From the Headmaster
Leading Through Excellence and Creativity
Leading Through Excellence and Creativity
As another busy day at OAGS came to a close this week, I crossed paths with Mr. Van der Merwe, our Stage 6 Pastoral Care Coordinator. There was a confident smile and a spring in his step as he shared stories from the GRIP Student Leadership Conference in Dubbo. The program is designed to equip secondary students with practical tools to lead with purpose, courage, and humility, encouraging them to focus on influence through service rather than position or title.
Mr. Van der Merwe spoke with genuine pride about our Year 12 cohort. They embraced the interactive challenges and discussions with energy, insight, and authenticity. He described how brilliantly they represented OAGS and how evident their commitment was to leading by example within our community. His excitement for the year ahead was clear and contagious.
That same spirit of leadership and excellence was on display at the OAGS Onstage performance at the Civic Tuesday night. It was a celebration of creativity, talent, and joy. Through song, dance, drama, and art, our students reminded us that leadership is not confined to a badge or role. True leadership often shines through courage, collaboration, and the willingness to serve others through creative expression.
Each performance reflected not only the individual skill of our students but also the dedication of our teachers and the strong support of our families. As our school continues to grow, so too does the richness of our culture, where excellence, creativity, and service work together to form the heart of who we are.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." Colossians 3:23
With gratitude,
Louis Stringer
Headmaster
Engagement & Wellbeing
Supporting Parents: Online Programs and Free Advice Services
Supporting Parents: Online Programs and Free Advice Services
These are evidenced based and excellent parenting programs offered online for families in NSW.
https://www.relationshipsnsw.org.au/group-workshops/tuning-in-to-teens/
https://www.relationshipsnsw.org.au/group-workshops/tuning-in-to-kids/
Parentline: Free 7 days/week parenting support and advice via phone
for children aged 0-18yo, by trained parenting professionals.
Prep
The Purpose of News in Prep
The Purpose of News in Prep
Each week in Term 4, our Prep students take part in news (show and tell), an important part of our program that supports early oral language and communication development. While it may seem like a simple sharing time, it plays a powerful role in helping students build confidence, vocabulary, and expressive language in a supportive classroom environment.
During news time, students learn to speak clearly, listen attentively, and take turns, essential skills for effective communication. They practise projecting their voice, maintaining eye contact, and organising their thoughts into complete sentences. This helps students gain confidence when speaking in front of a group, an ability that will continue to grow throughout their school years.
After sharing their news, Prep students extend their learning through drawing and writing a short sentence based on what they shared. This supports the connection between spoken and written language, helping children understand that their words can be represented in print.
Research in early childhood education highlights that oral language is the foundation of literacy learning. According to the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association (ALEA), rich opportunities for children to “talk, listen, and share ideas” are vital for developing the skills needed for reading and writing success.
As literacy advocate Mem Fox reminds us,
“The more that children talk, the more they understand, and the more they understand, the more they can read and write.”
News time is one of the many meaningful ways we build strong foundations for communication, literacy, and confidence here in Prep, and we love seeing each student's personality shine as they share!
Mr James Bornen
Prep Coordinator/Classroom Teacher
Primary School
OAGS Onstage
OAGS Onstage
On Tuesday evening, many of the OAGS community gathered for Onstage, which was a celebration of the creativity and commitment of our Primary and Secondary students. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase the culmination of their hard work in various performing arts groups this year.
Every performance was built on countless hours of practice, rehearsal, and teamwork. Watching our younger students take the stage with pride and enthusiasm was a delight. For many of our Primary students, seeing the older students perform provided them with inspiration and an understanding of what is possible when they dedicate themselves to honing their skills in music, dance and drama, understanding that growth takes time and effort. The performing arts offer a powerful lesson in discipline, showing students that progress comes from engaging with challenge, reflecting, improving, and trying again.
Sir Ken Robinson famously argued that schools must nurture creativity, not stifle it, emphasising that creativity is as important as literacy. OAGS Onstage is a living example of this philosophy. When students are given space to take creative risks, express themselves, and work collaboratively toward a shared goal, they develop resilience, confidence, and a sense of identity beyond the classroom.
I extend our gratitude to our performing arts staff for their dedication, and to our families for supporting rehearsals, costume requirements, early drop offs and late pick-ups throughout the year. Most importantly, I congratulate our talented and driven students. Their courage to perform with such joy is something to be celebrated.
Alice Glyde
Director of Primary School
Year 6 Science - Body System in Action
Year 6 Science - Body System in Action
This term, our Year 6 students have been busy exploring the fascinating world of the human body and its systems as part of our Science and Technology unit. Through hands-on investigations and experiments, students have been developing their understanding of how our body works from the air we breathe to the food we eat and the blood that keeps us alive.
Students have learned to identify the main organs in the body systems and discovered how these systems depend on one another. They explored how food is broken down in the digestive system, how oxygen enters the bloodstream through the lungs, and how the heart pumps blood around the body. They even examined how exercise affects heart and breathing rates by designing and conducting their own fair tests identifying variables, collecting data, and evaluating results like real scientists.
A highlight of the unit was an unforgettable visit to the secondary school science laboratory, where students had the unique opportunity to dissect a real heart. Guided by Mr Job and the Year 12 Biology students, they observed the structure of the heart up close tracing the chambers, arteries, and veins that keep blood flowing through our bodies. This hands-on experience brought their learning to life and deepened their understanding of the circulatory system.
Students are not only discovering how the body’s systems work together but also demonstrating key scientific skills such as posing questions, planning fair tests, and evaluating evidence. This is proving to be an exciting unit, evoking students’ discovery, curiosity and awe at the incredible design of the human body!
Year 6 teachers
Secondary School
Discovery Day
Discovery Day
We are excited to announce our upcoming Discovery Day, taking place on Monday, 8 December. This special event is designed to ignite curiosity and provide students with the opportunity to explore new interests, discover their passions, and develop a range of valuable skills.
Students will attend Period 1 as normal before participating in one of several engaging activities throughout the day. These include a mix of offsite and onsite experiences that encourage teamwork, adventure, and creativity. Discovery Day is always a highlight of the year and offers a wonderful opportunity for students to finish the school year in a fun and meaningful way.
A range of exciting offsite activities will be offered, including lawn bowls and mini golf, pickleball, dragon boating, fishing, tenpin bowling, futsal and dodgeball at the PCYC, gymnastics, golf at Wentworth, bushwalking, mountain biking, and the Wontama Games and Manicures experience. These activities incur a charge, which will appear on Term 1, 2026 school fee accounts. A letter will be emailed in the coming weeks where Parents will be asked to provide permission via the App to confirm participation and authorise this charge. Students who do not take part in an offsite activity will remain at school to enjoy a fun day of games on campus at no cost.
Students are permitted to wear casual clothes and a hat, in keeping with the school’s casual clothes standard of dress. Those participating in dragon boating must bring clothes that can get wet and a towel. All students should bring a drink bottle and lunch, as there will be no canteen available on the day.
The following day, Tuesday 9 December, will be a regular school day until the Presentation Day Assembly begins at 1:00pm. This assembly provides an opportunity to recognise and celebrate student achievement across the year.
Discovery Day promises to be an enjoyable and enriching experience for all students and a fitting way to conclude the school year.
Mr Tim Brown
Director of Secondary
Academic News - Biology HSC
Academic News - Biology HSC
Students starting their HSC Biology journey this term have been fortunate to experience firsthand the precision and dexterity required to use biotechnology equipment found in professional settings worldwide.
In Friday's practical session, students mastered micropipetting techniques using specialized equipment on loan from the AMGEN Biotech Experience (ABE), an international organization dedicated to building interest in biotechnology career pathways. Working with volumes as small as microliters, students practiced the careful handling and transfer techniques essential to modern laboratory work—skills that directly align with the Module 5 HSC Biology syllabus requirements.
This opportunity was made possible through Mr Job's commitment to providing authentic learning experiences. After completing a two-day professional development program in Dubbo, he coordinated the equipment loan and adapted the ABE to suit our students' needs.
The confidence and practical skills students have now developed will prove invaluable when they undertake their depth study component in 2026, where precise laboratory techniques are essential for success.
Mr Job
Thrive Centre
Faith at OAGS
Compassion day
Compassion day
Friday the 31st of October marked Compassion Day at OAGS. This day was to celebrate and fundraise for the work that Compassion does across the globe. Our school sponsors a young boy, Dave from the Philippines, to release him from poverty in Jesus name.
The Compassion Project enables Dave to receive many of the basics of nutrition and education that we take for granted in the western world, as well as growing in his knowledge and love of Jesus.
A huge thank you to the hard working year 9 students and Discipleship captains who worked tirelessly popping delicious popcorn, to serve as a snack to raise the much needed funds.
We are very grateful to you, our families who helped us to raise a total of $1104.
What was particularly nice to see was on a day that celebrated World Teachers Day, many of our teachers generously supported the fundraiser, and a special mention must go to
Mrs Gemma Clipsham and Mr Jon Clipsham for their enthusiasm, support and organisation together with Mrs Reed to support this wonderful initiative.
Sport
League Tag -U17 and U14
League Tag -U17 and U14
League Tag - Our U17 and U14 teams went to Bathurst to play at the regional League Tag carnival against Mackillop, James Sheahan, Gulgong High, Lithgow High and Bathurst High. Unfortunately U14 didn't get a win and our U17 had a win, loss and a draw. Coaches Award- U14 Belle W and U17 Elyse S. Players Player- U14 Charli G and U17 Becky C.
Also in other footy news, congratulations to Elyse S on making Group 10 and the Western Rams Rugby League sides, Becky C on making the Central West 2 blues Bulls Rugby Union side and Angus F for making Central West 2 blues Bulls and Country Cockatoos Rugby Union. Get around them.
Mr Doyle
OAGS Cricket
OAGS Cricket
Years 7 and 8 fielded a team in the Dale McIntosh Trophy game v’s Orange High School last Thursday 27th October. The format was 20-20 and the conditions were perfect despite a slow outfield. We lost the toss and were given the ball. Matthew R's 1st ball hit the stumps and gave the team a great confidence boost.
In the 2nd over Elliott S cleverly threw down the stumps for a timely runout. Orange High ended up scoring 80 runs for 6 wickets after 20 overs.
George McG and James C were solid under the pressure of a couple of capable High School fast bowlers. Will F came in when George retired after scoring 30, and was soon joined by his brother Angus. Some great shots even made it to the boundary through the thick grass. We passed the total set by OHS in 11 overs with the loss of 1 wicket.
The game was played in great spirits by both sides and we are all looking forward to games against Kinross and James Sheahan Catholic High School in week 5.
Mr A Miller
Thanking our Co Curricular Sport Sponsors
Thanking our Co Curricular Sport Sponsors
Community News
Life Without Barriers
Life Without Barriers
All Ability Sport Gala Day
All Ability Sport Gala Day
Macquarie University Community Night
Macquarie University Community Night
Macquarie University invites families to a Community Night event that we will be hosted in your region on Tuesday 2nd December from 6pm-7:30pm at the Orange Ex Services’ Club (please see attached flyer)
Western Premier League
Western Premier League
OAGS Classifieds
Kid's Club
Kid's Club
Scouts NSW
Scouts NSW
