In our junior years, leadership might look like a Kindergarten student helping a classmate to put their bag in the right place, or a Year 3 student patiently including someone in a game at lunchtime. These small, everyday acts of kindness are the foundations of leadership and strong character that are visible long before students hold a formal title, they're learning what it means to notice others and to take responsibility for the community around them.

In the later years of Junior School, students take on more visible roles like Student Voice Representative, House Captain or Junior School Captain along with important roles like kindergarten buddies. These positions ask more of them supporting Junior School events and speaking at assemblies.

In the senior years, leadership becomes something students actively shape rather than simply step into. House captains, portfolio leaders and College Captains are given real ownership over initiatives, running segments of assemblies, mentoring younger students, organising fundraisers, and representing the College at community events. It's here that students begin to understand leadership not as a position to be won, but as a responsibility to be carried well.

So why does all this matter? Because leadership isn't really about titles at all. The students who grow the most through these opportunities are often not the loudest in the room. They're the ones who learn to listen, to follow through on a commitment even when it's inconvenient, to lift others up rather than simply lead from the front and to own their own growth and progress whilst also being willing to learn from others.

Not every student will hold a formal leadership title, but every student can find the shape it takes for them. Whether that's leading a team, leading a conversation, leaving a friendship group or situation because they see that it will not end well, or simply leading by example, we want every student to leave RJ having practised what it means to take responsibility for themselves and for something bigger than themselves.

Mr Scott Roby | Deputy Principal

Many learners still fall into the trap of believing that because their notes look neat and they have reread them, they have great study skills. The fact is that regularly testing what you can recall, correcting what you cannot yet do, and returning to it over time makes all of the difference. Strong study habits help learners retain what they learn, identify gaps early, and approach assessments with greater confidence.

Six actions that will get better results

Plan small, specific study sessions: General statements such as “Study for Maths” can feel overwhelming. A more useful goal is specific and achievable: “Complete five practice questions on genetics,” or “Create and answer ten flashcards for tomorrow’s History topic.” Breaking a larger task into smaller actions makes it easier to begin and gives learners a clear sense of progress.

Practise retrieval, not just rereading: Remember that rereading notes can lull learners into a false sense of security because the content looks familiar. A better technique is to check that they can recall what they have read. Help your child with retrieval by having them explain what they read, write down what they remember, or answer practise questions. This allows them to identify gaps in their knowledge and revisit what requires attention

Space learning over time: Cramming at the last minute may help learners to feel busy, but it is not a reliable way of building lasting knowledge. Try to help your learner set aside time each day to review what they learned; this might include 10 minutes to revisit the key ideas from that day. Then encourage them to return to these ideas later in the week. Regular review makes learning more durable and reduces pressure before an assessment.

Mix related topics: When revising, learners often complete many questions of the same type. This can become repetitive and does not always prepare them to choose the right method independently. Mixing related topics such as algebra, graphs and problem-solving in Maths requires learners to pause and decide which knowledge or strategy applies. This builds flexibility and stronger readiness for assessments.

Explain: One of the best ways to check your understanding of a concept is to explain it to someone else. Help your learners do this by letting them talk through what they have learnt; you can further support them by asking how and why questions.

Developing absorption in learning: Try to help your learner to be absorbed by removing distractions; this could include having a device-free zone. A useful routine is to choose one task, put distractions aside, then work for a realistic period, and then take a planned break.

The goal is not perfection or marathon study sessions. Learners build effective habits through small, repeated choices: planning one clear task, testing their memory, returning to difficult ideas, and asking for help when they need it. Over time, these habits support not only stronger academic results, but also greater independence and confidence as learners.

A note on sleep

It may seem to some students like a viable option to miss sleep to fit everything in. Sleep is not a break from learning; it is part of the learning process. During sleep, the brain strengthens and organises newly learned information. When students regularly sacrifice sleep to finish work or revise late into the night, concentration, memory, mood and problem-solving can suffer the following day. For learners, protecting a regular sleep routine is one of the most practical ways to support effective study and wellbeing.

Mrs Julia Scrimshaw | Assistant Principal - Head of Academics

KINDNESS is COOL
Being kind is one of the values that underpins our College, so the Junior School had a lovely time celebrating Kindness Day today. Selected House meeting activities were devoted to showing kindness in the form of writing appreciation notes to teachers and making kindness wall displays. Ask your child what they did today on kindness….

Book Week Parade - next Monday!

This special day is scheduled for next Monday 24 August (Week 5). Teachers and students dress up as their favourite book characters.  Parents are invited to come and view the class parades from 9:40am in the Courtyard and on the lower field.

Great Book Swap

Throughout the week we will be holding special reading events including the Book Swap on Tuesday 25 August (send in a pre-loved book and a gold coin donation for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPKhQSeH3hI

On Thursday 3 September, we will be holding our Father’s Day stall for students to buy an item for the special father figure in their life. Students are asked to bring a $5 or $10 note to purchase one gift. Contact Mrs Ghali if you can volunteer and assist in the stall: [email protected]

On Friday 4 Septembe r we will hold our popular Fathers’ Day Sausage Sizzle breakfast from 8am. Come along to Pioneers Way near the picnic tables. Students attending with their Dad may enjoy a sausage sizzle and juice.
Please book below:

https://www.trybooking.com/DPCAE

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg | Head of Junior School

RJ Values in Action

Respect and Care

Thank you to the many students and families who consistently support our College by ensuring the correct uniform is worn each day. Wearing the uniform with pride reflects respect for our College community and strengthens a shared sense of belonging among our students.

If there are any concerns regarding uniform requirements, parents/carers are encouraged to contact their child’s Crew Leader.

As we transition to a new uniform in 2027, families are encouraged to purchase replacement items from Lowes from the current uniform range. If particular items are unavailable, families can visit the RJ Pre-loved Uniform Facebook page or St Mark's Op Shop located next door to the College, helpful.

RJ Pre-loved Uniform Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/414716933092159

Courage and Excellence

It has been encouraging to see so many Year 11 students stepping forward to apply for leadership roles as they prepare to become the Class of 2027. We hope that as each student moves through the selection process with courage and a commitment to excellence, continuing to grow and lead with integrity, regardless of whether they ultimately wear a leadership badge.

Wisdom and Integrity

As we reach the midpoint of Term 3, it has been pleasing to see students making wise and thoughtful choices, whether by helping to tidy shared spaces, remaining focused during lessons or contributing positively to the life of the Senior School.

All Senior School students are encouraged to develop character that reflects integrity. This means being consistent in who they are, upholding their values, and making positive choices regardless of who they are with.

Bullying No Way Day

Thank you to our Student Voice Representatives for their dedication and enthusiasm in raising awareness of Bullying No Way Day during Senior School Assembly and within their respective Crews. It was inspiring to hear such thoughtful discussion about identifying bullying and supporting peers in challenging situations.

We encourage all students to continue contributing to a safe and inclusive environment by speaking up when needed, reaching out to a trusted adult, or accessing RJ Cares, whether for themselves or on behalf of a friend.

Class of 2027 Jerseys

Excitement is building as our Year 11 students begin selecting their senior jerseys for next year. A TryBooking link will be sent to parents/carers shortly to enable payment for the jerseys.

Students will also have the opportunity to try on sample jerseys at the College to ensure they order the correct size.

“One Cohort, One Summit” — Class of 2027 Camp

Our current Year 11 cohort will attend their annual camp at The Tops Conference Centre in Stanwell Tops early in Term 4. Information, including the permission note, was issued to students today.

The camp marks the beginning of the final year of study for the Class of 2027. It will focus on bringing the cohort together, encouraging students to support one another, and helping them prepare for the HSC and life beyond school.

Parents/carers are encouraged to read through the camp information carefully and complete the required medical information and permission note as soon as possible.

Social Media Awareness

We encourage parents/carers to stay engaged with their child’s online activity, including social media use and photo galleries. If concerns arise, the eSafety Commissioner provides valuable resources and support for families and young people.

Resources are available here:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

https://www.esafety.gov.au/young-people

The site provides practical advice on navigating challenging online situations, including image sharing, cyberbullying and strategies for responding effectively.

Posters from the eSafety Commissioner have also been placed around the Senior School. These provide RJ students information about online safety tips, how to seek help, and how to report cyberbullying.

If you have any concerns about your child’s online interactions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the College’s Wellbeing Team. Raising a concern is an important first step in supporting our students and their families.

Looking Ahead

As Year 12 students complete their Trial HSC Examinations, they are nearing the end of their school journey. Our staff continue to pray for their success and look forward to celebrating with them and their families at the Graduation Assembly on Friday 25 September .

Brad Maxwell | Head of Senior School

🏃 CSSA State Athletics Carnival

Our Junior School Athletics Squad competed today at the CSSA State Athletics Carnival at Blacktown International Sports Park.

We hope all students enjoyed the opportunity to compete at a high level and represented the school with determination, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship. We congratulate each athlete for giving their best effort and look forward to hearing about their achievements.

Oztag Gala Day

Our Mixed Oztag team recently participated in their gala day. Throughout the competitions, students displayed great determination, teamwork, and resilience, recording a mixture of wins and losses along the way.

We thank our teachers and parent volunteers for their support, encouragement, and assistance in making these events possible.

Mr Gavin Mitchell | Director of Sport