Why Uniform Matters

A high standard of uniform is often the first place this plays out, and it's easy to underestimate why it matters. Uniform is not really about fabric or fashion. It's about belonging to something bigger than yourself and levelling the playing field for all families that belong to RJ. If everyone has the same thing asked of them, then no-one can feel targeted. Uniform helps us to learn small acts of discipline like tucking in a shirt, wearing the correct shoes, wearing your scarf/tie properly and presenting yourself with care. These expectations build the same habits that show up later in far more important places: turning up prepared, meeting a deadline and doing a job properly even when no one is watching.

When we ask students to meet a uniform standard, we are not chasing perfection for its own sake. We are asking them to practise something they will need for the rest of their lives: the discipline of caring about the details, even the ones that feel unimportant to them.

Mistakes Are About Learning

None of this means we expect students to get it right every time. They won't and they shouldn't be made to feel that a mistake defines them. A missed uniform item, a moment of poor judgement or a lapse in behaviour are not failures to be feared, but opportunities for learning and growth.

The way we respond to a mistake teaches a student almost as much as the mistake itself. A consequence delivered without explanation teaches compliance. A consequence paired with a genuine conversation: about why the standard exists, what the student could do differently, and how they can make it right, teaches wisdom. This ought to be the goal for all young people.

Holding the Standard Together

We recognise that maintaining a high standard, day in and day out, asks something of families as well as staff. A quick check before school, a conversation at home about why these things matter, a shared expectation that mistakes are followed by learning rather than excuses all reinforce what we're building at RJ.

Discipline without relationship becomes harsh. Relationship without discipline becomes soft. We are committed to holding both together, because that is what genuinely prepares our students. We are preparing them not just for the next inspection of their uniform, but for the character they will need long after they leave us.

Mr Scott Roby | Deputy Principal

What is changing

From Term 4 2026 for HSC students, and from Term 1 2027 for those starting Year 11, schools may set only one “take-home” assessment task per course, worth no more than 15% of a subject’s school-based mark. In practice, this means the great majority of assessment will now be completed at school under supervised conditions.

The change is designed to ensure that the marks students earn reflect their own knowledge, skills and thinking, not the output of an AI tool. NESA has also advised schools not to rely on “AI detector” software, which are known to be unreliable, and to focus instead on well-designed tasks and teacher judgement. Some subjects are built around major projects or performances, such as Visual Arts, Music, Drama and Design and Technology, and these will be treated differently, as their major works are assessed in other ways.

What this means for our Senior Students

Because most assessment will now take place in the classroom, steady day-to-day study habits matter more than ever. Encouraging your child to keep up with classwork, revise regularly and attempt tasks independently is the best possible preparation. AI is not banned; used sensibly, it can support learning, but students are expected to do and submit their own work.

What we are doing at RJ

We are reviewing our senior assessment schedules to meet the new requirements, and we are continuing to develop a clear, whole-College approach to AI that gives students, parents and staff a shared understanding of when and how these tools may be used. We will keep you updated as this work progresses.

Mrs Julia Scrimshaw | Assistant Principal - Head of Academics

FATHER’S DAY BBQ BREAKFAST 🥖☕🌭

Over 200 Dads joined us for our Father’s Day BBQ breakfast this morning. It was a great time with lots of smiles, yummy sausages, tests of skill in the Courtyard, some terrible ‘Dad’ jokes and a fun general knowledge Kahoot quiz!

DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE LUNCH EACH DAY? 😋

We are seeing an increasing number of students arriving at school without a packed lunch or canteen order. Please make sure your child has sufficient food for the day, as having enough to eat has a significant impact on concentration, energy levels and their ability to learn.

If a child arrives at school without lunch, the canteen will provide a basic sandwich (no hot food), which will be charged to your Munch Monitor account. If this occurs on three or more days, the College will contact you to discuss the situation.

RJ SPRING FESTIVAL  🎵🤩🍭

The highly anticipated Spring Festival will be held on Saturday 19 September in the College grounds. Many of our JS students will be performing on the Courtyard stage during the morning. Come along for stalls, displays, rides and entertainment. It is always a fun day - see you there!

IPSHA VISUAL ART SHOW 🎨

This is a wonderful ART initiative, showcasing artwork from across 34 independent schools in NSW. We have ten artworks in the Art Show across all grades. Visit online -

IPSHA Virtual Art Show

Password: IPSHAart2026!

KISS & DROP IN PIONEERS WAY 🙋‍♀️

A reminder for parents to please not walk your children down into the Courtyard of a morning –  say a quick goodbye up near the picnic tables in Pioneers Way. We are in 3rd term now so all students should be able to manage this. Let’s work together to encourage independence! Teachers on duty will assist if necessary.

AFTERNOON PICK-UP ON DRYDEN AVE  🚗🛺

A reminder that vehicles should not be parked along the pick-up zone on Dryden Ave for more than 2-3 minutes. A number of parents are parking and waiting from as early as 3:00pm. This causes a long line of waiting cars, especially as students do not come out until 3:20pm or later. An ideal time to arrive is around 3:30pm. Council rangers are doing spot checks and have threatened fines. Please also be considerate of our neighbours’ driveways.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

A request from the Junior School Reception team – if you could please check the emergency contact details for your children in Edumate online (not available on the App), it would be very much appreciated.

Ideally, please ensure you have someone listed who could get to school within around 30 minutes if your child is unwell or requires medical attention. This helps us avoid children having to remain in sickbay for an extended period while waiting for someone to collect them. Thank you for taking a moment to check that these details are current and that your emergency contacts are able to assist when needed.

YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAM

As part of our ongoing commitment to service at RJ, Year 5 students are being challenged to take part in a range of service opportunities over the next few weeks.

Many of these opportunities have been taking place at school, and Year 5 parents will have received communication from teachers about these activities. We encourage you to talk with your child and support them to get involved – it is a wonderful opportunity to serve others and contribute to our College community.

Participation in this program is also a pre-requisite for College leadership in 2027. The program will conclude at the end of this term.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg | Head of Junior School 

Spring Uniform Reminder

As we move into the warmer months, students are reminded to wear their RJ sports cap whenever they are outdoors in the sun. Please note that only the official RJ sports cap is permitted.

Students may begin wearing the summer uniform from Monday 7 September. This means that students in Years 7-10 are no longer required to wear their blazer or College tie/scarf. Students in Years 11 and 12 are to continue wearing their tie or scarf as part of their uniform requirements.

The winter RJ scarf and beanie are no longer to be worn, as they form part of the winter uniform. Students who choose to continue wearing their blazer must also wear the appropriate College tie or scarf.

R U OK? Day 2026

Students will have the opportunity to support R U OK? Day on Friday 11 September by wearing mufti with a splash of yellow for a gold coin donation.

Yellow bandannas will also be available for purchase on the day for a gold coin donation, providing students with an additional way to participate.

As outlined in the 2026 Student Diary, clothing worn on mufti days must be clean, modest and free from inappropriate slogans, words or illustrations. Students' shoulders, chest and midriff must remain covered. College expectations regarding hair and jewellery continue to apply on mufti days.

Students must wear enclosed footwear and bring appropriate shoes for any practical lessons.

Students who do not comply with these requirements may be asked to return home to change before rejoining classes.

Thank You

Thank you to the many students, staff and families who have contributed to recent events both on and off campus.

It was particularly encouraging to see such strong support for the TAS Exhibition, which showcased the creativity, skill and talents that God has blessed our students with.

Recent events have included:

• CSSA E-Sports Rocket League Competition
• TAS Exhibition Evening
• World Vision 40 Hour Famine 40 km Challenge
• CSSA State Athletics Carnival

Student participation in fundraising initiatives such as the World Vision Challenge and the upcoming R U OK? Day mufti day reflects the values we seek to foster within the RJ community. As Proverbs 14:31 reminds us,  as care and support others with bring honour to God.

My hope and prayer is that our community will continue to demonstrate generosity and compassion, both locally and globally, as we seek to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

I also encourage our students to continue taking advantage of the many opportunities available at RJ. Participation in College activities strengthens students' sense of belonging, helps build meaningful connections and provides valuable opportunities to contribute positively to our community.

Reminders

• Year 11 students are reminded to finalise their orders for the 2027 Year 12 Jersey. Orders can be submitted once all payments have been completed.
• Year 12 students must purchase their ticket for the Year 12 Formal. Ticket sales close on Friday 25 September.
• Families of Year 12 students are asked to book their seats for the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony by Friday 19 September.

Invitations for the Year 12 Formal and the 2027 Year 12 Jersey order forms will be distributed early next week.

Parents and carers are reminded that if they have questions regarding upcoming events, concerns about their child's wellbeing, or queries relating to a specific subject area, their first point of contact should be the relevant Crew Leader. Families wishing to meet with a staff member are asked to contact the College Reception to arrange an appointment.

May God continue to bless our students, staff and families as we finish the term well and support one another.

Brad Maxwell | Head of Senior School