Having spent a great deal of my childhood in and around Athletics, I often enjoy spending time coaching and encouraging our students, many of whom have not been trained in any formal capacity. Teaching them a skill or two, or just helping them refine their technique, it is a blessing to see the “light turn on” for them or to have them consider how to incorporate the tips into their performance. When we’ve had great coaches in any aspect of our lives, it tends to align to times of great growth or appreciation for the support of others.

Good coaching, like good parenting, doesn’t always mean positive words. Some of the most valuable coaching and learning we receive is in the form of very direct, or even critical, communication. I remember my sprint coach at Little Athletics telling me that to shave the next second off my time I would have to stretch my hamstrings every day to get more power out of them. Of course, that kind of honest and hard lesson forces you to make a commitment of some kind. Either you demonstrate your willingness to do the hard work consistently or you accept that you’re not going to significantly improve.

I sometimes have these kinds of clear conversations with students, reminding them that if they really want the thing that they’re suggesting is a goal for them, they have to demonstrate a willingness to work towards it. Real outcomes, begin with real commitment and real conviction. For many students struggling to make inroads into a better version of their future, helping them own the conviction, the motivation and the commitment are key steps. I’m reminded also of the Theodore Roosevelt quote “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty…” Whilst this may at first seem bleak, it encourages us to remind ourselves and our students to expect challenge, adversity and resistance when we are on the right path. Building this sort of resilience in our students (and ourselves) shields us from any future setbacks, reminding us that we don’t need to fear failure, but instead see mistakes as an opportunity for growth towards a better version of ourselves.

Mr Scott Roby | Deputy Principal

Creative Arts, whether that's visual art, drama, music, or dance, is one of the few subject areas that ask students to think, feel, and make all at once. Every project requires a student to form an idea, work through problems as they bring it to life, evaluate what's working, and adapt. That cycle of creation and reflection builds genuine cognitive flexibility, the kind of thinking that serves students across all subjects and well into adult life.
Research shows that students engaged in the creative arts demonstrate stronger critical thinking, better ability to handle ambiguity, and greater willingness to take risks. These are undoubtedly qualities that are increasingly valued in universities and workplaces alike.

Building Confidence

There's something uniquely powerful about finishing a piece of work and being able to say: I made that. Studying in the creative arts space gives students regular experiences of ownership and achievement that aren't tied to a single right answer. Whether it's creating a painting, a short film, dance choreography, or a drama performance, each finished work is a testament to the student's own effort and imagination.
For many students, the arts can be a place where they discover a genuine sense of capability and self-worth. Over the years, we have noticed students who have developed their confidence through their engagement in Drama, Dance and Music. That confidence doesn't stay in the performance space; it carries over to their other subjects.

Emotional Intelligence and Expression

Young people navigate complex emotions, and they need healthy ways to process and express them. Creative Arts education provides the opportunities for students to do exactly that. Through storytelling, visual expression, and performance, students develop emotional vocabulary and empathy. Drama students learn to inhabit other perspectives, to speak clearly and present themselves to others. Visual arts students learn to sit with difficulty and transform it into something meaningful.
These are not soft skills; they are foundational human capacities that strengthen relationships, support mental wellbeing, and prepare students for the full complexity of life.

Collaboration, Communication, and Resilience

The creative process is rarely straightforward. The arts teach not just resilience but also help develop their reflectiveness muscles, requiring them to plan, revise, rehearse, and try again without losing heart. Resilience and Reflectiveness are some of the most transferable skills any student can develop.
Many creative projects also involve learners developing their Reciprocity muscles. Genuine collaboration is evident in our Arts areas, with students negotiating ideas, giving and receiving feedback, and contributing to something bigger than themselves. These are skills that feel abstract in theory, but are learned in practice, and Creative Arts is where the practice happens.

Where to next?

The creative industries are among the fastest-growing sectors globally, spanning film, gaming, architecture, advertising, fashion, digital media, and more. Beyond direct careers in the arts, creative thinking is now considered a core competency across fields from medicine to engineering to entrepreneurship.
So, we ask our families to really consider choosing creative arts subjects. In a world of change and AI, the skills learned enable learners to cultivate highly adaptable, human-centric capabilities that AI and automation cannot replicate. We think that these skills could provide RJ learners with a competitive edge in their future.

Mrs Julia Scrimshaw | Assistant Principal - Head of Academics

YEARS 3-6 ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

Our 3-6 Athletics Carnival was held last Tuesday at Blacktown International Sports Centre. It was a glorious Winter’s day and the House spirit and sportsmanship levels were high. There was a great level of participation across all events. Special thanks to Mr Mitchell for his organisation of the day and also a vote of thanks to our parent helpers who were terrific in keeping the various age groups organised and focused. Well done Junior School!

COLLEGE ATTENDANCE

As the Winter term is past halfway, we continue to have high levels of sickness and absenteeism. Please continue to monitor your child’s health and do not send them to school if coughing, sneezing or with a high temperature. That being said, we do encourage College attendance, and many children have missed days and weeks of school this semester – this can have an effect on progress, so if your child is well, please prioritise attendance. Holidays during term time will result in missed concepts and can affect social development with peers. Junior School teachers will not set work for students on holidays in term time.

PERFORMANCE ASSEMBLY

We enjoyed a vibrant and entertaining Performance Assembly this morning featuring the talents of some of our lunchtime Co-curricular groups plus a sneak peek at one of the songs from our upcoming Junior School Musical – Honk! It was fabulous to see the performing standard of our students as they develop their skills and confidence. A special thank you to the Staff that give of their time to run these groups. Bravo!

CAN YOU HELP?

We have the Stage 3 (Years 5-6) Grandparents’ Day coming up on Thursday the 25th of June. If you are available to come and assist with morning tea preparation and serving from 9am that morning, please email me on [email protected] Many thanks 🙏

Enjoy your weekend

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg | Head of Junior School

Annual Heritage Day
Our annual Heritage Day is now less than three weeks away. Thank you to the many families who have already offered support through contributing food items for stalls.
Parents/carers who would still like to assist with food stalls are encouraged to contact the relevant staff member below.

Heritage Day is always a vibrant and memorable celebration of the diversity within our College community, and we look forward to another great event this year.

Student Arrival Times

We have recently seen an increase in the number of students arriving late to the College. Senior School students are expected to arrive before 8:30am so they can attend Crew on time, which begins promptly at 8:30am.

Please note that late arrivals are noted in Semester Reports. We appreciate the ongoing support of parents/carers in reinforcing the importance of punctuality and regular attendance.

Stage 4 and 5 Learning Conferences

Information regarding upcoming Learning Conferences will be emailed to parents/carers at the beginning of Week 1, Term 3. Semester One Academic Reports will be released prior to the conferences.

- Stage 4 Learning Conferences: Week 3, Term 3

- Stage 5 Learning Conferences: Week 4, Term 3

These conferences provide an important opportunity for students, parents/carers, and teachers to discuss progress, celebrate achievements, and identify future learning goals.

The Importance of Integrity

Recent conversations with students have highlighted the importance of integrity within our College community. Students often find it easy to be honest and maintain their integrity when things are going well socially or academically, and when they are reporting a concern to a peer or trusted adult. It has been a greater challenge for some students to be truthful in some situations, particularly if there is a cost - such as an admission of fault or incorrect behaviour.

During the recent Senior School Assembly, students were encouraged to value integrity in all aspects of life — through their words, choices, friendships, learning, and interactions with others. Developing strong character means remaining honest and consistent regardless of the situation. Proverbs 10:9 reminds us:

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”

As a College community, we continue to encourage a culture built on honesty, trust, and respect, where students are supported to grow into people of strong character and integrity.

Brad Maxwell | Head of Senior School

Athletics Carnival

It was an absolutely outstanding day at the recent Junior School Athletics Carnival, with perfect weather setting the stage for a memorable event. Several records were broken across the day, and the level of enthusiasm, especially the house chanting, was exceptional. It was wonderful to see students giving their best effort in both track and field events. A big thank you to our parent volunteers for their support in ensuring the day ran smoothly. The Junior School team for the Nepean Zone Carnival (early Term 3) will be announced shortly.

CIS Rugby Union Trials

Lyon P and Koinonia P competed strongly at the recent CIS Rugby Union trials.
Congratulations to Lyon P , who was selected in the CIS Squad for the NSW PSSA Primary Boys Rugby Union Championships, which is an excellent achievement.

K–2 Athletics Carnival

Our Kindergarten students will have their first taste of athletics this afternoon at the K–2 Carnival. We are sure they will enjoy a fun and active introduction to the sport. Years 1 and 2 will no doubt build on the excitement and set a great example for our youngest competitors!

Mr Gavin Mitchell | Director of Sport