I can still recall the days of having to go to a bank to withdraw cash and paying my credit card by mailing a hard copy cheque to the bank (yes, I am getting old!). However, I definitely appreciate now being able to do my banking from my phone from almost anywhere in Australia in a matter of minutes.

Devices and IT systems that improve people’s lives are created by talented, well-educated people who specialise in information technology and related fields. Their education starts when they are at school. RHAC is enthusiastically committed to contributing to the education of students who would like to pursue to a career in information technology. We are also committed to providing students with technology skills to help them succeed in a range of careers.

I recently asked our Head of TAS (Technology and Applied Studies) Mr Sam Prasad about RHAC’s IT related courses.

1. I understand that the College is offering a new IT course for Year 11. What is the name of this course? What will students learn?

The subject is called Enterprise Computing, which replaces the old Information Processes and Technology (IPT) course. This welcome change has meant we are focusing a lot more on the application of hardware and software skills to the real world and business environments, including cybersecurity and networking. Another course available for next year’s Year 11 students is Software Engineering, which looks at writing programs to control hardware and AI systems.

2. Are there other opportunities for Senior School students at RHAC to learn how to use technology and develop their skills?

Yes, by choosing Computing Technology in Year 9 and 10, Enterprise Computing in Year 11 and 12, Software Engineering in Year 11 and 12 or by joining one of the technology extra curricular groups such as Robotics, 3D Modelling and Printing or 3D Animation Development.

3. Some of our students have strong skills and a passion for IT. Can you suggest one exiting IT career for students when they finish school?

The World Economic Forum has noted that there is a worldwide shortage of cyber professionals, and unfortunately Australia has been the victim of many cyber attacks. Equipping the next generation of cyber professionals is an important responsibility and an exciting undertaking, with many of our students having a keen interest in the area.

4. Next year, your faculty (TAS) will be moving into the new building. How do you think these new facilities will benefit students who study TAS courses?

Students will be able to use these new spaces to learn and apply new skills to their creative designs. We will continue to use 2D and 3D modelling to create new things with hand tools, power tools, 3D printers and laser cutters. Developing students’ software skills in Years 7 and 8 will equip them to be creative and design well over the rest of their secondary school experience. These skills apply over the broad range of technologies, including Food Technology, Textiles, Timber and Woodwork as well as Information Technology. As a RHAC student progresses from Years 7 to 12, they have the opportunity to engage and design using all of these resources and materials to create authentic solutions to real world problems.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12)

So, in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith (Galatians 3:26)

We are adopted into God’s family through faith in Jesus Christ.

When a person is adopted, there is a change in the adopted child’s identity. They have a new life with the adopting family, they take on the family’s name, they are now part of that family and they are seen as the same as any other child in that family. If there are other children in that family, they have become their brothers and sisters. Being adopted into a family also means they too will share into the inheritance.

It is the same when we put our trust in Jesus. We are adopted and brought into God’s family. We have a new identity as we take on the family name and we too will share in Christ’s inheritance.

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:14-16)

Once adopted, you have access to the Father in heaven. The documents are signed (vs.16 – The Holy Spirit is that guarantee) God is now our Father. The all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present Father, not distant but relational Father and we get to call him our Father (vs. 15).

As I reflect on this, I begin to ask myself the question, what it would take for me to meet the President of the United States of America? I imagine I would have to contact his office and try and make an appointment, months in advance. Now let’s assume that they accept my request to see the President, after they had done multiple background checks on me and I now have an appointment. Finally, the day comes, once in the White House, I now have to go through different levels of security before I could finally meet the president. I imagine, my time would be short and to the point, with the secret service watching my every move.

But what if I were the President’s child?

There is a famous photo of John F Kennedy (JFK) in the Oval office, sitting at the resolute desk and at his feet, his son John Jr. is playing. Do you think his son had to make an appointment? Do you think his son had security checks done before he saw his dad? No, that would be ridiculous. John Jr. had access to his dad like no other and so if we are adopted into God’s family, we too have access to God.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:7-8

⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Blessings.

HZSA Sport Round 1

We started our Semester 2 representative sports season this week with a record number of teams entering competitions. I would like to especially thank our staff who have taken on teams this semester and have been busy organising trials, training and ensuring our teams are in the best position to start their seasons. Staff Coaches are listed below (as well as several RHAC Alumni and external coaches who are not listed):

• Mr Paul Kennedy
• Mrs Olivia Folino
• Mr Bradley North
• Mr Wayne Conoulty
• Ms Dominique Goldie
• Mrs Christine Black
• Mrs Gemma Matson
• Mrs Julie Alimpic
• Mr Jason Park
• Ms Kate O’Hagan
• Mr Raphael Lambert

We are very excited to share that, after a long hiatus from the College sporting program, we have entered teams into the newly formed Northwest Schools Rugby Championship (NWSRC). This competition includes HZSA schools as well as other school from surrounding areas. It has been great to see our two teams eager to learn new skills and the intricacies of the game. They have been training hard since midway through Term 2 and have shown huge improvements.

The hard work is starting to pay off with our Youth team recording their first win of the season against a strong Redfield College team 28-7. Hamish T scored 3 tries while Hayden M also got 1. Team Captain Oliver S contributed with the boot slotting 4/4 conversions. A great team effort and the first of many more wins to come.

Bill Turner Trophy

Our Bill Turner Trophy team continues to reach new heights with a 4-3 extra time win over Mount Carmel Catholic College last Thursday. As mentioned previously, with every win the team continues further into this competition than any RHAC team has gone before.

Our round of 32 game was a back-and-forth affair with no team ever leading by more than 1 goal and no lead lasting more than 10 minutes. When the full-time siren went it was 3-3 a so into extra time we went. In this competition there is 5 minutes of extra time and then a player from each team is taken off the field before 5 minutes more of extra time is played. This pattern continues until a result is reached.

As I frantically sought advice from Mr Kennedy about how to approach this, star left winger Zoe P made a break down the side of the field, cut in inside a defender and got just enough boot to ball to see it roll in to the back of the net all within the first 5 minutes of extra time. Another great result which has seen them progress to the round of 16 and a match against Woolooware High School on Friday (9/8). Well done girls!

NSW All Schools Touch Football

Year 8 student Ana D represented the College and NSW CIS at the NSW All Schools 15 years and under Touch Football Championships earlier this week.

Over two days, her team competed against NSW CHS and NSW CCC. Day 1 saw a 2-2 draw with CHS and a 6-4 win over CCC. Day 2 again started with a 2-2 draw, this time against CCC before losing 6-2 to CIS. This was enough to see the CIS team progress through to the final against CHS where they would get their revenge for the earlier loss winning 5-2 to become NSW All Schools Champions.

Congratulations Ana!

Book Week (Week 5) - plus Guess That Teacher competition and Book Shop

Book Week is coming up and in preparation for this celebration, Years 4 and 5 are creating dioramas depicting an aspect of their favourite CBCA finalist picture book. These will be on display in the H Block library during Book Week and for the remainder of the term.

“Guess That Teacher” competition is making a reappearance, this time with a focus on Shrek. Faces will be displayed outside the H Block Library doors during Week 5.

Last year, this activity created a huge amount of excitement amongst the students, and we would like to encourage staff, students and parents to have a go at guessing who is who in the library swamp. There will be a small prize for the person/people with the most correct guesses.

We are having a Book Shop experience as part of library lessons in Week 5 (Book Week). Our book supplier is delivering the books for the shop. There will be no stationery, craft/science kits, novelty items, posters, etc this year. The sale is strictly books.

• Prices range from $15.00 to approximately $30.00
• Location will be in the Drama room next to the TLC (F Block) near the College Auditorium (click here for map)
• Students will come to the shop during their library lesson, parents are welcomed to also visit the shop after their classroom visit, or before or after school.
• Pre-K and Kindergarten classes will have a separate little shop experience in K Block on Tuesday. Thursday/Friday Pre-K students will visit on Thursday.
• The shop will be open for the duration of the week. It will open from 8:20am - 8:50am each morning and 3:20pm - 3:50pm each afternoon.
• Card/eftpos and cash payments will be accepted.
• We have an option for families to purchase a book to donate to our school library. A dedication plate will be placed in each donated book with the family or student name and year of donation.
• Students will need to bring their own shopping bag.

More information regarding your children/s in class grade activities will be available with class teachers.

Premier's Reading Challenge

It is with great excitement that we announce all students in K-6 have now completed their Premier’s Reading Challenge. Certificates will be presented to students in Term 4, when they are received from the PRC office.

What an achievement! Well done everyone on all your reading.

Book returns

We have a small number of books that are now quite overdue from holiday borrowing. Could you please check at home and send any books back as soon as possible.

If you wish your child to participate, please send them prepared on Tuesday with:

• No more than $25.00 cash in a snap lock bag or wallet;
• A reusable shopping bag for them to put their gifts in to safely transport home;
• EFTPOS facility will also be available on the day.

Children will bring their gifts home on Tuesday, where they can prepare and wrap them at home.

Father's Day Breakfast - Friday, 30th August

Our annual Father’s Day Breakfast will be held on Friday, 30th August. We’ll enjoy a freshly cooked BBQ breakfast and have the opportunity to spend time with the Dads, Grandads and special friends of RHAC before school.

Please secure your tickets early as spaces are limited.

• This year’s event will be held in the C/D courtyard (behind the Gate 1 clock tower). Follow the signs upon arrival.
• Limited onsite and street parking available.
• Breakfast is from 7:15am - 8:30am.
• Tickets $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for children.

We need volunteers - Register today

If you’re available to support our Father’s Day events, please register your interest using the link below. We welcome parents and grandparents to support for these events.

Warm regards,
Matt Perry
President – RHAC P&F Association
rhacpf@rhac.nsw.edu.au

• RHAC’s vision, values and approach to learning
• uniform and stationery requirements
• lost property
• a map of the College
• managing student absences
• student illness and well-being (e.g. caring for students who are sick at school, school counselling and reporting student success)
• extra-curricular opportunities
• technology
• communication - flowcharts are provided to assist parents in knowing who to contact, an explanation on how to make a complaint
• parent involvement and the work of the RHAC P&F
• policies and procedures