Literacy learning is a vital part of the early years, as it forms the foundation for children’s future success as readers, writers and confident communicators. In Prep, we place a strong emphasis on developing early literacy skills through explicit teaching, meaningful experiences and playful, hands-on learning opportunities that engage and inspire our students.

Recently, we were delighted to welcome our Headmaster into the Prep classrooms to read a story to the students. This special visit was a wonderful opportunity to model a love of reading and to reinforce the importance of sharing stories together. The students listened attentively, joined in with discussion, and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with a familiar and valued member of our school community. Experiences such as these help children see reading as enjoyable, purposeful and something to be shared.

In class, students have been developing their phonological awareness by learning about syllables, often described as the “beats in a word.” Through activities such as clapping, tapping, chanting and listening games, students are learning to hear and identify syllables in familiar words. These skills are essential building blocks for reading and spelling and support students as they begin to decode and encode words.

Students have also been learning about the concept of a word, developing an understanding of the difference between spoken and written language. They are learning that spoken words can be written down and read, and that each spoken word matches a written word in print. This understanding is an important step in helping students make sense of text and develop early reading behaviours.

It has been wonderful to see the confidence and enthusiasm our Prep students are showing as they engage in literacy learning. Through strong routines, supportive teaching and meaningful experiences, students are building the skills they need to become successful readers and writers. We look forward to continuing this exciting literacy journey together as the year progresses.

Mr Bornen:  Classroom Teacher/Prep Coordinator

At last week’s assembly, Mrs Willis shared a story that put our school value of Service centre stage. While we strive for Truth and Excellence, it is Service that connects us to one another and to the world around us.

A Lesson from the High Seas

In 2017, Lisa Blair was attempting to become the first woman to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around Antarctica. Her journey was defined by our school values:

The Heart of Service

The most powerful part of Lisa’s story was the role of Service . When her boat was crippled in freezing, mountainous seas, Lisa was at her most vulnerable. It was the service of strangers such as the crew of a passing container ship who reached out to provide fuel and support that saved her life.

Lisa didn’t just take that help and go home. She turned her success into a lifelong act of service. Today, her boat Climate Action Now carries a message of environmental service, encouraging everyone to care for our natural world.

Why Do We Serve Each Other?

Mrs Willis reminded us that service is the "glue" of our school community. We don't just serve because we have to; we serve:

As it says in Acts 20:35 : “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

How Can We Serve Each Other Today?

You don’t need to be in the middle of the ocean to be of service. Mrs Willis challenged us to find ways to serve right here in our community:

When we serve others, we follow Lisa Blair’s lead: we take the help we’ve been given and pay it forward to make the world a better place.

Alice Glyde

Head of Junior School

At OAGS, we believe that education extends far beyond the four walls of a classroom. Our Agricultural Centre of Excellence (ACE) is a prime example of how extracurricular academies foster the "whole student." By balancing early starts, late nights, and high-pressure competitions, our students develop the resilience, public speaking skills, and technical expertise that drive true academic engagement.

Last week, our Livestock Exhibition Team put those skills to the test at the Royal Canberra Show, delivering an "EPIC" performance across cattle, sheep, and meat judging.

Sheep & Cattle: A Ribbon-Winning Run

The establishment of the OAGS White Suffolk stud has been a labor of love, and the results speak for themselves. Under the mentorship of Mr. Barry Lang,the team have worked really hard resulting in our Junior Ram being crowned Champion Schools Short Wool Ram. In a massive field of over 80 school entries, our two-tooth ewes also secured fourth and fifth-place ribbons.

In the cattle ring, the Shorthorns (a joint entry with "The Trap" Shorthorns) dominated the competition, collecting Junior Champion, Grand Champion, and ultimately, Supreme Shorthorn Exhibit.

Individual Highlights:

leadership and skill in a highly competitive arena.

Beyond the Ring: The Young Auctioneers

One of the week's most exciting moments was the Young Auctioneers competition. This fast-growing event requires confidence, quick thinking, and a commanding presence.

Despite being newcomers to the gavel, Angus F and Elliott S delivered powerhouse performances against professional trainee agents. Keep your ears open—a celebrity mentor will soon be joining OAGS to train our future auctioneering stars!

And finally, there appears to be secret equestrian talent with Elliott S, Miles I and Oscar P cleaning up the hobby horse event -  check out the reel on the Orange Anglican Grammar ACE academy Facebook page.

A Community Effort

Success in the ACE program is a team sport. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to:

The dedication shown by our students this week proves that when passion meets hard work, the results are truly "Grand Champion" quality.

Sarah Eyb, Leader of Agricultural Centre of Excellence