A Message from the Oxley Leadership Team

Term 1 is often characterised by adjustment and settling in; however, an eleven-week term is an extensive period of adjustment. So, after new rhythms were settled into, our first term was also filled with many other exciting prospects. Our leadership team announced our annual theme of connections, which we began to emphasise more within the school community. To start of the year, we specifically focused on connections with people, and how this is an integral part of individuals’ well-being. Florey kickstarted the year with a workshop centred on their subtheme relationship, helping our new Year 7s to find their feet and build new connections with the Year 12s.

These inter-year group connections were extended by Durack’s emphasis on unity involving team sports such as very competitive dodgeball games between year groups. The impact that fostering connections has on the Oxley community is immense; it was evident in the culture and spirit shown at both the swimming and athletics carnivals, as well as public speaking competitions of friendly competition and positive encouragement.

Public speaking is a chance for individuals to present audiences with current issues of personal interest, with the Year 12 speakers offering insights to the whole school in front of a panel of judges. One of our Year 12 speakers Amelia addressed stress and the psychological impacts so-called ‘small stressors’ that can have on “the pressure to excel at school, the never-ending to-do lists, the comparisons we make to others on social media – all of these seemingly small stressors add up, taxing our mental and emotional reserves until we feel like we’re running on empty.” Her speech reminds us that the vitality of our connections is not only extended to the relationships we form with those around us but maintaining positive connections with ourselves.

As another term gets underway, we hope to reaffirm a commitment to connection with each other and our wider community through a range of upcoming events. A Walkathon will coincide with the Push-Up challenge, inspiring a connection to important issues including mental and physical health. As the term and year progresses many more events and opportunities will arise. It is our challenge to you to engage with these in a genuine and energetic way. If it isn’t to boost your Duke of Ed hours, or complete some requirement, be it simply for the connections that such activity will inspire. Connections are everywhere and we hope that through the attention brought to it this year, we can reveal that to all of you. The importance of connections has been stressed by many including Tony Robbins, a motivational speaker and life coach, who has often stated that our purpose in life is often to figure out how we fit into a wider community. Moreover, our commitment to connecting with others often inspires self-reflection and promotes actions that we want to see reciprocated. By being aware of the huge web of connections in which we are ingrained, we can better engage and promote the best versions of ourselves and those around us. This has been heavily supported by research emphasising that social connection inspires personal growth and fosters a healthy physical and mental state. 

With so much coming up this year we hope that you can work with us to build a strong community, committed to its connections with global issues, personal growth, and positive relationships. 

Chloe H & Will B, College Captains 2024

Aliens will start WW3

Kourtney Kardashian, on principle, has never said anything relatable in her life. As a reality TV starlet, wellness gummy entrepreneur and Hollywood it-girl, there is little need to. And yet in a poignant moment of insight, Kardashian divulged, “I never read the news. It gives me bad vibes.”

A statement which at its very essence, encompasses the current mood of Australian society. You can’t turn the page of your newspaper, or more realistically, swipe on Instagram, without visibly recoiling. A sickening feeling in your stomach as you read about the hostages in Gaza, or the fallen soldiers of Ukraine. Our news cycle has become suffocating in its severity, to the extent that Australian readers are either desensitised or avoiding the news entirely. 

Because whilst reading this content, it’s jarring to confront the enormity of the evil our world is capable of. How could humans, the same people who burn their lips whilst drinking their morning tea, do such things? How on earth does Putin look at himself in the mirror? How do people storm kibbutzim, hold hostages, commit genocide?

It’s unfathomable. 

And entirely unreadable. Because the core of any good story from Harry Potter to Citizen Kane is empathy. That bond that we create between ourselves and another being that we see, essentially, as sharing our same humanity. Cinderella is just another girl. Bluey is just another kid. Oppenheimer is just another man. We can empathise and engage with each and every one of these characters because we see ourselves in them.

And it is in this fundamental truth that humans emotionally connect with people who they deem to be like them, that the cause of Kardashian concern was born. Because all of these tragedies that circulate on our news cycle are caused by one thing: aliens. 

Not ET or Spock, but the aliens that Orwell wrote about in his essays on antisemitism. As Orwell saw it, an alien isn’t necessarily green, or adorned with antennae: it is simply a being that is not like us. Someone who is categorised as intrinsically ‘other’. Orwell theorised that once you view someone as alien, you could commit any number of evils against them. Once someone isn’t like you, it isn’t that big of a leap to think that they aren’t as human as you.

This mindset of alienation squashes curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge, instead encouraging judgment. Judgment is the quickest way to harbour overwhelming ignorance allowing for the mongering of hatred, the building of stereotypes, and the degradation of people until their identities are simplified to ‘them’ in contrast with us.

Once you are able to categorise someone as alien to you, judgement is where it starts. But the thing with alienating others is that in doing so, we are unable to learn anything about them. Alienating people is like pushing them into a really dark corner. You can’t see them, because you don’t want to. And I hate to point out the obvious, but humans are afraid of the dark. 

We don’t like what we don’t know, and worse than that, we demonise it.

And so, once a group is alienated, conflict arises. Where there is conflict, there is inevitably a power imbalance, and from this any number of evils can occur on a systemic level. That’s when the news becomes unreadable. That’s when children are held as hostages based purely upon their nationality. That’s when countries are invaded with the sole ethos that they are not the nation from which you come. That is when we see thousands of men, women and children: humans in their very essence, not alien at all, dead. 

Aliens start wars. You can see it in Nazi Germany, in the Rwandan genocide, in apartheid: alienation is an archaic, easy-bake recipe for heinous evil.

Martin Luther King wrote, “Alienation is a form of living death. It is the acid of despair that dissolves society.” When the bonds of empathy that bind us to each living being dissolve, that is when our society begins to crumble, and our very perception of what is right and wrong is ruptured.  Because we are all such different people. We walk differently, we talk differently, we think differently, we love differently. But empathy allows for these differences to be points of curiosity, not judgment and fear-mongering.

And so, in her effervescent wisdom, Kourtney Kardashian was onto something. The news is, in short, ‘very bad vibes’.

Because, yes, on a grand level the news shows us global tragedy caused by alienation and to be honest, that is a bad vibe. But the worst vibe is that this breakdown of empathy, and lack of curiosity, is reflected in me. And you. News readers who purposely open the ABC app when other people are around to look really cool. Because when we inevitably click away from a heavy article with some excuse that falls under the ‘bad vibes’ category, we stop hearing stories about people who aren’t like us. 

We stop hearing about the Ukrainian grandmother Maria Nikolaevna who emerged from her bomb shelter with her three granddaughters to find their parents dead on the street outside their family home. We stop hearing about the child patients of a bombed Palestinian hospital holding a press conference, quite simply pleading “to live as other children live”. We stop hearing stories, and stories have the power to transform aliens into living, breathing humans.

These stories about devastation, and grief, and violence, are overwhelming. And at times, entirely depressing and seemingly insurmountable. But if we allow ourselves to turn away, we prevent those stories from being told. We dismantle the opportunity we have, in this digital world, to build bonds of empathy between people separated by oceans and races and wars and beliefs through stories that will break your heart, but that will make you care.

So if you don’t care to read the news, you’ll start to see aliens everywhere. It takes so little to view someone as other, to think that their circumstance could never be your own. And whilst that seems simple, and relatively harmless, if we allow our society to foster apathy towards the human story because it’s sad, or scary, or depressing: we’re making the very issue we deem to be ‘bad vibes’ worse. 

We’re allowing that same apathy and alienation that caused devastating warfare to fester in our living rooms like a bowl of two-day-old cornflakes. We’re allowing the manufacturing of aliens, and aliens have caused every war that has occurred on this planet.

But curiosity has the power to end them. So read the news. Open that ABC app proudly and face the stories of 2024. Just think, it one click, in one article, in one human story: you are eviscerating aliens. What could be cooler? 

Violet F, Year 11

The Debt Gala takes on the Met Gala

The annual Met Gala, a star-studded extravaganza of wealth and fashion, has long been a staple of the fashion world. However, a new event has emerged to challenge the exclusivity and opulence of the Met Gala: the Debt Gala. Hosted just a night before the renowned Met Gala, this populist benefit themed “Sleeping Baddies: Slumber Party,” rallied some 200 pyjama-clad attendees, trading the ball gowns and glamour for neck pillows, pyjamas and well-loved stuffed animals.

The Debt Gala, now in its second year, was founded by three friends Amanda Cordray, Tom Costello, and Molly Gaebe who wanted to use their creativity and resources to make a positive impact.  This alternative gala, held in Brooklyn, aims to raise funds for medical debt relief and has become a popular choice for those seeking a more inclusive and sustainable way to participate in the fashion world.

“We wanted to create an event that was accessible, affordable, and most importantly, made a real difference in people’s lives,” says Cordray, the event’s co-founder. “The Met Gala is all about exclusivity and excess, but we believe fashion can be a powerful tool for social change.”

And change they’re making.

Last year, the Debt Gala raised over $15,000 and alleviated nearly $2 million in medical debt for individuals across the country. This year, the event’s impact has only grown, with the exact amount raised still to be determined.

But the Debt Gala is more than just a fundraiser; it’s a celebration of creativity, community, and a shared commitment to social justice.

The anti-capitalist sentiment and attention to New York’s greater cultural scene continued through the Debt Gala’s line-up, featuring a diverse array of performers from comedians to drag queens, all united in their mission to entertain and educate. The event included a silent auction and a dance party, with proceeds going to the Debt Collective and Dollar For, two organizations dedicated to eradicating household debt. Furthermore, the emphasis on sustainable fashion protests the exploitation of both labour and resources that high fashion often perpetuates.

Gaebe stated, “We believe that fashion and activism can go hand-in-hand. By creating an event that’s inclusive, sustainable, and socially conscious, we’re showing the world that you can have fun and make a difference at the same time.”

Philip Bjerknes, a long-time Brooklyn resident, said he incurred around $50,000 in hospital bills during a one-month institutionalisation against his will after a suicide attempt. Wearing a Brooks Brothers night gown from eBay, Bjerknes commented to AP News that medical debt can be very embarrassing and that he was “completely destabilized” by his experience. “At the end of the day, the material support is what we need,” Bjerknes said. “To get to that with fun and fashion is awesome.”

So, while the elite may be preening on the Met Gala’s carpet, the Debt Gala is busy changing the world, one pyjama-clad partygoer at a time. It’s a fashion revolution with a heart, and it’s one that’s sure to inspire even more creative and socially conscious events in the years to come.

Sophia H, Year 12

Why is my brain so loud?

Our teenage brain is constantly going through changes. Connections are being strengthened and unused connections that make up our child brain are being pruned away. Areas of the brain are becoming more involved in processing and interpreting emotions as our brain develops. But why during adolescence are our brains so loud?

During adolescence hormones are being released to bring about physical changes. This causes emotions to become heightened. With the brain re-wiring itself, it struggles to regulate feelings helping us explain why adolescence can be such an emotional time.

Think of a toddler. You might have a younger sibling of this age. What are they good at? Tantrums. Because toddlers don’t have little emotions. They have BIG and LOUD emotions. Their emotions are controlled by the midbrain. This part cannot control emotions very easily. Teenagers are somewhat similar. When our front lobe shuts down for rewiring, our emotions fall back upon the limbic system. The limbic system also controls our threat response. Our emotions are heightened, with fear and anger becoming more common in our day to day lives as we see more threats we may not have seen as threats before. This is why anxiety is so common among adolescents.

Having loud emotions can be a good thing. Sometimes, we enjoy feeling them. At this age, horror movies and sad movies become more popular as we chase those loud feelings.

Though it can be extremely hard, having loud feelings is completely normal. We have to go through this to let our frontal lobe finish developing. Our brain is being strengthened allowing for a higher rate of co-ordinated thinking, behaviour and growth. It allows us to be flexible and easily learn, grow and adapt.

Your adolescent brain is not broken. It has been proven that though the teenage brain experiences hardships, there are positive aspects to this time of growth that we aren’t able to see. Teenagers are more likely to positively affect their peers and influence good behaviours.

It is also important to know that if your emotions feel too overwhelming, there is help available. There is counselling, support lines, and friends. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if need it.

So next time you think your head is about to explode with emotions, random thoughts or anything else that makes your brain feel loud. Just think that you are going through the same things as others around you and you are not alone.

Mackenzie N, Year 11

Dune: Part 2 – a masterpiece!

As the credits roll, the only thing that I’m thinking right now is:

Man.

That was actually so good!

After waiting years for a good movie to drop (a rare commodity nowadays!) at long last Dune: Part 2 has given me hope and I’m not joking when I say… it is awesome!

Dune Part 2 continues the journey of young Duke Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) on his quest for vengeance against the merciless House Harkonnen, on the most dangerous desert planet in the known universe, Arrakis (which also conveniently hosts the most valuable resource in existence). He and his mother befriend the mysterious Freman people, who view Paul as some form of Messiah. With their knowledge of the desert and the gigantic sandworms that inhabit it, Paul begins his quest for knowledge and justice… but slowly grows into his role as the Lisan-Al-Gaib, with disastrous consequences.

Dune Part 2’s visual effects absolutely blew me away. I could hear everything in the cinema, to the slightest wisp of wind, to the thunderous songs of the sandworms (known to the Freman as Shai-Hulud). Unlike many movies which quickly sift through scenery like a card deck, this movie was different. There was a heavy emphasis on scenery whilst the awesome action unfolded. Sands unending spread across the horizon, occasionally dotted by rocky pinnacles, where the Fremen built their sietches to escape from both heat and sandworm alike. Speaking of the sandworms – they are absolutely gorgeous. Their baleen-like teeth reminded me of whales and their terrifying yet moving sounds filled the cinema. Used as both weapons and transportation by the Fremen, they drive home the ‘wow’ factor for the movie, an ever-present threat yet also one of the key factors in liberating Arrakis. They are one of the many aspects that make Dune 2 SO GOOD.

And oh my goodness the soundtrack! Loud and catchy, the music rocked my world… literally. At one point, I kid you not, the entire cinema was shaking! The music is thunderous and warbling, personifying the spirit of Arrakis and the turmoil that plays upon its sands. One scene (spoiler ahead) shows Paul entering a Freman hideout, with the track ‘Arrival’ blaring (also there was a sandworm in the background, so bonus). I could feel the power and authority from my backrow seat. The presence of religious fervour was strong in this film. Despite the high level of technology present on Arrakis, the prophecy of the Lisan-Al-Gaib runs through the hearts and souls of the Freman. The transition of friends into worshippers and concubines and the transformation from free-willed people to fanatics was heartbreaking to see. The lovable Stilgar (Javier Bardem) who is seen as the comedy relief in the movie is a blind follower of Paul, proudly offering his life to the prophecy. The slightest action from Paul gains Stilgar’s respect, even when he denies it.

I was deeply moved by the struggles of Paul early on in the movie. At first, he merely seeks refuge alongside the Fremen, having read of them from holotapes. His family and home are gone, his mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) has descended into religious fervour. He is completely and utterly alone in this harsh, yet beautiful world. All the time, despite the beliefs of the Fremen, he rejects the idea that he is their Messiah, driven by a vison of fear of death and destruction if he becomes what they think he is. But when he is eventually forced into the role, he slowly realises that there is no escape from it. Claiming his fief, his vengeance against the Harkonnen occupation.

Speaking of the Harkonnens, their stark contrast from the Fremen is drastic. Everything is different, from the black sun that casts the Harkonnen homeworld Giedi Prime, to the life not thriving, but trapped in a dystopian society. Fear is prevalent throughout the crowded streets, the people appearance matching their cruel leaders. Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård), the antagonist from the first movie, returns but his cruelty is now surpassed by his nephew, Feyd Rautha (Austin Butler). An equal to Paul Atreides in every way, but unlike Paul, kills for pleasure and revels in pain, from his victims and unto himself. He toys with his victims and flounces a false sense of honour.

I can’t say this enough, but Dune is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good! As a mostly faithful adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novels, the lore behind it is phenomenal. There are many critics out there that are constantly saying that the first Dune movie was merely setting the scene. And you can bet your bottom dollar it was compared to Part 2. Finally, a worthy sequel that isn’t Star Wars Episode V. Dune: Part 2 had a Hollywood budget of US$190 million; in my opinion, the money was well spent!

The sands of Arrakis await, its desert as old as time itself and its people are ready to fight for freedom! Yahya Choudaha! Long live the fighters!

Thomas C, Year 11

Descent into darkness: The Picture of Dorian Gray

“The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde is a fascinating tale of vanity, morality, and the consequences of living a life solely focused on physical appearance. The book follows the life of a young, handsome man named Dorian Gray who becomes consumed by his desire to remain youthful and beautiful forever. After having his portrait painted by artist Basil Hallward, Dorian makes a Faustian bargain to ensure that he retains his beauty while the portrait ages and bear the brunt of his immoral actions. 

What makes this novel truly exceptional is Wilde’s incredible wit, satirical commentary on the superficiality of society, and his exploration of the duality of human nature. The characters are deeply complex and intriguing, especially Dorian Gray himself, whose descent into darkness is both chilling and captivating. The novel also delves into themes of guilt, corruption, and the destructive power of unchecked desire. 

“The Picture of Dorian Gray” is a must-read for anyone looking for a thought-provoking and beautifully written novel that challenges our perceptions of beauty, morality, and the human experience. It is a timeless classic that will leave a lasting impression on all who delve into its pages. 

Chloe S, Year 10

Little Women: A story for many generations

Stories. Something that can reveal new ideas about a person’s life. Something that can inspire generations of readers and authors. Something that can shape our world and let it become what it is today – through several aspects of adaptations.

Over time, there have been many stories that have been classics for many years, decades, and even centuries – from Alice in Wonderland to The Chronicles of Narnia. One great example of a classic piece of literature is Little Women: a tale that has been passed down over many generations through films, television, and theatre. However, the main and original story stays best at heart. Written by Louisa May Alcott, all the way back in 1861, Little Women is about the four March sisters – Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy – who are overcoming adversity in times of the American civil war and growing up from childhood to womanhood. The novel overall discusses the main themes of feminism, poverty, gender roles, love, and what it was like to be a woman in the past centuries.

Surprisingly, this story and its characters were discovered to be based on events and people from Alcott’s own life, since she was one of four sisters growing up in the 19^th century. Through the book, the author also discussed the ideas of breaking many gender stereotypes, as Jo March – the main protagonist – experiences the hardship of being the “tomboy” and writer of the household. Back in the late 1860’s, women were not expected to write as many novels then male authors, but Alcott broke this stereotype due to the book’s success and her inspiration to other female authors.

This one timeless novel has also inspired many adaptations in television, theatre, and film industries, ever since the 1910s, where there was both a theatrical production and a silent film version of Little Women, highlighting a movement of women’s acting roles. Following this was the major Little Women movie in 1933, which was nominated for many film awards and became a box office hit of its time. Then, there was the 1949 film, which was in full colour, and featured many big stars such as Elizabeth Taylor and Janet Leigh. After this, there was the BBC and NBC mini-series versions, displaying the high passion for adapting the beloved story.

Later, Japanese ‘anime’ also had a spin off on Little Women, too! In the 1980s, Japan’s Fugi network released a 48-episode series of the story, which was soon translated to English. Following this, came the 1994 movie, which captured more of the warmth of the original story. And lastly, the Little Women feature film from 2019, directed by Barbie’s Greta Gerwig, and featuring Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet, and many more brilliant actors. The latest Little Women movie has been nominated for many awards – as well as having many fantastic reviews by film critics. This movie is a must watch!

Little Women is only one of many classic novels and stories that have been passed down from generation to generation through books, movies, and other forms of adaptations. And through these adaptations, Little Women remains to be an inspiring story for everyone to enjoy.

Ruby C, Year 8

The Style Section: Met Gala 2024

The Met Gala is held on the first Monday of May, introducing the start of fashion weeks all around the world. Hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, the lavish event seeks to fundraise for the Costume Institute, a collective that studies and conserves fashion throughout the ages. The Met Gala is popularly thought of as the world’s most glamorous event where celebrities and popular media and fashion figures gather.

Each year MoMA curator Andrew Bolton and his team chooses a new theme, often working in conjunction with the current exhibitions being shown in the museum. This year, the theme was ‘Gardens of Time’, a nod to MoMA’s main exhibition ‘Sleeping Beauties – Reawakening Fashion’. The event is organized by Vogue, with editor-in-chief Anna Wintour herself choosing the guest list.

Each year, celebrities work with often high fashion brands and designers to come up with a look, correlating with both the theme of the Met Gala and style of the brand and personality. Every year there are high expectations that celebs dress to impress – after all – this is the most watched and criticised event out of the whole fashion calendar.

This year we saw some stunning attire grace the stairs. The internet was engulfed by Mona Patel’s look, referring to her as the ‘Mystery Girl’ as many people did not recognise her. The public has claimed she has ‘won’ the Met Gala this year due to her show-stopping look by Iris Van Herpen. She wore a fitted, sheer floor-length dress, a corset bodice with a beautiful gold and white cinched butterfly giving the illusion of a smaller waist. The soft colours are complimented with lace on the sides of the gown, meeting a high curved slit lined with the continuation of the butterfly. The back is decorated with a device that flutters ten sets of wings across her arms and the long train is layered with single wings outlined with boning to pronounce the shape. She patterned her gown with a low side bun and dashing dangling diamonds.

Other celebrities focussed on the time element of the theme of the exhibition bringing out archival looks. Kendall Jenner wore a Givenchy archival gown by Alexander McQueen from 1999. Known for her fashion statements, Zendaya was first to walk the carpet, wearing a custom Margiela gown by John Galliano who took reference from his 1999 Spring collection at Dior. She walked the stairs a second time to close the carpet wearing a Givenchy gown from the Spring 1996 collection which she matched with a stunning Alexander McQueen flower bouquet headpiece from Spring 2007.

Honourable mentions at this year’s Met Gala: Gigi Hadid in Tom Browne with a classic embroidered look, Alia Bhatt in Sabyasachi with a traditional sari also hand embroidered, Elle Fanning in Balmain with a gorgeous draping fabric with two birds of her shoulders (supposed to depict the scene in Cinderella where Cinderella is being dressed by birds). And lastly, Tyla was dressed by Balmain in a custom body-cast sand gown, decorated with an hourglass to connect it to the time theme. I look forward to next year.

Juliette J, Year 11

Sporting Achievements

Sports Reporters: Annabel A (Year 11), Annabelle B (Year 11), Harry G (Year 11), Lily S (Year 11)

ISA Round 1

Round 1 saw a great start to the ISA winter competition. The Netball Firsts and Seconds came home with their first win of the season, (51-49) and (29-27) against Oakhill College. Soccer Firsts Girls came out with a win against our all-time rivals Chevalier College (1-2). Similarly, Soccer Firsts Boys had a great first win (6-1) against St Andrew’s Cathedral school. Hockey Firsts had an unfortunate loss, going down 1-0 to Redlands however played a strong first game. Rugby Firsts had a difficult game against Central Coast Grammar, finishing with a score of (0-51). Unfortunately, the Tennis Firsts game was washed out and they were unable to play.

Overall, Oxley had a great start to the ISA winter sports competition, coming away with an array of wins.

ISA Round 2

Unfortunately, due to wet weather conditions on the weekend, many teams were unable to play, including our Rugby, Hockey and Tennis teams.

However, there are achievements that shall not go unnoticed from this week’s ISA round. The Netball Firsts came away with the school’s first ever win against a Div 1 Barker team (53-41), making them undefeated and top of the ladder so far this season.

Unfortunately, both the Soccer Firsts and Seconds Boys lost against St Pius X College, finding (3-0) and (1-0) results respectively. The Soccer Firsts Girls had a great game, finishing second on this round’s ladder, and winning (3-1) against the Redlands team. Whilst it was a team effort, we must commend Katie A (Year 11) on her amazing hattrick.

Well done, Oxley!

Athletics

Amelia M (Year 12) competed at the 2024 Australian Athletics Championships in Adelaide in April where they had huge success. Coming back from a bad injury, Amelia was able to achieve a remarkable comeback in the 800m and the 1500m to qualify for the Under 20s final for the 1500m run a season best time. Congratulations Amelia on your amazing success!

Congratulations to the students who proudly represented Oxley at the recent IPSHA Cross Country Carnival hosted at The Kings School, Sydney. A special acknowledgment goes to Charlotte K (Year 3) and Ruby R (Year 3) for their outstanding achievements, securing 4th and 5th positions respectively in the 8/9 years girl’s race. Their exceptional performance has earned them a spot to represent IPSHA at the NSWCIS Cross Country Carnival on 6 June. Additionally, we commend Joshua L (Year 4) and Naomi R (Year 4) for their commendable finishes within the top 20 places in their respective age groups. Well done to all!

Cricket

Just as the term was coming to an end Hamish M (Year 10) and Sam H (Year 10) flew over to Bangalore, India to compete in a 2-week international cricket competition. From April 8-21 these boys competed against other Australian, Indian, and South African academies. Hamish and Sam played for Elite Cricket Academy where they played a number of matches over the course of the 2 weeks, varying from 40-over games to 20-over games.

These boys were continuously challenged by the skills of the other academies and the scorching heats they played in day after day. Hamish played 7 games plus finals where he scored a total of 93 runs, a high score of 27 not out and average of 19. Hamish was also the wicketkeeper for Elite Cricket Academy where he took 6 catches and 1 run out. Sam played 7 games plus finals scoring a total of 125 runs averaging at 25 and making a top score of 45, and he took 5 wickets averaging at 20 runs. Sam also captained the Elite Cricket Academy team in 2 of the games which is a great achievement for a 15-year-old.

Whilst the boys were there for a cricket tournament, they also got to experience the culture that India had to offer on their days off. They watched an IPL match played by Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Both Hamish and Sam said their highlights of the trip were seeing the culture of India when travelling to and from games and experiencing the IPL match.

Hamish and Sam performed extremely well in an under 18s international tournament as 15-year-olds and represented their club and Oxley excellently.

Touch Football

A big congratulations to Chilli S (Year 11) and Tien L (Year 12) who were selected in the ISA Open Girls Touch Football team at the ISA trials.

Equestrian

Ella F (Year 11) competed at the ENSW State Interschools Championships representing Oxley, placing 4^th overall in the Secondary Senior Novice Dressage Championship and securing a place on the NSW Nationals team for 2024. Ella also competed at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, placing first in the Welsh A Mountain Pony Ridden Class, alongside Charlotte B (Year 6) who placed second in the same class. Well done!

Congratulation to Ruby L (Year 12) who has qualified for both the Australian Paint Horse Association and the National Pleasure Horse of Australia Association national competitions in Western Performance Riding. Ruby and her new horse Lollie will compete across 6 different types of western performance classes over 9 days of competition. Good luck Ruby and Lollie!

Mountain Biking

The Oxley Mountain Bike team faced a lot of cancelled training sessions due to high winds and heavy rainfall in Term 1, but there were some notable results in cross country and downhill competitions from team members.

Harry K (Year 10), Aston M (Year 10), Sandy C (Year 8), Noah B (Year 10), Jenson A (Year 9), Will K (Year 7) and Brayden A (Year 8) competed at the Australian MTB Interschools held at Thredbo in March. There are races over three different downhill trails and also the pump track competition. Some notable results from the boys were: Sandy (Div 3) 79th in the Cannonball Downhill, Harry (Div 2) 154th in the Cannonball Downhill and 154th in the All Mountain, as well as Sandy (Div 3) and Aston (Div 2) both coming in 115th in the Flow Motion Cup. In the teams competition where the results from the three best riders in one division are added together, Oxley Div 2 competitors Aston, Harry and Noah came 29th out of the 52 schools in the Flow Motion Cup.

Meanwhile, Harry G (Year 11) competed at the Cross Country National Championships in Newcastle, as well as the 3rd and 4th round of the Cross Country National Series in Canberra, both in March. He came 19th in the fiercely contested U19 Men’s category in both the Olympic Cross Country distance (XCO) and the short course (XCC) at National Champs, after battling terribly muddy and slippery conditions in the XCO. Harry also finished in 16th and 17th place at the two National series races. Harry will now be preparing for the National Championships in the marathon discipline, held in Wagga in May.

We are looking forward to continuing our training next term hopefully with a bit less wild weather heading our way and looking towards some more competitions in the near future.

Surf Life Saving

Congratulations Pixie H (Year 7) who competed at the Australia Surf Life Saving Championships during the holidays in Maroochydore. Pixie raced in the 2km Beach Run where she placed third in the Under 14s.

Swimming

On Tuesday 7 May, three Oxley students travelled to Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre to participate in NSW CIS Swimming Championships. It was a very successful day for all students! Sienna D (Year 9) competed in the 100m Butterfly, and Charlotte H (Year 7) placed second in the 200m Breaststroke, third in the 100m Breaststroke and 4th in the 50m Breaststroke, as well as achieving personal bests in two other races. Annabel A (Year 11) placed first in the 17+yrs 200m Breaststroke, second in the 100m Breaststroke and second in the 50m Breaststroke and was awarded CIS Champion! She now has the opportunity to represent CIS at the upcoming NSW All Schools Championships later this month and the Australian Age Nationals for 2025.

Annabel also competed in the 2024 Australian Age Championships at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre last month where she finished 8^th in Australia for the 16yrs 200m Breaststroke, 18^th in the 100m Breaststroke and 17^th in the 50m Breaststroke. Congratulations Annabel on a huge achievement.

Athletics

Congratulations to Harry K (Year 8) who came first in the 800m and second in 400m at the Little Athletics National Championships in Adelaide. He also secured second place in the 800m at the Athletics Australia National Championships.

Spoken Word Achievements

Congratulations to Flynn O (Year 10) and Violet F (Year 11) on winning their finals at the Regional Plain English Speaking Competition in Corrimal earlier this month.

They will now go through to the next round with other contestants from NSW.

Thank you to Mrs Taylor for coaching them and attending the competition with them!

Common Ground Workshop: tolerance

Oxley students Chloe S (Year 10), Chloe D (Year 10), Alex N (Year 10), Fred J (Year 10) and Sophia S (Year 10) participated in a two-day workshop run by The Ethics Centre that was engaging and a fun way to learn about discrimination and how prevalent it is in our society. Oxley sees an opportunity to examine its anti-discrimination stance, focussing on encouragement of diversity in all its forms. The program took a hands-on approach to solving discrimination against things like neurodiversity, gendered toys, ageism, ableism, and diverse sexual identity. The common theme was about respect, advocacy, and open-mindedness. It was an experience that developed us as people and made us consider how to view things from a different angle – definitely an experience worth participating in. 

Junior School Assembly Awards

Term 2 – Week 2

Term 2 – Week 3

Mother’s Day Breakfast

📷: Ruby P, Year 10

Grandparents’ Day

Year 6 Canberra Trip

Year 6 Bathurst Camp

She Leads College Conference Canberra