From the Deputy

From 96 to 98: A Decade of Growth and Excellence at OAGS

What do the numbers 96 and 98 have in common? Perhaps you’d say that they're both even numbers? Or, you'd note they are both divisible by 4? Perhaps you’re a mathematician and can immediately see that 96 has a high power of 2 and a factor of 3, while 98 has a squared prime factor?

For me they’re significant because as I start my 10th year as Deputy at Orange Anglican Grammar School they remind me of how far we’ve come.

In 2016, we had 96 students in the whole of secondary school. This year we have 98 students in just year 7 alone. Wow.

I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome all our new families to the school for 2025. Whether you’ve enrolled your little one in Kindy or Prep, have joined the many new families for Year 7, or have started your journey at OAGS across any of the other year groups, welcome! The start has been fantastic.

Mrs Kimmins, thank you for the work you've done to settle Year 7 in via the ‘ready seven go!’ programme. Our 4 classes of Year 7 have settled very quickly and their excitement as they move around the campus between periods is obvious. Thank you for your vision and energy in this space.

To the Kindy Team of Mrs Pearson, Ms Armstrong, Mrs Hazelton, Mrs Wallacki and Mrs Nyers-Saunders - well done! Settling 50, 5 year olds into their first big-school experience takes patience, patience and more patience! Yet, the gains they’ve already made are obvious and I believe that the Kindy programme at OAGS is not just the best in the region, but functions as a lighthouse programme of best practice across NSW schools.

To the Prep team of Mr Bornen, Mrs Burridge, Mrs Gersbach and Miss Watson, well done! Your little ‘Preppies’ are well on their way to getting themselves ‘big-school’ ready. Seeing them move around the campus for Thrive borrowing or an assembly always puts a smile on everyone’s faces.

To the new staff, all 10 of you, welcome and well done on making such a positive impact so far. Since your induction day last month to the present moment, you have integrated our culture seamlessly and already brought your various areas of expertise to bear on the students in your classes.

Finally, to Year 12, welcome back and let’s go! With last year’s graduates setting a standard of academic excellence with ATARs in the 90s and Band 6 results across the board, now is the time for you to engage deeply with your subjects and set yourselves up for success. This takes focus and commitment and I encourage you to make the most of the few terms you have left as seniors at OAGS.

And so it is that the academic year is well underway for 2025, I look forward to seeing what our students will achieve this year and am honoured to work in such a positive, professional and aspirational environment.

Blessings,

Scott Hazelton

Deputy Headmaster

Scott Hazelton

Engagement & Wellbeing

Building a Strong School Community: Partnering for Your Child’s Success

A positive and engaged school community plays a vital role in shaping a child's educational experience. Whether your child is in kindergarten or Year 12, fostering strong connections between families, teachers, and students enhances learning and well-being. A strong school community benefits everyone. Students feel a greater sense of belonging, leading to improved academic performance, better behaviour, and higher self-esteem. Schools with active parental engagement have been found to have more effective communication, better teacher morale, and a stronger culture of learning.

Here’s how you can support and be part of your child’s educational experience at Orange Anglican Grammar School.

Build Relationships with Teachers and Staff - Regular communication with teachers helps you understand your child’s progress and any areas that may need extra support. Attend parent-teacher meetings, read school newsletters, view your child’s Seesaw page (for primary students) and stay updated through school communication platforms and social media posts.

Support Learning at Home - Engaging in your child’s education beyond the classroom reinforces the importance of learning. Encourage reading, assist with homework, and discuss school topics to show that education is valued at home.

Encourage Positive Peer Relationships - Encouraging your child to form healthy friendships fosters a supportive social environment. Arrange playdates/friend visits, attend school events, and model respectful interactions to help build a strong network.

Promote a Positive Attitude Towards School - Children take cues from their parents. Expressing enthusiasm about school, teachers, and learning encourages a positive mindset in your child.

Volunteer Your Time - parent volunteers are needed to assist in the canteen, for sporting carnivals or for extra curricular activities. Even a small commitment can make a big difference in supporting school programs and building connections.

Join the OAGS P&F - The P&F provides a platform for parents to contribute ideas, raise concerns, and support school initiatives. Participation helps shape the school environment and ensures parents’ voices are heard.

Attend School Events and Workshops - on occasion, we hold parent workshops, information nights, and other events. Participating not only keeps you informed but also strengthens the sense of community.

I look forward to partnering with you on your child’s educational journey.

Jessica Willis

Director of Engagement