RJC prepares for Christmas!

During the Advent chapel Faith and Life committee members debated the order in which the advent candles should be lit, and what candle should be closest to the Christ candle. Some compelling arguments were made, but in the end Evan's good looks won out and it was decided that the love candle should be lit last, in closest proximity to the Christ candle.

Ryan dons his advent cardigan and lights the hope, peace, and joy candles as a the Faith and Life Advent trio leads the student body in a rousing version of 'Hark the Herald'. The song choice was made by Evan, his reward for winning the debate.

Students are coming up with of many creative ways to raise money during the "RJC Got Talent" student fundraising event. Emily, Macaila and Sara have offered to take your picture with Santa and his elves for a mere $3.00 a sitting!

Richard prepares the Concert  Choir for the Christmas Concert on Dec 17th.

Students support 10,000 villages in a sale held here at RJC on Dec 10th

Michael and John check out gifts for mom!

The musical instruments were a hit at the sale.

The school lobby gets in the holiday spirit with a little help from Tyler and Patrick.

Many of our students participated in a Christmas recital held at the Station Arts Centre in Rosthern. All singers are students of Louella Friesen.

This trio included Erin, Jocelyn and Judith.

Jordan, Ryan, Luke, Clay and Jamieson performed as soloists as well as in this group number.

RJC'S GOT TALENT

RJC'S GOT TALENT! is this year's theme for RJC's annual Faith and Life fundraiser. In past years this fundraiser was known as the Pennies for Poverty campaign, but the Faith and Life Committee decided it was time for a change. The spirit of the fundraiser is still the same, looking beyond ourselves by raising funds for organizations off the RJC campus. This year we will be supporting the Rosthern Food Pantry, the Saskatoon Children's Hospital, the Northern Animal Rescue, and MCC Guatemala.

The campaign is based on the parable of the talents where a landowner, in his absence, gives money to his workers with the expectation that they will use their gifts to produce more wealth. As in previous years, the fundraiser will be a competition among the boys, girls, and staff. We are all encouraged to use our talents (our gifts, abilities, creativity, and, if necessary, our money) to create new wealth. Competitors are expected to use no more than $10.00 to 'kickstart' their fundraisers (buying ingredients for cookies to sell at a bake sale, for example) and to give or reinvest their profits in order to raise more money.

We hope that this will inspire and nurture a giving spirit at our school during this advent season and into the new year! The RJC's Got Talent fundraiser will run from Nov. 25 - Jan. 25.

The Faith and Life committee leaders (Ryan E. and Brittany O.) introduce this year's fundraiser theme: RJC'S GOT TALENT! The 'ark' is on display and will once again be used to collect the money.

International Lunch

The International Student Committee prepared a special lunch for the student body last week. The highlight was sampling all the international fair!

Crystal, Jesse, Phoenix and Sarah explain the different dishes that have been prepared.

In line for wonton soup, honey garlic chicken, fried rice and egg custard pudding.

Gwen goes for the sushi!

Naan bread with pumpkin seed spread was provided on the tables.

Thanks for the great lunch!

RJC building project-Student Common Area

RJC has been a busy place as contractors and volunteers work to transform the old men's washroom and athletic change room into a student and school commons area. The building project is being led by Peter Schroeder of Saskatoon and a group of dedicated volunteers.

Ric Driediger completes work on the ceiling firewall while Peter Guenther measures twice and cuts once at the miter saw.

The project includes the replacement of old, drafty windows on both the first and second floors of the school with new energy efficient models.

Darren Siemens steadies the wheelbarrow as Peter Guenther carefully pours a load of concrete in.

Darren teams up with his Grandfather Ambros Siemens to pour concrete while Peter Schoeder and John Fitzgerald quickly level and trowel.

Darren and Ambros put the finishing touches on capping drains and sewer pipes left behind from the old washroom.

The student and school commons will be completed by Christmas and will provide the school with much needed lobby and gathering space outside the gymnasium. It will also include seating areas, a gas fireplace and lots of natural light from the large windows.

Thanks to all the volunteers who have come to make this project a reality. It will be a great addition to the school environment for students, staff and visitors alike.

October 27 Sadie Hawkins

On October 27th, the girls invited the boys to attend the annual Sadie Hawkins. The theme of the evening was 'song lyrics'. The students dressed in costumes that depicted different song lyrics. The dining hall was transformed with decorations, and the students enjoyed a special meal prepared by the cooks. The students were then transported to Prince Albert to enjoy an evening of roller skating and roller blading.

A quick stop in the 'Barbie's Wheels' photo booth!

Caitlyn and Tyler

Luke and Brittany

David and Jocelyn

Dining at its finest!

Can you guess the song lyrics?

Fundraising Banquet November 6th

RJC held its annual Fund Raising and Appreciation Banquet on Saturday, November 6th. Approximately 220 people filled the school gym to enjoy great food, wonderful singing and inspiring storytelling. They also bid on silent auction items and responded to a fund appeal in support of the work of the school.

The RJC kitchen staff, led by Naomi Penner and Doreen Fehr, did an excellent job of providing a delicious banquet meal of prime rib and stuffed chicken breasts.

RJC board chair Geraldine Balzer-Peters recognizes Margo Willie, RJC accountant, for her five years of service to the school. Thanks Margo!!

Bidding was fast and furious on the over 40 items on auction at the banquet. There was something for everyone, from art work and signed hockey jerseys to oil changes and cinnamon buns. Thanks to all those who donated items for the sale.

The Friesen Family Band from Edmonton wowed the crowd with their performance. The singing and instrumental playing was phenomenal!

The only Friesen family member to not perform was their newest addition, 4 month old Caspian. The Friesen's youngest daughter Junia, age 3, joined her parents and older siblings on stage for several songs too!

Special guests at the event were Rob Cahill of Heifer International and a group of 8 young Kek'chi women who were visiting RJC and area on an two week tour. Their visit "completed the circle" as RJC students had been to their school and region of Guatemala in previous years. Cahill shared about the importance of relational connection like this and the value of educational experiences that RJC provides through their ALSO program.

The Guatemalan women and men demonstrated two dances while in traditional dress.

Our Kek'chi guests also sang for the audience. Here they sing their version of The Lord's Prayer.

All done!! Many thanks to the hard working crew of RJC students who helped set up, serve and clean up for the event. Well done!!

2010 Deeper Life Days: "Uni-Diversity"

The Deeper Life Days theme this year was "Preparing for Uni-Diversity: Graduating from Tolerance to Love". Deeper Life Days explored how we can learn to live in love with others in a diverse world. The sessions were held in the pit and were delivered in a university style format.

The 'Lukes' and 'Ryans' performed a skit that focused on seeking common ground with those that are different from you.

Julie and Garnet from Avenue Community Centre in Saskatoon shared about the importance of understanding sexual diversity.

'Professors', Joey, Gerry and Joe shared a bit aobut life in Hong Kong.

Brittany and Ryan are our Faith and Life leaders this year. Brittany introduces our next guests.

They were all the way from Guatemala! It was great to have these girls living with us for the past week.

They showed us how they make their own clothes.

'Professors' Say Eh Wah and Say Eh Htoo instructed us in the popular South East Asian sport of Takra!

It is a bit like volleyball, but you can't use your hands and we use a badminton net.

It is harder than it sounds.

But some people started to get the hang of it.

You can use your head!

Parker with some skills.

On Thursday morning we learned about mental health issues, and learned coping strategies to help ourselves and others.

The whole student body performed some skits inspired by bible stories that focused on acceptance and love!

To finish Deeper Life Days we had a convocation ceremony that recognized our students' graduation from tolerance to love! Thanks to everyone who helped make DLD 2010 a huge success! We are now a little more prepared to live with love in a diverse world.