Acting Principal
OAGS Impressions over Six Weeks
OAGS Impressions over Six Weeks
As an English educator, I enjoy playing with words and passionately pursuing perfect, playful alliteration . In my brief time at OAGS, I have observed some important features that are worth celebrating and commenting upon as features and strengths of the school. (Note the Cs!)
Community: I have already recognised and come to appreciate that we are a relational school, and there exists a commitment to the growth of individuals and the community together not just academically, but socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. We are a diverse group with a wide range of talents and interests. A big theme of our school is inclusion (sometimes called 'mateship' for boys, but it is just as important for girls and genders together). It is not just relationships between students that are important, as I have also observed positive relationships with staff that are central to the 'magic' that takes place in the classroom. Collaboration is key to excellent schools. The impact of good staff is profound, as is the partnership that a school enjoys with its parent body. So much research indicates that when the parents and schools are aligned, student outcomes are much more significant. Regional schools are built around community, and that is evident here at OAGS.
Confidence: Involvement in a wide range of activities, inside and outside the classroom, is critical as it creates the capacity for increased confidence, which is required for success. In addition to the OAGS classrooms, I have already noticed a range of activities, including music, sport, drama, agriculture, technology, equestrian, cadets, volunteer Christian groups, chess, extension groups, and Science and specialist groups. It was fabulous to join Year 10 on the Sydney expedition during Camp Week, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was a wonderful school celebration of talent and hard work. I have loved witnessing the enthusiasm of the students as they get involved in many things and enjoy growth and success. Greatly pleasing is that wonderful rural and regional trait of 'having a crack' at anything, improving through the process, and sometimes surprising themselves. Our students are much more than 'brains on sticks', and I have been delighted with the student success achieved in many areas.
Change: Education is greatly about equipping students for adult success and human flourishing. Our society is ever-evolving, and change is a constant force in our world. Students need to be equipped to thrive within it. Many of our students will be drivers and leaders of change as they move beyond school. While not every aspect of change is positive, I am deeply impressed by how students show resilience, approach life and the future— navigating realities their grandparents could never have imagined. The challenge for school leaders is to guide this evolution thoughtfully, preserving what is good while purposefully improving the school.
Culture: Every school has a distinctive set of beliefs and things that are valued, commonly accepted and mutually agreed upon. I have noted already that we value the individual, get involved in things with passion, and celebrate individual and corporate success. The students are enthusiastic, and there is an inclusiveness that is often in evidence between and amongst peers. There is a natural friendliness and respect which is admirable. I am also pleased that we want to hold students to high standards. As I am new, and my observations are early ones, I am still learning what is important about our culture to students, parents and staff. I look forward to meeting members of our community to understand this more clearly. I am keen to learn more and so welcome conversations and input.
Christian: While we have an open enrolment policy and not every member of the community personally embraces the good news of Jesus, the Christian message shapes our school ethos and character. We continually seek to reflect God’s generosity through Jesus in everything we do. We aim to share the message of God’s love for us all in relevant, creative and age-appropriate ways. Our school values are based on biblical concepts, and students are provided with the space and opportunity to question, debate, disagree and respond. May the motto on our school crest, Seek the Truth , be real as we jointly explore the hope that can be found in life with Jesus.
These Cs reflect some of my initial observations at OAGS. All of these things I have mentioned combine to create a lovely environment which I am enjoying very much.
I must conclude by reporting that I am enjoying my time in Orange and loving the energy and enthusiasm of our students from K–12. I am looking forward to getting to know the people better and learning more of what makes OAGS a great place for learning and growth.
David Smith
Acting Principal
Pastoral Care
Striving for Excellence on the Stage and in the Playground
Striving for Excellence on the Stage and in the Playground
Throughout the process of preparing for and competing in our debates, our Stage Three debaters have demonstrated some very important ‘healthy relationship’ and ‘leadership’ skills. The students have needed to communicate respectfully, persevere to achieve a goal (in our school training sessions, as well as individually at home) as well as building trust by being an organised and supportive teammate. At both events I have also been encouraged by the ‘good sportsmanship’ demonstrated by all of our students. Our Year 5 students are competing in fewer debates, however they are developing their knowledge and skills this year. In Round 2, one of our teams was given excellent feedback regarding their improvement from the first to second debate. I look forward to everyone in our squad playing a role in Round 3 when we host the competition against Kinross and Orange Christian School. A big thank you to the schools and their teachers, Kylie Pulling and Emmah Caruana for hosting us and encouraging debating to thrive!
At OAGS Junior School, we are continuing to see positive results as the language of the URStrong program is embedded in our everyday conversations and relational problem solving. Please ask your children what they know about a Friendship Fire, how to use a Quick Comeback and ways that we can build trust and show respect to friends and family. As we learn about these concepts and develop our skills, we have also been setting ourselves challenges and goals, as well as working through how to be a ‘good sport’ at school and in everyday life.
Junior School
Prep
Prep
Maths Learning in Prep: Before, After and Missing Numbers
Over the past fortnight, our Prep students have been developing their number knowledge by exploring numbers that come before, after, and identifying missing numbers in a sequence. Through hands-on games, counting activities, number lines, songs and interactive learning experiences, students have been strengthening their understanding of how numbers are ordered and connected.
Learning about number sequences is an important foundation for future mathematical success. As children identify the number that comes before or after a given number, they begin to recognise patterns within our number system and develop a deeper understanding of how numbers relate to one another. Identifying missing numbers also encourages students to think critically about number order and strengthens their counting skills.
Throughout our Mathematics lessons, students have enjoyed participating in a variety of engaging activities designed to build confidence and fluency with numbers. Using concrete materials, movement-based learning experiences, partner games and whole-class investigations, students have been encouraged to explore numbers in meaningful and enjoyable ways.
Research in early childhood Mathematics highlights the importance of developing strong number sense from a young age. The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) notes that early numeracy skills develop through purposeful experiences with counting, ordering, comparing and discussing numbers. Building a strong understanding of number sequences helps children develop confidence in Mathematics and provides a foundation for future learning in addition, subtraction, place value and problem-solving.
You can support your child's learning at home by:
- Asking what number comes before or after a given number.
- Practising counting forwards and backwards together.
- Looking for numbers in everyday environments.
- Playing simple number games and puzzles.
- Encouraging your child to identify missing numbers when counting.
We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm, persistence and growth our Prep students have shown during their Mathematics learning this fortnight. Their confidence with numbers continues to develop, and it has been wonderful to see their excitement as they discover new mathematical concepts and celebrate their successes.
Happy counting!
Mr Bornen
Prep Coordinator/Classroom Teacher
Year 3 Aboriginal Art
Year 3 Aboriginal Art
In Geography this term, Year 3 students have been taking a journey around Australia, learning about the diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, cultures and Countries across our nation. We have connected this learning to our Art lessons by exploring a range of Aboriginal art forms, styles and mediums.
So far, Year 3 has investigated the traditions of rock art and bark painting. Students have been fascinated by the materials and techniques used by Aboriginal artists, including the use of ochre to create colour and tools for carving and marking surfaces.
As non-Aboriginal artists, we recognise and respect the cultural significance of these art forms. Through our learning, we have celebrated the rich artistic traditions of Aboriginal Peoples and created artworks inspired by the colours, patterns and techniques we have studied.
When exploring rock art, students were inspired by hand stencils, which are traditionally created by blowing a mixture of water and ground ochre over a hand held against a rock surface. Rock art is one of the oldest surviving forms of cultural expression in the world. To create our own artworks, students made handprint designs on black paper and used crayons to add colour and detail around their hands. Some students used some of the symbols used in aboriginal art to tell a story of their own life.
Students also enjoyed learning about bark painting and were intrigued by the use of bark as a surface for artistic expression. Due to the wet weather, we were unable to use bark as our canvas; however, students created artworks inspired by the patterns, designs and storytelling elements found in traditional bark paintings.
We look forward to continuing our exploration of Aboriginal art throughout the term as we learn about X-ray art and develop a deeper understanding of the significance and diversity of dot painting traditions.
Year 3 Teachers
Miss Collins and Mr Linde
Regional Selection for Year 4 Waste 2 Art Creators
Regional Selection for Year 4 Waste 2 Art Creators
We are absolutely thrilled to share some wonderful news from our Year 4 cohort. Following the local Waste 2 Art exhibition, students Alf H and Agamjot S have been officially selected to advance to the Regional Waste 2 Art competition!
Their outstanding 3-dimensional artwork, titled 'Monster' , was entered into the Primary School Scrap Metal section. Built primarily from rescued aluminium cans and creatively combined with various other recycled items salvaged from the bin, 'Monster' perfectly captured the spirit of resourcefulness and sustainability we have been studying over the past five weeks.
Alf and Agamjot's artwork is now on its way to Broken Hill to represent OAGS at the prestigious Waste 2 Art Regional Showcase .
Showcase Details:
- Exhibition Venue: Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum (the GeoCentre), Broken Hill
- Public Exhibition Dates: 10 August to 4 September 2026
- Official Opening & Winners Announced: Saturday 15 August 2026 (10:30am for an 11:00am start)
The boys have carefully packaged 'Monster' to ensure a safe journey out west, and the artwork will be returned to the Orange City Library by mid-September.
To be selected for the regional stage from a highly competitive local pool is an outstanding achievement. The entire OAGS community congratulates Alf and Agamjot on their hard work, creativity, and environmental stewardship, and we wish them the absolute best of luck in Broken Hill this August!
An Unforgettable Adventure: Year 5 Conquers Vision Valley!
An Unforgettable Adventure: Year 5 Conquers Vision Valley!
From May 25 to 27, Year 5 swapped their classrooms for the great outdoors, embarking on an action-packed excursion to Vision Valley in Sydney. Set against a stunning natural backdrop, the camp offered our students the perfect environment to push their limits, build teamwork, and connect with nature.
Right from the start, the energy was electric. Students threw themselves into a fantastic lineup of outdoor challenges designed to test their grit and cooperation. Adventure-seekers tackled the thrills of abseiling and the high ropes challenges, conquering heights with remarkable courage. Back on solid ground, students sharpened their focus with archery, learned essential navigation skills during orienteering, and raced through the bush on mountain bike riding trails.
Beyond the adrenaline-pumping activities, the entire experience was elevated by the exceptional hospitality. The natural setting was truly beautiful, providing a peaceful escape from the everyday school routine. Furthermore, the food was absolutely fantastic, keeping everyone fueled for big days of exploring, and the Vision Valley camp leaders were incredibly encouraging, guiding our students with enthusiasm and care.
Our camp was originally scheduled to run until Thursday. However, with imminent heavy rain forecast for Sydney, the decision was made to pull forward our return to Orange to Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday, the camp experience successfully continued right here on school grounds. We enjoyed a packed day of fun activities and team games led by energetic youth leaders from our local church, OEC. The day was rounded out with a movie, a delicious pizza lunch, a lively trivia competition, and a heartwarming session where students wrote letters of appreciation to the Vision Valley leaders.
Ultimately, Year 5 proved themselves to be resilient, adaptable, and fantastic ambassadors for our school. Thank you to everyone who made this memorable week possible!
Mr Lipscomb, Mrs Sinclair, Miss Glyde and Mrs Holding
Senior School
Careers
Careers
Engineering
Last Wednesday, Orange Anglican Grammar School was graced by the presence of 4 engineers from our community to present to the Stage 6 senior school the different perspectives and roles that an engineer plays in supporting our society. To facilitate this event, we would like to give special thanks to Jacquie Smith (Regional Industry Education Partnerships) for presenting this opportunity to us and ensuring that this event went smoothly.
The purpose of this event was to expose senior students to the individual experiences of different engineers, providing a laid-back yet engaging space for them to satisfy any curiosities or queries they may have, to better inform their future decisions regarding an engineering career. Each engineer offered unique and personalised stories of how they got into engineering, what they do in engineering and what a day in the life of an engineer might look like.
First to speak were Mitchell Akers and Amy Caldwell, who are electrical engineers from Essential Energy, who spoke about their roles in developing substation designs and working on solar farms for an electrical engineering company that is a primary electricity distributor for Orange. Both spoke of working hours for an engineer with different roles, offering flexible times depending on the individual's needs.
Next was Jenniffer Suen, a mining engineer who spoke about her experience working all across not only Australia but also other countries such as the USA and some European countries and how she gained not only different experiences in the widely varied workplaces but also the collective group of friends she had developed along the way. She spoke of her creativity as a child and how that had carried on as an adult, not being prohibited or limited as she entered her role as an engineer.
Last to speak was Civil Engineer Peter Thew, who emphasised the importance of an engineer by stating, “Anyone can put hundreds of metal poles into a bridge to make it stand; an engineer is the one who makes it just strong enough”, a quote that left a deep impression to show that engineering isn't just about reinforcing and designing strong builds but carefully striking a balance between strength and and material cost, that engineering isn't limited to design without flaw but also engages many aspects such as Research and Planning, Prototyping, Documentation, Problem Solving and Adaptability and so much more.
This event proved to OAGS Stage 6 students that engineering as a profession isn't just a numbers-based, isolated job, but accepts a broad range of skills and talents that aid individuals such as ourselves to go beyond what we previously thought we were capable of and to explore what's available through engineering to us.
Some words from students themselves regarding engineering:
What was a key takeaway you had from the event?
“The event gave me a much clearer insight into what engineers actually do day‑to‑day. Hearing their real experiences made the profession feel far more tangible and interesting.” - A.W
Would you recommend this event to others?
“Yeah, I’d definitely recommend it. It was actually really interesting hearing from people who work in such different areas of engineering, and it helped me understand what the job really looks like.” - L.N.
What was something you would have benefited from knowing before going into engineering as a senior school subject?
“Before choosing engineering as a senior subject, I wish I’d known just how many different branches of engineering exist. It’s not just one job, but there are hundreds of pathways, each suited to different strengths and school subjects. Understanding which fields connect to the subjects I enjoy would have helped me feel even more confident in my choices.” - C.M.
This event has greatly benefited the students at Orange Anglican Grammar School, and as a final note, we would like to thank all those involved in helping organise this event, as well as all the engineers who took time out of their busy schedules to come and speak with us.
From Year 11 and 12, and the staff, we offer our sincere thanks.
Elleanor D and Amelia W
Year 11 Students
Faith at OAGS
Chaplaincy Team
Chaplaincy Team
It’s been an incredible term across both primary and secondary schools. We love seeing our students engage with Jesus, community and each other in such meaningful ways. Here’s a quick window into what’s been happening:
Infants and Primary
If you ever walk past the media centre during infants or primary chapel, you will definitely hear us before you see us. The students absolutely love to sing - and it’s such a vibrant way to learn about God’s love and praise him together! If you’re keen to sing along with the kids you can find a collection of our favourite songs on our spotify playlist.
Connecting with the Orange Community
We are so grateful for the incredible churches and leaders in our wider Orange community. We love welcoming guest speakers who can share the message of Jesus with our students. Earlier this term we were blessed to have Kerryn from OEC (Orange Evangelical Church) speak at chapel. She brought such warmth and insight, and the students loved having her. A massive thank you to Kerryn and the team at OEC for investing in our school.
Secondary Camps
Our recent Secondary School camps were full of outdoor adventures and team challenges, but the real highlights happened during the intentional times of reflection. We’ve been encouraged by the response of our students during camp. A significant number of students indicated that they either chose to follow Jesus for the first time, or made a heartfelt decision to recommit their lives to Him.
Seeing young people take ownership of their faith and support one another in these pivotal moments is an absolute privilege. Please join us in praying for these students as they walk out these decisions in their day-to-day lives.
CAPA
Junior School Beginner Band
Junior School Beginner Band
It’s a little later than usual, but our new Beginner Band has finally met for the first time two weeks ago. These enthusiastic students have started taking group lessons and are now coming together on Thursday mornings to learn about playing in a larger group. Right from the start they made a great sound. They are learning about posture, how to follow a conductor and how to count and play in time. The future is bright for these young musicians and hopefully we will see them in the Primary Concert Band in the near future.
Sport
The Inaugural Trinity Shield
The Inaugural Trinity Shield
The Inaugural Trinity Shield
There is plenty of excitement building around the school at the moment as we prepare for a brand new sporting tradition: the very first Trinity Shield. On Monday, 31st August, our Senior students will be heading up the highway to Dubbo for a massive day of competition, and we can’t wait to see them in action.
This new tournament brings together three regional schools—Orange Anglican Grammar School, Dubbo Christian School, and Macquarie Anglican Grammar School—for a full day of friendly but fierce rivalry. It is a fantastic opportunity for our students to challenge themselves, build some local connections, and hopefully become the very first name engraved on the new shield.
The tournament will see both male and female teams going head to head across four sports: Soccer, Netball, Basketball, and Rugby 10s. Since this is a Senior tournament, our Year 11 and 12 students will be leading the charge on the field. However, we also have a wonderful group of Year 10 students who are stepping up to offer special assistance.
Our players are certainly not leaving anything to chance. To ensure we really bring the competition to Dubbo, students will be putting in the hard yards each week at regular training sessions. A huge amount of work goes into getting squads ready for a multi-sport tournament like this, and we are incredibly lucky to have a dedicated team of coaches making it happen. Mr van der Merwe and training coach Jeremy Wallace will be putting the Rugby 10s squads through their paces, while Mr Brown is busy sorting out our tactical plays on the soccer pitch. Mrs Purvis will be working hard with our basketballers, and I will be keeping our netballers focused on sharp defence and quick transitions.
We will share more specific details regarding game schedules and departure times as we get closer to the date.
Best of luck to all our players and coaches over the next few weeks of training. Let’s make this first Trinity Shield one to remember!
Mrs Hutchinson
Leader of Sport
AICES Cross Country
AICES Cross Country
Last week, our long distance runners headed down to Horsley Park to compete in the AICES Cross Country Carnival. The track was notoriously hilly this year, proving to be a brutal test of stamina and grit for everyone who competed, but our team took the challenge completely in stride.
We had some absolutely outstanding individual results on the day, with four of our athletes earning a well deserved spot at the upcoming CIS Carnival in Week 10. A massive congratulations goes to Lucy J, who ran an incredible race to cross the line in 1st place! Rounding out our top finishers were Nick I in 3rd, Isobel C in 4th, and Milla J in 6th. To have four runners qualify for the next level is a fantastic achievement.
The depth of our team was on full display, with several other students coming agonisingly close to progressing further, including highly competitive 11th, 12th, and 16th place finishes. Every single runner who took on that course should be incredibly proud of the effort they put in.
Finally, a big thank you to Mr Player and Mrs Hough for braving the conditions, supervising the team, and cheering everyone on throughout the day. Best of luck to our qualifiers as they prepare for Week 10!
Dominique Hutchinson
Leader of Sport
Netball
Netball
AICES Netball Cup Success
Earlier this week our U15s team travelled to Sydney to participate in the AICES Netball.
After a late injury, 8 students gave their all to represent OAGS against some very tough competition from across the state.
The day started strong with a win against Arden Anglican School, followed by a close loss to Emanuel School. After collecting themselves and clearing their heads, the girls came out firing with a confident win against Hunter Valley Grammar. With fatigue starting to set in, the next two games didn’t go their way, unfortunately going down to William Clarke College and Illawarra Grammar.
After a short break, the division finals were announced and, with much excitement, OAGS were placed in the Division 4 Grand Final against Moriah College. With the girls all putting in 100%, they came away with an amazing win of 15-6.
Congratulations to Heidi B, Audrey B, Stacey C, Lotte C, Annabelle D, Coco P, Belle W and Lucinda W. You all should be very proud, you represented the school, and played, at an amazing standard. I am looking forward to watching you continue on your sporting journey.
Thank you to Mrs Churchill for travelling with me and the girls, and your support during the event.
Emma Davis
Netball MIC
CIS U15 Boys Netball
In Week 7, Will D traveled down to Sydney to compete in the CIS U15 Boys Netball trials. It is a massive achievement just to get to this level, but it is even more impressive when you consider that Will only took up netball last year! Since falling in love with the game, his passion for the sport has grown significantly, and he has been a fantastic asset playing for our school in the local Saturday competition.
Stepping onto the courts in Sydney was a big ask, Will was actually the youngest player at the trials and had traveled the furthest distance to get there. Undeterred, he hit the court with immense pride, matched the intensity of the older boys, and gave absolutely everything he had.
While he didn’t make the final squad this year, the experience has only fueled his drive. Will is already keen to trial again next year, and with his work ethic, we have no doubt he’ll be back even stronger.
Dominique Hutchinson
Leader of Sport
Winter Sport at OAGS
Winter Sport at OAGS
We want to take a moment to extend a huge thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors, we are incredibly grateful for your ongoing commitment to our sports programs.
Check out some of our fantastic athletes in action! We love seeing our students give it their all, and there is nothing better than a sea of OAGS support on the sidelines to cheer them on.
Whether it’s basketball on the courts, soccer on the fields, or netball over the weekend, our teams are putting in a massive effort this winter season. We would love to see as many families, friends, and familiar faces as possible coming along to support. Bring your loudest cheers, your OAGS spirit, and let’s rally behind our players!
Community News
In Loving Memory Of Lily
In Loving Memory Of Lily
OAGS Classifieds
July School Holiday Activities
July School Holiday Activities
Kid's Club
Kid's Club
Foundation of Goalkeeping-2026
Foundation of Goalkeeping-2026
Football NSW will be running a Foundation of Football course in Dubbo on Sunday 28th of June 8am to 5pm at Victoria Park, Dubbo.
The Course will be facilitated by Player Development Manager for Goalkeeping at FNSW Bryce Deaton.
The course will conflict with other football events within the Western Branch and this unavoidable no matter when it is scheduled, however this a fantastic opportunity for coaches to learn the fundamentals of Goalkeeping or further their existing knowledge.
Aimed at coaches, parents and volunteers who work with or intend to work with non-professional goalkeepers of any age. The course modules focus on building goalkeeper knowledge while learning how to conduct basic practices that are engaging and inclusive.
This course is Football Australia’s first level of goalkeeper coaching accreditation and a prerequisite for the Goalkeeping B Diploma.
The Foundation of Goalkeeping qualification is valid for three (3) years and is subject to licence revalidation. Licence Revalidation | Play Football
Full attendance is required. Failure to attend the full course will result in registration being removed.
Employment Opportunities
Employment Opportunities
We’re currently welcoming applications to join our team.
Opportunities Available:
- Experienced Part-time Farmhand
- Casual School Bus Driver
- Leader of Learning Enrichment
- School Psychologist(Full time)
For a full job descriptions and to apply.
Visit our website www.oags.nsw.edu.au and be part of a supportive, vibrant school community
Contact us for more information 63604811
