they are in the top 20 times across all CSSA Zones for those individual events. 

• Swimming – the CSSA State Carnival will be moving to SOPAC at Homebush as we have outgrown the venue at Blacktown. Unfortunately this will mean a twilight carnival for our students. This event is scheduled to commence at 4pm and conclude around 8pm.

• Boys Football – the local Zone Gala Day will have a change as well with only the winner of the Zone in Stage 2 and Stage 3 progressing to the State finals. Stage 2 will play on a half size pitch while Stage 3 will play on a full size pitch.

Mr Gavin Mitchell
Primary Sports Leader

CSSA BASKETBALL GALA DAY

On Monday 21 November, a group of Stage 2 boys and girls went to the CSSA Basketball Gala Day at the Penrith Basketball Stadium to compete against other Christian Schools from around the State. Even though our games were tough, our RJ students worked so well and learnt a lot about how to persist and work together as a team. Our boys came 3rd in their round of the competition but just missed out on making it to the semi-finals. It was a great day and such a good opportunity to represent our School in sport.

Mrs Anita Wells
Primary Teaching Staff