Our students have also been introduced to new language and ideas through daily Crew check-ins, sharing locker areas with their house in the Senior School, and for some, new teachers.

With such a busy start to the year, it can be easy for a student to feel as though they’ve been left behind before they’ve had the chance to settle in. This weekend is a great opportunity to check in with your children and see how they are coping with the early pace of school. Asking caring questions and persisting even when responses seem disengaged can be a powerful way to show your children that you genuinely care and want to support them in starting the year well. Sometimes, a little of your positive energy towards a subject or activity they may already be writing off can help you find a solution together.

Any lingering concerns can be brought to Junior School’s “Tell Us About Your Child” evening or the Year 9/10 Information Evening in two weeks' time. For Stage 4 and 6 students, concerns can also be shared with the appropriate teaching or wellbeing staff member. The partnership theme that shone through in the Year 7/8 Information Evening is just as important across all ages and stages of education. We are delighted to partner with you in educating your children, involving them in Life@RJ, and engaging them across all aspects of the College.

Time to refresh

Students, and parents who have visited the campus already, will have noticed that several physical aspects have been updated over the summer. Some of the ways we support wellbeing have also been refreshed, as noted above. This refresh signlas to students that we are seeking continual improvement, both from them and for our College as a whole.

Many of our students have embraced this and are seizing the opportunity to “catch the culture”. However, a few students have returned with some poor habits, paricularly around uniform and jewellery choices. All students from Years 6-12 should now have a College diary, which clearly outlines our expectations. We are unapologetic about the high expectations we set for student presentation.

Please support your children in meeting College expectations if they are not currently doing so. This weekend provides an opportunity for correcting haircuts, shoes, and any unwanted jewellery items. Please also remind your children of the requirement to wear a hat at every break time. Let’s ensure a disciplined and positive start to the year as our students rise to meet the high expectations set for them.

Mr Scott Roby | Deputy Principal

In the last few years, I am sure your children will have talked about their learning muscles, and I know many of you will have our Learning Power shield magnet on the fridge. But I feel it's likely that you have asked yourself how you can help your children with their learning.

The learning muscles we focus on at RJ are:

In each lesson, our teachers, who we like to think of as lead learners, concentrate on stretching and building strength in each learning muscle area in age-appropriate ways.

In practice, this means our learners are given meaningful challenges, time to think, and opportunities to choose how they learn. Our teachers model their own thinking, encourage students to talk about the strategies they are using, and celebrate effort, persistence and thoughtful risk‑taking – not just “getting it right” the first time. Over time, this helps our learners become more independent and better prepared for the complex world beyond school.

How can you help support Learning Power at home?

Parents play an important role in reinforcing what we do in school. This term, I will share a range of ways you can support this, but to get you started, here are a few simple things you might like to try at home:

- Talk about learning, not just marks : “What was something challenging you worked on today?” or “What helped you keep going when it was tricky?”

- Praise the process of learning : notice effort, strategies and improvement: “You kept trying different ways until it worked,” rather than “You’re so smart.”

- Be accepting of mistakes: share examples of times you have learned from a mistake, framing errors as ways to grow.

- Model curiosity: wonder aloud, look things up, and share that you are learning too.

We are excited to start this new year of learning and to continue this journey with you and your children. By working together – College, students and families – we can help our young people develop the learning habits they need to thrive, now and into the future.

Mrs Julia Scrimshaw | Assistant Principal - Head of Academics

Our new Kindergarten classes have made a positive and settled start to ‘big school’, and I’m sure there were a number of weary little people last Monday! 😴

A special welcome to new staff members joining us in the Junior School in 2026 –
Miss Vanessa Stuparu – Learning Support Officer
Miss Shannon-Duhigg (Miss S-D), who was married during the break and is now Mrs Todd ❤️

A number of our staff who are currently on maternity leave will rejoin us during the year -  Mrs Evans, Mrs Bichescu, Mrs Wood and Mrs Holland. We look forward to welcoming them back.

The beginning of Term Parent Information note was emailed to you at the start of the College year. If you missed it, it is on the website: JS Parent Information Letter

PARENT INFORMATION FOR START OF YEAR

A series of video links will be emailed next week outlining important information about each Junior School Stage group, with extra updates on Sport, Curriculum, Technology and Learning Support in 2026. Parents will be able to click on the links relevant to their child’s Year/Stage level. Teachers have also sent additional class information that will assist in timetabling and packing the correct equipment for each day.

Seesaw and Mathletics accounts for 2026 have now been rolled over. Check with your child’s classroom teacher or Mr Reed if there are any Seesaw or Mathletics issues.

Parent/Teacher interviews will be held in Week 4, providing an opportunity to tell your child’s class teacher more about your child and discuss how the first few weeks have been. Online interview booking links will be emailed shortly.

JUNIOR SCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Yesterday Years 3-6 took part in our Swimming Carnival held at Ripples St Mary’s. It was a warm, sunny day and students participated with great enthusiasm. Novelty events, 50 and 25m races, and ice blocks from the canteen were the order of the day. A special thank you to Mr Mitchell for his organisation and running of this event and to the parent helpers who assisted on the day.

THINGS TO ASK YOUR CHILD AFTER SCHOOL

After a long day at school or being away, it can be tough for children to come back home and reconnect with their family. Parents can create opportunities for connection to help children feel seen and heard when they get home.

You could ask them about their day, what they learned, or who they played with. This can help children feel like they have your full attention and that their experiences are valued.

LABELLING UNIFORM ITEMS

New year, new uniform items – please put your child’s name clearly on these, including lunchboxes, drink bottles and containers. We end up with so much lost property at JS Reception 😒 We love name labels!

UNIFORM

We have deliberately commenced the academic year with a strong emphasis on adherence to our College Uniform & Presentation Policy , in particular - jewellery, school shoe styles and hairstyles. Please make yourself familiar with RJ’s uniform expectations and make any uniform adjustments if reminders are sent home with your child. We want to foster pride in our College and our appearance.

HOLIDAYS IN TERM TIME

A reminder that any leave outside school holiday time needs to be approved by the Principal ( Extended Absences Form ). Teachers are not expected to provide work for students away during term time. The start of the College year is very important for the setting up of routines and establishing connections. I strongly encourage families to return from trips before the start of Term 1 each year.

ASTHMA/ANAPHYLAXIS/ALLERGY PLANS

If your child has a medical plan for any of the above conditions, please have this updated by your GP for 2026 and provide the Junior School Reception staff with a copy as soon as possible.

MOBILE PHONES

Junior School students who bring a mobile phone to school must hand it in at Junior School Reception in the morning and collect it at the end of the school day. JS students found using a mobile phone on College grounds will have it confiscated, and parents will be notified to come and collect the phone from Reception. The College does not accept any liability for lost or stolen phones brought to school. Smart watches with phone capabilities are not part of the College uniform and students wearing these will be issued with a uniform infringement note.

DROP OFF AND PICK UP

We ask all parents to co-operate in the matter of punctuality regarding bringing and collecting their child/ren from the College. No child should arrive at school before 8.00am or remain after 3.40pm.

• Mornings - Staff are on duty in the morning from 8.00am. Supervision between 8.00-8.15am will occur near the canteen. From 8:15am students can move to play areas supervised by Junior School teachers. Please drop your children at the Dryden Ave gates or the Turnaround area.

• Afternoons – Students can be picked up from the base of the Grass area (enter via Jersey Rd gate), Dryden Ave, Turnaround or meet Senior School siblings on the Hardcourt. Students attending after school care are escorted to the relevant Church buildings.

A reminder that the Dryden Ave pick up is the busiest one and is best for children who can access vehicles independently . We do not want parents exiting cars to assist children into seats as this substantially slows the pick-up process. Please use the Turnaround option if you need to assist your child into a vehicle.

Kindergarten children may be collected from the Courtyard area at 3.00pm in Weeks 2 and 3 if being picked-up by parents/carers. Enter via lower Dryden Ave or Jersey Rd gates.

COMING UP...

New students photo day:   Thurs 12 February
Tell us about your child Parent/ meetings:   Tues-Wed 17-18 February

We look forward to a happy Term 1!

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg | Head of Junior School

Week One

The beginning of the school year is always a busy time as students and families adjust to new routines both at home and at the College. By the time you read this, all Senior School students will have received their timetable, locker, combination lock and student diary—and should now be settling into these routines with confidence.

Introducing Crew Initiative

The College has introduced Crew and Crew Leaders , replacing the previous Home Group and Home Group Teacher structure.
Each student belongs to a Crew that meets for daily Check-In and gathers for Crew Time for two to three lessons each fortnight.
In Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8), each House has three Crews, with approximately 18 students in each one, smaller than Home Groups last year.
The Crew Leader is the primary point of contact for parents and carers.
This change highlights our commitment to ensuring every student feels known, supported and accountable within a trusted small group.

Learning Power at RJ

As students engage in their learning, we encourage them to be courageous—willing to take risks and understand that mistakes are a natural part of the learning journey.
This year, we will continue to focus on the development of students’ learning muscles :

- Resourcefulness
- Reciprocity
- Reflectiveness
- Resilience
- Relationships

We look forward to seeing students demonstrate these skills both at school and in their wider pursuits.

Student Diaries

As we settle into Term One, we remind parents/carers and students of the following expectations:
- Students are required to write in their diary every lesson, every day .
- Diaries must be read and signed weekly by a parent or carer.
- Students must use their allocated locker and the College-issued combination lock .

Upcoming Events

Years 9 & 10 Information Night – Wednesday 18 February (Week 4)
Important information about the upcoming Year 9 and 10 Camps will be shared.

Year 7 Camp – Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 February (Week 4)
Please keep an eye on the RJ App for updates and permission requirements for all activities.

Expectations of Students

We maintain high expectations for all students, particularly in relation to the College Uniform and Presentation Policy . We appreciate your support in ensuring students wear the correct uniform consistently and with pride.

While it may be acceptable in some social settings for teenagers to photograph/film each other and share the files with each other /to social media, it is not the case when they are wearing RJ uniform and/or attending RJ events. Student are not permitted to film or photograph their peers/staff using their mobile phones or laptops.

These expectations have been put in place to protect the privacy of our students as well as protect the image and reputation of the College.

Looking Ahead

I am looking forward to seeing our students engage positively in their learning—whether in the classroom, on the sporting field, or through the wide range of co-curricular activities offered at the College. I hope and pray that they will come to know their God given abilities and interests and strive to be a positive contributor to their Crew, their House and the College as a whole, reflecting the direction given to us in 1 Peter 4:10, where we are encouraged to use our gifts and abilities to the benefit of those around us.

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s Crew Leader as soon as possible.

Looking forward to a great year at RJ, one full of challenge, learning and growth.

Mr Brad Maxwell | Head of Senior School

Parent Ambassadors primarily facilitate their Year Group’s Facebook page, ensuring discussions remain positive and respectful. They are not expected to answer every question but may occasionally post reminders or helpful updates.

Each K-7 Year Group will have one Parent Ambassador. (Ideally, a Kindergarten Ambassador will also have an older child at RJ.) Some of our long-term Ambassadors are happy to hand over the role if others would like to step in.

Ambassadors are encouraged to:

✅ Attend RJ Community Connect events to meet and support families.

✅ Help rally volunteers for College fundraisers (e.g. Mother’s Day Stall)

✅ Promote engagement in College activities such as the Trivia Night and the Spring Festival .

For more information, refer to Mr Dawson’s letter (link)

How to Apply:

If you are interested (current Ambassadors are welcome to reapply), please submit your Expression of Interest via the link below by 9:00am, Monday, 16 February .

📌 Expression of Interest Link

The strongest friendships are built on small, shared moments of trust, exactly what happens when students learn music together. Through our Fine Arts clubs, groups and ensembles, every rehearsal, mistake, and success adds another layer of connection. Through learning in dance,  drama, music and visual arts, students have the opportunity to form friendships across the College community, grounded in empathy, respect, teamwork, and trust.

We have commenced another exciting year at RJ for all students in the performing and visual arts. For some, this marks the beginning of a journey with new experiences and activities; for others, it is an opportunity to continue to build on skills developed in previous years, or to focus on planning and working towards the final goals of Year 12 and beyond.

In the Junior School, our String and Band Classroom programs will make an exciting start to the year next week, with all Year 1 and 2 students commencing classroom lessons with Mrs Statheos and Ms Duncan. Our Year 4 students will also begin their first lessons next week with a team of tutors and teachers as they commence their learning journey with their chosen band instrument.

In the Senior School, RJ’s Got Talent returns on Friday 27 March. As an Arts Captain initiative, this event provides a wonderful opportunity for our many talented Senior School students to showcase their talents and skills to the College community. The Arts Captains will be running auditions over the coming weeks and we look forward to the final performances which promise to be an outstanding celebration of dance, acting and musical talents.

Fine Arts Co-curricular information:

Fine Arts JS Co-Curricular_ 2026.pdf

Fine Arts SS Co-Curricular_ 2026.pdf

Individual Music Lessons:

https://forms.office.com/r/F FM68WiyUH

For more information on RJ Co-Curricular activities, please email [email protected]

Congratulations to all Junior School students who competed to the best of their ability in both the 50m events and the fiercely contested 25m races. It was a fantastic carnival highlighted by seven new records .
A sincere thank you to the parents who came along to support the students, and to our wonderful parent volunteers who assisted with timekeeping. Students who have qualified for zone will be announced on the Junior School Sports Board next week.

Representative CSSA and CIS Trials

This form will be sent out today for students interested in CSSA and CIS trials. All applications will be carefully reviewed, with final decisions made by the Director of Sport. The deadline for consideration is Wednesday 11 February at 3:00 pm. Please note that only a limited number of students can attend trials for each sport. These trials are highly competitive, and typically only representative-level athletes are selected.

WSCS Trials

Trials for Term 2 WSCS sports are now underway. While we would love for every student to represent RJ, team numbers are limited. Students who are unsuccessful this term are encouraged to stay positive and continue developing their skills, as there will be further opportunities in Term 3.

Mr Gavin Mitchell | Director of Sport