From the Headmaster
A Note of Gratitude from the Headmaster
A Note of Gratitude from the Headmaster
Dear OAGS Community,
A we near the close of Term 4, I want to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff and talented students. The recent Sports Awards evening and the Creative and Performing Arts performance were true celebrations of the achievements and dedication within our school community.
These events were not only a showcase of our students' talents but also a testament to the professionalism, commitment, and teamwork of our staff. The confidence and skill our students displayed are, without a doubt, the result of the support, guidance, and hard our teachers and coaches invest daily. It is this shared commitment to excellence to excellence that fosters a culture where students are empowered to thrive and grow.
As we move into the final stretch of the school year, I encourage our staff and students to continue demonstrating the same commitment and care. Your contribution make OAGS a special place for our community, and for that, I am deeply appreciative.
Your efforts make a profound impact on our school and its future.
With heartfelt thanks,
Rev. Louis Stringer
Headmaster
Pastoral Care
The Joy of Service
The Joy of Service
The Gospels are recorded accounts of the many ways Jesus lived on earth as a wise, patient and hard-working leader who served the people he came to save. Great leaders serve others. I was encouraged to hear this many times from our Year 5 students during our Leadership Day this term.
Our school community is an active place where every member is dealing with their own challenges and struggles. Serving each other can help us manage stress, conquer challenges and learn from our struggles. Serving can be a great opportunity to make connections, learn how to lead and find joy.
There are every-day opportunities for our school community to serve each other by helping to clean up, building something to be shared, showing patience to someone who is having difficulties, providing kind words, and being willing to listen to people who are different to you.
Having hearts focussed on service can solve problems and encourage a spirit of unity. That unity will be strengthened when staff, parents and carers model these attitudes in our interactions at OAGS. Great examples of this can be seen in our school’s P & F, which has many long-serving and dedicated members. Please reach out if you are willing and able to serve our school through this group, as they are keen for more helpers.
As Christmas approaches, we invite you to partner with us in supporting our local food bank and Share the Dignity’s, ‘It’s in the bag’.
Thank you to the many staff members and families who are helping our students learn how to be leaders and community members who understand the wisdom and joy in seeking to serve rather than to be served.
Georgina Willis
Director Pastoral Care
Prep
Prep and Year 5 Buddy Program
Prep and Year 5 Buddy Program
Building Friendships and Confidence
Our Prep students have had a fantastic time this term bonding with their Year 5 buddies! This special buddy program is designed to foster connections between our younger and older students, promoting confidence, teamwork, and a strong sense of community at OAGS.
Each week, the Prep and Year 5 students come together to participate in activities that encourage learning, sharing, and collaboration. From reading together and exploring the playground to creating art and joining in group games, these sessions provide our Prep students with role models and a sense of belonging, while our Year 5 students enjoy the opportunity to develop leadership skills and share their knowledge.
Having consistent Year 5 buddies has helped our Prep students feel comfortable and supported, easing their transition into school life. For the Year 5 students, this experience builds valuable skills in mentoring and empathy, as they guide and encourage their younger friends.
The bonds formed through our buddy program will continue to grow, creating a foundation of friendship and trust that will extend into the coming years. We look forward to seeing these friendships flourish as our students learn and grow together!
Mr James Bornen
Classroom Teacher/Prep Coordinator
Primary School
Understanding and Fluency in Mathematics
Understanding and Fluency in Mathematics
Developing fluency and understanding in numeracy is a core aspect of our mathematics instruction. Fluency in mathematics involves the ability to recall facts quickly and accurately, solve problems efficiently, and apply known strategies to new situations with confidence. When students develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts, they are better equipped to think critically, make connections, and adapt their knowledge to more complex challenges. This combination of fluency and understanding allows students to approach mathematics with curiosity and resilience, creating a positive mindset towards learning. In the primary years, establishing these skills is crucial, as it enables students to tackle real-world problems, fosters logical thinking, and promotes lifelong learning and confidence in their mathematical abilities.
Parents and carers play a crucial role in reinforcing mathematical skills and fostering a positive attitude toward mathematics. Here are a few ways to support your child’s learning at home:
- Make maths part of everyday life: Look for opportunities to involve your children in real-world contexts. For example, involve your child in measuring ingredients while cooking, calculate distances or time while travelling, or discuss shopping totals and discounts. Simple tasks like telling the time or counting change provides valuable practice and helps children see the relevance of mathematics.
- Encourage problem-solving and persistence: When your child faces a challenging problem, encourage them to try different approaches. Offer guidance without giving answers, and celebrate their efforts and strategies. Developing resilience in problem-solving is as important as finding the right solution.
- Play games that involve mathematics: Many board games, card games, and puzzles build mathematical skills. Games like Uno (which involves matching and counting), Monopoly (which involves money handling), and even puzzles that focus on patterns and sequencing can all strengthen maths skills.
- Ask open-ended questions: Instead of focusing only on whether an answer is right or wrong, ask questions like, “How did you get that answer?” or “Can you think of another way to solve it?” Open-ended questions help children reflect on their thinking, which builds deeper understanding and fluency.
Alice Glyde
Director of Primary
Year 6 - Teach the Teacher
Year 6 - Teach the Teacher
This term in Year 6, students have been given the opportunity to take over the classroom. The first project of Term 4 students had to write a lesson plan to teach their class and teacher. It has been a fun experience for all with students, planning engaging lessons, organising materials, even marking the work! In the jellyfish classroom, we have learned how to feed a poddy lamb, fly paper planes, make paper cranes, learn about the human body, and so much more!
As their teacher, I couldn’t be prouder of the way students have stepped up to teach their peers new skills and about something they love. Who knows, there may be many future teachers amongst the 2024 Year 6 class.
Miss Stephanie Harrison
Year 6 Jellyfish
First Nations Engagement Day
First Nations Engagement Day
On Tuesday, 5 November, Year 5 students were fortunate to attend the First Nations Engagement Day, organised by Orange City Council. The day provided students with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich histories and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Throughout the day, students participated in a Bush Tucker workshop, where they sampled a variety of plants and herbs, including leaves that tasted surprisingly like curry. A highlight of the Bush Tucker experience was enjoying popcorn drizzled with honey and sprinkled with lemon myrtle. In the Dyiramadilinya Culture Dance workshop, students learned a traditional Wiradjuri welcome dance and explored the significance of body paint. The boys had their faces painted with shield designs, while the girls were decorated with dots to represent family.
Students also visited the museum for the Wiradjuri Lives workshop. Here, they observed artefacts and learned about Gaanha Bula (Mount Canobolas). They were fascinated by a Dreamtime story explaining how the mountains were formed, as well as the skill and knowledge of First Nations peoples in crafting tools such as boomerangs, axes, and baskets. In one of the theatre rooms, students actively participated in storytelling, acting as emus, kangaroos, and Aboriginal hunters.
Highlights of the day included:
- Adelaide: I liked the Bush Tucker the most, especially learning about the plants and how they can be used for different purposes, like managing colds and flus. The museum was also great, particularly the Dreamtime story about how the mountains formed and how they made the weapons.
- Layla: I loved the museum because of all the Aboriginal artefacts we could explore.
- Malcolm: The stories were fun because we got to act them out. I also really enjoyed the Bush Tucker, especially the popcorn with lemon myrtle—it was delicious!
- Annabelle: I liked the Bush Tucker and trying the finger lime.
- Lucy: I enjoyed the museum stories and learning about the Dreamtime story of how Mount Canobolas was formed.
The First Nations Engagement Day was a fantastic opportunity for students to learn more about our First Nations peoples, and a wonderful day was had by all. Year 5 students are commended for their active participation and the respectful way they represented our school throughout the day.
Year 3 - The Power of Dialogue
Year 3 - The Power of Dialogue
Year 3 Learns Punctuation and Expression in Writing
In Year 3, we are diving into the exciting world of dialogue punctuation and expressive storytelling. This term, students are exploring how to punctuate dialogue correctly, giving their characters unique voices and bringing their narratives to life. Learning to write dialogue not only enhances storytelling skills but also helps young writers understand how characters interact, express emotions, and respond to one another.
One of our primary focuses has been the correct placement of punctuation when characters speak. Students are learning how to use quotation marks to enclose the spoken words and how to position commas, full stops, question marks, and exclamation marks appropriately within dialogue. For example, they’ve been practising sentences like:
- “What a wonderful day!” exclaimed Lucy.
- “I think we’re lost,” whispered Tom.
- “Can we go home now?” asked Mia.
Students learnt that quotation marks signal the start and end of spoken words, while other punctuation marks help convey the character's tone. The placement of punctuation transforms their sentences, adding realism and a natural flow to their storytelling.
To further develop their writing skills, students are also encouraged to move beyond the word "said." By using alternatives like whispered , shouted , murmured , or cried , they have learnt that choosing descriptive words can add significant meaning and depth to their stories. Not only does this enhance the reader's experience, but it also allows students to express a range of emotions and attitudes, in their writing.
Practising dialogue in writing is an exciting step for Year 3 students as they build foundational literacy skills. As they master these elements, their stories become more engaging, imaginative, and impactful.
Mr Michael Linde
Year 3 Teacher
Stage 3 at the Goldfields
Stage 3 at the Goldfields
On Monday, 4th November, our Stage 3 students ventured to the Bathurst Goldfields for an immersive experience that took them straight into the heart of Australia’s gold rush era and early colonial history. The excursion allowed students to step back in time and engage in hands-on activities that not only enriched their understanding of our history but also sparked a real sense of wonder and curiosity.
One of the highlights of the day was panning for gold in the traditional way, where students patiently sifted through gravel, hoping to catch a glimmer of gold at the bottom of their pans. This activity vividly demonstrated the challenges faced by prospectors of the time, giving students a real sense of the perseverance required to seek fortune in the goldfields.
Another memorable activity was making and tasting damper, a staple food for many during the gold rush. Students worked together to mix, knead, and cook their own damper, which they enjoyed sampling afterwards. Learning to make damper not only introduced students to the cooking methods of early settlers but also allowed them to appreciate the simplicity and ingenuity of campfire cooking.
Students also got their hands dirty making mud bricks, discovering how early buildings were constructed and the manual labour involved in such tasks. This exercise in teamwork and craftsmanship was a true highlight, giving students a unique perspective on colonial construction methods and resourcefulness.
The excursion wasn’t just about work and history, though—students had plenty of fun playing traditional games from the 1800s, comparing them to today’s sports and playground activities. This playful session offered a window into the pastimes of young children in colonial Australia, bringing history to life in a way that was both engaging and relatable.
A tour through the Bathurst Goldfields museum rounded off the day, where students examined artefacts from the period and learned fascinating facts about life on the goldfields. This exploration enriched their historical knowledge and deepened their appreciation for the impact of the gold rush on Australia’s development.
Overall, it was a fantastic day filled with learning, fun, and connection to our heritage. The Bathurst Goldfields excursion will surely be remembered by our Stage 3 students as a hands-on, memorable journey into Australia’s past.
Secondary School
Preparing for Examinations
Preparing for Examinations
Week 5 marks a period of formal examination for our students in Year 9 and 10. As they approach this period of assessment our Year 12 students have just finished their HSC. With this in mind I thought it would be a good opportunity to interview our year 12 Captains from 2024, Alex Baines and Luke Reed at Fridays’ Secondary Assembly to help inspire and prepare our students. Below are some extracts of what they shared.
When was your last exam?
Luke: Thursday 7th of November, yesterday.
Alex: Monday 4th of November, Chemistry was my last exam.
How does it feel to have finished the HSC?
Luke: It is a little surreal. I can’t believe that is finally done, but I definitely feel relieved to have it over.
Alex: Life doesn’t feel that different really. It means I now have more time to get into a new routine.
How did you prepare for your HSC?
Luke: Doing past HSC papers or the school's trial HSC papers. I spent time doing those exams and going back and revising content when a struggled with a question.
Alex: Working hard throughout the year was key to ensuring that I understood the topics. Also, doing past papers like Luke, helped identify areas of weakness so I go back and revise those areas in greater detail.
What do you think is the secret to preparing well for exams?
Luke: Creating a study schedule that allows you to take time off. Brain breaks, where you can unwind and recharge.
If you were to talk to Alex/Luke in Year 9 what advice would you give them about examination techniques.
Alex: I would advise myself to read the question multiple times (particularly extended response questions) to figure out exactly what is being asked. Too often I would answer the question I thought was there, not the one that was actually being asked.
Some exams don’t go well. What did you do to help you re-engage and refocus for the next exam when that happened?
Luke: I took time off and did things outdoors like going out to the lake with friends and doing things that restored my wellbeing.
What do you think you’ll do now the HSC is over?
Alex: I am going to take some time off from studying and working myself really hard, and jump into some more leisure activities. In addition to that, I’m going to sink into some music for both leisure and work at the Conservatorium as well as catching up with friends and work with Cadets which is something I love to do. (Editor: Sounds like you’ll be busy.)
What are your plans for next year?
Luke: I’m going to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Technology. Actually I just received early entry into that course this morning (Editor: Congratulations Luke). I’m going to move into some student accommodation in Sydney, the St Barnabas Terraces, and embrace living in the inner city and studying just a kilometre down the road. I can wait!
Faith at OAGS
Faith and Professional Sports Career
Faith and Professional Sports Career
In our secondary Chapel this term we have been discussing what faith in practice looks like as we work through questions asked by our students. The purpose here is to be able to see life and faith connected and enable our students to see examples and hear how others live out their faith in Jesus.
At the start of week 3, we had an amazing opportunity in Chapel to hear from silver Gold medalist, Nicola Olyslager.
Nicola shared how her faith and professional sports career are intertwined and what it can look like for someone to faithfully follow Jesus while in the public spotlight.
We are very thankful to hear from people such as Nicola and see her example of someone who seeks to faithfully follow Jesus in such a demanding career.
Miss Annique Botta and Mr James Esson
CAPA
OAGS OnStage
OAGS OnStage
Last Tuesday, Orange Civic Theatre was bustling with over 350 student performers in our annual CAPA Showcase OAGS OnStage . From Kindy Dance to Year 12 Drama, Senior Band and String Orchestra, Rock Band, Primary Choir, Verse Speaking and a whole lot of dancing, OAGS students demonstrated their superb stagecraft in this thoroughly entertaining night. Even amidst a flurry of costume changes, microphone fittings, props and lighting cues our students delivered a high quality show that was uplifting and entertaining in equal measure.
Of course, an exceptional night is only possible with an exceptional team. To all the staff that helped backstage, in planning and organising, giving up time to lead a dance troupe or music ensemble - thank you! The night was truly a testament to your dedication and expertise.
ACE
Woolly Week at ACE
Woolly Week at ACE
As the weather warms up it is time to get ready for the summer ahead, and the first stop on the ACE program is to organise a shearer for the school sheep and alpacas. This week, former student Ethan Williamson came to shear the sheep and teach Year 11 Primary Industries a few handy hints.
Year 9 Agriculture, led by a few in-house shed experts, carried out all the rouseabout duties and even under the eye of Oscar Paul and Mrs Eyb, classed the adult ewe fleeces.
Then it was on for the Year 11 Primary Industry class who were about to have a go handling the handpiece to shear some lambs.
The students then sorted the fleece into lines to take to Quality Wool, where Mr Warner gave Year 11 a tour of the wool shed and talked about the classing and selling of wool as a wool buyer and broker.
Mr Warner has a very interesting collection of items found in wool packs, ranging from shoes to clothes hangers and grinder wheels. All these you might expect but he has also seen chickens looking for a nice nest unfortunately being included in the press.
And in our other exciting news, the livestock count at OAGS increased by over 50,000 head this week, and it is not bees! Check out the facebook page Orange Anglican Grammar ACE Academy next week for a peek at the new creatures joining the school.
Mrs. Sarah Eyb
Sport
Sport News
Sport News
The Open boys cricket team travelled to Dubbo last week to play their annual game against MAGS in the first round of the Douglas shield. With some star players out due to injury and illness, the recruiting effort went into overdrive, with a few of the boys joining the team to make their cricketing debut. Ben Postma and Isaac Clarke were declared skipper and vice captain for the game, and after losing the toss, the OAGS boys were sent in on a greenish wicket that promised some early movement.
Despite some excellent resolve the wickets fell consistently for the boys, along with some borderline calls not quite falling their way. Blake Gleeson and Harper Thompson showed some excellent resolve to make a late and lasting stand that started to bother the opposition as the runs started to finally come and the bowlers started to struggle in the building heat. Nevertheless the OAGS boys were bowled out far too cheaply and the MAGS team was able to run down the total without looking in trouble.
During the luncheon interval much was said about character, perseverance and belief. The OAGS boys were eager to get back out there and contest the T-15 second challenge of the day. The MAGS team was sent into bat, and they were full of confidence. However, in the very first over a catching chance was put down, repeated in the 2nd. With some encouragement of ‘catches in matches’ it wasn’t long before Ben Postma struck with a wicket, and a cracking catch in the slips around his ankles to have the home team wobbling at 2/20. Unfortunately the OAGS boys couldn’t hold onto their catches and several were grassed, enabling MAGS to gain momentum and post a sizeable total after 15 overs. What happened next was remarkable. The OAGS batting team came to the crease with a new found grit. This time vice captain Isaac Clarke set himself to stick around, and stick around he did. He defended the better balls and then began to score at will. Some glorious pull shots were complemented by some aerial strokes over cover and through the point region. It wasn’t long before the MAGS slips cordon was disbanded to much deeper positions hoping that Isaac would make a mistake. Inevitably this happened, but not before some damage had been done. However the fight continued as Blake Gleeson, the man of steel from the first innings once again decided he’d stick around. Blake set about batting out the overs, and while the wickets at the other end fell with some regularity, Blake began to find his groove. His defence was solid and his stroke play poetic as he slowly went about holding the strike and dictating play. Unfortunately he fell a couple of overs short of the 15, exposing the tail which was unable to hang around to get the job done.
These boys played with character and commitment. Their resolve shone through, particularly in the 2nd game and I was proud to see them pull together when the heat was on.
Dominique Hutchinson
Leader of Sport
OAGS 2024 Sports Awards
OAGS 2024 Sports Awards
Celebrating Our Athletes' Success
The OAGS 2024 Sport Awards was an unforgettable evening, honoring the remarkable achievements of over 160 athletes across our school. A special highlight was guest speaker and Australian Olympian, Nicola Olyslagers, who inspired us with her message about finding purpose in God, beyond just sport. Families were thrilled to meet Nicola afterward, with some even having the unique opportunity to hold her silver medal!
Congratulations to our Hockey program, which was recognized as Sport Program of the Year. We also celebrated outstanding individuals, presenting awards such as Most Valued Player, Player of the Year, Student Coach of the Year, Team of the Year, Sport Ambassador, All- Rounder Award, and Encouragement Awards. The nominees for Sportsperson of the Year were announced, and we look forward to revealing the winners at Presentation Day later this term.
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors-Pigot's Midwestern Sand and Soil, Orange Real Estate, Bencer & Hazelnut, and Studio Seed- for their invaluable support.
Here is to another fantastic year of sporting achievements at OAGS.
OAGS Sport Academy
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
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.
OAGS Classifieds
Orange Super kick Centre
Orange Super kick Centre
Netball NSW
Netball NSW
Kid's Club
Kid's Club
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
