From The Principal
The Joy of Reading
The Joy of Reading
This week we celebrated Book Week. Whilst some parents may be relieved that a costume character parade happens only once a year, it is an important occasion nevertheless. It reminds us, young and old, of the importance of books and reading. I am glad that teachers and older students have embraced the fun.
Historically speaking, reading is a relatively new phenomenon and it is only in the last 130 years or so that the idea of universal literacy amongst the population has become an expectation. Prior to the early 20th Century, reading was mainly to understand the Bible, (which is a good reason to do so). Today national education systems are judged on their ability for children to become literate and huge money is spent on testing literacy growth. The expectation is that everyone should read.
Reading is an important aspect of daily life and involves people learning instructions, recipes, news items, emails, directories, menus, signs, sms on phones, social media, letters and all sorts of various forms of print and symbols. The printed word allows us to get things done, to communicate ideas and empowers us in many ways.
Reading for entertainment is also wonderful, allowing for imagination of the mind, the suspense of belief, creation of new and exciting worlds and the stimulation of interesting and exciting ideas. Whilst not new, the Harry Potter phenomenon quite a few years back illustrated the power of reading in that a whole generation has been shaped and impacted by the invention and unique world created by J.K Rowling, subsequently transformed into celluloid. It is much more than Hogwarts and many of us can name the books that shaped our thinking, challenged and entertained us. Fantasy, romance, adventure, and realistic fiction all have their advocates.
Reading is a vital focus to being educated and is closely related to understanding ideas, thinking, learning information and seeing things differently. It is also an important social activity for a community for it enriches large groups of people as they encounter big ideas in the literature that belongs to many.
Literature can be viewed as a ‘school thing’ and as they get older, some students disengage and read little, or only when coerced. However, across our school we aim to encourage everyone to develop a ‘passion’ for reading. So many lessons about language are learned through an activity which also enriches our lives and gives joy and pleasure. One of my favourite things is to visit Infants classes and read to them. Young and not so young children enjoy parent-time with a bedtime story.
I believe that every student (whatever the age) should carry a good book daily (easy to get from our very good libraries and our Thrive Centre) and undertake some reading when and where possible. Just 20 minutes each night in any sort of book can develop fluency, increase vocabulary, model the power of language, create images and enrich the mind in a stimulating and engaging manner. If a student has no given homework, I believe that they should use that time to read. It is the best way to improve fluency, comprehension and enjoyment. Our school is committed to literacy growth and I am keen to stress this is an important focus.
Many of us adults can talk about the ‘great’ books that shaped our lives and can think of a treasured tale that is like an old friend. It is my hope that OAGS can nurture an environment in which reading is not just a dreary task but one which enriches and enhances our lives. I am keen to continue this conversation with the students and staff and welcome the input of parents. The bottom line is that the best way to improve our reading is to read and so the more of it we can do, the better for all.
"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies... The man who never reads lives only one."George R.R. Martin
"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."Joseph Addison / Richard Steele
"Books are a uniquely portable magic." Stephen King
"Today a reader, tomorrow a leader."Margaret Fuller
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
Mr David Smith
Interim Principal
Junior School
Head of Junior School - Celebrating our Junior School Students
Head of Junior School - Celebrating our Junior School Students
Our Junior School students have been representing Orange Anglican Grammar School with absolute distinction across both sport and the arts recently!
HICES Athletics Carnival: Last week, we had 41 dedicated athletes travel to Sydney to compete at the HICES Athletics Carnival. It was a wonderful day of competition with some incredible results for OAGS.
A huge congratulations to the 12 students who performed exceptionally well and have been selected to represent both OAGS and HICES at the upcoming CIS Championships next week! An extra special congratulations goes to Olivia BR and Gen W, who were both named Age Champions in their respective age groups! What a remarkable achievement this is and a true testament to their immense dedication, talent, and tenacity.
We are so proud of everyone who gave their absolute best on the track and field.
A very special thank you to Mrs Venter, Mr Linde, and Mrs Hutchinson for accompanying the team, coaching, and supporting our students throughout the day.
HICES Music Festival: Last week was also a remarkable week for our performing arts students. Last Sunday, five of our Stage 3 students travelled to Stanwell Tops to take part in the HICES Music Festival.
Throughout the week, our young musicians immersed themselves in intensive music workshops and tutorial lessons alongside talented students from schools across the state. The week culminated in a spectacular combined concert at Sydney Town Hall on Wednesday!
Thank you to Mr Annett, Mr Clipsham, and Mrs Reed for their dedication and effort in making this unforgettable learning experience possible for our students.
Room on the Broom
Room on the Broom
Magic on Stage: K–1 Theatre Excursion!
Our youngest learners swapped the classroom for the theatre seats recently, embarking on an exciting cultural adventure! Kindergarten and Year 1 had a wonderful time at the Orange Civic Theatre enjoying the musical production of Room on the Broom.
From the moment they lined up in their high-visibility vests to boarding the big bus, the sense of anticipation was palpable. For many students, the journey itself was half the fun, with plenty of smiles and waves as they headed into town.
Once inside the theatre, the real magic began. The students were utterly captivated by the colourful and creative puppets that gave the beloved characters a life of their own. The catchy, toe-tapping music that had everyone wanting to sing along and the engaging and high-energy performances that kept our young audience members on the edge of their seats.
It was absolutely wonderful to see the pure excitement on their faces as they followed the adventures of the witch, her cat, and all their helpful animal friends from Julia Donaldson’s much-loved story.
The excursion provided our students with a fantastic opportunity to experience live theatre and see a favourite story brought to life on stage.
Taking large groups out into public spaces requires great teamwork, and our students did us incredibly proud. Our Kindergarten and Year 1 students were enthusiastic, engaged, and very well behaved throughout the performance, representing our school beautifully.
A massive thank you to the teachers and staff who organized the logistics and supervised the day, ensuring everything ran smoothly from bus to box office. A wonderful morning was enjoyed by all!
Mrs Elizabeth Gottschall
Stage 1 Coordinator
Interschool STEM Challenge
Interschool STEM Challenge
Last week, twelve Year 3 and 4 students represented OAGS at the Orange Interschool STEM Challenge, hosted by Kinross Wolaroi Junior School.
Students worked together on a range of hands-on activities, including building LEGO bridges, constructing Pringles rings and designing Sphero chariots for the final chariot race.
Working in pairs with students from the Orange Christian School and Kinross Wolaroi, our students approached each challenge with enthusiasm, teamwork and persistence. The day focused on cooperation and communication over competition, providing an opportunity to solve problems and share ideas with students from other schools.
Our students represented OAGS with maturity and kindness. A teacher from another school particularly praised them for staying behind to help pack away equipment while others headed to break.
Congratulations to our Year 3 and 4 participants. We look forward to taking part again next year.
Mrs Allie Downie
Primary Science
Stage 1 Thrive Taste and Learn Program
Stage 1 Thrive Taste and Learn Program
Our Year 1 and 2 students are two weeks into the five-week CSIRO Taste & Learn program, which encourages children to explore vegetables using all five senses.
Each week, students investigate a selection of vegetables together as a class. They look closely, feel different textures, notice sounds, describe smells and, if they choose, have a taste. The program keeps tasting optional and encourages curiosity rather than pressure, helping students become more comfortable with unfamiliar foods.
So far, students have explored vegetables including cauliflower, cucumber, carrot, spinach, beetroot and broccoli. It has been wonderful to see a number of students try these foods for the first time, supported by the encouragement and enthusiasm of their classmates.
The sessions have been enjoyable and very well received, with students eagerly sharing their observations and opinions. Over the remaining three weeks, students will continue building their food vocabulary, using their senses and approaching new vegetables with curiosity and confidence. Well done Stage 1 students.
Mrs Allie Downie
Primary Science
Looking Ahead
Looking Ahead
Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care Reminders
Pastoral Care Reminders
As we start the home stretch of Term 3, when calendars are full, assessments are looming and everyone is starting the count down, we have a couple of friendly reminders to help finish the term well.
Collecting Students During the School Day
If you need to collect your child early, parents and carers are asked to report to Student Services, where staff will arrange for your child to be called from class.
If a student becomes unwell during the school day, they should present to their teacher or Student Services first. Staff will assess the situation and contact a parent or carer on the student's behalf if they need to be collected.
We ask that students do not organise their own pick up by contacting parents or carers directly without first presenting to Student Services. This ensures the School is aware of students’ whereabouts, can provide appropriate support and can accurately record departures.
Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and consistent process for all students.
Phones and Social Media
Social media and messaging are an important part of how we connect, but they can also contribute to friendship issues, misunderstandings and conflict that carry over into the school day.
We encourage students to think carefully before posting, sharing, commenting or participating in group chats. A useful rule is: if you wouldn't say it face-to-face, don't post or send it online.
Students should not photograph or film others without their permission, nor should they record or post content during the school day or while in School uniform. We have seen an increase in students creating and sharing videos at School, and remind students that it is not permitted.
During the school day, students are reminded to follow the School's expectations regarding mobile phones and technology, and importantly to seek support from a staff member rather than using their device to manage a difficult situation themselves.
Families can help by regularly talking with their children about respectful online behaviour, privacy and the importance of taking a break from social media when interactions become negative.
Looking for more information?
The eSafety Commissioner provides excellent practical advice and resources for families and young people on social media, online safety, cyberbullying, privacy and managing negative online experiences.
eSafety Commissioner: https://www.esafety.gov.au/
Parents and Carers Resources: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents
As the term gets busier, we are incredibly proud of the way our students are continuing to learn, grow and look out for each other. We look forward to finishing Term 3 strongly together.
Jocelyn Kimmins and Armand Van Der Merwe
Leaders of Pastoral Care
Sport
Freezing Courts, Warm Spirits: Junior Netball School Cup
Freezing Courts, Warm Spirits: Junior Netball School Cup
On Tuesday, our Year 5/6 Netball Representative team headed to Bathurst to compete in the Junior Netball School Cup. Despite the biting winter chill, our players took to the courts with immense enthusiasm, determination, and incredible team spirit!
Playing with Pride
Competing in the highly competitive Year 5/6 division, our team put on a spectacular display of skill and teamwork. Across five intense games, they fought hard for every intercept, worked beautifully together down the court, and showed true resilience in the freezing conditions. Every single player did Orange Anglican Grammar School proud with their effort and competitive drive.
A Special Shout-Out to Coco P!
A massive thank you and congratulations goes to Coco P, who stepped up to umpire all five of our team's matches. Coco represented OAGS beautifully on the sidelines, demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship, leadership, and fair play throughout the entire day. Navigating five back-to-back games is no easy feat, and Coco handled it like an absolute professional!
Congratulations to the entire team for braving the cold, playing their hearts out, and being such wonderful ambassadors for our school!
Mrs Valerie Hough
Sports Administration
Huge Wins for OAGS Athletics!
Huge Wins for OAGS Athletics!
Last week, an incredible group of 41 students from Years 3–6 travelled down to the Blacktown International Sports Centre to represent OAGS at the HICES Athletics Carnival. Every single athlete brought their A-game, cheering each other on from the sidelines and demonstrating true OAGS spirit throughout the day.
The outstanding efforts from the track and field have yielded some truly amazing results:
12 CIS Qualifiers: 12 phenomenal students have officially qualified to progress to the CIS Carnival! They will be heading to SOPAC on Friday, 4th September to represent both OAGS and HICES at the state level.
2 HICES Age Champions: A massive congratulations to Olivia BR and Gen W for taking out these prestigious individual titles! An incredible achievement.
Good Luck at State!
We are so incredibly proud of all our competitors for their dedication, sportsmanship, and outstanding efforts on the day.
Best of luck to our 12 state-bound athletes as they take on CIS next week—the entire school community is cheering you on.
Let’s go, OAGS!
Mrs Dominique Hutchinson
Leader of Sport
CAPA
Orange Anglican Grammar School Shines at the 2026 HICES Music Festival
Orange Anglican Grammar School Shines at the 2026 HICES Music Festival
The power of music and collaboration was on full display at the 2026 HICES Music Festival, culminating in an unforgettable showcase at the iconic Sydney Town Hall. Bringing together 500 students and staff from 34 schools across the state, the event was a grand celebration of young artistic talent, dedication, and community spirit.
From Sunday 16 August to Wednesday 19 August, our musicians immersed themselves in rigorous rehearsal schedules, tutorials, and collaborative workshops. Working alongside expert conductors, they prepared a challenging repertoire spanning concert bands, string ensembles, and vocal groups. The four-day intensive music camp at The Tops Conference Centre in Stanwell Tops, culminated in an unforgettable series of grand showcase performances in Sydney.
Representing Orange Anglican Grammar School, 24 exceptional students took to the stage, performing with extraordinary skill, discipline, and pride. Their hard work throughout the intensive camp shone through every note, leaving a lasting impression on the audience and standing out among a talented cohort of peers.
Our staff members also played pivotal roles in the festival’s success. Mr. Annett took to the podium to conduct the Concert Band, delivering a brilliant, seamless performance that energised the crowd of over 1000. Mrs. Reed provided superb support in wellbeing and leading the student MCs throughout the camp and performance, ensuring our students were confident, well-prepared, and cared for every step of the way.
We are immensely proud of our 24 student representatives and dedicated staff for making the 2026 HICES Music Festival a resounding success and representing Orange Anglican Grammar School with such distinction.
Mr Jonathan Clipsham
Music
