Whilst many of our students are completing or receiving back various assessments at this time of year, our opportunity as parents is to speak powerful words to our children that equip them to grow. Whether it is celebrating success, helping our child to process or analyse what went wrong or celebrating their preparation regardless of the academic outcome, how we support our children and model positive responses will have a significant impact on how they incorporate these messages into their own self-talk.

Sporting and Cultural Medallions

The College values students making positive contributions to the RJ community. Each year, students are recognised through the awarding of medallions for their involvement in Sporting or Cultural activities throughout the year. This includes students who participate in various levels of representation in sporting and cultural areas.

The list of activities that will contribute towards these medallions is provided below, as well as the points that each activity contributes. Students who reach 60 points receive a Bronze Medallion, students who reach 80 points receive a Silver Medallion and students who reach 100 points receive a Gold Medallion. Points are accrued separately for each category, Sporting and Cultural, and students are eligible to receive a medallion in each category if they contribute to both the sporting and cultural aspects of schooling.

A list of students who have qualified for the Sporting and Cultural Medallion Awards for 2026 (according to our data) will be published in the next RJ Review. Once these lists have been published, parents/carers and students will have the opportunity to query any perceived inaccuracies. Following this, the final list of Medallion winners will be presented at Presentation Day (9/12/26).

NB: In accumulating the number of points necessary to receive a medallion, the student needs to have been involved in any continuous activity for at least two-thirds of the time that the activity runs during the year. Please notify the College if you believe your child was involved in an activity that does not appear below.

Mr Scott Roby | Deputy Principal

Sleep is part of learning

I am sure that you are aware of the benefits of a good night's sleep; waking refreshed and ready to go is something that we all enjoy. When it comes to learning, sleep is not a break from studying; it is when much of the learning is locked in. During sleep, the brain replays and strengthens what was practised during the day, moving it into long-term memory. A learner who revises well and then sleeps well remembers far more than one who revises late into the night.
Sleep also affects other parts of learning, including concentration, problem-solving, mood, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Even one short night can leave learners slower and more error-prone the next day. This is why an all-nighter before an exam or an assessment usually backfires. The extra hours of study rarely make up for what is lost in memory and clear thinking.

Why teenagers find it hard

Young people need at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night, yet as they enter their teenage years, many get considerably less. This is not simply a matter of discipline. During adolescence, the body clock shifts later in the day. The hormone that makes us feel sleepy is released later in the evening, so many teenagers genuinely don't feel tired until 11 pm or later. Combined with early school starts, home learning, sport, part-time work, and busy social lives, it is easy for sleep debt to build up over the week. Understanding how these factors affect sleep helps parents and families manage their learner's bedtime. However, one of the biggest impacts on sleep is screen time in the last hour of the day.

Phones and sleep

Phones in the bedroom are one of the most common reasons young people do not get enough sleep. They affect sleep in three ways:

How you can help at home

There are some small consistent routines that can help you with managing your child's use of phones and sleeping habits:

YEAR 5 YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAM

At the end of last term, Year 5 students actively embraced the Young Leaders Program both here at the College and at home. Students completed set tasks relating to communication, organisation and teamwork, service, Christian development and physical endeavour to achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold level. Many fun lunchtime activities were organised and run for the younger grades by our Year 5 students. Certificates will be presented during Morning Lines later this term. Students should be proud of their achievements. Great effort, Year 5! 😁 

JUNIOR SCHOOL LEADERSHIP 2027  

Last week I spoke with the Year 5 cohort about Junior School student leadership roles at RJ in 2027. Year 5 students were required to submit their application forms this week to apply for Junior School Captains and House Leadership positions next year. Applications will be reviewed based on student responses to the application questions, effort and behaviour in class, as well as commitment to the Young Leaders Program. A number of students will then be selected to for interview for Junior School Captain positions. Interviews for these roles will be held during Week 5. 

House Leaders will be voted for by students and supported by House Coordinator recommendation based on the students’ responses to the application questions and involvement in House Meetings during Semester 1.

Leadership positions will be finalised later in the term. Captains and House Leaders for the Junior School will be announced at the Year 6 Graduation Assembly on Friday 4 December. Parents of Captains and Leaders will be advised prior to this event and invited to attend.

MUSIC CONCERTS 🎵

Our Year 4 students have made great strides with their band tutorials this year, as have Years 1 and 2 with Violin. We look forward to celebrating their achievements on Tuesday 3 November for the Year 4 Band concert (College Hall) and Wednesday 4 November for Years 1-2 Strings (Courtyard). Both concerts will be held straight after school at 3:45 pm. All are welcome. Please park your vehicle appropriately.

TOYS ‘N TUCKER

Toys 'n' Tucker Anglicare Sydney provides a way for churches, schools, businesses and community groups to share the joy of Christmas and demonstrate God’s love by providing food and gifts for those who would otherwise go without. The Junior School will be collecting for this worthwhile cause. In 2026 Anglicare’s goal is to distribute 7000 food hampers and 6000 toy hampers to families in need this Christmas. There will be baskets in each classroom for donations of non-perishable food items and toys in good condition. The Anglicare van will collect our donations in Week 8 of term.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg | Head of Junior School 

Being Flexible – HSC Exams and D Block Renovations
It has been pleasing to see how well our students have adapted to room changes while HSC examinations take place in the SLC, as well as to the further changes to classrooms and locker locations resulting from the D Block renovations.
We remind all members of the RJ Community to observe barriers and fencing around construction areas while on campus. Please also take extra care around the turnaround and church car park, where there may be additional trucks and vehicles, particularly during the initial stages of the renovation.

One Cohort, One Summit
The Class of 2027 headed to camp this week and, apart from sharing the experience with plenty of bogong moths, we were blessed with great weather and safety throughout the camp.
Students challenged themselves and supported others in their Crews through a range of outdoor activities, as well as an Escape Room and newspaper fashion challenge. It was wonderful to see Crews come together as we explored what it means to be part of a cohort completing their final year of schooling together. Honesty, vulnerability, courage and supporting one another were central themes throughout the camp.

Thank you to the students and staff who contributed to making the camp such a success, and to Mr Dawson for sharing with students around the campfire on our final evening.

Stage 4 Assessments and Stage 5 Exams
Stage 4 students have now completed their assessment week, while Stage 5 students will begin their examinations on Monday 26 October, in the Hall and B7/B8.
We wish our students well as they prepare for and complete their examinations.

Upcoming Events – Term 4

College Uniform Reminder

Hats
During Term 4, students are required to wear an RJ sports hat whenever they are outside during recess and lunch, as well as during outdoor sport and PDHPE practical lessons. Sun safety is important, so please encourage your child to wear their hat, remove unnecessary layers such as jumpers in warm weather, and apply sunscreen.

Uniform
Uniform checks will continue as we work together to ensure all students wear the College uniform correctly. Thank you to families who have responded promptly when concerns have been raised.
Students who continue to wear the incorrect uniform may be sent home to rectify the issue. Common concerns include inappropriate haircuts, false eyelashes and artificial nails.
•    Male students who need to shave will be directed to Senior School Reception.
•    RJ skirts must be worn at knee length. Students may be asked to unroll waistbands or, where necessary, have hems adjusted.
•    Incorrect jewellery must be removed and may be held at Senior School Reception until the end of the day.

Students should wear the normal College Summer uniform on Thursdays. House shirts are not to be worn, as there is no inter-house competition during Term 4.

Technology Use
Comments made online through messaging services, email or social media should meet the same standard we expect in face-to-face conversations. A helpful question for students to ask themselves before posting or sending something is: "Would I say this in person?"

Better still, we encourage students to apply the principle found in Luke 6:31: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” This is a valuable reminder that the way we communicate online should demonstrate the same respect, care and kindness we would hope to receive from others.

If students feel targeted by comments made online or encounter harmful online content, such as graphic violence or sexually inappropriate material- they should speak with a trusted adult straight away. Concerns can also be reported directly to the relevant platform or through the eSafety Commissioner, and serious matters may also need to be reported to the police.

Reminder
If you have questions about upcoming events, your child’s wellbeing or subject-specific matters, please contact their Crew Leader in the first instance. To arrange a meeting with a staff member, please contact the College through Main Reception.

Mr Brad Maxewell | Head of Senior School

Free Parent Mental Health Webinar - Monday 26 October 7:30pm

Dr Billy Garvey will explore the connection between parental mental health and children's wellbeing, sharing practical, no-shame strategies to help parents navigate the challenges of parenting while looking after their own wellbeing.

Please use the following link to register - https://mailchi.mp/campaustralia/parent-mental-health-with-dr-billy-garvey

About the event
Children's wellbeing starts with the people holding it all together. Dr Billy Garvey unpacks what the research says about the link between parental mental health and how kids grow and cope, and shares practical, no-shame strategies for staying steady and knowing where to turn for support.

About Billy
Billy Garvey is a developmental paediatrician with over 20 years of experience working with children and families in various settings. Billy is also the founder of Guiding Growing Minds (GGM), a social enterprise dedicated to giving all children the opportunity to reach their full potential and live rich, meaningful lives.
As part of this vision, Billy hosts the Pop Culture Parenting podcast, which blends expert insights with pop culture references to provide practical strategies for parents and caregivers. He is also the author of Ten Things I Wish You Knew About Your Child's Mental Health, a book aimed at empowering families and communities to better support children's growth and wellbeing.