From the Deputy
‘Tis the Season’!
‘Tis the Season’!
With more students enrolled than ever before, our end of year events have been refined to ensure the best possible format to celebrate the many achievements of our students. Please carefully read the following information to ensure you are aware of what we have changed and how you can get involved. For those of you who have been with us for a few years, please note, lots has changed!
Week 3
Sports Awards - Monday October 28: 6pm in the Hangar
The year of sport is celebrated with a Sports Awards night in the Hangar. All of our major sport achievements are celebrated on the night, with the shortlist finalists for Sportsperson of the year announced. Parents of students receiving an award have been invited to attend via the parent portal.
OAGS Onstage - Tuesday October 29: 6:30pm Orange Civic Centre
A huge night of all things performing arts. From Dance to Drama to Music and all things creative, parents are invited to purchase their tickets and come along to support the more than 300 students who will perform as part of our Onstage spectacular. Parents will have received information for ticketing, as well as student performers via the parent portal.
Week 8 (last week of Term 4)
Primary Presentation Day - Tuesday December 3: 9:30am-11am in the Hangar
This year the Primary School Major Awards ceremony stands alone from the Secondary School. As per the time noted above, this ceremony will take place during the school day, commencing at 9:30am sharp. This is our most formal and major ceremony for the Primary School where our highest achievers are recognised, new student leaders commissioned and various performers take to the stage. For those parents whose child is receiving a major award, please keep an eye on your parent portal for the notification. All students in Primary School attend this assembly and parents and carers are encouraged to attend. Please note the times and arrange to attend from your place of work/home as you’re able.
Secondary Presentation Day - Wednesday December 4: 1.00pm - 2.30pm in the Hangar
This year the Secondary School Major Awards ceremony also stands alone and, as per the time noted above, this ceremony will take place during the school day, commencing at 1.00pm sharp . This is our most formal and major ceremony for the Secondary School where our highest achievers are recognised, new student leaders commissioned and various performers take to the stage. For those parents whose child is receiving a major award, please keep an eye on your parent portal for the notification. All students in Secondary School attend this assembly and parents and carers are encouraged to attend. Please note the times and arrange to attend from your place of work/home as you’re able.
To be clear, in 2024 there will not be an evening awards ceremony as per previous formats.
Pastoral Care
Collaborating for a Safer Digital Environment
Collaborating for a Safer Digital Environment
In our commitment to safeguard our students in the digital landscape, we organised for David Smith from ySafe to visit our school this week. David educated staff, students and parents about the need to partner together to empower our students to navigate online spaces safely and responsibly.
Along with upskilling our students in developing empathy and considering consent when sharing information online, David also helped them to think through the possible social consequences of making mistakes online, as well as understanding some of the legal consequences of breaking the law.
David shared some recent studies to highlight significant issues young people face online, including:
- Misinformation : With social media becoming a primary news source, we must equip our students with the skills to identify credible information and question sources critically.
- Mental Health : The impact of online interactions on mental health, including issues like image-based abuse and toxic behaviours are significant.
- Gaming and Gambling : As gaming communication becomes more integrated with social interactions, monitoring and supervision are essential to ensure a safe experience.
As we partner with you in supporting your children, our students, we want to recognise the barriers young people often encounter when seeking help. It’s vital for teachers and parents to provide reassurance and positive reinforcement, creating an environment where children feel safe to discuss their online experiences.
While social media platforms are generally advised for users aged 16 and older, opinions vary widely. To help our students prepare for responsible social media engagement, David recommends proactive training before they begin using these places. He also recommends setting up parental controls to set screen limits, filter content and block access to certain apps at certain times.
David recommends that if and when you become concerned by the amount of time or content your child has been exposed to online, avoid passing judgement, show interest and listen to the child’s concerns, refrain from ‘demonising technology’, try to understand the function of the technology and avoid assuming the technology is the problem. We encourage you to let your children know that everyone makes mistakes, worries should be shared, and teachers and families will listen to them to work through their concerns.
I strongly encourage you to visit https://ysafe-au.onlinesafetyhub.com.au/ and https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents . I also encourage you to make time to talk through your concerns with your child, listen to what they want to explore, are using and experiencing, and then develop an agreement that keeps them safe and meets your expectations as their parents.
Thank you for your support in managing this ongoing and important issue. We look forward to working together to encourage our students’ curiosity, creative endeavours and communications, while staying safe in the digital world.
Georgina Willis
Prep
Musical Visit from Robbie Mortimer
Musical Visit from Robbie Mortimer
We were thrilled to welcome local musician Robbie Mortimer to our Prep class this term for a special musical performance. Robbie shared his passion for music, captivating the children with his talent and enthusiasm. The students were treated to live performances of a few of Robbie’s original songs, along with familiar tunes that had everyone clapping and tapping their feet.
Throughout the visit, Robbie not only showcased his musical skills but also spoke to the students about the process of creating music, the role of instruments in a band, and the importance of rhythm and melody. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to see how music is made and performed, and it helped them appreciate the creativity and teamwork involved.
Our students were fully engaged, asking thoughtful questions and even having a go at playing along with some basic rhythms. Robbie's warmth and encouragement inspired many budding musicians within the group.
Beyond the musical aspect, Robbie's visit was a great opportunity for students to learn about self-expression and the power of music to communicate feelings and stories. His ability to inspire creativity resonated deeply with the children, many of whom left the session excited to explore music further in their own lives. It was wonderful to see the children’s confidence grow as they engaged with Robbie’s performance.
Robbie's visit also tied in with our broader curriculum goals, especially in developing the students' appreciation of the arts. The experience helped reinforce the value of creative pursuits alongside our other academic work. We look forward to integrating this newfound excitement for music into future classroom projects and performances.
A big thank you to Robbie Mortimer for bringing music to life in our classroom. We look forward to following his career and seeing what new songs he brings to the stage next!
Mr Bornen
Classroom Teacher/Prep Coordinator
Primary School
World Teachers' Day
World Teachers' Day
Today, we celebrate our wonderful teachers as we mark World Teachers’ Day. At Orange Anglican Grammar School, we are blessed with an exceptional team of passionate and dedicated educators who consistently go above and beyond expectations to inspire, support, and nurture our students.
I am immensely proud of our Primary School. I am grateful for the work that our Primary team does each and every day to create safe and nurturing learning environments where students are provided with every opportunity to grow academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.
On this day, I would like to share my appreciation for each of our amazing teachers. Whether it’s guiding students through exciting lessons, offering words of encouragement, or fostering a love of learning, our teachers' efforts are extraordinary and worth celebrating.
Alice Glyde
Director of Primary School
Year 4 - '200 Minutes of Danger'
Year 4 - '200 Minutes of Danger'
This term, Year 4 students have been immersed in the thrilling stories of 200 Minutes of Danger by Jack Heath. The book’s fast-paced action has not only captured their imaginations but has also provided rich opportunities for skill development across reading, writing and grammar.
Students have been working hard to expand their vocabulary, discovering new words through the text and learning how to use them in sentences. Their reading fluency has also improved, with regular practice in reading aloud helping them read more confidently and expressively. Alongside this, we’ve delved into comprehension activities that encourage critical thinking, where students have analysed the tense moments in the story, discussed character decisions, and predicted outcomes.
A strong focus has been placed on grammar, particularly the use of commas and complex sentences. Students have been learning how to separate adjectives, adverbs, and clauses with commas to make their writing clearer and more engaging. They’ve practised identifying and using complex sentences, with the book’s suspense-filled scenarios providing the perfect context for constructing sentences that reflect action and consequence.
Culminating their study of 200 Minutes of Danger , students have been tasked with writing their own version of a chapter from the book. This has been an exciting opportunity for them to apply the narrative techniques they’ve learned while putting their unique spin on the story. The creativity and effort they’ve shown in this activity have been truly impressive, demonstrating their growth as writers.
Paul Lipscomb
Year 4 Teacher / Stage 2 Coordinator
Secondary School
Praying for our HSC Students
Praying for our HSC Students
The final year of school can be a particularly stressful period of time. As a parent, you can probably remember all too well feeling anxious and worried at different points when you were in Year 12. One of the great ways we can support our Year 12 students on their journey through the HSC Examinations is to pray for them. In the bible, in Philippians chapter 4, it says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
We are asking members of our school community to consider supporting our year 12 students by praying for them during the HSC. The HSC examinations have already started with English Paper 1 on Tuesday 14th of October but continue until Thursday 7th November. Members of our school community have already been asking God in prayer to calm student nerves, to help them recall the things they’ve been studying, to grasp the question correctly, to answer questions to the best of their ability, and to have a sense of peace that God is in control. There are many other things that you could pray for too, but I hope that these might be of help to you too.
At the end of this newsletter, you will find an OAGS-specific HSC Examination Schedule if you would like to use it to guide your prayers.
Thank you for supporting our year 12 students in this way.
Mr. Tim Brown
Director of Secondary School
CAPA
HSC Drama Group Devising Workshop at Orange High School
HSC Drama Group Devising Workshop at Orange High School
This week, our new Year 12 cohort had the exciting opportunity to visit Orange High School for a group devising workshop led by the renowned Sydney-based Belvoir Street Theatre. Students worked alongside their Orange High peers, engaging in a series of skill-based improvisational activities designed to enhance their devising and performance skills.
The workshop was facilitated by the talented Australian actress and education coordinator for Belvoir Street Theatre, Claudia Ware. Under her guidance, students were introduced to expert techniques for developing their HSC Drama Group Project. They explored creative tools for shaping ideas, transitioning between scenes, and developing a dynamic structure for their work.
Collaborating with their peers, our students produced some truly impressive improvised performances, gaining valuable insights that will support them as they approach their final HSC practical exams. This workshop was an enriching experience, helping to inspire creativity and teamwork as students progress through their HSC journey.
Mrs Kat Schuil
ACE
OAGS ACE Program Comes Up Winners!
Sport
Sport News
Sport News
Term 4 is always a time for finishing well in the sports department and ensuring that planning for the start of the following year is in place to enable a smooth transition into Terms 1 and 2. Next week, we will celebrate the major achievements in sport this year, as well as encourage students to keep pursuing their dreams. Please attend if you would like to see the amazing things the school has accomplished in sport.
In the coming weeks, the 2025 Sports Calendar will be released, featuring all the key dates for the upcoming year, including trial dates for both school representative and association representative teams. The sports team will also begin planning for the 2025 Winter season, with registrations and nominations opening the week before school returns. Keep an eye out for the calendar hitting your inbox soon!
At the end of last term, we wrapped up our athletics season with the CIS Secondary Athletics Championship and NSW All Schools Championship. OAGS had a team of 11 athletes qualify for these events, which is an incredible achievement. Three students, in particular, had standout performances: Keegan Willis, Milla Jurd, and Adelaide Pittis, who all made the CIS Athletics Merit Team (associations do not compete at All Schools; students compete for their schools). The following weekend, many of the athletes competed again at the NSW All Schools Championships, held at Sydney Olympic Park. This represents a huge commitment by both students and their families, attending these events during the school holidays. Congratulations to Milla Jurd, Adelaide Pittis, and Keegan Willis, who all placed at this prestigious event.
The Touch Football season is now well underway after a delayed start due to wet weather. With over 120 players participating this season, we’ve been able to field 6 teams in the Minis competition and 5 teams in the Juniors competition. A key factor in the success of this program is our student coaches, who work alongside parent managers, contributing to the school and giving back to the community. We currently have 12 Secondary students and 1 Primary student volunteering as coaches, sharing their passion and knowledge of the sport.
Dominique Hutchinson
Leader of Sport
MIC Touch Football
Rugby at OAGS for 2025
Rugby at OAGS for 2025
We are excited to announce the introduction of the sport of Rugby Union in the Primary School through the Central West Junior Rugby Union Competition in 2025. Central West Juniors provide competition in the Walla age groups of 6, 8 and 10 years, which is non tackling in nature (grab and hold), thus presenting an opportunity for players to learn the game in a less than physical environment, promoting teamwork and skills development. Teams within the Central West Juniors are co-ed (boys and girls) up to U14 age group, providing equal opportunity for boys and girls to develop into the game, enhancing friendships and team spirit that the school endeavours to promote.
The Walla competition plays on Sunday mornings and includes teams from towns such as Orange, Millthorpe, Bathurst, Blayney, Cowra, Parkes, Forbes, Wellington, Dubbo and Mudgee. It is proposed that the school will eventually field teams in the U12 to U18 competition in future years, who play on Saturdays.
We have dedicated and committed members of staff who will be undertaking the coaching of your child(ren), all who have considerable experience as players, coaches and match officials. These include, Peter Reid, Timothy Herbert, Alistair Miller, Armand Van Den Merwe and other staff as required. We require a minimum of 20 players per age group to be registered by the end of February 2025. Training will commence in Term 1 and continue on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons during the duration of the season. If numbers permit, multiple teams in each age category may be entered.
While we understand that your child may already play for an external town team, the introduction of Rugby Union within our school is an excellent opportunity to foster school spirit and camaraderie among our student body. Playing for the school will still allow your child who has aspirations of higher Central West representation to do so.
A letter shall be given to all primary aged students to take home in Term 4, which we ask to be returned, so we may gauge interest, prior to an information night being organised. However, for your convenience, there is an electronic link attached here that you can access to complete your child(rens) interest. Further information regarding this endeavour may be gained from Peter Reid .
Community News
Celebrating NAIDOC Week
Celebrating NAIDOC Week
On Monday the 21st of October, the streets of Orange were filled with great community spirit as we gathered together to march for NAIDOC week. Fifteen of our Aboriginal students from Year 1 to Year 12 attended the march and celebrations to mark this important week. It was heartwarming to see our whole community come together, united in support of reconciliation and recognition. This year’s theme, “Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud.,” encouraged us to celebrate the rich history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to watch traditional Aboriginal practices, including dances, music and a smoking ceremony. Students then enjoyed exploring the community stalls and talking to local community members about opportunities in our area. It was a joy to witness their enthusiasm and curiosity as they participated in all activities throughout the day. What’s a celebration without good food? After the march, we were delighted to enjoy a delicious sausage sandwich bringing everyone together for a well-deserved lunch!
Student highlights from the day include:
Watching the Aboriginal dance at the presentation - Isla
Learning about the different meanings of each local town - Hunter
The face painting, because it was done by an Aboriginal artist - Ivy
Learning about the culture - Layla
Talking to members of the community and learning about the career paths available - Bryce
We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all our students for their exemplary behaviour during the events. Your respectful and enthusiastic participation showcased the values of Orange Anglican Grammar School.
Miss Molly Collins and Miss Alice Glyde
Robbie Mortimer - Good Times & Tan Lines Tour
Robbie Mortimer - Good Times & Tan Lines Tour
Show Bio
Get ready for an unforgettable night at the Orange Civic Theatre as Robbie Mortimer takes the stage for his highly anticipated headline show. This special performance will take you on a musical journey, tracing Robbie’s path from his humble beginnings in his hometown of Orange to collaborating with some of Nashville's biggest songwriters.
The show promises a dynamic blend of Robbie’s current hits, including the high-energy anthem “Blow The Speakers,” along with a selection of unreleased tracks that offer a glimpse into his evolving sound. Supported by his incredible band, each song will tell a part of his story, reflecting the growth and experiences that have shaped his career.
Robbie will also bring to life the music that has inspired him along the way. From heartfelt ballads to rowdy anthems, these songs have been the soundtrack to his journey, providing a deeper understanding of his artistic influences and personal milestones.
Expect a night filled with raw energy, emotional depth, and a celebration of country music's rich heritage. Robbie’s performance will not only showcase his unique blend of traditional and modern country sounds but also highlight the significant moments that have defined his rise from a small-town artist to a star in the Australian Country Music scene.
Whether you're a long time fan or new to Robbie’s music, this show will be an immersive experience that captures the essence of his artistic evolution. Join Robbie Mortimer and his band for his Good Times & Tan Lines Tour at the Orange Civic Theatre on Friday, November 29.
2025 Term Dates
2025 Term Dates
Blood Drive
Blood Drive
We’re joining together to support the Schools Blood Drive starting from 1 August. Together our school community can make a real impact and save even more lives! Every drop counts. Can we count you in? Join our OAGS – Lifeblood Team by visiting https://app.donateblood.com.au/Qs2v
OAGS Classifieds
Free workshop for parents and supervisors of learners drivers
Free workshop for parents and supervisors of learners drivers
Orange Super kick Centre
Orange Super kick Centre
Netball NSW
Netball NSW
Celebrating International Day of People with Disability
Celebrating International Day of People with Disability
Aquatic Carnival will be Celebrating International Day of People with Disability
Date: Tuesday 3 December 2024
Time: 11.00am – 1.00pm
Venue: Orange Aquatic Centre, cnr Hill and Warrendine Streets, Orange
Cost: FREE
Bookings: please phone 6393 8600
Includes free entry, barbecue lunch and games
Kid's Club
Kid's Club
