With only two weeks left of the school year, the Junior School is busy with finishing the year well and helping students prepare for 2026.

Year 7 Orientation is an important event in the transition from Year 6 to Year 7. I spoke to a Year 6 class about their experience, and they talked about how many new students were there and how they enjoyed the opportunity to make new friends. One student commented, “It was so much fun, and everyone was so nice” . Three students talked about how much they enjoyed the taster classes in Spanish, Art and Geography. I am very thankful for the work of the Senior School in helping the students feel excited and calm about next year.

As well as these important events, there are several Junior School events coming in the next two weeks:

• 24 November: Kindergarten Nativity in the Auditorium from 10:00am - 11:00am. Kindergarten and Year 5 parents are invited to join us. Kindergarten merit awards will be handed out at this event.
• 27 November: Year 6 Graduation service and dinner in the Auditorium. This event starts at 6pm with a graduation service where parents and carers are invited to join us to give thanks for the Year 6 students. Students say goodbye to their parents around 6:30pm and celebrate with their friends and teachers in the auditorium until they are picked up at 9:00pm.
• 1 December: K-6 Christmas Service in the Auditorium from 2:20pm - 3:00pm. Year 6 parents are invited to join us for the final chapel service for Year 6.
• 3 December: Presentation Day in the Auditorium.
  • Years 3-6:  10:00 - 11:45pm
  • Kindergarten to Year 2:  12:15pm - 1:10pm
• 5 December: Party Day

With Mrs Fiona Morris leaving us at the end of the year, there is going to be a change in the Junior School choirs. I am very pleased to announce that Mrs Emily Arthur will be taking on both the Stage 2 and Stage 3 choirs. Today Emily told me, “I am so thrilled to be taking the Stage 2 and Stage 3 choirs in 2026. Having grown up in choirs and beginning my teaching journey with the Australia Girls Choir, I am extremely passionate in furthering the musical pursuits of students at RHAC”.

The end of Term 4 is a busy time for everyone. We are looking forward to celebrating the end of the year and the birth of Jesus with students, staff and parents.

Last week we had the great joy of welcoming our incoming Year 7 cohort for their Year 6 Orientation Day - a milestone event in the life of every student stepping into high school. Days like this are far more than a tour of facilities or a chance to find out where the lockers are located. They are about building confidence, easing anxieties,  and laying the foundation for a strong and connected community.

One of the highlights of the day was seeing our incoming Peer Support Leaders step so naturally into their roles. Their warmth, encouragement and genuine care made a powerful impression on our new students. Whether they were guiding groups between sessions, answering questions with patience, or offering those quiet reassurances, their leadership embodied the heart of our community. These intentional peer connections are often what transform nervous feelings into hopeful ones.

Students also took part in a series of classroom ‘taster’ sessions in a range of subjects from Drama to Spanish, and from Science to Music. This was a wonderful opportunity for Year 6 to experience the rhythm of high school learning. From exploring ideas to hands-on moments, these sessions helped students envision themselves as active, capable high school learners. The familiarisation they gain now allows them to enter Year 7 with greater confidence, curiosity and excitement.

We also had the privilege of meeting with many parents and carers at the conclusion of the day when Mrs Bourke (Head of Years 7-9) presented an overview of what is to come at the start of the year.. Transitioning into high school is a shared journey, and when families, teachers and leaders connect early, we strengthen the partnership that will carry each child through the years ahead. I was able to touch base with a number of new parents and hearing your questions, hopes and stories helps us better support your children and reminds us that community is built not only by students, but by every adult who invests in their wellbeing.

At the same time, our older students have been demonstrating what it means to serve with generosity and compassion. Our Year 10 Service Program has once again been a shining example of the College’s commitment to giving. Their contributions towards the Christmas Aged Care hampers have been extraordinary, ensuring that some of the most vulnerable members of our wider community feel seen and valued at this time of year. Alongside this, College involvement in The Jeremiah Project continues to grow, with students engaging meaningfully in outreach and service initiatives. It is a joy to see so much giving overflowing within our community as we approach Christmas.

At RHAC, we believe that belonging is shaped long before the first day of school. Orientation Day is a beautiful expression of this belief: students welcomed warmly, leaders modelling care, teachers opening their classrooms, and families gathering with us in trust and partnership.

We are already looking forward to seeing our new Year 7s again in 2026.

It’s an interesting exercise to consider what you simply could not live without! Family? Friendship? Love? If we asked our children, I wonder what they might say? Their iPhones, the PS5, sport? Many of these things are very important to us, some more than others, but there are some less-interesting things we cannot live without – things like water, air and the sun. These things are simply essential to life.

This week in chapel, we continued thinking about Christmas in 4 words and this week we added the word ‘essential’ to our list. In John 3:16 we read the words that, because of His great love for us, God gave His one and Only Son, Jesus, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Christmas is essential because it signalled the arrival of Jesus, the One and Only Rescuer.

Tom Wilson from CRU helped us think a little deeper about this great rescue through Jesus. He explained that we can understand how essential Christmas is with a Christmas cracker! The gift in the cracker reminded us that Jesus came to earth as God’s gift to the world, and He offers the free gift of eternal life to all who trust in Him. The crown in the cracker reminded us that Jesus is the King of the world, the promised Messiah, and the only one who can rescue us from our sin because He died and rose again and reigns now as God’s forever King. And the joke reminded us that Jesus came to bring us joy. The news of Jesus’ birth at Christmas is good news of great joy for all people because it is news that shows God’s great love for this world and His offer of eternal life. This forgiveness is not something we can earn ourselves but is forgiveness that only Jesus can offer us. What a joy that Christmas happened and Jesus came to earth to rescue all those who will turn to Him as Lord and put their trust in Him.

Tom also shared about CRU holiday camps which are wonderful opportunities for students to have fun with other students, engaging in lots of varied activities, either on overnight camps for day camps. Some of our own students shared their experiences from attending these camps and commented on how much fun these were! If your children are interested in attending one of these camps, you can find more information below.

Finals Week Wrap-Up

Our U15 cricket team faced Redfield in a nail-biting semi-final last week. Batting first, the boys posted a competitive 8/134 from 20 overs, with Aarush leading the charge with a solid 28 runs.

Defending the total was always going to require disciplined bowling, and the team delivered. Dylan struck early with an LBW, Xavier added another thanks to a sharp catch from Aarush and Ranvir added one late. Vihaan was the standout with tight figures of 0/15 from his four overs.

Despite the effort, Redfield edged ahead, hitting the winning run with just three balls to spare to claim victory by seven wickets. A tough result, but a performance full of grit and determination. A big thank you to Mr. Singh for all his work with this team throughout the season.

Next up: a 3rd/4th playoff against Hills Grammar later this term.

On Tuesday afternoon, our Junior Girls GOLD Touch Football team faced Pacific Hills in the Hills Zone final which was a match that promised to be close. By halftime, RHAC had built a 5–1 lead thanks to some well-worked team tries, including contributions from Danae and Eva D.

When asked about a player of the match, Coach Ms Goldie summed it up perfectly: “ It would be hard to single out one player, everyone really stepped up and delivered their strongest performance of the season.” An honourable mention goes to Eva, Savannah, and Lenae for their leadership on the field, while Danae showed incredible resilience, playing through an ankle injury to score several crucial tries that helped secure a 7–2 victory.

This win crowns the team as HZSA Champions and marks the end of a fantastic season. Congratulations to all players for their commitment and teamwork, and to Ms Goldie for guiding the squad to a third consecutive Junior Girls Touch Football title at the College.

Information correct as of the time of publication based on information provided by various departments.

For more information or to see events your child is involved in, including rep sport and extra curricular music, please check the Calendar or Events tab on the College App (available from Apple App Store or Google Play ) or Edumate Parent Portal.

Information correct as of the time of publication based on information provided by various departments.

For more information or to see events your child is involved in, including rep sport and extra curricular music, please check the Calendar or Events tab on the College App (available from Apple App Store or Google Play ) or Edumate Parent Portal.

Early Bookings
Close midday on Wednesday, 26 November 2025. Bookings taken after this date will be classed as a Casual Booking and will be charged at the current fee schedule.

Casual Bookings
Close midday on Friday, 5 December 2025. Bookings taken after the cut-off will be classed as Last-Minute bookings and will be charged at the current fee schedule.

Please note: once booked, sessions are payable regardless of attendance.

Click on the images to view the schedule or download below.

Congratulations to all our representative players on a fantastic season! We are incredibly proud of the way you represented the College. Your commitment, sportsmanship, and teamwork are greatly appreciated.

As the season has now concluded, all representative uniforms (jerseys and singlets) must be returned by the end of Week 7.

Please ensure your items are returned either to:

1. Mr. Adams' office, or
2. Student Reception

If you are returning your uniform to Student Reception, please:

1. Write your name on a Post-It note (available at Student Reception).
2. Attach the note to your uniform.
3. Place it in the uniform return bin.

Please note that any items not returned will incur a replacement fee.

This Christmas, we are once again partnering with The Jeremiah Project to bring hope and joy to families in need. Together, we can share the true spirit of Christmas by showing love and generosity to those less fortunate.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – Acts 20:35

Donations can be brought to our Main Reception area (under the clock tower) from now until the end of term. Thank you for helping us make a difference this Christmas.

What a joy it was to see our Junior School students come together for last Friday’s disco! The energy, the smiles and the sheer excitement in the room made it a wonderfully successful event. We’ve received so much positive feedback from students and parents alike and it’s clear these moments of fun and celebration mean a lot to our community.

As always, we’re eager to keep our events fresh and engaging, so we warmly welcome any suggestions or reflections you may have. Your ideas help us grow and ensure we’re creating experiences that truly resonate.

A heartfelt thank you to our fabulous volunteers - your time is the greatest gift you can offer. Volunteering isn’t just about helping on the day; it’s about connection, contribution and community , the very pillars of our P&F. We hope you made some lovely new connections along the way.

Now’s also the perfect time to start thinking about joining the P&F Committee for next year! We’re always looking for new faces, fresh ideas and enthusiastic volunteers to help us make next year even better. Whether you have a little time or a lot, your contribution makes a real difference and it’s a great way to meet other families and be part of something fun and rewarding.

As we near the end of the year and share this last few newsletters for the year, I want to express my gratitude for the continued support, kindness and spirit that define our school. Let’s carry that momentum into the final weeks of the year and finish on a high.

Warm regards,
Sneha Pandey
President, RHAC P&F
[email protected]

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 .