In this Issue
From the Headmaster
Tom Brady, Football and Leaning into Hardship
Tom Brady, Football and Leaning into Hardship
In the secondary school assembly this week I quoted a Tom Brady speech. For those of you who may not know, Tom Brady is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback to ever play in the NFL, both for his skill and his longevity.
‘I would encourage everyone to play football, for the simple reason that it is hard…’
Tom goes on to explain that in football he found an allegory for life, namely that ‘ life is hard, and my advice is to prepare yourself’.
If you’re reading this as a parent, you’re likely to have already experienced what Tom is talking about. Why? Because you’ve lived long enough to know that what he says about life is true. Life is hard. As I spoke to the 360 teenage faces before me I could see that they were with me - to a point. For some of them, they’ve sadly already experienced the cruel side of life. But, for others, they’ve blissfully only played the first quarter and so far, so good, they’ve found it easy going. For them, the jury is out, perhaps they’ll be the anomaly that gets to cruise by on easy street. After all, the primary way that teenagers gain information about the world these days is via their social media streams. And, what is the dominant theme of success on said streams? Influencers who post by the hour about their enviable life, lived wholly on easy street.
Tom’s point would be weakened if he added a qualifier. What most of my audience in the assembly probably thought was ‘yes, ok life is hard, so I’ll hope that I’m one of the lucky few that gets to cruise through unscathed, that’s what all my energy is going towards’. But, that would miss the point entirely.
‘To be successful at anything, the truth is you don’t have to be special, you just have to be what most people aren’t; consistent, determined and willing to work for it, no shortcuts’.
Being what most people are not is hard! Peer pressure, societal norms, fantasising about easy street, choosing the easy thing over the hard thing. I went on to encourage our students that in my experience of life so far, choosing the hard thing is usually the right thing.
It’s easy to exclude ‘that kid’ to make sure you feel secure, but it’s hard to make yourself vulnerable by befriending them. But the hard thing is the right thing.
It’s easy to take a regular day off school to self soothe with Netflix and socials, but it’s hard to commit, despite what a friend might be doing, to being at school, well rested and committed to the task. But the hard thing is the right thing.
It’s easy to get ChatGPT to write your entire assessment for you, but it’s hard to write it yourself and use ChatGPT to help you rephrase a tricky line here or there. But the hard thing is the right thing.
It strikes me as fascinating that the hardest substance in the world is Diamond, and it’s also the most beautiful. Why is that? Its atomic structure is so symmetrically arranged that when light strikes it, it reflects off it in a uniquely beautiful way. The hardest thing, at its very core, is also a beautiful thing.
In life, when we see hard tasks through to the end, the process tends to be all the more rewarding and ultimately fulfilling. A lot has been said about resilience in the last decade, and much of it is very good. As parents don’t we all want to see resilience in our children? We want to see them ‘be ok’ even when they experience prolonged seasons of hardship. Let’s face it, growing up actually is quite hard. What we want to see is young people with the understanding that hard things are ok and that they themselves will be ok.
Now, I’m not here talking about bad things. Some things are inherently evil and destructive. In other words, not all hard things are to be embraced for personal betterment, some bad things are outright destructive and need to be removed. What we’re looking for are the small seedlings of consistency, determination and a willingness to work at things when they don’t come easily to us. This concept of leaning into hard things was a biblical theme long before Tom Brady picked it up.
James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
What’s true of life is true in faith as well. Living ‘rightly’ involves seeing hardship (trials) as a chance to grow in the good things of life. Isn’t the emphasis of verse 4 astounding - perseverance
through
hardship brings complete maturity! How we long to see our children reach full maturity! I am more convinced than ever that the more we help our children lean into hardship, the more resilient they will become. But isn’t it
hard
as parents to embrace this!
I closed the assembly by asking the students to consider where they were going to ‘choose the hard thing’ this week. And, to do so expecting growth and maturity if they choose to be what most people aren’t. I set this challenge for myself as well and look forward to being asked, so sir, where are you choosing the hard thing this week? Perhaps your children will ask you the same?
Blessings,
Scott Hazelton
Acting Headmaster
Engagement & Wellbeing
Wellbeing, Wellness and Flourishing
Wellbeing, Wellness and Flourishing
As an educational institution, academics are generally seen as the number 1 priority. It is a long held belief that school students should learn to read, write and do sums. They need to understand history, learn to appreciate art and music, be confident in their times tables, be able to explain how the human body grows, calculate financial figures, perhaps even represent complex chemical equations……and much more!
Yet research tells us that none of these “academics” can happen effectively unless a student (or any person) has good mental health and wellbeing. That is, wellbeing has been proven to positively influence academic outcomes. Overall, wellbeing enhances motivation, decreases behavioural problems, increases academic achievement, improves school satisfaction and leads to flourishing.
Wellbeing can be considered in 4 domains - physical wellbeing; social wellbeing; spiritual wellbeing and psychological wellbeing. Some researchers also include financial wellbeing, occupational wellbeing and environmental wellbeing. A well-rounded and balanced approach towards these wellness dimensions is needed to maintain overall harmony for one’s personal wellbeing. If any one of these dimensions is neglected over time, it may negatively impact a person's health, well-being, and quality of life. Just like a balanced diet is needed for healthy nutrition, balanced wellness engages the body, mind, and spirit. This multi-dimensional approach emphasises the importance of each of these domains, and making positive deposits into each to achieve a state of wellbeing.
How does this relate to school students? As parents and teachers, we need to be mindful of encouraging a balanced approach to each of the wellbeing domains in order to maximise academic growth and realise a students learning potential. Regular, intentional positive deposits into each domain - physical, social, spiritual, and psychological - is essential for our students to be their best selves. At OAGS, wellbeing is encouraged through the pastoral care program and the Leader In Me framework. Parents can also monitor this aspect of their child’s health and add extra experiences, activities, planned events or regular outings to “fill the bucket” of a wellbeing domain that may be lacking. As always, the Engagement Team is only a phone call or email away if you need assistance or have any questions.
Mrs Jessica Willis
Director of Engagement
Year 7, 2025 Experience Day
Year 7, 2025 Experience Day
On Wednesday 12 June we were thrilled to welcome 94 Year 6 students for our Year 7 Experience Day, giving them a taste of High School life. The day was packed with activities: students made delicious chocolate milkshakes in Food Tech, created sherbet in Science, produced masterpieces in Art, played continuous volleyball in Sport and the highlight - meeting our resident lamb, ‘William Francis’.
During break times students had the opportunity to connect and make new friends, inspired by Mr Brown’s challenge to introduce themselves to someone new. It was heartening to see our current OAGS students mingling with future peers from the various schools across the region, building friendships and easing the transition to high school.
A big thank you to the teachers, Mrs Jewell, Mr Player, Mr Watts, Mrs Eyb and Mrs Hutchinson; the day was a resounding success, filled with fun, learning and camaraderie. We look forward to welcoming these enthusiastic young students back to our community in 2025!
Mrs Jocelyn Kimmins
Year 7 Pastoral Care Coordinator
Prep
Strong Foundations
Strong Foundations
At OAGS Prep School, we believe that a strong foundation in mathematics is crucial for the development of young minds. Early exposure to mathematical concepts not only enhances cognitive skills but also fosters a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom. Recent research from Macquarie University highlights the significant benefits of early math education, emphasising that children who engage with mathematical concepts early on are more likely to excel academically in later years.
This term, our Prep students have embarked on an exciting mathematical journey, exploring a variety of foundational concepts that are essential for their future learning. Here’s a glimpse into what we’ve been covering:
One-to-One Correspondence : Our students have been mastering the ability to match one object to one number, a critical skill that underpins accurate counting. Through engaging activities and hands-on learning, they’ve developed a keen sense of quantity and number relationships.
Numbers Before and After : Understanding numerical order is fundamental. Children have been learning to identify which numbers come before and after a given number, a skill that aids in their grasp of numerical sequences and patterns.
Missing Number Problems : To sharpen their problem-solving skills, students have been solving problems where they identify missing numbers in sequences. This exercise enhances their ability to think critically and recognise numerical patterns.
Grouping Numbers: Grouping objects into sets and understanding the concept of more and less help children develop early addition and subtraction skills. These activities also promote logical thinking and categorisation.
Basic Addition and Subtraction: Using visual aids and hands-on materials, students are introduced to the basic operations of addition and subtraction. These foundational skills are crucial for their future mathematical education.
Numeral Formation and Recognition : Proper numeral formation and recognition are vital. Through various writing and identification exercises, children are learning to recognise and write numbers correctly, a skill that is essential for their mathematical fluency.
The importance of these early experiences cannot be overstated. According to research from Macquarie University, children who engage in structured mathematical activities from a young age demonstrate improved problem-solving abilities, higher academic achievement, and increased confidence in their capabilities.
We are proud of the progress our Prep students have made and are committed to providing them with the best possible start in their mathematical education. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child’s learning journey.
Mr James Bornen
Prep Coordinator
Primary School
Food Care Winter Appeal
Food Care Winter Appeal
A very big thank you to our wonderful community at Orange Anglican Grammar School for the very generous donations that have been brought in over the past month for the Food Care winter appeal. It was a delight to drop all the donations off to Food Care earlier this week with the help of our School Captains, Oscar and Isla-Rose, and one of our Discipleship Captain, Edward. Thank you for partnering with us to help serve people in need in our local community. Tim Mordue, Food Care Coordinator, would also like to pass on his personal thanks to the OAGS community.
Primary Semester 1 Reports
Primary Semester 1 Reports
Over the past month, Primary School teachers have been reflecting on the growth of their students so far this year, as well as planning areas for future growth as students head into Semester 2 next term. At the end of this term, parents will receive their child’s Semester 1 report. I encourage all parents to read this report and discuss this report with their children.
Parent Teacher Interviews - Term 3
Parent Teacher Interviews - Term 3
On Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st of July, we will be holding a second round of parent teacher interviews. This will be an opportunity for you to discuss any questions that may arise from reading your child’s report, as well as discuss goals for Semester 2. Please note that Tuesday interviews will be face to face interviews, whilst Wednesday interviews will be held on Zoom. Please keep an eye out on your emails for instructions on how to book an interview time with your child’s teacher.
Year 3 Fire Truck Visit: Exploring Different Materials
Year 3 Fire Truck Visit: Exploring Different Materials
We are thrilled to share our recent adventure with the fire truck visit, where we also explored different materials used in firefighting equipment.
During the visit, students had the opportunity to closely examine the various materials used in firefighting equipment. They discovered that firefighter jackets are made from special fire-resistant materials like Nomex or Kevlar, which protect them from heat and flames. We examined the fire hose, which is typically made from durable materials like rubber or synthetic fibres (such as nylon), designed to withstand high water pressure and wear.
In class, we discussed the specific properties of materials used in firefighting. For instance, how heat-resistant materials are crucial for protecting firefighters in dangerous situations. Students compared the materials used in firefighter gear to everyday materials they are familiar with, discussing differences in durability, flexibility, and safety features. Understanding why certain materials are chosen highlighted the importance of safety and functionality in material selection.
We explored how different materials contribute to the effectiveness of firefighting equipment, emphasising the critical role of materials science in emergency response.
In the coming weeks, we will delve deeper into materials science in our curriculum, conducting experiments to understand properties like strength and flexibility.
Mrs Anita Venter
Year 3 Teacher
Transforming Trash into Treasure: Waste to Art Exhibition Inspires Creativity and Sustainability
Transforming Trash into Treasure: Waste to Art Exhibition Inspires Creativity and Sustainability
Have you ever wondered what could be made from what we usually consider 'rubbish'? The Waste to Art community exhibition and competition, sponsored by Sims Metal, invites all residents of the NetWaste region to explore this intriguing question. This event celebrates creativity by showcasing works made from reused and recyclable waste materials, allowing both aspiring and professional artists to display their talents and promote waste reduction.
Waste to Art aims to challenge our perceptions about waste by turning discarded items into beautiful, thought-provoking pieces. This initiative highlights the importance of recycling and promotes environmental education through a unique and engaging medium.
This year's theme, 'packaging,' is particularly relevant given the prevalence of packaging waste. Among the enthusiastic participants are Stage 1 students, who have been working on their entries throughout Term 2. Their journey began in Science lessons, where they learned about push and pull actions, and continued in Art classes with a study of Theo Jansen's Kinetic Sculptures. Combining these lessons, the students created wind-powered creatures from packaging materials, showcasing both creativity and a deeper understanding of scientific principles.
Special thanks goes to Mrs. Cloete, whose dedication was instrumental in finalising the students' entries and setting up the display. Her guidance has helped the students create stunning artworks and fostered a sense of environmental responsibility.
We invite everyone to visit the Orange Library over the next few weeks to view these innovative creations. Take a moment to appreciate the artistry and ingenuity on display, and perhaps gain a new perspective on the potential of what we often dismiss as waste.
Mr Kyle Palmer
Stage 1 Coordinator
Primary Schools Chess Competition - Orange Zone
Primary Schools Chess Competition - Orange Zone
On June 17 / 19, students from Years 1 ~ 6 participated in the Orange Zone Primary Schools Chess Competition. Competing against students from schools such as Kinross Wolaroi, Millthorpe Public School and Orange Christian School, we represented OAGS in four divisions - Championship, Intermediate, Rookie and Junior Rookie.
Our teams represented OAGS strongly, demonstrating not only effective strategic thinking, but also working well together in teams and modelling to their competitors what the true spirit of the event was - fun and good sportsmanship.
Joe Cummins, who has continued to support our school in chess for many years was a true inspiration to serving his community, providing much encouragement to students and providing expert tips and tricks in his master class session provided for the Championship teams.
A proud moment was for our Intermediate team, taking out first place in the Intermediate division. Well done!
All in all, a wonderful outcome for the event!
Paul Lipscomb
Primary Chess Coordinator
Secondary School
Partnering through Reporting
Partnering through Reporting
Our Secondary teachers are currently busy preparing Semester 1 reports for students in Year 7 to 11. Our hope is that these reports provide you with a rich understanding of your child’s learning. As you turn over the pages you will see their level of achievement in each course and their learning profile as well. A box and whisker graph will enable you to broadly identify your child's performance in that course and a grade distribution graph will show you the number of students who attained each grade in the course for the semester.
If you are not in the practise of reading through the report with your child can I strongly encourage you to do that. Opening a conversation together should foster a supportive environment where your child feels comfortable discussing their progress. It allows you to celebrate their successes and identify subjects or skills that may need more attention. This process helps your child take ownership of their academic journey. Understanding the consequences of their efforts, whether positive or negative, and promotes a sense of responsibility and accountability.
As you read your child’s report you may develop questions that you wish to discuss with your child’s teacher. With this in mind, a second round of Secondary School parent teacher meetings is scheduled for Wednesday 31st of July and Thursday 1st of August. Please keep an eye out for a parent teacher meeting booking form which will land in your inbox soon. We will again be offering a hybrid meeting structure where parents can book either a video conference (Zoom Meeting) on Wednesday 30th July, or a face to face meeting on campus on Thursday 1st August .
I hope that reading your child’s report provides you with a richer understanding of their progress and that we can partner together at the upcoming parent teacher meeting to share further how we can help your child to continue to develop as a student in Semester 2.
Mr Tim Brown
Director of Secondary
Faith at OAGS
Reflection from Mr Esson
Reflection from Mr Esson
As we venture into the colder months of the year and we all want to hunker down to sit with a blanket and a good book, a cuddly dog or just a crowded couch of children and a movie, it is also a great time to engage in deeper conversations about life.
It is rare for families these days to grasp a moment of connection amongst the crazy routine of the school week and sport filled weekends. These colder months may in fact be that great opportunity to do so.
Lately our 4 year old has been asking about what will happen when the sun dies out. These questions were filled with curiosity, but also a hint of worry and fear. We spent some time talking about the further wonder of space, looked at some videos of the James Webb deep field images and were more awestruck at just how big and amazing God’s creation is and as Psalm 8 reflects, how kind it is of God to think and dwell with us in it. If we hadn’t taken the opportunity to stop and listen and then ponder with our girls, no one would have found more beauty and wonder. We didn’t fully answer her questions, but it led to many more for each of us which gave us time together to ponder and be curious about God and our world.
This cold and snuggly season, may we encourage you to hear the questions your children are asking, ponder with them, be ok to not know the answers, but then also join the beauty of wonder as you discover more about your children’s hearts and minds and your journey together.
Psalm 8:3-4
"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?"
James Esson
Secondary Chaplain/LSO
CAPA
Masterclass
Masterclass
On Tuesday, the Year 11 Music 1 class were treated to a masterclass in rehearsal technique and ensemble playing. Alexandra Bains (Year 12) rehearsed one of her HSC performance pieces 'The Little Red Fox', with David Shaw (piano) and Stephanie Li (cello). The trio played as the class observed 'what makes a good rehearsal?'. David and Stephanie are both on the staff of the Orange Regional Conservatorium, their experience and professionalism set a fine example for their 'audience'.
Next term there will be a chance to hear and see the HSC Music and Drama students, prior to their final performances, in an evening concert. Details will appear in the next newsletter.
HICES Music Festival
HICES Music Festival
Congratulations to Caitlin, Archie, Nate, Rubie, Vivi, Keegan, Will, Joel and Brodie who were recently offered places to perform in the HICES Music Festival in August after a rigorous audition process. A special shout out to Joel who has been invited to serve as Section Leader for the First Trombones - a huge honour. We are so proud of you all and we look forward to hearing you perform on stage at the Sydney Town Hall very soon.
Holiday Workshops at Orange Regional Conservatorium
Holiday Workshops at Orange Regional Conservatorium
Orange Regional Conservatorium will offer a number of Winter Workshops over the coming holiday break. In addition to the workshops, there are sessions for those taking AMEB exams next term. Please see the details below. Contact the Conservatorium if you need further information.
All Registrations for WINTER WORKSHOPS : https://events.humanitix.com/2024-winter-workshops/tickets
All Registrations for AMEB WORKSHOPS: https://events.humanitix.com/ameb-exam-winter-workshops-2024/tickets
ACE
Year 7 Experience Day
Year 7 Experience Day
Welcome to the Year 6 visitors who came to OAGS for the Year 7 2025 Experience Day. Each of the students were able to visit the school farm and have an Ag trial session. Students were able to determine laying versus non laying hens - real skill given the current egg shortage, calculate the number of ewes with twins in the flock using maths and look at the daily care requirements of animals. The maths challenge of the day - If the 8 ewes have 14 lambs and every ewe has at least one lamb, How many of those lambs are twins?
Best Practice Lamb Marking
Best Practice Lamb Marking
Our local vet Dr Andrew Litchfield attended the school this week to talk to Years 10, 11 and 12 about the increasing need for farmers to include pain relief in on farm animal husbandry procedures.
Dr Litchfield praised the school for being proactive in this space and teaching our students the “Gold Standard'' of Animal Welfare in a genuine industry setting. He then demonstrated and observed Mrs Eyb in using the school’s new Numnuts castration and tail docking applicator. The students all practised on Macey’s banana which certainly was the worse for wear after 20 plus practice injections and elastrator bands.
The Numnuts tool works by injecting local anaesthetic into the lambs scrotum and tail during lamb marking thus reducing the pain felt during the procedure.
The school will also be using an oral gel as a long term pain relief called Buccalgesic for other activities such as earmarking and calf castration.
Our industry connection with Gilmandyke Pastoral Company has allowed the students in Year 11 Primary Industries and Agriculture to engage at an industry level in not only the application of these techniques in a sample flock of 600 lambs, but also to evaluate the impact of lamb marking procedures and a range of pain relief options on the growth rates of the lambs post procedure.
Year 11 Agriculture will design the trial, to be carried out in September, with Year 11 Primary Industries able to gain assessment over a large number of lambs in a commercial industry application. This is another example of the ACE program working to develop student skills that are not only required by industry, but at industry best practice. By collecting and applying the data in industry conditions, the Agriculture students can apply their knowledge of experimental design and data analysis to real life problems.
2024 Interschools Equestrian - It's Coming!!
2024 Interschools Equestrian - It's Coming!!
Our second ever Equestrian Interschools is set to be the highlight event for the Central West with all classes completely filled and a list of people waiting to get in. Even if you are not horsey, the three day event promises a lot of fun for the whole family with a marketplace featuring a range of clothing and food outlets ranging from woodfired pizza to Cambodian and Thai street food. Of course, Mrs Jewell and the Food Technology classes' grazing boxes of last year have been requested by our visitors and highlighted as a key reason for coming back. For the adults, Byrne Farm Wines will be serving their award winning Chardonnay and other wines paired with Second Mouse Cheese and everyone is welcome to sit by a roaring fire on Saturday night and watch the thrills of showjumping under lights. If you would like to come along and order a grazing box, please email equestrian@oags.nsw.edu.au and Mrs Eyb can send you a link to order. Local businesses are very welcome to display at the trade village and more details can be provided by contacting that email.
Sport
Extra Curricular Summer Sport
Extra Curricular Summer Sport
Although it might feel like it is getting colder, the Sports team is already preparing for the warmer weather with Summer Sport options for extra curricular activities. The sport options for 2024/25 include:
- Water polo (Years 5 & 6 and High school)
- Touch football (U6- U18)
- Basketball (Year 3 to High School)
- Triathlon (Year 6 to High school)
Expressions of interest will be sent out at the end of Term 2, with families having 4 weeks to nominate for a sport. Once nominations close, families will be emailed a team letter with all the information needed to register if available, depending on sporting associations and uniform orders. We had great success with our new uniform provider, with quality products being delivered on time for the start of the winter season, and we expect the same for our summer sports.
Inter-Area Soccer Finals - Here We Come!!
Inter-Area Soccer Finals - Here We Come!!
Our U15 Bill Turner Girls Soccer Team has won the Western Area Bill Turner Trophy soccer competition. We now progress through to the Inter-Area Soccer Finals which will be held in Albury on the 31st July & 1st August.
The team travelled down together to Bathurst first thing Thursday morning. It was an icy and frosty start to the day but this did not stop the U15 OAGS soccer girls from having a blinder in their first game against St Mary MacKillop- Bathurst winning 3:1.
It was a fast paced game with the energy tempo high. Midfielder Adelaide Pittis enthusiasm rubbed off on her teammates. Adelaide, still new to the game, showed a keen interest in each game and her competitive edge was a huge bonus to the OAGS team. Izzy Waters Played Goalkeeper and through grit and determination kept the Bathurst team scoreless in the first half.
Working well above her paycheck was Winger/Midfielder Daisy Dwyer who covered a lot of ground Daisy earned the Players player in the first game. Her high skill level allowed her footwork to cruise around and to get away from the opposition with the ball. Daisy scored 2 goals in the first game and the second goal was a cracking shot. Heavily marked Captain Holly Reed was denied any space. Holly made her own opportunities and secured a goal herself in the second half. The fearless Spartan aka Imogen Anagnostaras showed dominance in defence after copping some brutal shots Imogen would always get to her feet and go again. Her resilience and never say die attitude was an advantage for the OAGS team especially whilst she played Goalkeeper in the second game not letting any goals in.
Another newbie to soccer is Annabelle Davis and she showed her versatility playing upfront, in defence and covering the middle well in defence. Ebony Doherty showed her teammates how to shut down the opposition's momentum, stealing the ball from her opponents often.
The team then went through to the final against St Mathews High School Mudgee. The Mudgee School beat Parkes Christian school to get to the final. Darcy Jones saved her best until last. The score was nil all. Despite being one of the youngest in the team, Darcy stood up and scored the match winning goal in the final 2 minutes. Strong in defence for both games was Fullback Claudia Ryan which earned her both the coaches award for game one and the players player award for the second game. Lola Eaton earned the coaches award for the second game and this was due to her endless energy. Someone else who didn’t have an off switch was Elyse Stringer who strided away from her opponents and was unlucky not to score on two very close occasions just brushing the goal post. Safe in both games was Zara Singh. Zara marked some quality players as a left field defender and contested and won the ball throughout each game. Sweeper Vice Captain Milly White was the one who set the platform for the team's progression. Being a vice captain Milly is a natural leader and she leads by example. Her positive attitude and relaxed nature helps make her teammates feel comfortable and opposing sides forget that she takes no prisoners in defence. Lasche Tandy managed her role well covering a multitude of positions and was very capable doing so for both games.
It was great to see the OAGS team embrace each other after Darcy's goal when they made history to be the first tOAGS team to reach this impressive level in Bill Turner Soccer. Players range in age across Years 7-10 and they all support each other. They play as a team, learn as a team and are successful as a team. This group of champions are a very talented and humble group. They showed good sportsmanship throughout the day both on and off the field.
Keep up your efforts, you will do well.
Mr Chris Doyle
Soccer Coach and MIC
Netball - NSG Netball Gala Days
Netball - NSG Netball Gala Days
On Wednesday 5th June, Mrs Venter took 2 very excited Primary netball teams to Bathurst to compete in the NSG Netball Gala Day. The all girls Primary team played extremely well only losing 2 games. For the mixed Primary team, this was the first time the boys had ever taken the court, but that didn’t matter as they dominated their competition winning all their games!
A week later on Friday 14th June, Mrs Kimmins and Mrs Hough took 4 Secondary teams to the NSG Secondary Gala Day at PCYC. It was a very successful day for our Secondary teams as both the Year 7 & 8 Boys Team and the Year 9 & 10 Boys team finished at the top of their pools. Both girls teams played extremely well, with the OAGS Girls 2 team finishing as runners ups. For both the boys teams and the girls team, they will have the opportunity to compete at the next level of this event in September.
Well done to all players and umpires involved! A massive thank you to Mrs Venter, Mrs Kimmins and Mrs Hough for taking time out of their busy schedules to facilitate these days.
Miss Stephanie Harrison
MIC - Netball
Community News
Chess
Chess
NSW Secondary Schools (Western Region) Knockout Competition.
Our Round 4 draw against James Sheahan will be played on Monday 24 June – Wish our players good luck!
Primary School Competition
Last Monday and Wednesday Mr Lipscomb took a group of 16 players to compete in 4 Divisions (Jnr Rookie, Rookie, Intermediate and Championship) against other schools from the district. Congratulations to our Intermediate Team who placed first in Division beating 18 other teams!!!!!
OAGS Competition.
The round robin games are progressing well. Some excellent match play is happening each Thursday with some surprise results as we continue our search to determine the Secondary Senior (Y10-12) and Junior (Y7-9) Champions.
Master Class – Due to many competing demands we have suspended this activity for the remainder of the term.
Mr Terry Nye
Chess Coordinator
252 ACU - ARMY CADETS
252 ACU - ARMY CADETS
Staff News
Thank you to 2LTs Ben Johnston and Jade O’Neil for giving up your time to attend a 7 day course in Brisbane at the end of the month.
NSW Promotion Courses (July) - Singleton
CUO Docherty has volunteered to attend as an Instructor. Those attending have been emailed relevant documentation.
CPL Course – depart Tues 9 July return PM Sat 13 July. Attendees are Luci Moller, Amrinder Dhaliwal, Felicity Hack, Riley Holmes, Brayden Jones, Genevieve McGoldrick, Oliver McLean, Beatrix Merrell.
SGT Course - depart Fri 5 July return PM Sat 13 July. Attendees are Natasha Baker & Emily Brindley.
WO/CUO Course – depart Fri 5 July return PM Sat 13 July. Attendee is Alex Baines
Recruiting
Information sessions for students and parents will be conducted on 5 and 14 August from 5pm. Students interested should attend on Monday 5 Aug. For simplicity and to expedite the process cadet staff can assist with the online registration during Monday parades.
T3 Biv (25-28Jul) – CUDAL
The unit 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. An Advance Party will be on location from 1200h Thursday.
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.
Dates for your Diary | |
---|---|
July | NSW BDE Promotion Courses – selected cadets only |
25-28 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 |
CAPT (AAC) Terry Nye
Officer Commanding
252 ACU
OAGS Student Transport
OAGS Student Transport
Welcome to the next edition of the traffic report for OAGS. As you are aware the school continues to grow and as part of this growth traffic will remain a consistent focus both internally and externally. The graph above shows in orange students arriving to school by private transport, in blue those leaving and the red line is the externally provided maximum number of students accessing school by private transport. As you can see we have not exceeded the maximum amount in the second half of June. The data does show for June, with the onset of winter we are seeing higher numbers of both morning drop offs and afternoon pickups. On some days this is increased by as much as 100 students. This additional traffic can cause additional queuing at the main gate and leading onto the highway. If you find this intersection creating a queue it would be helpful to turn left and exit.
Mr Robert Watts
Director of Data and Analytics