From stage to screen: the debate over musical adaptations

The world of musical theatre has long enchanted audiences with its vibrant storytelling, annoyingly catchy songs, and larger-than-life performances. But when these beloved productions make the leap from stage to screen, the results can be as divisive as they are dazzling. The recent buzz surrounding the movie adaptation of Wicked has reignited the age-old debate: Should musicals be turned into movies, and if so, how can they retain their magic?

Wicked, the Tony Award-winning musical that reimagines the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, has captivated theatregoers since its Broadway debut in 2003. With its powerful themes of friendship and identity, the show has become a cultural phenomenon. I will never forget my first time seeing Wicked in the theatre; I was about 9 years old, and it’s safe to say I have never truly felt a greater sense of awe, a sentiment seemingly shared by many. So, the announcement of the film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande sparked both excitement and apprehension among fans.

On one hand, many believe that musical to movie adaptations are important to share the magic of theatre to all, making theatre more accessible. Not everyone has the opportunity to see a Broadway or West End production, whether it be due to cost, location, or availability. A film version allows a wider audience to experience the story and music that have touched so many lives. In addition, movies can offer a fresh perspective on a familiar tale. With the resources of Hollywood, filmmakers can expand the world of the musical, adding cinematic elements that can’t be achieved on a stage.

However, on the other hand, critics often point out that something is inevitably lost in translation. The intimacy and immediacy of live theatre where every performance is unique, and the energy the audience feeds the actors can be difficult to replicate on screen. Some worry that the heart and soul of a musical may be overshadowed by Hollywood’s tendency to prioritise spectacle over substance. The Wicked adaptation has already faced scrutiny for its decision to split the story into two films. While this allows for a more detailed exploration of the plot, some fans fear it could dilute the impact of the narrative, with many believing this was a money-making strategy. With a much-loved musical come diehard fans, many in the build-up openly expressing concerns about casting choices and how faithfully the movie would adhere to the original production.

The key to a successful adaptation lies in striking a balance between honouring the source material and embracing the possibilities of film. Movies such as Les Misérables have demonstrated that it’s possible to capture the essence of a musical while offering something new. On the other hand, less successful adaptations serve as cautionary tales, reminding filmmakers of the challenges involved. As Wicked has made its big-screen debut and we eagerly await Part 2, the debate continues. Did the film soar to new heights like Elphaba defying gravity, or did it struggle to find its footing? Amongst this debate one thing is certain: the conversation about musicals and their place in cinema is far from over.

Eliza B, Year 12

The impacts of AI on screenwriting

Have you ever curled up on the couch after a long day, hot tea in hand, and queued up your favourite movie? Maybe it’s one of the greats, like Titanic, or Maze Runner, or The Wizard of Oz, or Forrest Gump. Or maybe it’s just one of those cheap 90s romcoms that we pretend to detest but secretly adore. Whatever it is, I will wager that you haven’t once stopped to think about where the idea for this movie began. Who came up with it, who wrote it down, who employed others to collaborate with them, and who worked tirelessly for years to create something magic; the film you now watch for comfort at the end of a long day.

This is the work of the screenwriters. Screenwriters are the members of a production team who are responsible for writing the script for a media, most commonly, film. The art of screenwriting takes many years to master and is different from most creative processes because the end product is not really the end product, but rather the instruction manual for the people who are bringing the story to life. It is an incredibly time-consuming process, one that requires much collaboration, effort, money, and time. So, what happens when something comes along that can do all the screenwriters do but quicker, cheaper, and easier? Well, that is where AI and its dangers on the art of screenwriting come into the picture.  

Possibly the biggest issue facing screenwriters is the emergence of AI and the looming threat of replacement. On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a screenwriter to complete the first draft of their screenplay. In comparison to AI tools such as ChatGPT, which can generate stories and scripts within seconds, AI becomes a more time-efficient and inexpensive option. Screenwriters generally earn 2-3% of the overall budget of the production they are writing for. For example, if a film has a budget of $800,000, the screenwriter will receive $24,000. AI scriptwriting tools, in contrast, are usually free. Thus, it’s fairly evident why this technology is becoming so popular for scriptwriting. However, while using AI can have some benefits, it may displace the job of screenwriters by being more efficient, quicker, and much, much cheaper.  In many regards, it could be argued that AI is the future of screenwriting. But I beg to differ.  

The whole purpose of filmmaking is to tell stories. More specifically, to tell human stories; stories that ordinary people can empathise with and relate to. This is where the second threat AI holds to screenwriting comes in; loss of human connection in film. Something that AI lacks completely is humane, emotional intelligence. AI cannot feel, it cannot live a full life and therefore it cannot draw on lived experiences to create meaningful stories. Writing from the heart, as they may say, is one of the most important aspects of filmmaking, as it is vital in cultivating a link to the audience through the shared human experience. If AI is used to create scripts, it may be quicker, cheaper, and more efficient, but will it succeed in creating a connection between the audience and the big screen if the scripts themselves hold no emotional or empathetic substance? It is my belief that the use of AI to create scripts will have detrimental effects on the purpose and quality of films.  

Raising questions surrounding the lack of emotional intelligence and the disconnect from the human experience in AI-constructed scripts links directly to my final point; over-reliance on technology such as AI will cause a loss of creative instincts in the people involved in screenwriting. Overuse of AI when writing creative media will inevitably mean that the need for creative, new ideas will diminish, ultimately ending in a complete lack of originality altogether in scripts. The screenwriters themselves will begin to lose authenticity and spontaneity in their products, putting an end to many unique writing styles, in turn impacting the diverse nature of film. An over-reliance on technology in the future when it comes to screenwriting will also significantly decrease opportunities for young people wanting to enter the industry, as AI will be able to effortlessly fill their positions. The domino effect of the overuse of technology will have massive impacts on the diverse nature of film.

So, the next time that you sit yourself down on your couch with a warm cup of tea and your favourite rom-com ready to go at the touch of a button, take a moment to think about the immeasurable and irreplaceable work that went into that film by the screenwriters, who worked endlessly and tirelessly to create the authentic piece of cinema you watch before you. Think about what detrimental effects AI will have on their craft if it is allowed to take over; we simply cannot let AI sterilise the arts in our society any more than it already has, most particularly in screenwriting and filmmaking.  

And after you have taken the time to think about these ideas, please hit that play button.  

Sophie C, Year 11

Jane Austen: an inspiration for all

International Women’s Day is a significant time to commemorate women’s cultural, social, economic, political, and historical achievements. Additionally, it is also a time to highlight the many written works of female authors which have had an impact on our society. Think of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein – all these literary works have influenced modern literature. However, we cannot think of important female writers without mentioning Jane Austen who continues to be a pioneer in fiction to this day!

A great writer always starts from somewhere – and it was her childhood and teenage years in which it all began! Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775, in Hampshire, a small village in Steventon, England. She was the second daughter of eight children. The Austen household was quite large, yet highly educated, literate, and creative.

She was taught writing, history, French, geography, and music in her youth. Additionally, she had unlimited access to her father’s personal library, introducing Jane to what would lead to her love of reading. Jane started writing at around the age of 11 as a form of entertainment for her family and friends. However, as she got older, her stories were ‘parodies’ of the current books she was reading, featuring plenty of action. These imaginative compositions were where she discovered her voice and style as a writer.

From 1795 to 1799, she worked on the early drafts for Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Northanger Abbey. Her novel Sense and Sensibility was published in 1810 with the help of her brother Henry. Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, and Persuasion closely followed in publication, around four years later after her first book was released. Additionally, her brother assisted in issuing Northanger Abbey, which appeared several months after Jane’s death on July 18, 1817.

Jane Austen’s literary works have captivated readers for over 200 years and continue to do so through numerous adaptations. Her stories contain relevant themes such as romance, self-discovery, relationships, and social hierarchy. Austen also continues to give us a window into her world and what life was like in the Regency period. Her novels display determination and the importance of staying true to yourself. They also portray heroines who are intelligent, and independent and have shaped their own lives despite the social attitudes and constraints placed upon them.

International Women’s Day is an important day for all of us! Jane Austen, as a female writer, will always inspire countless readers and writers alike, as we continue her legacy and celebrate this author’s global and literary accomplishments.

Ruby C, Year 9

We’re playing: Slay the Princess

Warning: This article includes aspects of horror and deep psychological questions that will hurt your brain a bit.

You’re on a path in the woods, and at the end of that path is a cabin. And in the basement of that cabin is a princess. You are here to slay her. If you do not, it will mean the end of the world… But despite the horrors you will encounter, see it through.

Remember, this is a love story.

Wow, that was very deep. Let’s get to the review.

Slay the Princess is a psychological horror game that revolves around you being directed to slay a princess with no other reason than she will end the world. You are urged on by the mysterious Narrator, whose sole purpose is the death of the princess for some strange reason. Thankfully you are accompanied by a…  dual personality? The Voice of the Hero is pretty much the only logical voice in your head… literally. Despite it all, you will have to eventually face the princess… you have no choice in the matter.

The Princess is… a princess. At first. But your decisions are will ultimately impact your interaction with her, starting with probably the most important choice of the entire game, do you pick up the pristine blade that lies at the front… and do you indeed, Slay the Princess? Because if you do, bad things happen… as in world ending events that lead to horror and hasten your eventual demise(s). However, it is in situations like these which can quite possibly lead to love… you just have to die a couple hundred times! The game gives you the illusion of choice as you are forced into a loop of dying and slaying/rescuing/abandoning/locking up the Princess, but each time you die, you get closer to revealing the eventual truth, and the reality of this scenario is more shocking than you might think.

Now for my honest opinion. This game terrified me in more ways than I could have imagined. From the inevitability of social interaction to being subjected to more horrors than a human can possibly think of, this game is a solid 9.5/10 for me. Why? Because you can’t trust anyone. The Narrator says at the start that you have to slay the Princess, not giving you anything beyond that. But even if you trust him and go for the kill, the outcome may be worse than the world’s end. Likewise, if you try and help the Princess, the Narrator will do everything in his power to stop her… even if it means sacrificing your own life. And if you switch allegiances, the outcomes become unpredictable. As in being trapped in a lair with a beast, looped in your own nightmare for eternity and having dinner with a loved one… I know, horrible, right? And every time you die, a new voice joins you. From the obsessive Voice of the Smitten to the die-hard Voice of the Stubborn. They build to the experience, remembering everything that has happened in your past lives, bantering amongst one another and (mostly) hating on the Narrator (which is understandable). They are your key to new actions and dialogue, and with them, try and find a way out of the loop… whilst saving/slaying the Princess along the way.

The visuals within this game are jaw dropping! Everything is sketched out by Black Tabby Games’ professional artist Abby Howards, and her visions are as beautiful as they are often gruesome – from the iconic sprawling forest that you start within, to the ever-changing cabin, to the Princess, to you. (Also, your cursor changes into what your hand is currently doing, which is a cool little detail.)

And we can’t forget the soundtrack. I’ve played a few games over the years, and not many game soundtracks have truly moved me like this (for those keeping score at home, check out the Ori series, Hollow Knight and Helldivers 2 (because patriotism). Slay the Princess’ soundtrack is unique in the fact that it constantly changes depending on what you are doing. Approaching the Princess with peaceful intentions leads to a calming, lullaby-like atmosphere, whilst if your intentions are murder, the music is jittery and tense. And each Princess variant has her own theme, which is the cherry on top for me (if I can actually see it from all the tears of happiness/terror in my eyes and NO I AM NOT CRYING).

So definitely try out Slay the Princess! With a vast variety of endings and dialogue options, this game will give you something to think about…

And keep you up at night.

Thomas C, Year 12

We’re watching: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Over the years, we’ve been spectators to the complex life of Bridget Jones, with movies released in 2001, 2004, and 2016. However, the announcement of a fourth and final movie in April 2024, gave hope to fans who thought they had witnessed the end of Bridget Jones’s witty, peculiar, and humorous story over a decade ago.

Although this announcement has sparked attention and excitement to see the ending to Bridget Jones’s story, many book fans were struggling and upset to see the disappearance of Mark Darcy, played by Colin Firth. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy follows the storyline of Bridget navigating her life as a widow and single mum but continuing to pursue her love life. Despite the loss of a main character, we were still able to see the original cast of Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant, and Emma Thompson, but the film also provided a spotlight for new cast members, such as Leo Woodall and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

As a hug fan of the original, I didn’t have high expectations for this follow-up. The previous sequels were a letdown, with the second film The Edge of Reason receiving a shockingly low rating of 27% on Rotten Tomatoes. But I must reveal that this sequel was a new and refreshing story, presenting a perspective on not only motherhood but also the concept of grief. Although this film showed Bridget’s new pursuits in motherhood and love, the film still kept its classic and traditional humour, also using the repetitive yet significant theme of her independence.

I know I’m not alone in my assumptions and predictions about this movie, but I’m also aware I wasn’t the only one surprised by the outcome of the movie and the success of ending the series on a perfect note. Viewers gave it a high rating of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to the 79% rating for the original movie. Even though I always tend to believe nothing can surpass the original, I can conclude by saying I really enjoyed this movie, as it showed concepts of resilience, hope, and humour, still pulling off the original charm of the first movie.

Lulu E, Year 10

On the horizon: Jump Ship

It’s time for awesomeness in the form of Jump Ship, an upcoming space FPS laced with piracy, intense space combat, and pineapple pizza! You and up to 3 other intrepid explorers of the cosmos fight for riches and to rid the galaxy of a malevolent AI army (and a few pirates along the way).

Jump Ship flawlessly incorporates both the high-speed thrill of starship-to-starship combat and your classic FPS experience. What makes it unique is that sometimes BOTH happen at the same time. In my short time playing the beta version, I have found that teamwork is essential. In the heat of battle, a designated pilot and a weapons operator need to evade enemy fire and fight back. The other two? Oh, they just repair the ship, put out fires, and LAUNCH THEMSELVES INTO SPACE TO FIGHT HEAVILY ARMOURED SPACESHIPS! That being said, this game makes you feel utterly unstoppable. It is literally Sea of Thieves, No Man’s Sky and Left for Dead but more EPIC! At long last we can play Star Citizen the way it was meant to be played!

Missions, varying from ten minutes to an hour in length, vary in difficulty and are essential for upgrading your ship and freeing the galaxy from evil. From mid-flight heists to planetary raids, this game is fast-paced and is utterly amazing. Take my word for it, when your fellow crewmate has absolutely no driving experience, nothing gets the blood pumping better than jumping off of a moving ship into the terrifying void of space to somehow land on an opposing freighter moving faster than the speed of sound. Or the suspense as a patrol of AI fighters slowly drifts above your hiding spot amidst a rock formation. And what better way is there to blow off steam with your mates than eating a fresh pineapple pizza whilst your surroundings are currently on fire? I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Jump Ship has almost no limits… except for incoming reinforcements, that solar flare, and the blown weapons system… mino inconveniences. So, grab your best friends, throw that driving manual out the airlock, and strap in, you’re in for the ride of your lives…

This summer.

But it is so worth the wait!!!

Thomas C, Year 12

Captain America: Brave New World – worth it?

Spoiler-free review!

Captain America: Brave New World is Marvel Studio’s latest film release. Although the critics said it wasn’t their best work – which I agree with – they thought it was boring and had a lazy storyline; I disagree with this statement. The film was a great film with a captivating plot. The villain was Giancarlo Esposito’s character Sidewinder. Samuel Sterns played by Tim Blake Nelson and President Ross’ Red Hulk played by Harrison Ford were also great roles.

All these villains are intimidating; the viewers were scared as well as the characters in film like Captain America (played by Anthony Mackie). The plot follows Cap and President Ross trying to get adamantium in amongst some mind-control villainy. If you want to see how Cap deals with being “not Steve Rodgers”, I strongly advise you all to watch this film.

Jock C, Year 8

Learn more: Mardi Gras

This year the 47^th annual Mardi Gras was held from 14 February – 2 March. The theme for the 2025 Mardi Gras was ‘Free to be’ which was aimed to strive towards true LGBTQIA+, but more globally paint a picture that the fight is not over, and no one is truly free unless we all are. This year’s Mardi Gras parade on March 1 consisted of over 200 floats that took over the nightlife of Sydney. The famous ‘Dykes on Bikes’, LGBTQIA+SB First Nations communities and the 78ers - who marched in the original LGBTQIA+ march that look place in Sydney – were leading over 11,000 marchers this year under the 2025 theme. 

Mardi Gras is a century old tradition that originally evolved in medieval Europe. It is meant to be a festive day that is full of joy and happiness. These joyous festivals are full of creativity and colour. Mardi Gras festivals are crazy, loud and full of love. Many different of activities can take place including parades and street food meals. These festivals take place in a season, not a one-time event, and are something that anyone can enjoy. If you happen to want to be a part of one of the LGBTQIA+ festivals in 2025 check out the https://www.mardigras.org.au/ and make sure to have those sequins and glitter ready! 

Charlotte G, Year 9

Staff Spotlight: Ms Philipa Peters, Head of Monash House

This month, Laura B (Year 7) interviewed the new Head of Monash House in the Senior School, Ms Philipa Peters.

Ms Peters is an experienced Australian educator and Senior Leader with a background in both international and NSW teaching. Her career has focused on History, Philosophy, and Ethics, with leadership roles at prestigious schools in Asia and Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney, with a double major in History and Government and International Relations, complimenting her teaching degree. She is committed to fostering an engaging learning environment, developing students’ critical thinking skills, and creating inclusive spaces. Her expertise extends to curriculum design, well-being initiatives, and pastoral care, reflecting her dedication to holistic education and student empowerment. Ms Peters joined Oxley this year from Kambala.

What was your favourite subject at school?

History! I loved both modern and ancient history. I also loved learning about Politics, I did a short course in Year 10 and that inspired me to study International Relations at university.

What is your favourite colour?

Probably green at the moment, but I also love red, Go Monash!

Do you have any kids?

2 sons. Henry is in Pre-K here at Oxley and my eldest, Freddie, is in Year 2.

Do you have any pets?

I have a 6 month old chocolate Labrador called Coco.

What subjects do you teach?

Cornerstone, Philosophy and Ethics, Studies of Religion and also Study Skills.

The Pin Oak Crossword

This month’s crossword has been compiled by Emelia S, Year 8

Senior School Swimming Carnival

brought to you by the Oxley College Content Club

Treasure Island

The Senior Production (Years 10 & 11) of Treasure Island is currently playing in Hoskins Hall. Don’t miss these fantastic performances playing until Thursday 27 March, followed immediately by the Junior Production (Years 5-9) from Tuesday 1 April – Saturday 5 April.

Tickets are selling fast so secure your now by following the link below:

Celebration and empowerment: International Women’s Day

On Friday 7 March, Oxley hosted an International Women’s Day breakfast, organised by the Empowerment Group. International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March worldwide. The day aims to raise awareness of the ongoing struggles of gender discrimination, violation of women’s rights, gender-based violence, and gender inequality. Women can face these challenges in places such as the workforce, health, and education. The day also celebrates the many achievements of women throughout history.

The statistics

Did you know that 1 in 3 females will experience sexual harassment during their lifetime? Last year alone, 1 woman was killed every 4 days by a man, usually domestic violence related, in Australia alone.

Over the past 12 months violence against women has been labelled a “national crisis.” 1 in 4 women have experienced violence by an intimate partner by the age of 15.

1 in 4 women have experienced emotional abuse by a cohabiting partner since the age of 15 and 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence from the age of 15 years old – according to the Australian government website.

However, women face more than just abuse. 

March Forward

This year’s theme, “March Forward”, is a powerful call to action emphasising the importance of progress in the continuous fight for gender equality. This theme encourages communities like Oxley to come together to support and motivate individuals of all genders.

It was great to see so many staff, parents, and students at the breakfast, and especially great to see so many males among these groups. This really reinforces the message that it is not just an issue for women to face alone, but instead that it’s a community-wide concern. The males in the room helped challenge gender stereotypes and demonstrated the importance of listening and understanding so that we can all learn from any situation.

At the breakfast we heard from four inspiring women on the panel who answered questions from a few of the Empowerment group members. Each of these inspiring women gave us an insight into the challenges they have faced throughout their careers and offered valuable advice they have taken away from their experiences.

Sascha Peldova-McClelland is an Oxley Alumni (Class of 2003); she is now a Senior Legal officer at the ACTU with carriage of gender equity and equalities issues. Throughout her career, she has been focused on getting excellent outcomes for workers through individual casework as well as systemic change through contribution to policy and law reform initiatives, particularly in relation to gender equity and LGBTQI+ issues.

Dr. Julia Atkin is universally recognised for her rich understanding of learning and thinking and for providing practical ways to support teachers and leaders in enhancing learning for all. Her international work includes NZ, USA, UK, OECD and the World Bank. Julia believes she has avoided a ‘used by date’ by focusing on what is fundamental and universal in learning, leading and design.

Shirley Chowdhary is an Australian Financial Review Women of Influence (2019) and was most recently awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Sydney in 2024. Shirley is currently the Chair of Women for Election and an external member of the University of Sydney Senate People & Culture Committee.

Emma Burniston, an esteemed Oxley Alumni (Class of 2002), is a dedicated and successful chiropractor who runs her own thriving practice. With a passion for supporting women, she also collaborates with entrepreneurial mums, helping them balance their businesses and personal lives. Emma’s journey began at Macquarie University, where she honed her skills before moving to London to establish her practice. Her commitment to empowering women is unwavering, making her a passionate advocate for female entrepreneurship.

The key messages and advice given by these inspiring women were:

• Women can do anything that men can do.
• Often facing challenges or setbacks gives you the opportunity to grow and learn.
• Challenge gender stereotypes and societal norms. Everyone has a role to play in promoting gender equality.
• The importance of building strong relationships and networks by being able to connect with others through shared experiences and support each other as collaboration can have a significant impact and drive change.
• It is important to advocate. Urging women to take on leadership roles within their fields and be vocal about their aspirations and be proud of their achievements.
• If you find it hard to speak up, talk to someone who you feel comfortable with sharing your situation with. For Shirley Chowdhary, she found that she could talk to her male boss about situations she felt uncomfortable in within her workplace. She found that he was a big advocate for her, and he spoke up and called things out when they were not right.
• Set goals and visions and create steps to achieve them. Reminding the audience that ambition is the key to overcoming barriers.
• It is important to take care of yourself to reach your full potential.

Change can only happen through increased awareness, not only amongst women but possibly, and more importantly, amongst men, as they are the perpetrators of the majority of gender-based issues facing women today. Men have a crucial role to play in nurturing understanding and driving change.

The Empowerment Group hopes to continue to shine the light on important issues that society and individuals face bringing our community together, and fostering a better understanding and collaboration, as we work for change.

Chloe S, Year 11

Fighting textiles waste: Oxley Sustainable Futures Group

According to the Australian Institute, 300,000 tonnes of textile waste is produced by Australia. The materials end up either in landfills in Australia or are exported elsewhere. While groups such as Worn Up, an organisation which recycles uniforms into furniture, are working to reduce this waste, there is a lot to be done. 

This is why the Sustainable Futures Group (SFG) at Oxley is hosting a uniform swap to address this problem. The amount of waste that we create ourselves is easy to reduce, especially with clothing. It should be something we think about often, so the Sustainable Futures Group is here to help you!  

Hosted on Tuesday, the 25th of March from 3:45 to 5:30, we will be able to give and swap old uniforms donated by generous families to be used by others who need it. As of Wednesday, 18^th of March, we have over 100 items waiting to be rehomed, which proves there is a demand for this initiative. Uniforms are especially problematic because they aren’t accepted at charity shops, which is why this uniform swap is so important.  

The amount of lost property at Oxley is astonishing, which is why we will be washing and recycling unnamed lost property items to be re-used by others. These items would otherwise be thrown out or collect dust and help nobody by living in the House bins.  

As mentioned earlier, the Australian organization “Worn Up” recycles uniforms into items such as tables, chairs, and cushions. The SFG is considering pairing up with them to recycle any unclaimed items at the end of the swap to further reduce our textiles waste. 

Besides from the uniform swap, what can you do to help this growing issue? 

• Donate old clothes to charity – We have lots of second-hand shops in the Southern Highlands. 

• Upcycle clothes that may not be your style anymore – Sewing and embroidering can go a long way! 

• Host a garage sale – If you live in a neighbourhood, garage sales are easy to put on and accessible to others. 

• Buy from Op-Shops – Second hand items aren’t gross! We should work together to abolish the stigma surrounding Op-Shops. 

• Give clothing to friends 

• Go to a tailor to resize clothing that is too big 

Lots can be done to help the environment just from your local community. We encourage you to join us on Tuesday and help us fight this global issue.  

Sustainable Futures Group

Sporting Achievements

Triathlon

Congratulations to Charlotte B (Year 8), Charlotte H (Year 8) and Pixie H (Year 7) who came 3rd in the All-Schools NSW team triathlon event. Charlotte H swam the 400m, Pixie cycled 10km and Charlotte B completed a 3km run.

Oxley also achieved some incredible individual results. Pixie H placed 2^nd in the Junior Female category and Euan S (Year 7) placed 35th in the Junior Male category for a 300m swim, 10km cycle, and 2km run. Rory S (Year 9) placed 44^th in the Intermediate Male category for a 500m swim, 15km cycle, and 4km run.

Biathlon

Chilli S (Year 12) went to Europe in January, representing Australia in Biathlon, participating in a Biathlon Australia training camp in Poland, then racing several events including the junior open European Championships in Germany. She competed in individual and relay events and achieved some excellent results in both the shooting and cross-country skiing elements of each event.

Orienteering

Also in January, brothers Rory S and Euan S represented Australia at the Oceania Orienteering Championships in New Zealand, competing in individual sprint, middle and long distances as well as relays. Highlights were Euan’s 1st place in the U14 long-distance event and 2nd in the relay and Rory’s 3rd place in the U16 relay (his leg was the 2nd fastest U16 time) and 6th in the sprint and middle-distance events. Both boys have been regulars at the front of our local Parkrun, with Rory bringing his PB down to an impressive 17:30 and Euan not far behind on 17:59!

NSW Country Athletics Championships

Congratulations to our competitors at the NSW Country Athletics Championships (17-19 January 2025):
Rory S (Year 9, U16) 1st in 2km Steeplechase, 2nd in 3000m (10:12), 4th in 1500m (4:38)
Euan S (Year 7, U14): 3rd in 3000m (10:30), 5th in 1500m (4:56)
Milo S-W (Year 9, U15): 1st in 800m (2:09), 2nd in 400m (56:38)
Lucas H (Year 7, U14): 4th in 200m (28:09), 5th in 100m (13:28)

Cricket

Orson F (Year 9) played for the U14 Country Lions – the South East Country NSW team – at the NSW U14 Cricket State Championships.

Flag Football

Henry B (Year 9) was selected in the U15 NSW Flag Football team that competed in the Junior Nationals in Canberra recently. Following his performance at the National competition he has been selected in the Australian U15 Boys squad for the Junior International Tour to the USA in June.

Soccer

Early in March, five Oxley students were part of the U11 Highlands FC Team that took out the Merino Cup in Goulburn. The pre-season event was made up of almost 1000 players from country association representative teams and metro community development squads across NSW and ACT. The team conceded only four goals across the whole tournament to achieve this remarkable success.

Congratulations to Thomas A, Conor B, Adam D, Aurie A and Hamish W from Year 5!

Swimming

Well done to the age champions and runners up at the Southern Highlands Secondary Schools Swimming Carnival held at Frensham in March. Pictured above: Sienna D (Year 10), Archie D (Year 7), Ian P (Year 7), Joseph C (Year 12) and Harry K (Year 12).

Huge congratulations to Charlotte H (Year 8) who will be swimming not only at the Australian Age Group Championships in Brisbane in mid April, in 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke, but has also qualified for the Australian Open Championships (to be held the following week, also in Brisbane) in 50m Breaststroke. Charlotte qualified for the open event with a swim of 34.92 seconds at the Senior Metropolitan Championships in Sydney in February, and amazing achievement. At the ISA Swimming Carnival this week, Charlotte smashed the record for the 14 years girls 50m Breaststroke. The old record was 36.75 seconds and Charlotte’s time was 34.99 seconds.

Berrima District Sports Awards

Pixie H – Junior Monthly Award for February for Triathlon

Pixie competed in the NSW All Schools Triathlon and, in the solo event, swam 300 metres, cycled 10 kilometres and ran 2 kilometres. Pixie claimed the gold medal in the junior – Years 7 & 8 – event and came an incredible 10^th out of 160 male and female competitors. She also competed in the team event completing the 3km run leg and her team claimed the bronze in the junior female event and came 12^th out of 127 male and female teams. Pixie was then selected to compete at the Australian All Schools Triathlon held in Perth and placed 10^th.

Rory & Euan S – joint junior recipients for October for Orienteering and Mountain Bike Orienteering

For two months in a row, there are joint junior recipients of the Berrima District Sports Award. Even more extraordinary is that they are brothers. Euan and Rory S are the dual recipients for October for Orienteering and Mountain Biking. 13-year-old Rory and 12-year-old Euan were selected for the NSW squad to compete in the Australian Orienteering Championships in Armidale. Over nine days they competed in seven different orienteering events. Both competed in four Australian championship events (sprint, middle distance and long distance plus a relay) and then three days of inter-state competitions. In the three individual Australian championship events, Rory claimed the Australian championship gold medal in the middle- and long-distance events and a silver in the sprint. Meanwhile Euan went one better as he claimed three Australian championship gold medals. In the relay, the NSW team, with Euan on the first leg and anchored home by Rory, picked up the silver. In the interstate competition both boys were running for NSW in the under 16 competition which, for Euan, meant competing against boys four years older than him and Rory two years older than him. Younger brother Euan ran extremely well with his best result a commendable 18^th in the physically challenging long-distance event. Rory, running the same races, had outstanding runs to achieve the silver medal in the long distance and the bronze medal in the sprint. Upon returning from Armidale, Rory and Euan then took part in the Australian National Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships in Canberra where both Rory and Euan won the gold medals for their age groups in the sprint and middle distances races and took the silver home in the long-distance event.

Sport Team of the Year

The Oxley nomination for Sports Team of the Year was the Junior School’s Senior Boys 4 x 100m relay team consisting of Chase H, Lucas H, Sebastian R and Harry S (Year 7) 

In addition to the monthly award recipients, Sam H (Year 11) and Bryce R (Year 11) were acknowledged as nominees for at least one monthly award.

Former student Harry K was awarded the junior March Award for Athletics and former student Annabel A was awarded the junior April award for Swimming.

Oxley Alumni Amelia M (Class of 2024) received the May Award for Cross Country Running. Amelia, representing Oxley College, won the 18-year girls’ event at the Independent Sports Association Cross Country Championships. She ran the 6km in an incredible time of 23.53. Amelia’s win more than contributed to Oxley College winning the Senior Girls team trophy.

Senior School Cross Country

📷 Daphne H, Year 9

Junior School Cross Country Carnival

K-2 Splash & Dash

Junior School Awards

▶️ Senior School Swimming Carnival

Art Prize 2025

Help the Junior School create a brighter future for children living in energy poverty

Together we can help light their path.

Without access to safe and reliable energy, children and their families are plunged into total darkness every night. For 685 million people worldwide, this is their reality. Every night, when the sun sets, they are plunged into complete darkness. To light their way through the night they depend on primitive forms of energy like charcoal and firewood or harmful fuel-based sources like kerosene. This has a huge impact on their health, education, income and the environment in which they live.

But we can make a difference. We can illuminate the futures of those children living in extreme energy poverty through the gift of light.

As a community we are coming together to fundraise to change the lives of the children living in energy poverty and donating solar lights so that they can see their way through the darkness.

The Junior School would love your support to help me achieve this!

Centre for Ethics – Professor A. C. Grayling

“It seems like we can’t talk about anything nowadays… Whether it’s war or something utterly inconsequential, the internet is primed for furore. And the results can be horrifying – from online pile-ons and doxing to job loss and, in some cases, death. But how did we end up here? Nuanced and historically grounded, A. C. Grayling searches for middle ground in an otherwise incendiary debate.”

About Professor A.C. Grayling:

Professor A.C. Grayling is a British philosopher and author of about 30 books on philosophy, biography, history of ideas, human rights, and ethics. He is the founder and Master of New College of the Humanities, now Northeastern University London. Known for his accessible and engaging style, Professor Grayling is an excellent communicator who brings complex ideas to life for a wide audience. He has been a prominent voice in public discourse, frequently appearing in British media to discuss philosophy and public affairs.

In a world increasingly divided by cultural and ideological conflicts, Professor Grayling’s wisdom and perspective are more relevant than ever.

Monday 12 May, 6.30pm