Lately this has sadly been the case for litter in the playground. Instead of students cleaning as they go and managing litter at the end of each break time, students from Junior School and Senior School have left the playground in an unfit state for the next people who utilised these shared spaces. This is not what we do at RJ and I’m confident that we would not tolerate this standard in our homes. We consistently receive feedback in enrolment interviews that people come to RJ for the values we promote. Our very first two values are Respect and Care. Leaving litter for others to pick up fails to demonstrate respect for the opportunity students have to attend RJ and shows a lack of self-respect. It also fails to demonstrate care for other students and staff utilising shared spaces and for the College facilities. Please join me in having high expectations of your children at home and impressing on them the importance of representing themselves well at RJ.

Uniform Expectations

The College photos days are coming up in Week 4 and it is a great opportunity to take a snapshot of our community for 2026. However, a number of students have returned in Term 2, failing to give proper attention to the RJ uniform expectations. Students and their families are reminded to pay close attention to the uniform expectations highlighted in the College Diary. Students who have failed to properly address this are likely to miss out on being included in the College photos. Please review your students uniform and appearance this weekend to ensure they are ready for Monday 11 May. Of particular concern are:

Boys
Hair cuts that have significant length difference (they are required to blend their hair)
Hair too short (families specifically need to instruct a barber no less than a ‘2’)
Hair too long (it must naturally sit above the collar)
Unshaven faces

Girls
Hair needs to be one natural colour (no streaks or highlights)
Jewellery not within RJ requirements (wristbands, rings, necklaces, earrings)
Makeup
Skirt length (skirt must be worn on the knee)

For any queries please review the College Diary and if something remains unclear, please reach out to a staff member for support. Class teachers in Junior School and Crew Leaders in Senior School are a good place to start.

Mr Scott Roby | Deputy Principal

At RJ, our approach to AI is human-plus-AI. This means that we recognise AI’s potential to enhance teaching and learning processes, while focusing on incorporating human expertise and values. We know that AI can bring real benefits to education and learning, but we are also cognisant that over-reliance on AI by students and staff can result in a loss of thinking and consideration of the world around them.

One of the most significant benefits of AI in education is personalised learning. In Senior School, all students have access to the AI-powered platform Atomi. In addition to the package's learning videos, the AI component analyses students' responses to questions and adapts lessons to suit individual needs. This supplemental learning program allows students to learn at their own pace, providing extra support where needed or offering more challenging tasks when students are ready. It also provides our learning staff with important information about students' learning, which can be used during face-to-face learning time to improve their understanding.

Most of us will find it difficult to avoid AI in our everyday lives. A search on Google, using the Microsoft platform, or any other online platform is often now AI-powered, which sometimes makes it difficult for our students to determine what is really research or information they can use. At RJ, we want to help students develop digital literacy and critical thinking skills. This means that as AI becomes more common in society, understanding how these systems work, their limitations, and how to use them responsibly is an important part of preparing students for the future.

Alongside the many benefits of AI come genuine concerns. One key issue is academic integrity. AI tools that generate text or solve problems can tempt students to submit work that is not their own. When students are completing tasks, we want them to really engage with the process. We use the elevator analogy to explain this to our students. If you want to get to the top floor of a building quickly, you would use the elevator; if you want to build your muscles, you would use the stairs. Likewise, for a quick answer that you don’t think about use AI, whereas using your own brain to think and work through your learning and the challenges that are involved in learning develops your learning muscles.

Another challenge concerns data privacy and safety. AI systems often rely on collecting student data to function effectively. All AI users must be cautious about how their data is stored, who can access it, and whether it is being used ethically and securely. Protecting our learners’ privacy must remain a priority, and, again, this requires us to ensure our learners understand the risks of using AI.

Finally, there is a risk of over-reliance on technology. While AI can support learning, it cannot replace the human elements of education—relationships, empathy, creativity, and ethical judgment. Face-to-face interaction, discussion, and teacher guidance remain central to meaningful learning experiences at RJ. The Pandemic and lockdowns seem like a long time ago now, but one thing we learned from that period is the importance of the social nature of learning and relationships.

Mrs Julia Scrimshaw | Assistant Principal - Head of Academics

WHICH UNIFORM?

Students were permitted to wear Summer or Winter uniform for the first 3 weeks of this term. Winter uniform starts from the Monday of Week 4 (11 May). The mornings have become quite chilly so children are encouraged to wear their jackets to school.

Please do not put short or long-sleeved T-shirts under school shirts that are visible at the neck or sleeve line. Please use singlets or spencers that are designed for warmth and do not show.

The College beanie is only to be worn to and from school and does not take the place of a sunhat.

With the rainy weather always on the horizon, a reminder to have a raincoat folded up in your child’s bag, especially for those wet pickups after school!

Please check that all clothing items are clearly labelled – especially jackets.

PHOTO DAY

Photos for Junior School students are on Tuesday 12 May. All students to be in Winter uniform – girls in the tunics and blouses, not trousers or skorts. Girls should also wear school stockings for photos. If staying in stockings all day is problematic for your daughter, she may change into socks after the photos are completed.

MOTHERS’ DAY

We are looking forward to our two Mothers’ Day events next week – the stall and the breakfast on 7 and 8 May. Please RSVP if coming to the Breakfast (Mums and JS students only!)- see the attached copy of the flyer sent home with your child. I would like to wish all the RJ Mums a very happy Mothers’ Day for Sunday 10 May 🌺

MORNING DROP OFF

A reminder to please drop students off in Pioneers Way rather than walking them down to the Courtyard area. Parents are welcome to sit for a brief time at the tables in Pioneers Way, however, please encourage your child to meet up with their friends to play before school. Using this area as a ‘kiss and drop’ space is recommended.

CROSS COUNTRY K-2

Cross Country for Years K-2 will be held on Friday 15 May from 2:15pm. Parents are welcome to come and watch our littlest athletes go through their paces. Please assemble in Pioneers Way from 2:10pm. Students will still finish school at 3:20pm on this day, no early leavers.

JS ONLINE CHATTING – eg. Roblox

As you may be aware, legislation was passed last year introducing age restrictions for children accessing various social media platforms. From time to time, the College is contacted by parents who have screenshots of online bullying or inappropriate exchanges between students occurring outside of school hours on digital platforms.

While these interactions take place in the home environment, they can have a significant impact on student wellbeing and relationships at school. We therefore encourage all parents to remain vigilant and informed about the platforms their children are accessing, particularly those that include chat or messaging functions.

One example is Roblox , a platform that is increasingly popular among primary-aged students. It is important to be aware of recent updates:

“As of January 2026, Roblox requires users to complete age verification to access chat features. Users must be at least 13+ for full, unfiltered chat with trusted friends, while younger users require parental consent. Verification, including ID or selfie, is required to enable text (via the ‘/’ key) and voice chat.”

Parents play a critical role as gatekeepers of their child’s digital access. Regular conversations, clear boundaries, and active supervision are key to helping children navigate online spaces safely.

We appreciate your ongoing partnership in supporting the wellbeing of all students in our community.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Please make sure that if our Reception/First aid staff need to phone for your child to be picked up due to injury or illness, the emergency contacts on Edumate are up to date and available. As we head into the cooler months, the rate of contagious disease does rise and more students are sent to the Junior School sick bay, sometimes needing to go home. It is vital that when these calls are made someone is available to pick up your child promptly.

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg | Head of Junior School

Upcoming Events

Monday 11 May – Senior School Photos

Senior School students must wear the full College Winter Uniform for photographs.

Female students may wear the RJ skirt or pants. If wearing the RJ skirt, navy tights or stockings must be worn.

The RJ jumper may be worn to school but must not be worn under the blazer for photos.

Only Year 12 female students may wear their hair out for portrait photos. All other female students must have their hair tied up and back.

Male students must be clean shaven. Students may be asked to shave at school prior to photos if required.

Students whose appearance does not meet the College Uniform and Presentation Policy will not be included in the photographs. In such cases, any payments made by parents/carers will be refunded.

Tuesday 13 May – House Chapels

All Senior School students are to wear their House shirts as part of the sports uniform on this day.

Thursday 2 July (Week 11) – Heritage Day

Heritage Day continues to be one of the highlights of the Senior School calendar. Recently, when a Year 7 class was asked what they were most looking forward to this term, the overwhelming response was the annual Heritage Festival. Many students expressed enthusiasm about being involved.

This day is full of energy, music, fashion, dance and food, and offers a wonderful opportunity for students and families to contribute to our College community. Families can assist by providing food and helping with the many food stalls on the day. Please keep an eye out for invitations and further information that will be sent via College Broadcast.

Winter Uniform – Commencing Week 4 (Monday 11 May)

From Week 4 onwards, Senior School students are required to wear the College Winter Uniform , including ties or scarves and the College blazer to and from school.

Year 12 students may continue to wear their jerseys Monday to Thursday, however the College blazer must be worn on Fridays.

As the weather cools, students may wear the RJ winter scarf and RJ beanie.

Students are reminded that the RJ sports cap must continue to be worn when outdoors at break times and during PDPHE or Sport activities. It was concerning to see a large number of students not wearing hats at the recent Senior School Cross Country. This must improve ahead of the Senior School Athletics Carnival, which is an all‑day outdoor event.

Younger Students and Social Media Age Restrictions

During a recent meeting of the Child Safe Working Party, concerns were raised regarding younger Senior School students bypassing social media age restrictions by using the personal information of their parents or carers.

Parents and carers are encouraged to actively monitor and mentor their children’s online activity and to model healthy use of technology. Monitoring should include ensuring that parental identities or personal information are not being used to circumvent age restrictions. The justification that “everybody else does it” is not appropriate, whether this occurs with or without parent/carer knowledge.

Misuse of social media, particularly among younger students, can place strain on relationships that extends into College life. Greater consistency in observing age restrictions would benefit many students within the RJ community.

Helpful information for parents and carers can be found at:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/social-media-age-restrictions

Housekeeping and Reminders

Parents/carers and students are reminded that:

-Students must write in their diaries each lesson, every day.

-Diaries are to be read and signed by parents/carers weekly.

-Students must use the locker allocated to them, with the combination lock supplied by the College.

-Only RJ school bags are to be used, as outlined in the College Uniform and Presentation Policy (available in the Student Diary and on the College website).

I look forward to seeing our students engage positively in their learning this term, both in the classroom and through sporting and co‑curricular opportunities. Please continue to check the RJ App for updates and permission requirements for College activities.

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

Final Reflection

It was pleasing to see the strong involvement of students and staff at the Senior School Cross Country—whether competing in the full race, completing a lap for their house, contributing to the House Chant, or participating in the Dance Battle. Each individual contribution helped build house spirit and added to the energy of the morning.

Congratulations to all Houses, student leaders, Heads of House and supervising staff for their leadership, encouragement and commitment to bringing students together.

This sense of unity reflects the message of Psalm 133:1: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.” Seeing our students come together in this way is a powerful expression of the values we hope and pray will continue to grow within the RJ community.

Mr Brad Maxwell | Head of Senior School

⚽ CSSA Football Trials – Girls

Congratulations to Isabel who has been selected to represent CSSA in girls football. Isabel will compete later this term at the CIS Girls Football Championships and is a fantastic achievement. We wish her the very best.

🏃 Junior School Cross Country

Our Junior School Cross Country was held last week in a vibrant display of colour and enthusiasm at Hanna Reserve . The atmosphere was electric as students loudly encouraged their House mates sprinting down the final straight. Congratulations to all runners, particularly those who have now progressed to the CSSA Cross Country .

Mr Gavin Mitchell | Director of Sport