A message from Mr Scott Bedingfield, Head of College
As 2024 ends I would like to take a moment to wish the Oxley community a restful Christmas and New Year break. I would also like to pass on my thanks to the entire school community for a wonderful finish to the year at the 2023 Speech Night. It was a wonderful evening filled with amazing performances and a celebration of achievements throughout the year. Several announcements were made for the beginning of 2024 and I have summarised these below.
Round Square
Four weeks ago, we had an extremely affirming visit from Phillip Heath AM (Head of Barker College – another Round Square School) and Ben George (Round Square Director). They have now completed their report and last week our school was put forward for official nomination. I am extremely confident that we will hear in the next few weeks. We will update families when this happens. Click here for more information about Round Square.
The Oxley College Centre for Ethics Thinking Critically: Exploring Ideas that Matter
We are pleased to announce this new Centre at Oxley. The centre will be led by Dr Jeremy Hall, Oxley’s new Head of Philosophy and Ethics. Dr Hall has already been hard at work in this space and the first public lectures that will be open to students, staff, parents and the wider Southern Highlands Community are lined up.
Other developments:
- Pre-K: Oxley Colleges Pre-K program is on track with the new playground well underway. From the beginning of 2024 Oxley will be P-12.
- Performing Arts: We have invested heavily in the Performing Arts. From the beginning of 2024, the new Music Pods will be ready to go and we have appointed a Head of Music P-12 – Mrs Renee Zink and Head of Drama P-12 – Mrs Katrine Pascoe who will support the Head of Performing Arts P-12 – Mr Andrew Young.
- Sport: For the beginning of 2024 we will have a School Gym and Coaching Coordinator in place, supporting our Head of Senior School and Head of Junior School Sport. We have also introduced a Talented Athlete Program (TAP). This program will be headed up by Ms Megan Stanton, a talented athlete herself. More details will be available in the new year.
- Adventure and Service: Our mandatory distinctives program will be complemented by a range of optional tours in 2024 including North Queensland for Year 6, Nepal, Thailand or Regional Service for Year 10 and Cultural Tour to Japan for current Year 8-10. Please see previous Pin Oak for more details. This will be complemented by service as part of our Year 8 curriculum.
- New Senior School Daily Structure: The move to the 1-hour period will allow for increased electives in Year 9 where we will be moving from 2 to 3 electives. Year 8 electives will be available for the first time and we have increased subject choice in the school. We are committed to quality learning in the classrooms with their teachers and the move to 1-hour lessons allows more time to go from surface to deep learning.
Departing Staff
As part of Speech Night, we also farewelled Emma Calver and Belinda McGregor who is retiring. Please find below my words from Speech Night.
Belinda McGregor has been a member of the Oxley community for 13 years, teaching Mathematics in the Senior School. She is a very well-respected educator having taught for 43 years in a range of schools and her commitment to her students is second to none. We thank you for your service and wish you a well-deserved retirement – although we may see you around from time to time as a casual teacher.
It is hard to go past this next person without thinking about the Legacy she leaves behind. Emma Calver is an incredible person (and while she doesn’t formally teach a class) a wonderful educator. For all of us she has been the first person we have met in the College. To me personally she has taught me the importance of the history of Oxley and the magic of this place. I have no doubt that many families have felt the warmth and support of Emma and as she leaves us at the end of this year her legacy will long remain in the spirit of Oxley. Thank you, Emma.
Finish Times and Traffic
Over the summer break we will be putting together some details regarding pick up and drop off arrangements from the beginning of 2024. It will be important for families to read this information when it comes out and work with us with the new arrangements (please pass it on to people who pick your children up after school). Our priority in this area is always safety of students. Departure times for students in 2024 will be as follows:
| Years P-2 3:00pm | Years 3-6 3:10pm | Years 7-12 3:25pm |
Students with older siblings will be supervised. More details about this system will be available in the new year.
Once again, have a great break and thank you for your continued support of Oxley College.
Scott Bedingfield,
Head of College