From the Headmaster
Catch of the Day - Joy through acts of kindness and service
Catch of the Day - Joy through acts of kindness and service
Last week, our secondary students stepped away from their classrooms and into a week of outdoor adventure, connection, and reflection. School camps are a treasured part of the OAGS experience, and this year’s were no exception. From hiking trails to shared meals under the stars, students embraced the opportunity to challenge themselves, build new friendships, and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.
I had the pleasure of attending the Year 9 camp at Lake Macquarie, led by the wonderful team from OAGS, Cru and Mr Clipsham. Amidst the activity and energy of the week, one moment stood out, a quiet afternoon by the water. A small group of students had gathered at the lake’s edge, casting their fishing lines in hopeful anticipation. I was kindly invited to join them by Tom, who offered me his fishing line. On my second cast, to everyone's delight (and mild disbelief), I made the catch of the day.
It wasn’t a large fish, nor anything close to a prize-winner—but the joy in that moment wasn’t about size or competition. It was in the shared experience. Tom’s excitement matched my own. He beamed with pride, not because he’d caught the fish, but because he had helped someone else do so. The joy of provision and the gift of service, freely offered and gladly received, made it a moment to remember.
These are the memories that last. Not just the adrenaline of activities or the success of challenges, but the quiet acts of kindness, the laughter around the campfire, and the genuine connections formed when we step away from routine and open ourselves to community.
We’re grateful to all the staff and providers who helped make these camps possible. And to our students, thank you for embracing the week with such energy and heart. May the lessons learned and the friendships forged continue to shape your journey here at OAGS and beyond.
Psalm 133:1 (NIV)
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
Prep
Building Strong Foundations in Numeracy at Prep
Building Strong Foundations in Numeracy at Prep
At OAGS Prep, numeracy is more than just learning to count, it’s about building a strong and confident understanding of how numbers work in the world around us. Through purposeful teaching and playful exploration, our students are developing essential mathematical concepts that support future learning and life skills.
Numeral Formation and Number Writing
This term, we have placed a strong focus on numeral formation and number writing. Our students have been practising how to correctly write numerals 0–10 using a range of tactile resources such as sand trays, whiteboards, playdough, and pencil and paper. These activities not only help develop correct numeral formation but also strengthen fine motor control and muscle memory. We often use rhymes and chants to support children in remembering how to form each numeral (e.g. “Around the tree, around the tree, that’s the way we make a three!”). Writing numerals with accuracy is an important first step in developing mathematical confidence.
Rote Counting
Students also participate in daily rote counting, where we count forwards and backwards together as a group. We do this through songs, chants, number games, and movement-based activities like clapping, jumping or stomping in time with our counting. This helps children become familiar with number order, patterns in the number system, and builds a strong base for future number knowledge.
Counting 1:1 Correspondence
A core numeracy skill we have been developing is counting with meaning, the ability to count objects accurately by saying one number for each item touched. This important concept helps children understand the value of numbers and lays the groundwork for solving real-world problems. We practise this skill during learning and daily routines, such as counting how many children are present, handing out materials, and using blocks and counters during small-group maths tasks. These everyday experiences help children connect number words with actual quantities.
Current Research and Importance of Early Numeracy
Research from the Grattan Institute (Goss, Sonnemann, & Chisholm, 2016) supports our approach, stating:
“A strong foundation in early numeracy is one of the most powerful predictors of later academic success. Children who start school with solid mathematical understanding are more likely to remain confident and capable learners in all subject areas.”
Their findings emphasise the value of early, structured, and evidence-based learning experiences that nurture number sense, counting, spatial awareness, and reasoning skills from the very beginning of school.
Partnering with Families
We know that learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Families play a vital role in supporting numeracy development by encouraging number talk at home. Everyday tasks such as cooking, shopping, gardening, or playing board games are excellent opportunities for reinforcing these concepts in fun and meaningful ways.
We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm and progress our Prep students have shown in numeracy this term. Their growing confidence, persistence, and joy in learning are a testament to the power of early mathematics education. Thank you for your continued support at home it truly makes a difference in your child’s learning journey.
Mr James Bornen
Prep Coordinator
Primary School
Excellence in Action: Lining Up and Walking Like a S.T.A.R
Excellence in Action: Lining Up and Walking Like a S.T.A.R
I am proud of the progress we are making in Primary School with our “Excellence in Action” focus. Over the past week, our students have embraced the new S.T.A.R expectations, working together to build calm, respectful routines across the school day:
- S: Sit/Stand Calm and Still - We stay quiet and calm as we line up and walk around the school, respecting those around us.
- T: Tidy Uniform - We wear our uniform correctly, shirts tucked in and showing pride in our school.
- A: Active Listening - We listen with our eyes as well as our ears.
Posters highlighting the S.T.A.R framework are now visible around the school, serving as visual reminders of the behaviours we value when lining up and walking through shared spaces. Our teachers have been reinforcing these expectations during morning lines, and it’s been wonderful to see students rising to the challenge. Class by class, students are moving with greater calm, showing pride in their uniform, and demonstrating active listening, bringing our value of Excellence to life in everyday action.
This term, we’ve also been excited to introduce our Year 6 Playground Helpers , a team of SRC representatives who are taking on leadership roles during break times. These students have been working alongside staff to ensure our playground remains a happy and safe space for everyone. Whether it’s helping a younger student find a friend, supporting fair play, or modelling the S.T.A.R behaviours in action, they’re making a positive difference every day.
We’re proud of the collective efforts of our students and staff and look forward to continuing this positive momentum throughout the term. I wish all members of our Primary School community a safe and restorative long weekend. I look forward to hearing all about our students’ adventures on Tuesday.
Alice Glyde
Director of Primary School
OAGS Primary School Presents - WHEN I GROW UP -
OAGS Primary School Presents - WHEN I GROW UP -
Stage 2 Students Shine at Orange Interschool STEM Challenge
Stage 2 Students Shine at Orange Interschool STEM Challenge
On Tuesday 20th May, twelve enthusiastic Stage 2 students from our school joined Mr Kyle Palmer on an exciting journey to Kinross for the Stage 2 Orange Interschool STEM Challenge. This inspiring event brought together young minds from across the Orange district to explore the world of STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics—in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
Far from being a competition, the STEM Challenge focused on teamwork, communication, and shared learning. Students were encouraged to work together, challenge their own thinking, and reflect on their processes as they engaged in a series of hands-on tasks. The three featured challenges included constructing a spaghetti tower, designing a LEGO pinball machine, and creating a Sphero-powered balloon popping machine.
The day concluded with an exciting balloon-popping finale, where teams put their Sphero creations to the test to see how many balloons they could pop. More than just fun, these challenges pushed students to think critically, share ideas, and work cooperatively—skills that are essential in STEM and beyond.
This event also provided a valuable opportunity for students and teachers from across the district to connect and share ideas, further strengthening the collaborative spirit of our Orange learning community. It was a rewarding day of innovation, creativity, and new friendships for all involved.
Mr Kyle Palmer
Stage 2 Coordinator
Year 4 Gets Creative for the 2025 Waste to Art Competition
Year 4 Gets Creative for the 2025 Waste to Art Competition
Waste to Art Competition
Each year, the Waste to Art Competition challenges communities across the NetWaste region to see rubbish in a new light—and this year, our Year 4 students rose to the occasion with enthusiasm and creativity.
For the first four weeks of Term 2, Year 4 students held their own in-school Waste to Art competition, with this year’s theme centred around toys . Students were guided through the process of designing and creating original artworks using only recyclable or waste materials. The results were nothing short of inspiring.
Waste to Art is a community exhibition and competition supported by Sims Metal. Its purpose is to promote sustainability and waste education by inviting individuals and groups to turn everyday waste into something beautiful and meaningful. It encourages participants to rethink what we throw away and highlights how creativity can breathe new life into discarded materials.
Our school's entries will be on public display at the Orange Library after the 16th of June, where they will be officially judged. We encourage all families to visit the library, admire the fantastic student work, and cast a vote for your favourite piece. Congratulations to all of our young artists—you’ve proven that one person's trash really can become another’s treasure!
Mr Kyle Palmer
A Glance into Year 5
A Glance into Year 5
This term in Year 5, we've been diving into global issues as part of our Geography studies. Global issues are problems that affect large numbers of people, sometimes even the whole world, and often have serious, long-lasting impacts.
Our first focus has been plastic pollution . Through our learning, we uncovered many fascinating and alarming facts about how plastic is affecting our planet. Here are some of the facts that really stood out to us:
- Around 460 million metric tonnes of plastic are produced every year. That’s equal to more than 70 million African elephants or over 3 billion average-sized cars !
-
Only about
9%
of all plastic ever made has been recycled. The rest ends up being burned, buried, or polluting the environment.
There are already over 170 trillion plastic pieces floating in our oceans. - A shocking 778 pieces of plastic were once found inside the stomach of a single 80-day-old seabird on Lord Howe Island, just off the coast of NSW.
- The world record for the most plastic found in a sea animal is 30 kilograms —discovered in the stomach of a whale that became beached.
To help raise awareness, we created eye-catching posters encouraging people to reduce their plastic use and recycle more. We used powerful and persuasive slogans like “Plastic Pollution – We Need a Solution!” and “Keep the Sea Plastic Free” to get our message across.
We also explored our creative side by making artworks of marine animals, each of us choosing a different sea creature to draw or paint. To highlight the issue of pollution, we added real bits of plastic to our artworks, showing how this problem affects ocean life.
We’ve loved learning about this important topic and hope to inspire others to take action too!
Year 5 Teachers,
Miss Molly Collins and Miss Steph Harrison
Secondary School
Year 7 Camp
Year 7 Camp
Year 7 Camp was a whirlwind of laughs, muddy shoes, and memories we’ll never forget! From the moment we arrived, the energy was high, new friendships formed over shared snacks and old ones grew stronger through team challenges. Whether it was screaming with joy (or mild terror) on the giant swing or teaming up to conquer the alpine rescue obstacle course, there was never a dull moment.
Crate stacking had us wobbling like baby giraffes, and building catapults brought out our inner engineers (and a few flying tennis balls and stuffed animals). The weather didn’t exactly cooperate, but we didn’t let a little rain and a lot of wind dampen our spirits - in fact, it only added to the adventure. We made the most of every muddy minute.
The final morning brought the epic Feast Frenzy, a chaotic and hilarious scavenger hunt where students raced to complete challenges and collect tokens; all to rescue a gang of runaway animals (Camp Leaders and Teachers) who were trying to escape. It was the perfect finale to an unforgettable four days. A huge thank you to all the staff and students who made camp such a success. We are already counting down to next year!
Jocelyn Kimmins
Year 7 Coordinator
CAPA
Music
Music
Senior Choir Shines at Anglican Schools Corporation Choral Day
Yesterday, our Senior Vocal Ensemble had the wonderful opportunity to take part in The Anglican Schools Corporation Choral Day, held at Thomas Hassall Anglican College in Sydney. With over 50 enthusiastic students from Years 7–12 from our school, it was a memorable and music-filled excursion.
After a very early start to the day, spirits were high as we warmed up our voices on the bus ride with a few of our favourite songs. The driver commented it was the best trip he has ever had! Upon arrival, we were welcomed by a vibrant community of choristers from schools across the region, all ready to sing, learn, and share their passion for music.
Throughout the day, students took part in a variety of workshops where they learned new pieces and honed their choral skills. These sessions were not only educational but also inspiring, offering fresh insights and techniques to bring back to our own rehearsals.
The day culminated in a final performance, where our choir sang two beautifully prepared songs and joined the finale with all the choirs combined. Our students performed with confidence, excellence, and heart, earning a huge round of applause from the audience and fellow performers. It was a proud moment that truly reflected their hard work and dedication.
We’re so proud of everyone who participated—your energy and enthusiasm were high, and you represented our school with excellence.
Looking ahead, all students in Years 7–12 are warmly invited to join us for choir rehearsals every Thursday at 8:00am. We’re now turning our focus to preparing for the upcoming eisteddfod season and school concerts, and we’d love to have as many voices as possible as we build toward these exciting events.
Keep on singing!
Jonathan Clipsham
Sport
Thank you for our Sponsors
Thank you for our Sponsors
Thank you to our valued sponsors for their continued support of the Sports Academy. In this edition, we are proud to feature two of our sponsored teams in action—our U12 Soccer Team, proudly supported by CBS Industries , and our U10 Netball Team, generously sponsored by Brazzo Civils . Your backing not only equips these teams with the resources they need but also fosters a sense of pride and purpose among our young athletes.
We also gratefully acknowledge Orange Real Estate for their ongoing support of our U13 Netball Team, and Bencer and Hazelnut for their commitment to our Basketball Hazelnuts.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
Upcoming Sport – Weeks 7 to 9
Upcoming Sport – Weeks 7 to 9
As we move through the term, several key sporting events are on the horizon. In Week 7 , our students will be competing in the Bill Turner Cup and CIS Cross Country. Looking ahead to Week 8 , we have the NSW Schools Cup for Primary netball students, alongside the AICES Netball Championships , where our representative teams will take to the court. Week 9 will feature our annual Representative Photo Day , a chance to formally recognise and celebrate all students who have represented the school in sport so far this year.
Community News
Enrolments
Enrolments
OAGS Classifieds
Kid's Club
Kid's Club
Speech and Drama classes @ Jenny's Classroom
Speech and Drama classes @ Jenny's Classroom
