As we enter the final few weeks of the Semester 1 HZSA season, several of our teams have qualified for finals with some playing in semi-finals this week. Good luck to all our teams competing this week and well done to those teams who have finished their seasons.

Representative Success

We have had a number of students out representing the College in various different sporting pathways so far this term. Below is an outline of some of the success we have seen.

• Hanna L competed at the CIS swimming championships again this year. Qualifying for the 50m and 100m freestyle events. In another strong year, she finished 6th in the 50m event and 5th in the 100m.
• Maia B , Ana D and Zoe R were selected in the HZSA 15s Girls Netball team to compete at the AICES Championship. The team won 3 games and lost 2 to finish 3rd
• Ana D, Taylor W (15Y Girls), Tim D and Jayden D (18Y Boys) competed at the CIS Touch Football Championship last Friday. The 15Y Girls AICES team finished in first place and we had Ana and Jayden selected in CIS teams to compete at the National Championships.
• Georgia A, Ava C, Molly C (Open Girls), Anthony A, Harley A, Jaiden F, Georgiou H, Maximus I, Ryan K, Nathan L, Brayden T (16Y Boys), Jamie K (Open Boys), Emmy A, Ava C and Ana D (15Y Girls) were all selected in HZSA Football teams this year and have competed at the AICES Championship this week.

• 15Y Girls: Runners Up
• 16Y Boys: 4th Place
• Open Girls: Runners Up
• Open Boys: 3rd Place

The results were as follows:

Congratulations to Georgia A who was selected in the AICES Open Girls team and will compete at the CIS Championship in June.

Darcie P-S was selected in the inaugural AICES u16 Girls Rugby 7’s team and will compete in the CIS trials next week.

We also have Emma C and Natasha P representing the College and HZSA as members of the Open Girls Netball team next week. Good luck girls!

During our time on camp, the students spent focused time in rehearsals with their conductors, Mrs Taylor and Mr Barnes. They also had the opportunity to work with other guest music tutors who helped them workshop their current band repertoire in small group tutorial sessions. This dedicated rehearsal and tutorial time allowed the students to make significant progress both individually and collectively. It is not an exaggeration to say that the bands made almost a term’s worth of progress in two days.

While we were away, the students also enjoyed spending time with each other and their teachers during mealtimes and free time. Intermediate Band and Performance Band have separate rehearsal times back at school and rarely get the chance to cross over with each other, so this time away helped the students to build stronger connections with others outside their own year group. One of the aspects of our College’s music program that is most valued by our Junior School and Senior School students alike is the sense of community that participating in a music ensemble brings and our Music Camps are a crucial part of cultivating that sense of belonging.

The camp concluded with a concert on Tuesday afternoon, where students showcased their hard work by performing for their parents at the campsite. This performance was not only a highlight for the students but also for the parents who attended, offering them a glimpse into the achievements and progress made during the camp.

The success of this year’s Music Camp was due in no small part to the teachers who gave up their time to attend the camp. I am grateful to Mrs Taylor, Mrs Strong, Mrs Ahn and Mrs Want for attending the camp and helping everything run smoothly. I also want to thank our Property team for helping us get the students and our percussion equipment to and from the campsite. Our music students are also to be congratulated on their focus and positive attitude which enabled everyone to get the most out of camp. Thank you also to the parents for allowing your child/ren to participate in this enriching musical experience.

We are looking forward to seeing the fruit of this time spent together in the wonderful music performances this year, including the Greater Western Sydney Music Festival and the Music Ensembles Showcase coming up this term.

Last Friday, Year 6 prepared for the program by training in leadership skills. The training prepares students for their role as Peer Support Leaders. Students learnt and practised a range of skills, including team work and communication. It was an opportunity for all Year 6 students to take on leadership roles - not just students who are typically chosen as leaders.

The activities were designed to be enjoyable, ensuring that students remained enthusiastic throughout the training. From interactive games to creative projects, the training session were filled with laughter, teamwork, and a sense of camaraderie. This positive environment made the day a resounding success, equipping our Year 6 students with essential skills in problem-solving, empathy, organisation, and communication. This engaging program, designed to foster leadership qualities in a supportive group environment, left a lasting impact on all participants.

“Cover is nice and draws attention pretty well, story is creative, plot twist, good for Year 2 and up, quick read, personification used.” (6J4)

“Realistic drawings, descriptive details, heroic story, unique/differences, easy to understand story and message, some words are not suitable for little kids, the book was a bit boring.” (6J5)

Our Monday Book Club students have also commenced reading in the Younger Reader’s (Novel) category. They have committed to reading all six novels in this category and deciding as a group which book they are going to vote for as the winner.

• Opening Night: Thursday 29th August (7pm)
• Friday 30th August (7pm)
• Saturday 31st August (2pm & 7pm)

We would like to thank our official sponsors so far for their generosity and for supporting our students, staff and community. Please support their business when you are out and about and help spread the word.

Click on the images below to find out more, or head over to our 'Community News' section for special offers.

Sponsors wanted

Do you have, or know someone who has a business that would like to support RHAC Junior School students? Or are you a parent/carer, friend or family member of who would like to help your Junior School student aim for the stars?

You have the opportunity to sponsor the 2024 Junior School musical. This is an energetic production showcasing talents from students in Years 3 to 6. With your support, it is going to be amazing! It is also a chance for your business to advertise and connect with a large audience within the RHAC and wider communities.

Get in touch today to receive a copy of our musical sponsorship proposal [email protected] or call 8824 5844.

At the end of Term 1, students in Year 5 and 6 (and their siblings) were invited to participate in the trial. We have a small group of students who have joined. It is a delight to walk with these students, hear about their day and enjoy some exercise together. Two of the students are in Year 3 and, though younger, they are managing and enjoying the walk.

Mrs Coffill has given me permission to share her email with you:

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to follow up on my previous feedback regarding the walking bus program and share an additional observation that further highlights its benefits.

As I mentioned before, the walking bus has been a tremendous time-saver for me and my family. My kids are getting home 35 minutes earlier than when they are using the school bus.

On Monday and Fridays when I use K block pickup (due to after school activities), I have noticed by the time I arrive at the school at 3:30pm and go through the K block pick-up process, we often encounter the walking bus at Tallawong station. This means that parents who are picking up their children from Tallawong are likely spending approximately 20 minutes less in the car. In my case, I am saving close to 40 minutes in total as I only need to drive for 5 minutes to Hills Showground Station, rather than a round trip from Baulkham Hills to Rouse Hill.

This time-saving aspect of the walking bus is incredibly valuable for busy parents like myself. It allows us to efficiently pick up our children without having to endure long commutes or deal with traffic congestion around the school.

Once again, I would like to express my appreciation for the implementation of the walking bus program and the positive impact it has had on my family life.

The trial has one more week to run. If you would like your Year 5 or 6 children and their siblings to participate, please read the information below and complete the expression of interest form.

If the trial is successful and we can get at least 20 students involved, we will continue the walking bus and open the opportunity to all Year 3 to 6 students and their younger siblings.

Scholastic Book Orders

Orders for this edition close today Friday 17th May.

Library Overdue Notices

The notices will be sent home in diaries next week, however, if you could check your home over the weekend for any stray books and return them to the library as soon as possible.

Ensemble timetable

The ensemble timetable, as well as information on each of the ensemble, can be found by following the link below.

Please note that anyone who is participating in our instrumental ensembles (not Choir), they are expected to have private music lessons in or outside of the College.

Private Music Lessons

If you would like to sign up for private music lessons, please read the information on Private Music Tuition Brochure which includes the application form.

If you have any questions or issues with this, please contact Mrs Neralie Want [email protected]

Ensemble Fees

We will be running over 20 ensembles at the College again this year. To cover some of the cost of hiring external conductors, accompanists, new music, performance events and other related costs, students will be subject to ensemble fees. The fees will be added to the school account and will be charged twice per year. This will occur at the end of Term 1 and end of Term 2.

It is important to note that the fee structure is set at $75.00 per student per semester, equating to $37.50 per term. This fixed rate remains consistent irrespective of the number of ensembles a student chooses to participate in. Our intention behind this approach is to encourage students to engage in multiple ensembles.

For families that have more than one child participating in ensembles, the sibling discount will apply for second child and any subsequent children, at a rate of $50.00 per child, per semester ($25.00 per term).

These charges apply to all students participating in instrumental and vocal ensembles, with the exception of the Stage 1 Choir.

Nomination Guidelines

• All nominations should come from the student interested in trialing.
• Students MUST email all nominations to the Head of Student Opportunities [email protected] AT LEAST 2 days before the nomination date. Late nominations will not be accepted. Students who do not nominate will be turned away from any trial they attend.

Nominations need to include the following information:

• Name:
• Event:
• Date of birth:
• Year Group:
• Parents email:
• Playing positions (1st and 2nd preference):
• Playing/representative experience (only include information from the past 2 years):

Once the nomination has been completed and accepted, further information about the trial will be sent to students and their nominated parent email address.

Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to access subject teachers and support and assistance for work or assessments that are currently completing. Students do not need to book a place but should arrive to the listed rooms at the times included in the below grid.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.

If you are currently learning an instrument or like to sing, it is not too late for you to join an ensemble. Please email Mr Tyler Barnes [email protected]

Please see the ensemble timetable below for the rehearsal times, as well as information on each of the ensembles that are offered at the College.

Private Music Lessons

If you would like to sign up for private music lessons, please read the information on Private Music Tuition Brochure which includes the application form.

Also, if you have signed up for Instrumental Hire, you should have received your instrument on your first private lesson or at your first ensemble rehearsal. Again, if you have any questions or issues with this, please contact Mrs Neralie Want [email protected]

Ensemble Fees

We will be running over 20 ensembles at the College again this year. To cover some of the cost of hiring external conductors, accompanists, new music, performance events and other related costs, students will be subject to ensemble fees. The fees will be added to the school account and will be charged twice per year. This will occur at the end of Term 1 and end of Term 2.

It is important to note that the fee structure is set at $75.00 per student per semester, equating to $37.50 per term. This fixed rate remains consistent irrespective of the number of ensembles a student chooses to participate in. Our intention behind this approach is to encourage students to engage in multiple ensembles.

For families that have more than one child participating in ensembles, the sibling discount will apply for second child and any subsequent children, at a rate of $50.00 per child, per semester ($25.00 per term).

These charges apply to all students participating in instrumental and vocal ensembles (with the exception of the Stage 1 Choir in the Junior School).

Thank you and I look forward to a wonderful year of music making with your children this year.

• Survivors and Carers Lap
• Opening Lap of the Day led by our own Drumline
• Box Car Rally
• Schools Walk
• Schools Tug-o-War
• Silent Disco
• Hope Ceremony

...to name a few! If you are passing by the Castle Hill Showground during the day on Saturday, please drop in to see us. The encouragement will not go astray!

• Active Team Members: 40

• Registered Guests: 15

• Fundraising Goal: $16,000
• Fundraising Total: $10,589.50

Congratulations to our competition winners

Jellybean guessing competition winners taking home a lot of sugar and a Coca-Cola prize pack:

• H Block Jar: Stella D and Olivia S who guessed 944 of the 986 beans
• K Block Jar: Oliver C who guessed 310 of the 320 beans
• Senior School Student Reception: Carly V who had the closest guess at 1023 for the 998 beans

Congratulations to Relay Ralph colouring in competition winners :

• Paige (1L11)
• Abbey (3H2)

Both entries win a family pass to Taronga Zoo, thanks to our friends at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners .

Mrs Bromley’s Bestie for the Day ’s winning bid of $301 sees Katie B (Year 12) and three friends enjoying Maccas lunch in the Boardroom today, and Katie having a homework-free day!

Morning Tea with Dr Chalwell was won for $200 and will be enjoyed by Madison and Georgia O (and Dr Chalwell!) at Break 1 today.

On behalf of everyone involved with the Hills Relay for Life fundraising adventure, I extend my sincere gratitude to our community for your show of support for this worthy cause, and to the following major donors and to those who dedicated their time and energy to making this year’s event a success:

• Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

• Chriss Family IGA (Rouse Hill)

• Bakers Delight Rouse Hill

• Belmadar

• Carolyn Pullen

• Sharon D’Agostino

• Leisa Bromley

• Kaye Chalwell

• Debbie Van Rensburg

• Elizabeth Harwood

• Ailene Hlaing
• John Binney, Scott Bond, Tim Matson, Alan Johnston and Tom Pugsley

Mrs Debbie Elliott
RHAC Community Team Captain

What is ICAS?

ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee and Digital Technologies. Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals.

How to participate in ICAS

If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:

1. Read about ICAS subjects and prices here
2. Read the terms and conditions here
3. Go to Parent Portal to purchase tests here
   
4. Enter our school’s access code – NNB002
5. Enter your child’s details, select the tests you would like to purchase, then proceed to payment.

Please note that the ICAS tests shown for selection are at the school’s discretion.

After payment is made via the Parent Payment System, you will receive an order confirmation email, please keep this for your records. The Parent Payment System and registrations for ICAS 2024 will close on Monday the 29th of July. ICAS will be held in Term 3 from the 5th - 30th of August.

College Shop Hours (eff. 26/10/23)

Uniform fittings are by appointment only. Over-the-counter sales are available throughout.

For holiday hours (eg. term holidays, Easter, Christmas/New Year), please check for notices under College News of the newsletter.

2024 Trading Hours

Normal trading hours resume week commencing 05/02.

• Monday – Wednesday: 8:00am - 12:00pm
• Thursday – 12:30pm - 5:30pm
• Friday: CLOSED

College Shop Contact Details
[email protected]
Ph: 8814 3518

This year, we're excited to announce the Spring Fair, a major fundraising event in the 2024 calendar. We welcome your support in planning and participating throughout the year as many hands make light work. Businesses interested in sponsorship or supplying goods or services are encouraged to reach out.

Family Support Meals

From time to time, fellow families at the College are hit by unforeseen stresses (physical, emotional, financial, etc.). The RHAC P&F, through your support, facilitates a way for those families to access quality meals in their time of need to simply ease a bit of the pain during difficult times.

You can help by donating a store-bought meal, or by donating as little as $10 by clicking the link below which would be greatly appreciated. If you can provide a store-bought meal for the freezer, slices / banana breads / muffins (lunch box fillers) and desserts are also most welcome and may be dropped off with Mrs Sharon D’Agostino at the College main reception.

Get Involved

To get involved in the P&F, contact us at the email below.

Warm regards,
Matt Perry
President – RHAC P&F Association
[email protected]