Cross Country Carnival

📷Maddison D-S

IPSHA Cross Country Carnival

The IPSHA Cross Country Carnival was held at The Kings School on Wednesday.

The Oxley team gave an outstanding performance throughout the day. A special shoutout to Year 4 students Charlotte K (10th place) and Ruby R (11th place) for advancing to the CISNSW Cross Country Championships, which will take place in June.

HSC Visual Arts Students at the Art Gallery of NSW

Year 11 and Year 12 Visual Arts students recently visited the Art Gallery of NSW, where they experienced the inspiring ARTEXPRESS exhibition, showcasing the exceptional work of HSC Visual Arts students. In addition to ARTEXPRESS, students explored Cao Fei: My City is Yours, an exhibition that delves into urban life and the impact of rapid development through multimedia installations. They also visited the Tank Gallery, a unique space featuring immersive and large-scale contemporary artworks. This enriching visit highlighted the creativity and dedication of young artists, while also exposing students to diverse artistic expressions and themes. Inspired by these exhibitions, our students here at Oxley College are encouraged to reflect on their own artistic practices to further their learning.

Miss Aitken

Inter-School Band Collaboration

This week, Oxley had the pleasure of welcoming students from Northern Beaches Secondary College to Oxley College for a special on-campus collaboration.

Throughout the day, students had the chance to connect, rehearse ensemble pieces, and share their musical talents and styles. The day concluded with a joint performance, showcasing the creativity, skill, and collaboration of both groups. Opportunities like this help our students grow as musicians and individuals — and we’re so proud of the way they represented Oxley with passion and positivity.

Brigadoon – Saturday 5 April 2025

Oxley Art Prize 2025

Top 5 landing spots for Daly Cherry-Evans

Daly Cherry-Evans, the experienced NRL halfback and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles skipper, remains one of rugby league’s most strategic and resilient playmakers. With the speculation about his future beyond 2025 growing and his impending departure from Manly, clubs across the league are debating signing up a veteran leader, weighing up the value of his standing as a premiership winner and Queensland Origin captain to make their decision. Here are the five clubs where Daly Cherry-Evans (DCE) may land.

5. North Queensland Cowboys

The Cowboys look like a team that is a halfback away from competing at the highest level. Since Jonathan Thurston’s retirement, North Queensland has cycled through many half-backs such as Chad Townsend, Tom Duffy and Jake Clifford. The Cowboys’ struggle to start the year have left them searching for answers. DCE’s composure and familiarity with some of the Cowboys who he had played with in Origin, mainly his QLD halves partner Tom Dearden, will help them get into full stride relatively quickly. However, for personal reasons this is unlikely; DCE’s family is already set up in NSW and unless there is a significant emotional connection this seems unlikely despite the great fit.

4. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Although the Bulldogs are currently not looking to pursue DCE at this current moment, the form of current halfback Toby Sexton may play a major role in the change of heart for the Bulldogs. If Sexton is in poor form the Bulldogs may look elsewhere and sign DCE on the two-year deal to help them win now with the squad they have but also aid the development of highly touted halves coming through the Bulldogs junior system, Mitchell Woods and Alex Conti. This will also bring out the best in current five-eighth Matt Burton who can take a back seat organisationally and choose his moment whilst also dominating the long kicking game (48% long kicking completion rate, 1^st in the NRL) for the Dogs while DCE takes almost all the short kicking duties (73% short kicking completion rate, 2^nd in the NRL).

3. Gold Coast Titans

DCE would have the ability to right his wrongs of the past by joining the Titans; iconically DCE backflipped on his decision to join the Titans in 2015 to remain in Manly. This will link DCE back up with former Manly coach Des Hasler, allowing for familiarity with the system that is in place in the Gold Coast which follows a very methodical style. This, however, will force Keiran Foran out and may create major animosity between the former halves pairing who won a premiership together for Manly back in 2011. Another reason not to go to the Titans is, in the same vein as why he won’t join the Cowboys, the uprootal of his family will put major pressure on his wife and children – seems like a waste to give away your current life for two years.

2. Redcliffe Dolphins

DCE’s emotional connection to Redcliffe runs deep; he grew up in that area and played for the Dolphins as a junior. This could mark a long-term family move and will pay off in the long run. In terms of fit, there are major question marks in terms of how he will work with current halfback Isaiya Katoa who also acts as a game manager and forcing him into the number 6 jersey will probably not be in the best interest of the Dolphins post-DCE. The fairytale-esque implications will make for a great story for the end of his career but will not lead to good footy being played and this team will not make a splash in the NRL post-season.

1. Sydney Roosters

In a move similar to Cooper Cronk’s decision to move on from Melbourne after 323 first grade appearances to join the Tricolours which led to the Roosters winning back-to-back premierships in 2018 and 2019, DCE’s inclusion will seek to emulate that success and instantly boosts the ceiling of this side. The predicted spine will have James Tedesco at fullback, Sam Walker at five-eighth, DCE at halfback and incoming recruit from North Queensland Reece Robson at hooker which will improve upon already one of the greatest attacking seasons which they had back in 2024. The Roosters have gotten off to a poor start to the 2025 season mainly due to injuries to Sam Walker and departing hooker Brandon Smith, while also having a mass exodus which included Joey Manu (Japan – Union), Joseph Sua’ali’i (Wallabies/Waratahs – Union) Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Hull – Super League) Sitili Tupouniua (Bulldogs) and Luke Keary (Catalans – Super League). DCE will allow Sam Walker to play more off the cuff while he directs the team around the field while also developing Walker into the heir apparent for DCE’s number 7 jersey for the Queensland Maroons.

Daly Cherry Evans’ next move will become one of the biggest stories of the 2025 offseason and will change his legacy forever, no matter what decision he makes. Fans are keen to see whether he plays on or even decides to retire if he manages to win a second title with the Sea-Eagles this season.

Zac C, Year 12

Jacquemus: architecture in fashion

Runway shows are a way to show off the most recent collection of fashion houses. They are a chance for the public to see the collection for the first time before it is traditionally put onto market. Of course, the most important part of the fashion show are the clothes but typically the clothes are displayed alongside a stunning location that naturally coincides with the style which is being displayed. This is a relatively modern idea, which has moved from the classic linear raised platform to sometimes extravagant locations such as the Grand Canyon, sand dunes, the Great Wall of China and even underwater.

Jacquemus is known for his unique runway locations. He has hosted collections in lavender fields in the south of France accompanied with a pink runway for the 10^th anniversary of the label. The French countryside, alongside Jacquemus’ classic style embodies the brand’s French heritage.

In 2021, Jacquemus continued the tradition a year later, hosting his Spring/Summer collection at the French Vexin Regional National Park in Paris – a stunning wheatfield backdrop which Jacquemus used to compliment the natural tone of his collection embracing a comforting palette of beige, soft whites and warm yellows.

In 2023, Jacquemus hosted his Fall/Winter collection at none other than the palace of Versailles in France. This collection embodied the heritage of the location through displays of regal corseting, lace, bustles, and puff sleeves whilst being accompanied by rich classical music, highlighting the connection between location and the fashion.

This runway show to me is an example of how designers can use locations to create a memorable storyline to accompany the style and choice of their collection. Jacquemus is one of the most talented designers of our age not only due to his ability to create striking garments, but also his ability of creatively displaying his work and creating fashion that is more than just garments but a story that is reflected through each detail of his collection.

Juliette J, Year 12

From the vault: Flag fight

This article was originally published in Edition 156 (Week 9, Term 2, 2023) of the Pin Oak.

In Year 2, the highest accolade you could receive was the title of flag flier. We would be on our best behaviour in hopes that our teacher might let us scurry out into the cold and pull the flag up its pole. This involved lots of “shotty not tying” and not getting back to class for a good ten minutes – an ideal way for an 8-year-old to spend a Monday morning.

We were too young to realise what the flag meant. Or that people argued about what it meant. That our flag was in fact the most politically controversial thing to be worn by a toy koala. Which is honestly kind of bizarre, because it is the most boring flag ever. Canada’s got the maple leaf, France the tricolour stripes, South Africa that cool line thing and we’ve just got England at night.

That’s actually a bit from Jerry Seinfeld, who perfectly encapsulated the overwhelming underwhelm of the Australian flag. We’re essentially stuck in a permanent couples costume with New Zealand.

And yet our flag upsets so many people. It’s become the rope in a constant game of tug of war – pulled left and right, in a state of constant tension, causing rope burns on the hands of whoever grabs hold.

But that doesn’t make sense. A flag is a piece of fabric. How can that hurt anybody? So let’s unpack this troublesome flag. Unfurl it if you will.

The founding principle of our flag is the British Empire, subtly represented by the Union Jack in its corner. A little-known fact: all countries under British rule had identical flags. Canada, Kenya, New Zealand, and India all bore the same pattern, but instead of our southern cross, they were identified by their own crests and emblems.

This seal of ownership is painfully apparent on our unchanged flag, whilst other nations have sought to find more individualistic designs since the fall of the empire. Quite frankly, I don’t think we need a reminder of Australia’s colonisation: systemic racial injustice forms its own Union Jack across the nation, without the constraints of a flag.

Ian Trust, an Aboriginal man from the East Kimberley and the executive chair of the Wunan Foundation, constructed a thought experiment that illustrates the true impact of intergenerational trauma at a systemic level.

Imagine a river in that dark blue of the flag, raging and unforgiving. Despite the governmental stars that shine above, whose seven points represent the states and territories of Australia, it’s an unmitigated zone. All the opportunities Australia has to offer are on the other side of the river. Work, culture, livelihood, stability.

To cross the river, you have to learn how to swim: how to read and write. And the only way to do that is to go to school. But many Indigenous parents have reservations about sending their children to these institutions, which have been the cause of such pain in the past. As they should.

And so, only 45% of indigenous students complete the HSC, compared to a 75% success rate of their peers. These kids are sucked down the river and into the mouths of the crocodiles. It’s a vicious cycle of intergenerational trauma.

What Ian Trust shows us through this image is not an undefined ruthless hatred towards the constraints of our country, the constraints of our flag. It’s an endless struggle to fit in, to make it work. The weight of that issue drops into our hands without much prompting. It’s not well concealed by the flag’s stitchwork. The next weight, however, doesn’t lie in the dark blue, but in the Union Jack – and its ever-fraying edges.

Allow me to introduce you, ladies and gentlemen, to the Republican movement. Whose goal is to establish Australia as a country separate from Britain and outside of the Constitutional Monarchy. Also known as those who don’t get to experience the joy of a Queen Elizabeth cookie tin. The Republican movement takes issue with the Union Jack. They loathe the hold that the Empire still has over Australia, its ghostly hands still pulling strings in our government to this day.

Their discomfort is less to do with the past, and more with the future. Their famous tagline is “Don’t you want your children to have the opportunity to be the President of Australia?” My mother wants the same for me but isn’t quite bothered to fight for constitutional change and has been known to suggest I marry a prince of some European country instead. Same end result, different country.

But unfortunately, we can’t all marry princes, and Australia finding its footing as an independent country has been a long time coming. So who’s tugging at the other end of the flag?

Nostalgia. One in three Australians want the flag to stay the same, which isn’t a majority but it is a message. There’s hesitancy there. Our soldiers, including our Anzac, have all fought in the name of that flag. That flag was shown as Kathy Freeman received her gold medal, when Ian Thorpe gained the most medals ever won by a single Olympian, when Ash Barty won Wimbledon.

Even PM Albanese was sentimental when asked if he wanted to change the flag, commenting “I’m always very proud to stand in front of the Australian flag and I think anyone who is a member of the Australian Parliament should do so as well.”

And so we see the fight unfold, the flag and all its symbolic meaning the centre of a brawl unlike any other. Because that’s the thing we don’t like to talk about: how our rope burns got there. Very rarely do debates have to turn into tug of war, but that’s what this conversation over changing the flag has become.

It’s childish and volatile and perhaps one of the greatest examples of political discourse in Australia. As much as I love our parliament’s informal register and extremely creative insults, this constant refusal to acknowledge the perspective of the opposition – each party tugging with all their might, claiming the title of morally righteous – is all too familiar.

We pretend it’s in good sport, this flag fight. The old hands at the game tugging to the right, towards the flag remaining the same, barely acknowledge their opposition, who’ve just arrived on the scene and are trying desperately to bring the flag to the left. There is no middle ground, no empathy; instead, we see politicians at each other’s throats and protestors ready to tear down the barricade over a piece of fabric.

The irony of it all is that we’ve created the greatest division in our country, over the one thing that unites us all: our nationality. We’re united in the fact that we’re stubborn and brave and we hate authority. We’re Australian.

That’s nothing to be ashamed of. But perhaps we should take a closer look at the way we’re handling our debates, our identity, our reconciliation. Our flag has been rolled into a very dense, messy burrito of all the issues plaguing our nation. We’ve sunk to the level of Year 2 students, rushing into the playground and clawing at the sides to see who can win.

We can do better. Informality in our discourse doesn’t mean a lack of respect. Multiculturalism doesn’t mean division and misunderstanding. Saying sorry isn’t embarrassing, but neither is loving something that is flawed. The beautiful thing about loving something is that once you get over the fear of it changing, you realise you want it to be better. You want it to be the best. We can love our flag, love our nation, and still want change. We can be proud and mournful. We can be respectful of the past and still want independence.

Discussing these things is important. Unpacking our history and how we see ourselves is a pressing political issue. But notice the word unpack. As long as we keep these issues stitched into our flag, off the ground and out of reach, we’ll never be able to action change. Our issues are at ground level -they’re messy and blurred. Separating them from us as something regal and quite literally not on our level is ridiculous.

We need to discuss these issues with kindness and empathy. But before we even attempt that, we need to take these issues from our flag and lay them out on the table. Not romanticised, or regal, or untouchable. We don’t need to be careful in laying them out – we need to be curious. We need to be excited, just like we were in Year 2 – but instead of pulling the flag up its pole, we need to bring it back down to the ground.

Violet F, Year 10

We’re playing: No Man’s Sky

It was an ordinary day on the outer sector planet of Aldera Prime. 2 years ago, I settled down in a town of Jemima’s Rose. I’d hung up my Multi-Tool, retired my fleet of starships and docked my freighter. I was done fighting the forever-war against the Sentinel menace, freeing the Arakeen system from their oppressive regime. I was ready to finally settle down, finally live my life in peace, become a bartender or a farmer…

That was until two weeks ago, when everything changed.

The guild of exploration had discovered a brave new frontier, a whole new type of star system that contained planets beyond anyone’s imagination, with new opportunities to make a name for any aspiring Traveller.

Sooooooo of course I had to check it out. And thus, a new odyssey across the stars began.

No Man’s Sky has been a favourite of mine for over 7 years, and it has changed SO MUCH. From what originally stemmed from a simple space exploration game has swiftly turned into without a doubt, the most immersive and beautiful of all sci-fi games. You can do anything, and I mean anything. It’s an infinite universe, with every planet and creature unique. From radioactive supermoons on the verge of collapse to the most exquisite of paradise planets, we’ve only scratched the surface to the endless frontier of space. Hopefully this article will give you some grasp onto just how vast this game truly is.

Keep in mind though, the universe is infinite so it’s technically impossible to explore every single planet. That’s why having a fellow Traveller by your side is so important. There is nothing better than sharing a cold drink on board an Aqua Skiff alongside your friend! You have battle-hardened privateers that prey upon the unwary to friendly colonisers who are always ready to lend a helping hand. There are SO MANY settlements, more than a few will blow your mind (and your taste buds). Seriously, if anyone wants a taste of the best RiceKelp sake South-East, follow the coordinates at the bottom of this article.

Sadly, not all is peaceful in this galaxy. Opposing empires evaluate each other’s limits daily, with war being common, particularly in the Northern Sectors. Unless you are willing to risk your life in glorious battle, approach an empire with extreme caution. Civilised space isn’t uncommon, with four intergalactic civilisations often staking claims to the frontier, the mercantile Gek, the scientific Korvax, the honourable Vy’keen and the nomadic Autophage. All have set up a variety of outposts and space stations alike, colonising worlds for profit and control. And with most core worlds civilised, many look to the outskirts of the galaxy for profit in all forms… though many do not make it back alive and those that do are forever changed.

Economy is ridiculously important in No Man’s Sky. The only thing that holds fleets and alliance together is the all-powerful intergalactic currency, units. Accepted by all cultures and creeds, this single currency starts and stops wars and encourages piracy. The core worlds take in the wealth gleaned from the frontier, with strong trade routes branching out across the galaxy. This does not come without a risk though as piracy, though rare, is a very real threat. Indeed, some systems have been completely usurped by outlaws and scoundrels alike… perfect for someone wanting to lay low from the law. Acts of piracy in civilised space will impact your reputation. Those respected by the law will gain many benefits, such as fighter support, reasonable prices and open arms wherever you may go.

But many pirates and murders alike will find themselves at the wrong end of the law, hunted throughout space by the notorious peacekeeping force known as the Sentinels. These mechanised drones are found across the galaxy, and all have a single goal in mind: to preserve the order across the galaxy, no matter the cost. These are the bane of colonists, violently attacking settlements that harvest too much of a planet’s resources. They do have their benefits, as local governments can contact Sentinel fighters in the case of astral conflict. They come in all shapes and sizes, from the commonly found peacekeeper drones that serve as local law enforcement to the corrupted Sentinels, whose programming instead is directed into the harvesting and destruction of worlds. Many, many wars were waged against these robots, some won, some lost. Throughout the years it has come to be known as the Forever War, a never-ending battle to rid the galaxy of the Sentinels. Some sectors have been liberated, but those living in occupied regions of space know not to overstep their bounds. Though with recent breakthroughs modifying Sentinel technology, the tides may soon turn in civilisation’s favour.

Exploring the universe takes a decent ship, and OH BOY does No Man’s Sky have ships. There are a variety of exploration-craft, shuttles, fighters, and frigates, all built to withstand the intense pressure of hyperspace and even the greediest of pirates. Even the lowliest piece of junk is capable of interplanetary travel, though I cannot guarantee comfort.

Although everyone dreams about being an ace pilot, every Traveller worth their money will always salivate over the all-powerful Freighters. These colossal ships are capable of housing fleets of merchants or trigger-happy pilots and are always at the head of every captain’s fleet. These command ships function as mobile bases, hauling vast swathes of cargo across space, though some items are questionable… like those illegal relics from Nova Roma, do not tell The Empire of Anomalies.

But where to sell the goods? That is where Outposts and Space Stations come in. Every local government sets up a Space Station in orbit of the main planet set for colonisation. Space Stations are a MUST for anyone, whether for repairs, trading, ship assembly or just pure relaxation. But what makes it even cooler is that each station has a resident guild member. Alongside the four major civilisations are three guilds, the Mercenary Guild puts bounties on Outlaws and troublesome fauna, the Exploration Guild looks for data on unique planets and the Merchants Guild controls the ebb and flow of economic output, aka they are rich. Outposts also offer trading services, though are often more prone to hazardous weather, fauna and Sentinels. Many such outposts are scattered across colonial planets, from colossal Archives, archaeological sites left over from previous colonists and towns that simply seek to get away from it all.

It’s a lot to take in (and a lot of alien words to learn).

There’s a reason why they call it the Frontier, as not all planets are forgiving… even the pleasant looking ones. Take it from me if you’re thinking about settling on that beautiful tropical paradise of a planet, I’ll bet you 1,000 Units that it has torrential rainstorms that reach 128 degrees. Time to move on I suppose… if it wasn’t for your crucial Exosuit! Equipped with life support functions, environmental protection and personal energy shielding. It comes along with an inbuilt scanner and jetpack for navigating treacherous terrain. Easily modified and customisable, the Exosuit is the bread and butter for all citizens of the galaxy, just don’t go into space without proper protection, it’s good but not that good.

Yet behind all this turmoil is a deep tale that deeply questions the nature of reality. The very reality that is No Man’s Sky is complex, but here it is simplified. A god, known throughout the universe as the Atlas created the universe to explore the variety of life. It created everything, including the Gek, Korvax, Vy’keen and Sentinels. The Sentinels were supposed to maintain the upkeep of planets but gradually became corrupted by their pointless existence. This led them to wage war against the galaxy. The only thing stopping them was the warrior race, the Vy’keen. The Galactic War waged for years, until the Vy’keen pushed the Sentinels to the edge of the galaxy.

Alas, when both sides were at their weakest, evil struck from the shadows. The froglike Gek had become a Tyrannical empire, known as the First Spawn. They sought to conquer the galaxy, and everything in it. This led them to enslave the Korvax, a technological race that existed in a technological hive-mind known as the Convergence, a repository of thousands of years of Korvax history. They conquered Korvax’s frontier worlds and annihilated the mineral rich Korvax homeworld, Korvax Prime. This resulted in the destruction of the Convergence, centuries of culture forgotten, blown to ash alongside the rubble of Korvax Prime. The Korvax were enslaved, their metallic bodies melted down for parts instead of being passed on to the next generation. In an act of self-sacrifice, thousands of Korvax reprogramed their blood (nanites) to be fed to Gek spawnlings, modifying their behaviour from aggressive warmongers to passive merchants, which resulted in the collapse of the First Spawn Empire.

The galaxy entered a new (relative) age of peace, the Sentinel hivemind becoming slightly more passive, the Vy’keen and Korvax recovered from the brutality of the First Spawn, with the Korvax creating a second Convergence. Unbeknownst to the galaxy, the first Convergence escaped the destruction of Korvax Prime, creating the material in its wake, Atlantideum. Disconnected (dead) Korvax found a way to transcend death through this path, using the power of Atlantideum to return to the universe. They became the nomadic Autophage, scattered across the galaxy in large groups, seeking enlightenment through the Void mother that gave them life. They grew to hate the Korvax, who they saw as arrogant, hiding themselves with advanced cloaking technology. However, this new era of peace has seen the arrival of the Travellers (you players) Though their purpose in this universe is unclear, each is a unique individual, expected by all species though utterly alien. Some appear human… others less so.

This universe has seen its fair share of legends come and go…

Will you become one of them?

Thomas C, Year 12

Reimagining Macbeth

Year 10 concluded their close study of Shakespeare’s Macbeth with a creative exercise, inventing a scene to insert into the tragic play to demonstrate their understanding of themes and language elements.

The Witches attempt to kidnap Fleance

Our scene follows Banquo’s murder in Act 3; we feature the witches who intervene and attempt kidnap Fleance so that Macbeth can fulfill his prophecy.

ACT 3 SCENE 3
The moon hangs low, casting an eerie glow over the forest. BANQUO lies slain, and FLEANCE, a young boy, kneels beside his father, tears streaming down his face. The THREE WITCHES, cloaked in shadows, emerge from the darkness, their eyes glinting with malice.

BANQUO
My dear son-

FLEANCE
(sobbing) Father, thou shalt not wither,
For in my heart, thy spirit lingers.
He touches Banquo’s face, desperate for a sign of life.
Awake, dear father! Rise from this dark slumber!

The WITCHES circle around FLEANCE.

FIRST WITCH
(leaning closer, her voice a hiss) My eyes feast upon thy prey,
A tender morsel, ripe for the fray.
What say you, sisters? Shall we claim him now?

SECOND WITCH
Yes, let us extinguish this flickering flame,
For Macbeth’s throne, we play our game.
The boy must die, unless he rise to defy,
The crown that shall be Macbeth’s always.

FLEANCE, sensing danger, rises to his feet, trembling but defiant.

FLEANCE
(voice shaking) Who dares approach? What foul spirits are there?
I am no prey for your sorcery!
My father’s blood cries out for justice,
And I shall not yield to your wickedness!

The WITCHES exchange glances, intrigued by his spirit.

THIRD WITCH
(with a sly smile)
The child hath survived, what a miracle
But can he withstand our wicked might?
What say you, sisters? Shall we test his fate?

The FIRST WITCH raises her hand, conjuring a dark mist that swirls around FLEANCE.

FIRST WITCH
(tauntingly) Come, little one, let us see your strength,
In shadows deep, will you fight, or will you flee?
What say you, boy? What shall it be?

FLEANCE
(defiantly) I shall not run from shadows or fear,
For my father’s spirit guides me near.
Though you may weave your wicked schemes,
I’ll rise above, I’ll shatter your dreams!

THIRD WITCH
Brave words for one so young and small,
But heed this warning, for shadows fall.
The chain of kings is not yet complete,
And your fate is tangled in the web we weave.

SECOND WITCH
What if we spare you, little heir?
To watch your kin fall, a fate most rare.
Would you not prefer to join our dance,
And seize your destiny, given the chance?

FLEANCE, realising the gravity of his situation, takes a step back, his resolve wavering.

FLEANCE
I will not be a pawn in your cruel game,
Nor will I bow to your twisted claim.
If my father’s blood runs in my veins,
Then I shall rise, despite your chains!

The WITCHES, momentarily taken aback by his courage, exchange glances filled with dark amusement.

FIRST WITCH
Then let the game begin, dear child,
For fate is fickle, and the night is wild.
We shall see if you can break our spell,
Or if you’ll join your father in the depths of hell.

With a wave of their hands, the WITCHES vanish into the mist, leaving FLEANCE alone with his father’s body, the weight of destiny heavy upon his shoulders.

FLEANCE
I shall not falter, I shall not fall,
For I am the son of Banquo, after all.
He wipes his tears, determination igniting within him.
I will seek the truth, I will find my way,
And one day, I shall rise to claim the day.
The scene fades, leaving the forest shrouded in darkness, the echoes of his vow lingering in the air.

Purpose: to reinforce the importance of following the prophecy and emphasise the theme of fate/free will introduced by the witches

Stylistic features:

Metaphor of Fleance as a “flickering flame”
Biblical allusion – reference to hell
Pathetic fallacy – importance of setting and weather to reveal tone and theme
Context of great chain of being and disruption of natural order

Olivia M, Claudia T, Sofia B, Robbie N, Paddy M

King Duncan’s ghost appears to Malcolm

Malcolm is in England after fleeing, and King Duncan’s ghost appears before Malcolm to demand that he return to Scotland to overthrow Macbeth and restore the natural order.

In the beginning of the scene, Malcolm is asleep (demonstrating his purity and goodness in contrast to Macbeth), when he is awoken by the ghost of King Duncan. Duncan demands that he return to Scotland to overthrow Macbeth and take his rightful place as King.

ACT 4, SCENE 2
An extravagant castle bedroom. MALCOLM sleeping in a bed. Enter ghost of KING DUNCAN, with clear wounds from his murder.

DUNCAN
Awaken, Malcolm. Open thy eyes from thy pure sleep.

MALCOLM awakens and sits up

MALCOLM
Father!
Is my soul’s wish cruelly deceived by the mere vessel of my mortal eyes?
Or has thy great, yet blood-stained King Duncan truly appear’d before me?

DUNCAN
‘Tis I, speak not and grant my words entry to your mind; absorb with lucidity.

MALCOLM
Aye, but how can this be?
Thou life was stolen in cold blood.

DUNCAN
‘Tis the reason for my appearance.
As Macbeth ravaged the natural order
Through his sanguine obliteration of my life
He hath wreaked havoc on our sacred country
His theft of your heritage
His greed
And his vaulting ambition.
Is a threat to all purity and benignity.

MALCOLM
Macbeth’s once benevolent intentions,
Hath been forever altered by his immutable sins.

DUNCAN
Truth hath never been spoken before thine words
By reason whereof your imminent return to Scotland is of utmost necessity.

MALCOLM
My conscience complies, yet my sense refuses to.
Macbeth wields undeserved power, yet power, nonetheless.
I wish wholeheartedly for peace, but by what means to the end?

DUNCAN
By the same means Macbeth employed.

MALCOLM
Corruption? Sin? Murder?

DUNCAN
Nay. Valour. Courage. Justice.
Macbeth’s blood must spill.
By thy hand or fate’s decree
Worry of guilt is unneeded, for thou art not committing a crime; but a victory
For upon thy country whose soil, hath crime stepped on it.

MALCOLM
I shall follow the light of your esteemed knowledge
Like a disciple to the knowledge of powers great and almighty.
I shall make you proud, while victory shall rain upon the land
And rightfulness shall be restored in th’ name of thy holy Duncan.

DUNCAN
Make pride shine within my immortal eyes and return this greatness.
Do not hesitate for that hath been an inconceivable part of the order of Macbeth.
He who is not worth the dust the rude wind blows in thy face.
Go at the fifth ringing of the bell in the coming day,
Late enough for the sun to shine and early enough to arrive back and be victoriously
Crowned King within the day.

MALCOLM
(rising from his bed, troubled) My father, in his grave, doth beckon me,
And yet, within me stirs a treacherous fear
To face Macbeth, to strike him down as he deserves,
Would make me like him, a man of blood and sin.
The crown calls, but at what cost?
Should I, like a beast, become the very thing I seek to destroy?
Yet justice cries from every corner of this land.
Scotland suffers; her cries reach even to the heavens.
The crown that once was mine by right, is now polluted,
Stained by a man unworthy of the name.
What choice is there but to strike?
If I hesitate now, I shall lose all to him,
And Scotland shall be lost forevermore.

DUNCAN
Delay not, my son. Act swiftly and with resolve.

MALCOLM
(Aside) Then let the heavens bear witness to my cause!
By steel and spirit, I shall reclaim what was stolen.
Scotland shall wake from its cursed slumber,
And my father’s name shall be avenged!

Themes:

Natural order
Supernatural
Appearance vs Reality

Stylistic Features:

Parallel between Macbeth and Malcolm as they represent opposing ideas (good vs evil)
A type of irony, as a supernatural being (the ghost), that defies the natural order, implores Malcolm to restore the natural order.
Juxtaposes the tragedy of King Duncan’s death with the hope that Malcolm provides.
Biblical allusion to Jesus’ resurrection and meeting with his disciples.
Enjambments & caesuras to show imperative language and the urgency of the situation- urgency for Malcolm to return to Scotland
Asyndeton lists the reasons Malcolm should return to Scotland – defeat Macbeth, restore the natural order, etc.

Ella M, Souhaylah S & Lucy C

The Pin Oak Crossword

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

Easter – Emelia S Download

Year 9 and 10 Visual Arts Excursion

On Wednesday 26 March, me and my fellow Visual Arts students from Years 9 and 10 had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney. On this trip, we were accompanied by Mr Bentham and Mrs de Hass, who guided us through the four main parts of our excursion. Throughout the experience we were able to see numerous forms of artworks – including installations, photographs, paintings, sculptures, and drawings. Additionally, we were also able to see how art takes the form of a wide range of creative expressions. Having an appreciation of these many artworks helped inspire us with our own artmaking – both in and beyond the classroom!

When we arrived in Sydney, we headed towards the Naala Badu building of the Art Museum campus, where we had a look at an installation by contemporary artist Angelica Mesiti. “The Rites of When, located in the former wartime tank underneath the building, was a large-scale video and sound installation artwork. It had us fully immersed in our senses; it was a feast for the eyes and ears! “The Rites of When” explored the themes of connection, culture, seasonal changes, and the future. Each of the seven screens spread around the room made us feel that wherever we stood, we remained a part of the art! Mesiti’s use of moving photography, videography, choreography, vocal choruses, and collective sound-making created a rich visual display us as the viewers.

The second part of the excursion was the visit to the Yiribana Gallery: a display of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks. In the Sydney language, “Yiribana” means “this way.” In this gallery, we were able to experience a diverse range of works by many Indigenous artists. We only had a brief time in this section of the Naala Badu building, but my peers and I truly felt inspired by all the art and media styles! Since its opening in 1994, the Yiribana Gallery continues to showcase the dynamic and rich art of Indigenous Australia.

We then went to the Naara Nura building of the campus, where we looked at ARTEXPRESS. This part of the gallery is an annual exhibition of the selection of HSC artworks by Year 12 Visual Arts students. In this section, we were able to discover several forms of expressive artmaking such as painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture and photomedia. For me personally, ARTEXPRESS was a major inspiration on this excursion; it gave me an insight into what my artworks for the HSC could be like. It also inspired me with my own art and how I can incorporate things that matter to me into my future artmaking.

Our last part of the Visual Arts excursion was going to the Grand Courts. In this vast gallery, it showcased historical artworks from the 15^th to 19^th century. We were able to view art from significant art periods including the Rennaissance and the Victorian Era. Experiencing these types of art was crucial in our understanding of human society from those time periods. For us Visual Arts students, knowing a historical context of art is immensely helpful and inspiring!

As a Year 9 Visual Arts student, I have enjoyed this excursion very much! Walking down the steps of the Naara Nura building, it made me want to go back again and revisit it! In my own time, I want to explore and have the full experience of every floor and part of the Art Gallery of NSW. I hope that my peers and I will have another opportunity to visit the gallery once more!

Ruby C, Year 9

Easter traditions around the world

Easter. The beloved day of Easter egg hunts and Jesus’s resurrection… at least that’s what we have in Australia. But around the world this iconic holiday is celebrated in so many ways. From egg painting to kite flying, the celebration centred around Christ’s resurrection brings people together in the most wholesome holiday known to humanity.

As well as sharing the renowned Easter egg hunts that we know and love in Australia, the United States of America adds a capitalist twist – the hilarious White House Easter Egg Roll, where children are selected through a lottery to roll both themselves and their eggs down the White house lawn. This is of course accompanied by extravagant parades with the largest being in New Orleans, accompanied by feasts galore.

But who can forget the iconic Easter Egg tree, otherwise known as Ostereierbaum. Originating in Germany, this egg-citing hobbies is widespread across North America, often seen as a token of good luck charm in the states of Appalachia and Pennsylvania.

But Greek Easter is a completely different story. A traditional recipe is devoured in this joyous time, most notoriously with the scrumptious mayeritsa soup. If you don’t know what it means, search it up but be warned it’s not for those with weak stomachs. But here’s a more pleasant dish, dried eggs dyed red to symbolise the blood of Christ. Delightful. But if you want something more… PG, Italy has this awesome custom of putting gifts inside their Easter Eggs, from trinkets and toys. It makes me want to move there now… just so long as I don’t receive the blood of Christ thank you very much. They also light candles to celebrate Jesus’s resurrection, a tradition shared within many Christian denominations around the world!

But if you want the most ancient of Easter traditions, then get cozy next to a German Osterfeuer (Easter bonfire). Created by ancient Germanic tribes that worshiped the sun, this was swiftly absorbed by Christians, topped off by a nice German barbeque… JA, BITTE! But now for the weirdest tradition of them all, hosted by the backwards country of Australia. Due to the destructive nature of rabbits, an alternative mascot for Easter has been found. Presenting… THE EASTER BILBY!!! Though not as popular, the Easter Bilby has gained traction in Australian society, raising awareness for the adorable endangered species.

Thomas C, Year 12