‘Your mind gives up well before your body does’
From the Headmaster
Neuroplasticity, Mindset & Performance
Neuroplasticity, Mindset & Performance
On May 18th 2024, an ex-student of mine named Mikey Dimuantes won the Ultra Trail Australia 100km trail race. This is the 2nd biggest trail running festival on the planet, hosted in Katoomba NSW and known as one of the toughest foot races in the country. If you know the terrain around Katoomba, it’s mind boggling to think that a course that includes iconic sections like ‘Nellie’s Glen, the Giant Stair and Kedumba Valley’ could be conquered by an athlete in no more than 9 hours and 1 minute. To put that into perspective, it’s approximately 2.5 marathons, on rough and rocky trails, with enough vertical ascent to put you more than half way up Mount Everest, in… 9 hours. When asked in an interview about what it takes to achieve such a feat, Mikey is unequivocal in his response… the mind. Mikey recalls going through a ‘dark spot’ around the 65km mark. When asked how he kept going, he replied, ‘I reminded myself that I was 65km into a 100km race, of course it’s going to hurt. Like any other runner, whether they’re elite or mid-packers, I acknowledged the pain, accepted that it was a necessary part of the end goal, and got on with it’.
Dr Zoe Fitzgerald is a Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist. She specialises in Neuroplasticity - a fancy term for how the brain can change and adapt due to experience, usually negative experiences, that the body has encountered. When asked about ‘negative talk’ and the impact of ‘focussing on what I’m finding hard right now’ she is incredibly insightful.
‘The process of being grateful and practising gratitude we know has a huge overall body health impact as well. It releases endorphins and oxytocin. If you focus on the negative and sensationalise the hardship you are facing, you raise up the body’s defence mechanisms. However, the grateful mindset leads to high performance - in athletic endeavours and also at work’.
Our Year 11 and 12 students recently sat their half yearly examinations. I took the opportunity this week to speak to them about how valuable this experience is for their preparation toward their final HSC results. The temptation for the teenage brain is to view such hardships as negative and ‘painful’, and therefore detrimental to their wellbeing. But there is a lot of exciting research that says, if that’s the case, it’s likely because your mindset has been set to a negative tone. In our meeting I called the students to rewire their mindset. I encouraged them to pester their teachers with practice papers, as so many of their student predecessors who had gone on to global success had done, in order to win the battle of the mind and aim for high performance. Even for teachers such a message can be challenging. Culture starts and ends with our teaching team who, when they call our students to embrace the challenge, be ‘ok with the pain’ and work tirelessly toward their goals will win the battle of the mind. Once a school has a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed, and an unrelenting desire to do so, suddenly mindsets shift toward high performance, and the ‘body’ follows.
It really is - a battle of the mind.
Speaking positively, focussing on the wins, being ‘ok with the pain’ inevitably leads to high performance. But, it’s a decision of the mind.
Neuroplasticity could easily be defined in another way - the ‘renewing of the mind’. The idea that a renewed mind changes the trajectory of one’s life is found in the Christian faith. As Paul writes to the church in Rome he states;
‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind’... Romans 12:2
Isn’t that a striking statement! The pattern of the world statement is language for ‘going along with easy negative talk, action and godless living’ that is our default position. Paul here equates such negativity and conformity with a path that leads ultimately to death. However, he goes on to declare that the opposite of such defeatism is to be transformed by the renewing of the mind’! Paul’s immediate point is that to embrace the message of the Gospel of Jesus, is to have a complete transformation of body and mind. The secondary application is to acknowledge that once the mind is right, life and life-to-the-full follows.
As we teeter on the edge of a long weekend I am grateful for the community of OAGS. I am mindful of the privilege to work with brilliant educators, outstanding support staff, and committed families. And, more than ever, I am driven by the desire to see our families, students and staff see the value of a renewed mindset, that doesn’t simply default to conformity, and ultimately defeatism, but embraces challenge, matches it with a positive mindset, and unleashes the power of mind-driven high performance.
Blessings,
Scott Hazelton
Acting Headmaster
Scott Hazelton
Engagement & Wellbeing
Setting Goals
Setting Goals
As part of the Leader In Me framework, students at OAGS are regularly encouraged to practise and apply the 7 key habits. Habits 1-3 focus on “leading myself”, focusing on ways that each of us can understand ourselves, plan for the person that we would like to be and take responsibility for our own learning and growth.
Setting goals is an important component of understanding where we are currently at and proactively planning for what we need to “do” in order to get to where we would like to be. Goal setting is explicitly taught to our students from the younger years through to Year 12 to support them to reflect on themselves and to plan for their future.
Goal setting is one tool that is widely recognised as a key to success. Much of the research indicates the importance of writing goals down and regularly reflecting on them. In fact, people who write down their goals have been shown to be up to 42% more likely to achieve them than those who don't. Writing them down makes them visible and reminds us to stay focused on where we are headed, even on the challenging days. This keeps us motivated and gives us direction.
Goals may be as small as wanting to learn to spell a particular word or aiming to say the 4 times tables out loud in under 30 seconds. Alternatively, our goals may be bigger, for example wanting to save up for a games console or achieving a particular ATAR to get into a university course of choice. Sometimes we can have both big and small goals simultaneously.
To help your child learn this skill, encourage them to decide on some small goals, write them on a piece of paper and put them somewhere visible like the fridge or the bathroom mirror. With half yearly reports coming out at the end of the term, it is a perfect opportunity to read the report with your child and to help them set some new learning goals for Semester 2. Perhaps each member of your family could set goals to work towards.
Of course, celebrating our achievements is important. I like to celebrate reaching my goals by purchasing something nice for myself or enjoying a special treat (chocolate of course!!). How will you celebrate reaching your goals?
Jessica Willis
Director of Engagement
Jess Willis
Reconciliation Week
Reconciliation Week
Reconciliation Week falls between the 27th May - 3rd June each year. It is a significant week in Australia’s calendar and was acknowledged at OAGS throughout the Primary Classrooms in Week 5. The 2024 Reconciliation Week theme was ‘Now More Than Ever’, encouraging all Australians to continue working towards reconciliation.
In Stage 3, students engaged in Reconciliation Week by learning about the significant events that start and end the week. By learning about the successful 1967 Referendum and the High Court Mabo land rights decision, students developed their understanding of the history of Reconciliation and Indigenous rights within Australia. Students in Stage 3 also learnt about Sorry Day, Yarning Circles and the Indigenous concept of ‘Country’.
To reflect on their learning, students participated in a number of Yarning Circles to share their ideas, ask questions and listen respectfully to one another. When students in Year 5 Turtles were asked to reflect on Reconciliation Week, here were some of their responses:
My interests in Reconciliation Week was leaning about the ‘Stolen Generations’ and the word Terra Nullius - Humzah
I learnt that National Sorry Day is about saying sorry to the First Nations People, before I didn’t know what it was - Veronica
I learnt that the Indigenous people were on Australia first and we took over their land - Malcom
I learnt about Eddie Mabo and how he was a saviour and that he put all his effort into saving the land that belonged to the Indigenous people, but sadly Eddie Mabo passed away before the decision was made - Kaydence
The Year 5 Turtles then committed to things that they can do to continue to work towards reconciliation. As a class, they committed to doing the following things:
- Respecting everyone, including people who are different to us
- Using the correct terminology when talking about our First Nations peoples
- Respect and care for Country by picking up rubbish
- Being kind to everybody
- Continue to learn about Indigenous peoples, histories and cultures
Molly Collins
Year 5 Teacher
Prep
The Importance of Literacy in Early Education
The Importance of Literacy in Early Education
Within our classrooms here at Prep, our students enjoyed our recent National Simultaneous Story Time event. This year, both classes joined Mr. Bornen’s class for a special reading of the delightful story "Bowerbirds," simultaneously with schools across our state. This event was a fantastic opportunity to bring our school community together and emphasise the importance of early literacy.
The Importance of Literacy in Early Education
Reading is a fundamental skill that forms the cornerstone of all learning. Engaging in story time activities:
- Enhances Language Skills: Reading stories aloud helps students develop their vocabulary, comprehension, and language abilities.
- Encourages Imagination and Creativity: Stories stimulate the imagination, providing students to explore new worlds and ideas.
- Builds Concentration and Discipline: Regular reading sessions improve student's attention span and their ability to focus on tasks.
- Promotes Emotional Development: Through stories, students learn to empathise with characters and understand different perspectives.
Visual Arts Lesson Inspired by Bowerbirds
After our collective story time, each class participated in a visual arts lesson centered on the bowerbird theme. This hands-on activity provided students to explore the meta-language of art, engaging their creativity and artistic skills. Students had a wonderful time expressing themselves through various art mediums, inspired by the beautiful and intricate nests of bowerbirds.
Journey into the World of Bees with Ms. Burridge
Ms. Burridge took our students on an enlightening journey around a provocation about bees. This segment was a fantastic learning opportunity where students discovered:
- How bees make honey.
- The essential equipment needed for beekeeping.
- The fascinating process of looking after bees.
The highlight of this session was tasting different types of honey, which the students thoroughly enjoyed. Following this, each teacher designed lessons to continue exploring the world of bees through various subjects, whether it be research projects, art, numeracy, or literacy activities.
Fun Fact About Bees:
Did you know that a single bee can visit up to 5,000 flowers in a single day? This incredible fact underscores the importance of bees in our ecosystem and their role in pollination.
We are thrilled with how these activities enriched your children's learning experience. We believe that combining literacy with art and hands-on science exploration makes learning both fun and impactful.
Thank you for your continued support in fostering a love of learning in our students.
Mr Bornen
Prep Coordinator
James Bornen
Primary School
Primary News
Primary News
The Power of Why
Children are innately curious beings, often posing the simple yet profound question, "Why?"—"Why is this like that?" "Why does it work like that?" "Why can’t I do that yet?" Embracing these questions might take time, but harnessing their curiosity by exploring 'why' questions is crucial for developing a child's understanding of how the world works.
This week, students across the Primary School have been delving into hundreds of 'why' questions to deepen their understanding of the world. In Stage 1 Science, students have been learning about push and pull forces and how they can be used to create simple machines. They were encouraged to ponder why a toy car rolls down a ramp or why a pulley system helps lift heavy objects. Meanwhile, Stage 3 students have been creating electrical circuits, exploring why a circuit must be complete for a light bulb to turn on. By consistently encouraging students to ask "why" at every stage, we help develop their questioning and reasoning skills, enhance their conceptual understanding, and nurture their curiosity. This approach not only fosters a deeper comprehension of scientific concepts but also cultivates a lifelong love for learning that will drive their education forward.
Alice Glyde
Director of Primary
Alice Glyde
'Inspire Respect' Workshop - Years 4 & 6
'Inspire Respect' Workshop - Years 4 & 6
The way you pass a ball affects yourself, your team, your coaches, your spectators and your club. Last week, Year 4 and Year 6 students enjoyed a League Stars workshop with retired NRL players Alan Tongue and Mitch Allgood. In this workshop, the students were prompted to consider how they can respect themselves and their team (class and community) by treating others in a way that they would like to be treated. Students brainstormed ways they can respect themselves, such as eating foods that will make their bodies feel good, getting exercise, being hygienic, getting enough sleep, turning off devices, setting goals and surrounding themselves with people who make them feel good. They also considered how respect for others looks like showing up on time, listening to the ideas of others, empathising, welcoming others and being understanding and accepting of differences.
CWA Public Speaking
CWA Public Speaking
Every year at OAGS, we have a long and proud tradition of entering students in the CWA Public Speaking Competition and this year was no exception. Between the 27th and 30th of May, students from across Stage 2 and 3 travelled down to the CWA Hall and proudly represented our school, speaking on a range of topics from ‘The Mysteries of the Deep’ to ‘Life through my pets eyes.’ We would like to congratulate the following students on this tremendous achievement:
Year 3 - Harry Crane (Placed 3rd out of 40 entrants)
Year 4 - Huw Stokes and Juana Yang
Year 5 - Edward and Thomas Brown
Year 6 - Isla-Rose Henry and Brodie Stephenson.
Year 6 Debating
This year, Orange Anglican Grammar School were invited to enter two teams of Year 6 students into the Orange School Debating competition. Over the next two term students will travel between OAGS, Kinross Wolaroi and Orange Christian School debating on important issues such as ‘Athlete stars are paid too much’ and ‘Public Transport should be free.’ We have already competed in two rounds of the competition, in which our students have shown tremendous growth in their debating skills and have prepared and delivered terrific arguments in both matchups. We look forward to hosting the next round of debating on the 20th of June.
Timothy Herbert
Public Speaking Coordinator
FoodCare Winter Appeal
FoodCare Winter Appeal
Thank you to the many families who have already generously donated to the FoodCare Winter Appeal. If you are able and have not yet done so, we are asking families to serve our local community by considering donating items from the list below:
Canned food: spaghetti, baked beans, tinned meals, soup, spam, tuna, salmon, or other sources of canned protein
Long life food: milk, pasta, rice etc
Homelessness kits: personal care items (soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, razors, sanitary items, shampoo, tissues)
Other items: microwave safe plates and bowls, cutlery, mugs
Winter vegetables: whole pumpkins, onions etc
Donations can be delivered to Student Services by Wednesday 12th June. All donated food will be freely passed on to people coming to FoodCare at the conclusion of next week.
Secondary School
The Importance of Examination Experience for HSC Success
The Importance of Examination Experience for HSC Success
Achieving top performance in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) requires more than just understanding the syllabus—it demands rigorous examination experience. Completing questions under examination conditions provides critical feedback that is indispensable for refining skills and strategies essential for excelling in these high-stakes examinations.
Last week our Year 11 and 12 completed their Half Yearly Examinations to assess their understanding this year. As teachers now busily mark and return these tasks, their feedback is crucial to this process. When students complete exams and receive feedback, they gain insights into common mistakes and then identify techniques for preventing them in future. Feedback also reveals areas where there is understanding that is lacking; And arguably, it most importantly provides guidance on how to structure answers to meet the examiners expectations.
The greatest value from this examination period is then realised when students actively reflect on the feedback they receive and implement changes based on it. As parents here are some ways that your child can maximise the benefits of any examination period:
- Reflect on Teacher Feedback: Carefully review the comments and suggestions provided by teachers. Understand the rationale behind each piece of feedback.
- Identify Areas for Improvement: Pinpoint specific areas that need attention, whether they are related to content knowledge, exam techniques, or answer presentation.
- Implement Changes: Apply the insights gained from the feedback in subsequent examination papers. This could involve revising study strategies, practising specific types of questions more frequently, or adjusting answer formats.
This cycle of practice, feedback, reflection, and implementation fosters continuous improvement. Over time, it helps students develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter, enhance their exam techniques, and build the confidence needed to perform at their best. By reflecting on and acting upon this feedback, students can make meaningful improvements, ultimately leading to outstanding performance in the Higher School Certificate.
Tim Brown
Director of Secondary
Tim Brown
Year 7 Camp - Blue Gum Lodge, Springwood
Year 7 Camp - Blue Gum Lodge, Springwood
This year’s Year 7 camp at Blue Gum Lodge, Springwood was a great success, filled with excitement, adventure, and the forging of lifelong memories. Our students embraced the great outdoors and participated in a wide array of activities that not only tested their skills but also strengthened their bonds with their peers.
The camp itinerary was jam packed with activities, ensuring there was never a dull moment. Students faced their fears and conquered new heights during the abseiling sessions (up to 26m!), where they learned to trust in their equipment and their own abilities. The rock climbing walls presented a similar challenge, offering both beginners and experienced climbers a chance to shine.
Bushwalking provided a more tranquil experience, allowing the students to immerse themselves in nature and appreciate the stunning scenery. The guided walks were not only educational but also offered a great way to relax and bond with classmates and group leaders in a peaceful setting.
For those with a love of cooking and a sense of adventure, bush cooking was a highlight. Students gathered around campfires to prepare their meals, learning valuable survival skills and enjoying the unique experience of outdoor cooking.
Mountain biking added an element of speed and excitement to the camp. Navigating trails and challenging their endurance, students found this activity both exhilarating and rewarding. It was a great way to encourage teamwork and support as they cheered each other on.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the camp was the team-building exercises. These activities were designed to foster cooperation, communication, and mutual respect. Students worked together to solve problems and complete tasks, discovering new strengths and talents within their groups. It could be seen throughout the week how the group friendships strengthened.
Beyond the activities, the camp was a wonderful opportunity for students to strengthen existing friendships and create new ones. Being away from the usual classroom environment allowed them to interact with peers they might not have known well before. Conversations around the campfire, shared challenges, and group activities all contributed to a sense of community and camaraderie.
Overall, Year 7 camp was more than just a series of activities—it was a journey of personal growth and connection. Students returned home with not only new skills and stories but also a stronger sense of friendship and unity. It was an unforgettable adventure that will be cherished for years to come.
Jocelyn Kimmins
Year 7 Pastoral Care Coordinator
Year 8 Camp - Waterslea, Shoalhaven
Year 8 Camp - Waterslea, Shoalhaven
Last week, our Year 8 students embarked on an unforgettable camp adventure filled with diverse activities, teamwork, and fun.
Abseiling challenged their bravery, Canoeing allowed students to paddle along the lovely Shoalhaven river.
Evenings were exciting, with a cosy campfire session, a thrilling trivia night that tested their knowledge in various subjects. Another evening featured a movie night, providing a relaxing end to a wonderful week.
The highlight of the camp was undoubtedly the tree tops adventure at the local zoo. Students navigated high ropes courses among the treetops, experiencing both the thrill and beauty of nature from a unique perspective.
Overall students demonstrated excellent behaviour, resilience, and contributed to a positive, and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the camp. We would also like to thank our wonderful staff who made this camp a wonderful success. We look forward to more camps in the future!
Annique Botta
Year 8 Pastoral Care Coordinator
Year 9 Camp - CRU Camp, Lake Macquarie
Year 9 Camp - CRU Camp, Lake Macquarie
Last week, our students in Year 9 headed to beautiful Lake Macquarie. We arrived in time for some wonderful sunny days and bird-filled sounds for the night, with just enough wind for the sailing boats. We had a week of water activities, some of the highlights were canoeing, fishing, sail boating, dragon boating and kayaking. The land activities also held challenges with the rock climbing wall, the dark cave and bush survival activities. It didn't stop there; with a different activity after dinner each night including a detective game to solve, a bonfire with marshmallows, and a games night. Each day on camp the Cru leaders ran small group bible studies and we had four students decide to follow Jesus for the first time as well as giving out 6 bibles - what a great encouragement!
Nicky Nealon
Stage 6 Pastoral Care Coordinator
Year 10 Camp - Urban Challenge, Sydney
Year 10 Camp - Urban Challenge, Sydney
Week 5 started with an exciting team-building adventure for our Year 10 students in Sydney. We began with a scenic walk across the Harbour Bridge and around the iconic Sydney Opera House and the 'The Rocks' area. The next day, we prepared meals for those in need as a community activity, followed by a fun time at Bondi Beach, where we enjoyed various beach activities and challenges. We then went to Cockatoo Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a 'Master Chef' cooking challenge among teams, ending with a silent disco under the stars. On Wednesday, we spent a day at Manly beach playing team games, followed by dinner in Chinatown and a ferry ride to enjoy the city lights. Thursday was filled with excitement as teams went on a Clue Chase around the CBD, with spontaneous dance-offs in the vibrant Town Hall area. The day concluded with a thrilling bowling tournament at the entertainment quarter, where we celebrated the end of our camp experience.
The entire camp experience required collaboration, critical thinking, and mutual support. This allowed students to work under pressure and in unfamiliar environments, relying on each other to complete various tasks while also having fun.
We shared great laughs, had wonderful experiences and built stronger relationships with each other throughout the camp.
A big thank you to our dedicated teachers, Mrs. Hutchinson, Mrs. Crane, and Mr. Annett, for their unwavering support, guidance and care throughout camp for our students.
Armand van der Merwe
Year 9 & 10 Pastoral Care Coordinator
Faith at OAGS
Christian Studies - Primary
Christian Studies - Primary
This week, our students in Years 3-5 embarked on an illuminating journey through the pages of the Bible as they delved into the story of Elisha, a prophet whose life exemplified the power of prayer. They explored the lessons hidden within the shadows of Elisha's encounters, discovering the profound impact of his faith on the world around him. Through his remarkable example, our students have learned valuable lessons about the transformative power of prayer and the unwavering faith that can move mountains. As they continue to navigate their own spiritual journeys, may they draw inspiration from the radiant light of Elisha's story, guiding them toward a deeper connection with God.
Jonathan Bowtell
Christian Studies Teacher
CAPA
Dance
Dance
Dancers at OAGS have been working hard towards upcoming eisteddfods. The eisteddfod season begins in Dubbo on Thursday the 13th of June. Junior Company, Senior Company and Secondary Dance will all be travelling together to compete in the Primary and Secondary School’s Dance Section. Dancers will leave school at 9:30am and return at 3:30pm.
Secondary Dancers are invited to an extra rehearsal on Tuesday afternoon, 11th of June.
Good Luck to our dancers!
Rachel Crane
Secondary Dance Coordinator
Music
Music
A number of current and past OAGS students performed on Sunday afternoon in the ‘Brass United’ concert at Holy Trinity. The concert featured a number of brass ensembles from the Orange Regional Conservatorium as well as the City of Orange Brass Band. The acoustics of Holy Trinity proved to be perfect for this style of music and the audience was treated to a tumultuous finale that included the church organ (played by Mr Paul Dunn). Students (past and present) in the concert included Bethany & Harrison Baker, Toby Johnston, Beatrix Merrell, Pantsy Dwyer, Seamus Dwyer, Finn Dwyer, Daisy Dwyer and Lily Dwyer. A certain OAGS music teacher and a couple of our music tutors made an appearance too!
Noel Annett
Music Teacher
ACE
Agriculture
Agriculture
As the cold weather approaches, the OAGS ACE team have been exceptionally busy preparing our animals and pasture for the winter months ahead.
The first cross ewes have been very productive, with 15 lambs from nine ewes. Our Stage 5 students are responsible for the management of the flock, and this includes learning management practices such as castration, tail docking vaccination and drenching.
All of our Year 9 students were involved, and are ready for action to carry out their duties if needed in these areas. With a few ewes left to lamb, the students will be carrying out the next round of lamb marking using analgesic (pain relief).
Pain relief in agriculture is a relatively new management tool, and is now required by law under the Animals in Schools regulations. The school has developed a comprehensive pain management plan in consultation with the friendly team at Orange Veterinary Hospital ranging from the use of oral to injectable pain relief management.
Stage 5 and 6 Agriculture and Primary Industries have also been preparing the school bee hives for irradiation in order to ensure the hives are safe to be restocked in spring following the recent American Foul Brood infection.
The senior students have been very involved in recent weeks in the management of an oats and vetch winter grazing paddock which is being grown to be strip grazed with the use of electric fencing over the winter months before being baled for hay.
Equestrian
It is super busy in the OAGS Equestrian scene at the moment. This week, four of our riders (Noah, Eden, Zoe and Alana) travelled to Coonabarabran to compete in the North West Equestrian Interschools Expo. All of them collected multiple ribbons across many disciplines from dressage to show jumping and gymkhana.
Our own upcoming equestrian event is running at Cudal Showgrounds from 26-28th of July, and has attracted entries from throughout the state. It has proven so popular that the event has reached capacity well in advance of closing time - a tremendous endorsement of our inaugural event last year.
The OAGS interschool equestrian event truly is a whole school activity, with the 252 ACU cadets providing invaluable support, grazing platters packed by the amazing food technology students headed by the indomitable Mrs Jewell and teachers from every stage and faculty heading out to help over the weekend.
Come on out to Cudal for a great weekend of entertainment, including the unique evening PJL 6 Bar Show jumping complimented by a wine bar and grazing platter on Saturday night. The sponsorship provided by our own families - Newmarket Saddlery (Walker family), PJL (Buckland family), BT Homes (Flowers family), and Over the Fence (Lyons family) has been incredible and other OAGS families who would like to sponsor an event would be most welcome. Contact Mrs Eyb [email protected].
Sarah Eyb,
ACE Coordinator
Sport
A Thriving Second Half of Term 2
A Thriving Second Half of Term 2
As we move into the second half of the term, the enthusiasm and participation of OAGS students in various sporting events remain as vibrant as ever. Our students have been actively representing the school in a multitude of competitions, showcasing their talents and determination.
Week 5 Highlights:
Secondary Students participated in the AICES Cross Country and NSW All Schools Swimming events. These events provided our athletes with a platform to compete against some of the best in the state, demonstrating their skill and sportsmanship.
Week 6 Highlights:
Primary and Secondary Students attended the CIS Cross Country Championship, displaying their endurance and competitive spirit.
Primary Students took part in the NSG Super Netball Gala Day, where they enjoyed a day filled with fun, teamwork, and fierce netball matches.
Weather Challenges and Upcoming Events
Unfortunately, due to wet weather, our Secondary Hockey team could not participate in the Shea Cup. However, we eagerly await the rescheduled date and are confident that our team will shine brightly when given the chance.
Special Achievements
A special congratulations to Lachlan Thompson, who achieved a remarkable feat by winning silver at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championship. Competing in the 17 & Open Boys 200m Backstroke event, Lachlan’s dedication and hard work have earned him a place at the Nationals in July. We are immensely proud of his achievement and wish him all the best for the upcoming competition.
Stay tuned for more updates and continue to support our talented OAGS students as they strive for excellence in all their endeavours. Make sure you like and follow the OAGS Sports Academy Facebook page to stay up to date on all sport news
Dominique Hutchinson
Leader of Sport P-12
Community News
Cadets Update
Cadets Update
252 ACU - ARMY CADETS
Staff News
Congratulations to - Jade O’Neil moving from adult helper to being appointed 2LT
Brant Waterson being promoted from 2LT to LT
2LTs Linda and Peter McGoldrick, Brynn Player, Peter Reid (jnr), Eliot Harper and Nigel Coutts for completing their module 2 (7 day course) and now undertaking the module 3 requirements for promotion to LT
Monday 10 June
No Parade – Kings Birthday long weekend Public Holiday.
Promotion Courses (6-13 July)
Cadets on the promotion courses will be receiving “targeted” training during the Monday parades to prepare them for these courses.
Recruiting
We will be taking on new recruits in Term 3. Hopefully a large intake of Y7 and Y8 students.
T3 Biv (26-28Jul) – CUDAL
We will be supporting the OAGS Interschools Equestrian Event whilst conducting our own training in preparation for the AFX. This was a very enjoyable activity in 2023 and will be our first opportunity to trial our new Cooking/BBQ trailers.
AFX (Annual Field Exercise) Sat 28 Sep- Fri 4 Oct . This will be held at the Singleton Army Field Training Area adjacent to the military camp. Please note the corrected dates – it is the first week of the NSW state school holidays BUT it is the middle week of the OAGS holidays.
We are in the process of finalising dates for 2024 and a draft calendar for 2025
CAPT (AAC) Terry Nye
Officer Commanding
252 ACU
| Dates for your Diary | |
|---|---|
| 6-13 Jul | NSW BDE Promotion Courses – selected cadets only |
| 26-28 Jul | Term 3 Biv – ALL - Cudal supporting OAGS Interschools Equestrian Competition |
| 28 Sep- 4 Oct | AFX (Annual Camp) – Singleton |
| Nov | T4 Activity – WTSS Singleton – date tbc |
| Nov | Annual Dinner – date tbc |
| Nov | Annual Ceremonial Parade – date tbc |
