Firstly, our student leaders did a wonderful job caring for our guests. Our Junior School leaders displayed warm confidence and were a friendly presence, while our Senior School leaders directed visitors skilfully, with some even leading tours. Many visitors commented on how much they appreciated the student involvement and the opportunity to see “RJ in action”.

Secondly, each time I tour visitors, I am reminded of how RJ continues to renew areas of the campus to better support student learning and expand opportunities for students. For this reason, our students can rightly take pride in the College.

Thirdly, as the tour coincided with Senior School recess, I was thankful for the students who graciously made space for visitors to move around and engaged respectfully with everyone, from small children through to older guests. There is much to be thankful for in our RJ community.

Looking for new opportunities to be involved.

Throughout my years in education, I have frequently met students whose holistic growth appears directly connected to their engagement with the offerings of a school. For this reason, I strongly encourage you to help your child find ways to become more deeply grounded in Life@RJ. This past week alone has seen students signing up for the new Rock Climbing club VERTEX, the Tabletop Games Club and Debating. These clubs, and more, allow students of all interests to challenge themselves and to grow. More opportunities are being launched this week.

If your child has not yet found something they are keen to be involved in, we would love to hear from them. My hope and expectation is that our staff will continue to support student ideas and initiatives that provide meaningful and enjoyable opportunities for involvement and growth.  Engaging in clubs and teams is a great way to positively contribute to the RJ community whilst also growing as a young person. The shared values that come from working with otherse are powerful in helping young people look beyond themselves.

Mr Scott Roby | Deputy Principal

For parents, navigating NAPLAN can often seem complex. Recognising this, I would like to provide the following overview to demystify NAPLAN and provide the crucial details you need to support your child.

What is NAPLAN?

NAPLAN, the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy, is an annual evaluation for Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. It is not a pass-or-fail examination, but an assessment that measures a student's literacy and numeracy progress against national standards. Since 2023, the NAPLAN tests, except for Year 3 writing, have been completed online, providing a more tailored testing experience that adapts to a student's performance.

NAPLAN provides families, teachers, and schools with valuable information about a student’s progress over time. Rather than focusing on individual test results, NAPLAN is best seen as one piece of the broader picture of your child’s learning. Classroom assessments and teacher feedback remain the most accurate indicators of everyday performance, while NAPLAN helps track growth nationally and guides areas for further support.

When does NAPLAN happen this Year?

The NAPLAN testing window runs from 11 to 23 March. At RJ, most testing will occur between the 11 and 16 March 2026. Our main testing sessions are outlined below:

All testing sessions will take place in the mornings..

What happens if my child is absent from school on NAPLAN test days?

Where possible, we will arrange for students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time before 23 March.

Preparing for NAPLAN

Preparation for NAPLAN occurs naturally through everyday classroom learning, which develops critical thinking, reading comprehension, and problem-solving skills. Parents can best support their children by encouraging a healthy routine in the lead-up to testing: maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, eating well, and ensuring regular school attendance. Above all, it is  important to help students understand that NAPLAN is not something to worry about—it is simply an opportunity to show what they know and can do.

For further information relating to NAPLAN: NAPLAN 2026 Information for parents and carers

Mrs Julia Scrimshaw | Assistant Principal - Head of Academics

PUNCTUALITY A reminder that students K-6 must be at school by 8:45am . Our lining-up bell rings at this time and students hear morning announcements, celebrate birthdays and take part in prayer to start the day. Students who arrive late stand at the back so as not to disturb others getting to their class line. Please assist your child with morning routines to ensure they arrive at RJ on time.

STUDENT VOICE 2026
Congratulations to the following students who have been chosen by their peers to represent the student body in our Junior School Student Voice group in Semesters 1 and 2–

These students received their badges at Assembly.

PARENTS OF K-2 LITERACY INFORMATION MORNING TEA
On Tuesday 3 March at 9:00am, we will be holding a Literacy Information Morning Tea in the College Hall for parents of Kindergarten to Year 2 students. This session will explain key aspects of literacy at RJ and provide practical tips to consolidate literacy progress at home. We encourage parents to attend to better understand the importance of literacy acquisition, which lays the vital foundation for future learning.

LUNCHTIME GROUPS/CO-CURRICULAR
Our Junior School students are spoiled for choice with a range of co-curricular groups offered at lunchtimes or before/after school. Chess, Gardening Club, Footsteps, J-Crew, Hot Shots Tennis, Lego Club, Run Club, Skipping Club and Debating are starting , along with music groups including RJ Performers, Cantabile Choir, Dance Troupe, Bucket Drumming and RJ Dancestars. Some sport training sessions and clinics will commence in the coming weeks.

We are blessed with dedicated and enthusiastic staff who readily give their time and expertise to enrich the Junior School experience. I have challenged our students to participate in at least one co-curricular group. Ask your child what they have decided to try!

SUNHATS & WATER BOTTLES
With recent outdoor events such as House meetings and the Swimming Carnival, along with the current warm weather, it is essential that your children have sunhats and water bottles at school every day. Students without College hats will be directed to sit in the shade during playtimes at Recess and Lunch. No glass bottles, please.

STAGE 1 SWIM SKILLS DAY
This year we are again holding a Stage 1 Swim Day for Years 1-2 on Wednesday 25 February at the Little Fishes indoor pool centre at Oakhurst. Each grade will participate in 1.5 hours of supervised pre-swimming skills activities, plus enjoy a small water slide. We want to encourage our young students to overcome any fear of swimming and enjoy being in the water. If you are interested in volunteering and have current WWCC clearance, please contact Mr Mitchell. [email protected]

BOOK CLUB HELP NEEDED
Mrs Peterson, our Junior School Librarian, is seeking two parent helpers to assist with Book Club distribution once a term, usually for a couple of hours in the morning. If you are interested and have current WWCC clearance, please email at [email protected]

PARENTING WEBSITE
Have you explored Rowena Thomas’ website ‘Amazing Me’? https://www.amazingme.com.au/

It’s a wonderful resource, especially for parents of Stage 2 and 3 students who are starting to ask ‘those’ questions! The site includes great tips and resources, online courses for parents and children, and a newsletter featuring podcasts, blogs and book revieweds. Well worth a look and subscribe.

LUNCHBOX IDEAS from SWAP IT!
We are a Swap-it school, we encourage swapping in healthy choices for sugary treats in children’s lunch boxes. Why not try one or more of this week’s suggestions.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHILD PARENT/TEACHER MEETINGS
Thank you to the parents/carers who met with classroom teachers this week. These meetings were valuable opportunities to find out important information about our students and share how they have commenced the College year. I know that coming out to school events after hours can be tricky, but I encourage you to make the effort to be present in the College Community offerings throughout the year.

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg | Head of Junior School

Year 7 Camp

This week, our Year 7 cohort enjoyed their camp at Waterslea on the Shoalhaven River near Nowra. Students have been enthusiastically participating in a wide range of activities and enjoying their time away. We pray they have a wonderful final day of camp and a safe journey home.

Years 9 and 10

It was wonderful to see so many parents and carers attend the Stage 5 Information Evening. The focus of the night was the upcoming camps, with presentations from Camp Somerset and The Urban Challenge providing key details for each program.

Digital copies of all documents shared during the evening have been provided to families. Printed copies—including assessment calendars and camp notes—are available from Senior School Reception.

Please ensure all permission notes and required information are submitted by the due dates to support our planning and organisation.

Year 11

Parents and carers of our Year 11 students have received a link via the RJ App containing resources and information to support the launch of Year 11. This material is accessible to both families and students and serves as an excellent reference as students progress through the senior phase of their schooling.

Communication and the RJ App

We encourage parents and carers to check the RJ App regularly for event permissions, updates, and important broadcasts. If you experience any difficulties logging in, please contact the College for assistance.

Senior School Community

A sincere thank you to the students and staff who continue to invest in building a strong Senior School community, whether through House Chapels, Crew and Anchor time, and less formal events.

Our aim is that every student feels known, safe, and heard, especially within their Crew. We encourage students to participate courageously in Crew activities, contribute thoughtfully during Anchor time, and engage fully in all classroom learning.

Stage 5 students also had their first opportunity to join our new Wednesday co-curricular group: Theatre Sports. We encourage all students to participate in at least one co-curricular activity throughout the year. Families with questions about co-curricular options are welcome to contact Mr Hyde, Director of Student Engagement; [email protected]

Staff will continue to support students in meeting College expectations regarding uniform and behaviour. Where necessary, parents and carers will be contacted about ongoing concerns. Your partnership in upholding our Uniform  & Presentation Policy is greatly appreciated.

Words that Build Community

Throughout the term, I have reminded some students of the importance of using words that are kind, helpful, and encouraging, echoing the wisdom from Ephesians 4:29. As a community committed to ensuring that every person feels safe and valued, we have no room for unwholesome or harmful speech. We encourage all students to contribute to a culture of respect, care, and positive communication.

A Final Thank You

Finally, thank you to the many students who have taken the initiative to welcome our new Year 7 students and others who are new to the College—including new staff. Your kindness in helping others navigate the campus and settle into life at RJ is noticed and appreciated.

Mr Brad Maxwell | Head of Senior School

Year     Ambassador 2026
Kinder   Adele Lockman
Year 1    Kelly Weldon
Year 2    Neha Bhatia
Year 3    Connie Cheung
Year 4    Adrian Vanderkley
Year 5    Gillian Skinner
Year 6    Susan Vesty
Year 7    Rebecca Sengos

Please encourage and support them in their roles.

Zone Swimming Carnival

The water was sparkling and so were our swimmers at Glenbrook Swimming Pool! Our zone team put in fantastic performances across the day, showing determination, team spirit, and plenty of splash power. RJ continues to make waves—literally!

CSSA Basketball Trials

A huge shout‑out to Amarah and Ava who lit up the CSSA Basketball Trials! Their skill and determination earned them spots on the CSSA Basketball Team. They now head to CIS Trials—good luck girls, the whole College is cheering for you!

Mr Gavin Mitchell | Director of Sport