I can hardly believe that I am writing my final newsletter article for 2025. Where did the year go? Many positive and exciting things have happened this year, along with a handful of surprises, challenges and sadnesses that are almost inevitable in a large school community.
Our focus for 2025 has been on relational teaching . All relationships are a blessing from God, and God has blessed us with the opportunity to be in a relationship with Him through the death and resurrection of His son and declaring Jesus Lord and Saviour. Therefore, relationships need to be central to the identity of a Christian school.
As I have mentioned in previous newsletter articles, a strong teacher student relationship is an important ingredient for academic success. Teachers at RHAC are committed to perceiving the strengths and weaknesses of students and taking practical steps to help them improve. I trust that your family has experienced positive teacher student relationships this year; however, if this has been a struggle I trust that the school has taken some practical steps to address your child’s needs.
Deep and enduring relationships at school often formed outside of regular class lessons. This is one reason why extracurricular activities and special events are important.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Year 10 formal at Cropley House last Friday night. I must confess that while I was driving to the event, I felt like going home and relaxing on the lounge. However, when I arrived the whole the group gave me a warm and resounding cheer. Any feeling of wanting to be at home disappeared at that point.
I was very encouraged that countless students asked me to be in a photo with them and they even managed to get me up on the dance floor! This is no mean feat, because one gift God did not give me is the ability to dance. However, my inability was irrelevant. What mattered was that I was connecting with students.
The Year 6 Graduation Dinner this week was a special event. I trust that students and parents will remember this milestone in their child’s development as they move into Year 7 next year. Our auditorium was decorated magnificently and students put a lot of time and thought into dressing up for the evening. There was a lot of enthusiasm, warmth and laughter throughout the night.
Our Year 12 students are currently waiting for their HSC results. They worked hard and I trust that they will be rewarded with marks that will enable them to access their preferred university courses and help them to move into a satisfying career.
Relationships are often strengthened by simple, short interactions.
I coordinate Junior School drop off from Tuesday to Friday unless I am offsite at a meeting. While waving my arm and holding up 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 fingers to direct cars to a position in the drop off zone doesn't of itself make any personal connection, the 20-second connection I have with children who get out of the car when I open the door is important.
Quite often when the car is driving away I will say to a student “How’s mum?” or “How is your dad?” Usually all I will hear in reply is “goooood” (I don’t know why they emphasise the vowel!). However, I think the question is important because it is a small way of reinforcing the importance of a warm relational connection between parents, their children and their teachers.
I hope that your family will have a restful and enjoyable summer break.
Dr Chalwell and Mrs Bromley will write to parents before school comes back to ensure that every one is ready to start the new year. Looking forward to seeing you again in 2026.
