The past week at RHAC has been marked by reflection, gratitude, and a deep sense of community as we honoured the ANZAC legacy together. Our Senior School students engaged thoughtfully with the history and meaning of ANZAC Day, not simply as a date on the calendar, but as a living tradition of courage, sacrifice, and service.

Our student leaders represented the College with quiet dignity and respect at both the Castle Hill and Riverstone RSL services. It was particularly moving to see them stand alongside veterans and community members, reflecting together in moments of silence and remembrance. Their conduct reflected a maturity and reverence that speaks volumes about the character we seek to nurture at RHAC. These experiences extend learning beyond the classroom, shaping in our students a deeper understanding of what it means to belong to a community and, through the model of Jesus, the desire to serve others.

At our school assembly, we gathered as one to reflect on the ANZAC story. Through readings, prayer, and student contributions, we were reminded that the ANZAC spirit is not confined to history; it is evident in acts of courage, resilience, and selflessness in everyday life. We see this spirit in our students when they support one another, persevere through challenges, and act with integrity.

As an Anglican school, we are called to frame such reflections within our faith. The words from the Gospel of John resonate deeply at this time: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13) This passage reminds us that the ultimate expression of love is sacrifice and service, and that our salvation is through Christ alone.

As we enter this new term, I would also like to acknowledge the success of our recent Parent-Teacher interviews. It was a pleasure to see families and staff connecting in such a meaningful way. These conversations are invaluable in strengthening the partnership between home and school, and the positive atmosphere throughout the interviews reflected our shared commitment to each student’s growth and wellbeing.

As we move forward into the term, may we continue to carry the spirit of Jesus with us; in the way we live, learn, and care for one another each day.

Have a lovely week.

Every term, our students spend over 17,000 minutes at school, that’s over 68,000 minutes a year and over 952,000 from the beginning of PreK to the end of Year 12. Even though this might sound like a lot of time, there is so much we want to do with students, and we want to make every one of these minutes count.

Our timetables are carefully developed to ensure that these valuable minutes are divided between the Key Learning Areas including Mathematics, English, History, PE and Christian Education, other important activities such as chapel, assembly, extracurricular activities, peer support, and special events like carnivals, Compassion Day, and Celebration of Cultures Day. Because we don’t want our students to miss out on any of these things, I encourage you to ensure that your children are at school on time and ready to learn in time for 8:55am when students assemble to start the day.

We also recognise the importance of allocating time for our students to play. The two breaks during the day provide an important break from the structure of a classroom. These times provides students with the opportunity to eat and then run, play games, talk and spend time with their friends. These breaks also help students to develop social skills, independence, problem-solving skills and self-confidence as they negotiate games and play creatively with their peers. During these breaks, some of our students also participate in a Christian Cru group, SRC meetings, musical rehearsals. There is also time for play before school; however, please remember that supervision of students only commences at 8:30am.

The routines we teach our students help them to make the most of the time they have in class. The consistency, predictability and structure of routines help students know what is expected of them in the classroom. Once learned, students can independently follow them, reducing interruptions and increasing the time for teaching and learning. We have routines for entering the classroom, answering questions, moving between activities, reading aloud, discussions, handing out and collecting books, and checking for understanding. As these routines are learned and practised, they become automatic, allowing students to concentrate on learning. Perhaps there are routines that you use at home that help with making the most of your time, or you may like to consider whether there are routines you could add to your mornings or afternoons.

Importantly, school is more than just lessons and breaks, it is also a place of community and relationship. Teachers spend time getting to know their students individually and as a class. They build in time for joy, laughter and interactions. They take the time to help students when there has been a relationship breakdown and listen and guide students to make good choices. Teachers often give up their own breaks to ensure that students feel listened to and cared for. They also create opportunities to celebrate students’ successes and development. We are thankful that our community is comprised of students, school staff and parents. I love that this term we can welcome you to our chapels, assemblies, Celebration of Cultures (Harmony Day), and at the beginning and end of each day.

I am thankful that the day finishes with reading. Every day, our teachers in Years 3 to 6 read high quality novels to their classes. Over a year, students will hear books read for nearly 2000 minutes. These minutes are valuable because students’ listening comprehension generally outpaces their reading comprehension. This means that when teachers read aloud to their class at a level slightly above their students’ reading ability and guide the discussion about the books they are reading, students can comprehend texts they wouldn’t be able to understand on their own. Students can be introduced to a range of books that they probably wouldn’t choose on their own and increase their confidence in independently reading different books. This time is very important to our students, and I remind you that we ask parents not to come into the H-J Quad or surrounding areas until 3:25pm so that the classes are quiet and focused until the end of the school day.

Please support us as we make use of every minute:

• Ensuring your child is at school after 8:30am and before 8:55am.
• If you are picking up your child in the afternoon, please don’t congregate in the H-J quad before 3:20pm
• Parents picking up K-2 students can enter gate 5 from 3.15pm; parents picking up K-6 students can enter gate 5 from 3:25pm.
• Help your child to be organised and ready for school every day.
• Consider whether there are routines that you could practise with your children at home to make the most of the time you have with them before and after school.
• Join us for community events.

In our last newsletter Mrs Karin Stace shared about ANZAC Day. I thought I would share something of what our senior students experienced from their ANZAC service that was held Tuesday for our Chapel service. It was an excellent service to remember them. ‘Lest We Forget’.

The focus this year was on the role of Chaplains in the defence forces.

This poem, entitled “ANZAC Day” was written by Australian Army Chaplain, Jim Cosgrove.

Anzac Day – A nation’s pride,
Remembering our sons who died
Acknowledging their sacrifice
that helped to pay our freedom’s price
Our Nations’ history tells the tale
of those whose courage didn’t fail
Who gave their lives for you and me
To free our world from tyranny.
Anzac Day, remembered sorrows,
The ones who gave us their tomorrows
Who fell with faces to the foe
to buy the peace their children know
In troubled times they fought the wars
and gave their lives for freedom’s cause.
They fought until the job was done
The only way that peace is won.
Anzac Day, the Anzac Spirit
A minute’s silence – listen – hear it
Whispered words from those who gave
their lives, and now rest in the grave.
Their softest sigh within the silence
“Live the Peace – and shun the violence”
Let not our lives be lost in vain
Think twice before you war again.
Anzac Day - Lest We Forget
The fighting isn't finished yet
Our Nation's sons and daughters still
With resolute determined skill
Take up the fight, take up the cause
Till one day there's an end to wars
God bless our troops with strength we pray
On this and every Anzac Day.

We also enjoyed two video messages I would like to share with you and hopefully if you have time, can enjoy these excellent messages. One from the Anglican Bishop of the ADF Grand Dibden:

Remembering The Sacrifice: Anzac Day - Defence Anglican Chaplaincy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSSFHPphBD8

The second video with a focus on the role of Chaplains in the defence forces of Australia and their important role they play.

He Stayed | ANZAC Day Reflection 2026 (Chaplain George Green)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph7zKS-byJY

Fundraising at the College is now underway for the 2026 Hills Relay for Life, a cause that brings our community together in hope, compassion, and action.

2026 marks the 25th anniversary of Relay for Life, together we can make a meaningful impact and show support for those affected by cancer and to honour survivors and loved ones.

College‑Based Fundraising Activities

A range of activities have been organised across the College:

• Senior School BBQ – Tuesday, 5 May | Senior School students can purchase their lunch outside the auditorium. Please bring money on the day.
• Junior School High Tea Raffle | Our Head of Junior School is offering a lucky winner the chance to enjoy a high tea experience with her.  Junior School students are encouraged to enter by submitting a gold coin donation, as outlined in the SeeSaw correspondence.
• Senior School Maccas Lunch Raffle | Our Head of Senior School is offering a Maccas lunch in the boardroom. Senior School students can enter via a gold coin donation, as detailed in the correspondence sent to students.
• Colouring and Lolly‑Guessing Competitions | Beginning next week, these popular activities are open to students, with entries via gold coin donations.

Relay Attendance‑Based Activities

The Relay for Life event will take place from Saturday, 16 May (9:00 am) to Sunday, 17 May (9:00 am) at the Castle Hill Showgrounds .

There will be many opportunities to participate on the day, including walking as part of a team, visiting stalls, and supporting various fundraising activities.

We warmly invite families and friends to join the RHAC Community Team 2026 or support the cause by donating via the team link below:

https://www.relayforlife.org.au/fundraisers/RHACCommunityTeam20268886

We wish to draw to your attention to our student supervision arrangements, which have been updated on 30 April 2026, which are set out in our Parent & Carer Handbook.

Information correct as of the time of publication.

Information correct as of the time of publication.

If your child is in Year 7, you should have received an email about providing online consent for their routine school vaccinations.

In Year 7 , students are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV).

Giving vaccination consent is quick and easy!

Here’s how:

1. Visit the online portal:

https://engage.health.nsw.gov.au/engage

2. Log in with your Service NSW account

3. Complete the consent form

If you don’t have a Medicare card or internet access, please ask the college for a paper form.

If you are unable to provide consent online, please contact the College on 8824 5844 and a Consent Form can be sent home with your child. All consents will need to be completed prior to the day of vaccination.

Vaccination dates:

Year 7 – Monday, 4th May

More information:

To find out more about the School Vaccination Program, visit: www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination

For information in your language, visit: www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/school_vaccination_language.aspx

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact the College on 8824 5844 or email [email protected]

Thank you for helping us protect your child and their classmates!

There is something so wonderfully uniting about receiving your musical cast shirt. Our incredible Finding Nemo Jr cast had the precious experience of coming together as ‘one’ by wearing their show shirts together for rehearsal. This is a beautiful image of everyone’s contribution to the show, no role or person more important than any other just unity and mutual achievement.

Remember to put the dates in your calendar, more information and ticket link to come later this term.

• Thursday 3rd Sept | 7pm
• Friday 4th 4th | 7pm
• Saturday 5th Sept | 2pm & 7pm

We continue to  acknowledge the burdens RHAC families are carrying with rising fuel costs and recognise that this uncertainty continues.

Below is a link to the NSW Fuel Security Toolkit for your reference.

P&F President Update
It’s been a fantastic start to the term, and I’d like to thank our community for the strong support shown at our recent Senior School Uniform Sale. It was wonderful to see so many families take advantage of the opportunity, and we’re pleased to share that it was a great success.

There is still a significant amount of stock available for those who may be preparing for the winter uniform changeover. In particular, we have plenty of junior school items and jumpers ready to go. If you’re looking to top up uniforms or get organised for the cooler months ahead, please don’t hesitate to reach out via [email protected] for more information.

Join our vibrant, dynamic, and caring team in a welcoming, friendly, and professional environment.

RHAC welcomes applications from qualified candidates for both teaching and non-teaching positions. Click below to view our current vacancies.

The RHAC Parent and Carer Handbook is designed to provide families with information about the daily operation of the school including:

• Vision, values and approach to learning
• Uniform and stationery requirements by class/year group

• Communication - flowcharts are provided to assist parents in knowing who to contact, an explanation on how to make a complaint

• College map
• Managing student absences
• Managing student illness and wellbeing (e.g. caring for students who are sick at school, school counselling and reporting student success)
• Extra curricular opportunities
• Technology requirements
• Parent involvement and RHAC P&F Association
• College policies and procedures...and much more.

The handbook can also be access via the College mobile app .