Follow the links below for prior News Items

2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 — 2004 — 2003 — 2000 — 1999

 

2008

Principal's Address from Annual Service of Worship2008

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Tuesday, November 26, 2008

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Young Filipino scientist heads for 2009 Intel Int’l Fair ANGELI ALBA 07.NOV.08 A young Filipino student recently received a Young Scientist of the Year Award and will be heading to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Reno Nevada for 2009. The grade-9 Change Torres is one of the youngest students to win the award, since the usual winners are grade 11 and grade 12 students. Torres was invited to attend the Science Teacher’s Association of New South Wales Young Scientist Awards where, he was informed, he was to receive an award. He said that he did not know at the time what the award would be. The Young Scientist Award, he said, was a surprise especially since he saw a lot of other projects which seem more complicated. Apart from the Young Scientist of the Year award, among the prizes he won during that event were the ARUP sponsor award and the Measurement Prize from the National Measurement Institute. Torres won these awards for his work on mapping out the acoustics inside different types of classrooms in his school, the Redeemer Baptist School at North Parramatta. In a testimonial that the young Filipino student wrote, he said that he was particularly interested in his topic because he “hoped that this would aid hearing impaired students find the best spot in a room to sit.”
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 Notable award for school poets NORTH Parramatta’s Redeemer Baptist School has won the prestigious Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Society school’s award. Year three student Catherine Young also managed to pick-up an individual award for her expressive and intimate poem called Sugar Glider. Judges of the awards selected Redeemer for the school’s award because standard of entries overall were the highest. Principal Jonathan Cannon said students got more out of their curriculum experiences when they were given an opportunity to showcase their work. ‘‘The goal of producing a work of the highest quality to be judged against exacting standards and compared with exceptional talent from students around the country really does inspire an extraordinary effort from the students,’’ Mr Cannon said. The Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Society project officer Helen Green congratulated the school, the administration, the teachers and particularly the students who submitted work of such a high quality. ‘‘It is a fabulous result of which they can be very proud and we look forward to next year’s competition and more extraordinary poems,’’ she said.		Catherine Young’s winning poem: Sugar Glider Stretching pockets of skin, Grey soft fur, Like down. Small leathery nose, Twitching. Scampering, leaping, Then glides On its parachute skin. Swooshing, grabbing The bark, Four feet dragging, Safe. Cautiously then swift, Strongly landing and Dashingly through the wind. Near the clouds. At the touch of dark, In the dusky night, Joyful!
Annual Report 2007 Joint Communiqué on resolution of legal disputes with former Members of the Ministry Order of Redeemer Baptist Church Term 1 Headmasters Report 2007
Hills Shire times, Tuesday 1st April 2008
Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday, 4th March 2008
Mursell Cannon’s time at school has been so inspiring that she wants to do it all again.   Not as a student though but as a teacher. For now the year 12 student at Redeemer Baptist School says she’s “really excited, I really want to finish.”   As captain of the netball team and a full study schedule, she has a busy year ahead, and has to drop drama this year to fit it all in.   “It’s going to keep me busy, but I like study, so that’s OK,” Mursell says.   Her parents founded Redeemer in the 1980's. The Parramatta School has 400 students, with a strong sense of community.   “We are taught to care about all the students, not just look after the brightest but to look after everyone,”she says.   Mursell says she would like to emulate her dedicated teachers. “They provide us with after-school study, especially for year 12, and give us their time on holidays when they could be having time off.   “We also have an after-school study hall each Wednesday that goes until 9pm, all the students use it. We have dinner together on those nights and it’s a lot of fun. You get a lot of work done and don’t have your siblings around, so it’s quiet.   “[Our teachers] have made learning fun and I want to do that too,” she says. Rebecca Martin
SMH Press Release

 

2007

December 5th, 2007

December 2nd, 2007

November 20, 2007

October 30, 2007 At the Awards Night of the Ignite Short Film Festival at Wesley Conference Centre our film club won the Schools Category with its first-ever production: “Carry”. Mursell Cannon, student representative of the Redeemer Baptist School Film Club, spoke to the crowded auditorium about the film club: “Most of the members have been in the School’s Drama Club, which puts on a major live-performance each year in the School’s Sargood Hall. We thought it would be a good idea to try a different medium for getting our message across. And so we found out about Ignite and decided to enter.” The film is a creative interpretation of Jesus’ and the Apostle Paul’s words, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light ... carry one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

2006 Annual Report Redeemer at Bible Society's "Word and Song"

Response to the TodayTonight Program May 15th, 2007

Tuesday, April 24th, 2007

Wednesday, March 7th, 2007 Wednesday, February 21st, 2007

Tuesday, February 20th, 2007

Sunday, 11th February

2006 First prize in the USA at Intel ISEF
Alexandra Cannon, Samia Dibb and Emma Poyitt with Education Minster Carmel Tebutt
Finalist in Nescafe Big Break Competition
An excerpt from
The cream of the nation's young entrepreneurs are seeking innovative ways to get their ideas up and running. James Dunn reports FROM the tough competition of the Chicago restaurant industry to the communal ideal of an Israeli kibbutz might seem an unlikely path for entrepreneurial inspiration. But for Melbourne caterer Nicholas Morris, that's what it took for his big idea - a chain of vegetarian restaurants - to take shape. ...
Another budding entrepreneur whose idea took time to come to the boil is Ian Cannon, 17. Cannon, a Year 12 student at Redeemer Baptist School in North Parramatta, is the classic inventor, hoping to take his ColorLuminator - a device for measuring colour and brightness - to the world market The idea sprang from research into colour-blindness Cannon did in Year 8, but building a device to help colour-blind people had to wait until he had a few more school years under his belt “I needed to learn how circuits work and how you measure colour, which I didn’t know for a few years,” he says. The result was the ColorLuminator, a device that identifies colours, and also measures luminance contrast, which is the difference in brightness between two surfaces. It has been designed to meet the needs of vision-impaired and colour-blind people. Developed by Cannon and a classmate, Rickystan Savaiko, the device has already taken out first prize for technical communication at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Indianapolis, and the pair have established that it is a world first. “You can put it on a surface, press a button and it will tell you the colour of that surface,” says Canon. It uses LEDs, which shine the light on to the surface, and the photo-transistors pick up the reflected light, and by measuring the light reflected, can define the colour on that surface. People will use it when they need to see what colour is there, for example, when they’re choosing clothes or buying ripe fruit” Possibly more important, he says, is the device’s luminance contrast capability. This is important in the building industry, where the building code specifies differences in brightness so that a vision-impaired person can find their way around a building.	But luminance contrast standards are difficult and expensive to implement, he says, which gives the simplicity of the ColorLuminator a major advantage. “We’ve had the device tested by staff at Vision Australia and by leading building auditors, and they’ve expressed avid interest for it to be marketed in Australia. We’ve also had great interest from the standards authorities in America, Japan, Italy and Canada, so we know there’s a lot of export potential.” Morris and Cannon are finalists in the 2006 Nescafe Big Break competition, which offers $100,000 cash awards to young people to kick-start business, artistic or sporting ideas. The competition shows that the spirit of entrepreneurship is alive and well among young Australians and New Zealanders, says Janelle Skropidis, head of Nescafe marketing “The calibre and volume of big ideas entered in Nescafe Big Break this year demonstrates that young Australians and New Zealanders are prepared to work hard to achieve their dreams. They are actively seeking an innovative way to get their idea up and running,” says Skropidis. “For many young people, owning their own business is their big ambition. This year’s Nescafe Big Break program reflected this trend with almost 30 per cent of the 4100 entrants submitting applications for a start-up business,” she says. Morris certainly wants to harness “passion and a head full of recipes” to launch Soulveg restaurant, and eventually expand it into a chain. ... Cannon also has big plans, hoping to take his ColorLuminator to the world market If he wins the $100,000, Cannon says it will go to securing the intellectual property, developing the third and final marketable prototype and having it tested.

The Hills Shire Times, August 29th & The Parramatta Advertiser, August 30th, 2006

Follow the links below to read the letters from the Hon Frank Sartor MP to Ian & Rickystan

Tuesday July 4. 2006     EDUCATION

Redeemer Baptist School Honoured for Excellence in Fundraising The NSW Fundraising Director for the Heart Foundation—Ms Frances Cinelli—presented a plaque to the School at the  end of our Term 2 Chapel Service (22 June 2006) in appreciation for the outstanding effort or our students in raising $12,255.20 in the Jump Rope for Heart program. "Each and every one of you has done an absolutely fantastic job," Ms Cinelli said to the students, "you’ve looked after the hearts of all Australians". Naomi Wallis, senior PDHPE student and one of the organisers of the "jump off" day, responded on behalf of the School to Ms Cinelli’s commendation: "We understand the role the Heart Foundation has taken in fighting cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in Australia ... the jump rope for heart program is a great way to encourage children to be active". Heart health was a significant issue at the School during term 2. Early in this term, a term in which students were active gathering sponsors, the School Headmaster Dr Max Shaw was taken by ambulance to Westmead Hospital in the early hours of the morning suffering from a heart attack. Within an hour of arrival at Westmead Dr Shaw was on the operating table, with two life-saving stents being inserted into his coronary arteries. Uncannily, Dr Shaw’s return to his office as Headmaster coincided with the visit to the School of the Heart Foundation! With Dr Shaw on the podium alongside her, Ms Cinelli commented, "It’s because of the Heart Foundation’s work and research that he’s able to be here with us four weeks after it happened". It may be that Dr Shaw’s illness inspired the School community to give generously. The citation on the plaque from the Heart Foundation, now displayed in the School’s reception, is a permanent reminder of the importance of charity and the generosity of the school community. The plaque says: "Your outstanding support of the National Heart Foundation of Australia enables us to continue our life-saving work".

---

---

Term One Headmaster's report

---

Dr Shaw Receives the School Cheque from Wesley

2005

•     REDEEMER YOUNG SCIENTISTS AWARDED AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE
  This year eleven students from Redeemer Baptist School were awarded prizes in the NSW Young Scientist Competition. This is quite an achievement, given that there were only 55 prizes to be won out of a massive 5,000 school level entries throughout the State. click here to read more
   

•     Term Three Headmasters Report - click here to read the report
   

•     Schoolboys contribute to international congress
  The 20^th congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis attracted medical doctors and scientists from around the world to the Darling Harbour convention centre during August this year. click here to read more
   

•     Congratulations to Kirk Wettenhall for his prize-winning poem, The Choice we all must make.
      click here to read more

•     Media release from National Geographic Channel  click here to read more
   

•     Congratulations letter from Write4Fun  click here to read more

2004

• 2004 BHP Billiton Science Awards
  The BHP Billiton Science Awards reward young people who have undertaken practical research projects that demonstrate innovative approaches and thorough scientific procedures. Congratulations to Marcus & Simeon Cannon for being awarded first place in the 'Biology and Microbiology' category. Marcus & Simeon's project was entitled "Using duplex doppler ultrasound technique to reduce the risk of deep-vein thrombosis formation during periods of prolonged sitting". Congratulations also to Tim Bailey & Bowei Huang for reaching the finals (top 4) in the 'Environment & Earth Science' category.  Tim & Bowei's project was entitled "Killer in the Creek - A scientific research on Chromobacterium Violacem and its occurrence in local creeks".
   
• 3rd place—Australian Schools Poetry Competition
  A national competition for lower secondary and primary schools conducted by Write4Fun, Brisbane. There were over 20,000 entries, with finalists' entries being published in the Write4Fun Poetry Anthology hard-bound book. Redeemer Baptist School received a certificate for being the school with the most entries in the book. Congratulations to Ian Chan who was awarded a third prize.          Click here to see more about Write4Fun in our Links page.
   
• Finalist—Prime Minister's Community Business Partnership Essay Competition
  Congratulations to Wesley Tan who was one of twelve national finalists in the Prime Minister's Community Business Partnership, Corporate Social Responsibility Essay Competition 2004. Set up in 1999 by the Prime Minister to assist the Australian Government to help business and community sectors work together. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the term used to describe the policies and actions of businesses and corporations that take into account social and environmental issues. Click here to see the Prime Minister's Community Business Partnership and CSR Essay Competition web site.
   
• Medal Winner—Australian Schools Science Competition
  The Educational Testing Centre (ETC) aims for the Australasian Schools Science Competition are to:
  • provide an opportunity for all students to gain a measure of their skills in Science in an external assessment situation
  • monitor individual progress in a range of Science-based skills
  • recognise and reward achievement at all levels
  • provide students, parents and teachers with a comprehensive analysis of student performance.

  Congratulations to Ian Chan for achieving a mark of 45/45. He will receive a medal at a Special Award Ceremony to be held at the University of NSW, September 15, 2004.          Click here to see more about ETC in our Links page.
   

• 3 High Distinctions & 3 Distinctions in the Australian Mathematics Challenge
  The Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians targets the top 10 per cent of primary students in Years 5 and 6, and secondary students in Years 7 to 10. High Distinctions were awarded to Wesley Tan (year 10) , Ian Chan (year 9) and Amrit Joseph (year 6). Distinctions were awarded to Esther Kim (year 10), Katriona Poyitt (year 9) and Timothy Bailey (year 7).
  These students are eligible to go to the Australian Mathematics Olympiad.
  Click here to view the Australian Mathematics Trust web site.        Click here to see more about AMT in our Links page.
   
• Award for Scientific Communication—Intel International Science & Engineering Fair, USA
  Congratulations to Marcus & Simeon Cannon for their "Excellence Team" award in the presentation of their "JetGym" project at the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair, held in the USA in May, 2004.  The Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon, was the gathering place for more than 1,300 high school students from nearly 40 countries, who assembled for the week long celebration of science known as Intel ISEF. At the 55th annual fair, finalists had the chance to talk with Nobel laureates, get acquainted with fellow students from around the globe, and explore the City of Roses. The Intel ISEF 2004 is the world’s largest pre-college science competition and awards more than $3 million in scholarships.
  Click here to read more.    
   

2003

• Children's Hospital receives Visual Distractions from D&T Students
  Being in hospital can be a distressing thing for children, especially the young. The year's 8 & 9 Design and Technology class directed their ingenuity to the design and building of some games and toys which combined together were called "Visual Distraction". 
   
• NSW Young Scientist of the Year with the revolutionary "JetGym" project.
  Congratulations to Marcus & Simeon Cannon for their "JetGym" project. They won first prize in the Intel Young Scientist Awards Section 10-12 Scientific Research category. They also won the ACPSEM Medical Physics Award and the Intel Australia Award, which includes a trip to Portland Oregon, USA, to participate in the Intel 2004 International Science and Engineering Fair. 
   
• Redeemer scoops the awards at the Intel Young Scientist of the Year.
  With 36 major prizes on offer, selected from a record 8,200 entries, Redeemer Baptist School performed brilliantly with 15 finalists. Redeemer Baptist students won first place awards in 6 of the 12 categories.
   
• Castle Hill House receives two Master Builders Association awards.
  Master Builders Association of NSW acknowledges Castle Hill House with the "Restoration" and "Best Use of Timber" 2003 awards. In handing the "Restoration" award plaque to Mr Jonathan Cannon, ... said "This project involved the restoration and adaptive re-use of the historic 1840 Georgian homestead which was in a derelict state after two fires. A first class restoration was carried out over a ten year period".  Click here to read the whole article.
  Read the Sydney Morning Herald article entitled "Community Spirit" - Property Section, page 30, 12 November, 2003.
   
• HSC Design & Technology Major Projects nominated for DesignTECH 2004.
  HSC D & T projects 'Liberty Transport System' by Adam Moses and 'SystemAthletic' by Joseph Botros, have been nominated for display at the 2004 DesignTECH exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum. 
   
• Federal Review of Teaching and Teacher Education report released.
  The Australian Government, Department of Education, Science and Training, in their recent 300 page report entitled "Australia's Teachers: Australia's Future", comments about Redeemer Baptist School on page 31 saying, "An independent school in New South Wales achieves outstanding results in science and technology". The article provides an excellent insight into the ethos of the School.  Click here to read a copy of the report which makes reference to Redeemer Baptist School. Also a PDF copy of the article can be downloaded from the DEST website.
   
• Year 9 Student gets into the finals of the National OzSpell competition.
  Congratulations to Wesley Tan (Year 9) in making it to the televised final of the National OZSPELL competition, held from 9-11 July. Click here for an overview of OZSPELL
   
• Minister's Young Designer Awards - new ideas for the Children's Hospital
  Project name "Vital Distractions", Module 1 (Years 7-8), obtained two Regional places and one State Finalist. Their objective was to design and make games, activities and visual diversional therapies that could be used to assist children in their recovery from sickness and physical hardships.
   
• Soccer, Softball and Super 8's Cricket teams all obtain final berths
  > Super 8's Cricket team won the regional Milo Cup which is promoted by the NSW Cricketers Association. They came third in the Regional Final, held at the Sydney Cricket Ground on December 1st and participated in the on-field entertainment during the recent 4th Cricket Test - Australia vs India.
  > SWISSA Senior Girls Softball grand final winners.
  > SWISSA Junior Girls Softball grand final winners.
  > SWISSA Senior Boys Soccer take out the Grand Final.
  > SWISSA Junior Boys Soccer were runners-up.               
   

2000

• BHP Billiton Science Awards Winner Physics, Engineering and Technology
  Keith Lam and Marbury Lau
  'The Millennium Refrigerator'
  This project successfully combined the technology process and scientific method through a series of well designed experiments. The result was a logically developed design proposal for a better refrigerator which the students then built and tested. Their project produced a positive social contribution. The judges were impressed with the way in which Marbury and Keith accessed information, assistance and resources in their quest to design a better refrigerator.

• BHP Billiton Science Awards Winner Physics, Engineering and Technology
  Peter Kaye - Smith
  'Warning! Saunas Aren't Designed for Infants'
  Peter’s entry tackles the tragic issue of heat-related children's deaths in motor vehicles. Peter begins his research by collating statistics, identifying existing studies and analysing the causal factors associated with the phenomena. This forms the basis of an extensive phase of controlled experiments that investigate the changes in temperature, humidity levels, carbon dioxide and other parameters within enclosed vehicles throughout the year. Using the results of this work, Peter developed a practical heat dispelling system to control the critical factors. The device is thoroughly tested and is demonstrated to provide an effective solution to reducing the risk of heat-related injuries and deaths.
   
• BHP Billiton Science Awards Finalists Physics, Engineering and Technology
  Jonathan Bailey        —    Attention! Seeker Devices
  Peter Kaye-Smith       —    Warning! Saunas aren't designed for infants
  Andrew Park              —    Attention! Seeker Devices