Service learning: Thailand

During the holidays, eighteen Year 10 students embarked on an 11-day trip to the beautiful country of Thailand. The students, accompanied by Mr Staples and Ms Whiteley, started the journey in Bangkok. This day was spent mostly travelling, as the plane trip took over nine hours. Once we landed, we went to dinner at a beautiful riverside restaurant.

The next day we drove three hours to Kanchanaburi, where we spent around four hours stand up paddle-boarding down the river Kwai. Everyone got very sunburnt, but nonetheless enjoyed the experience. We stayed the night in Kanchanaburi, as the next day we had an enlightening tour at Hellfire Pass, hearing about what the prisoners of war experienced.

The next day we flew from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai. We spent the afternoon at Traidhos farm, on the grounds of the school we stayed at. We got to help plant the beginnings of rice using water buffalo to prepare the mud and also make a sticky rice treat using eggs we collected.

The day after was a highlight of many on the trip, as we spent the morning at an elephant rehabilitation park. The handlers taught us how to make the medicine balls for the elephants, and then we also got to feed them, wash them, hug them, and just enjoy the extraordinary experience.

After everyone changed out of their wet and muddy clothes, we had lunch before heading up the mountain to Wat Doi Suthep Mountain Temple.

The next day we stayed on campus, enjoying a Thai cooking class where we made meals such as Penang curry and enjoyed leafy teas, as well as doing some rock climbing.

The next two days were focused on service learning. We drove up the mountain to a school, helping fill sandbags to strengthen and protect the river from flooding, as well as cementing the ground around the Buddha temple. After finishing the projects each day, we got to interact and play with some of the students from the school. Some enjoyed games of soccer, and other Oxley students taught them classic games such as duck, duck goose, heads up thumbs down, and red light green light, among others.

Our last night at the school featured a traditional Khantoke dinner and cultural performance. It was a wonderful way to end our stay.

After flying back to Bangkok the next day, we got to enjoy a Klong boat ride, and a visit to the Royal Barge Museum before doing some shopping at Icon Siam.

Our last full day in Thailand featured bird watching and Mangrove planting. Everyone got extremely muddy from the knee-high mud, albeit some more than others. We also got to partake in a Muay Thai training class before heading back to the hotel in preparation for a four am departure the next day.

Overall, the trip taught us a lot. Not just how to be more independent, or how to push through when times get tough, but also how to be more connected in life, to be present in the moment. We formed new connections and strengthened bonds, creating memories we will cherish forever.

Dakota W, Year 10

Year 10 OLE! Film Study

Filmmaking explores more than the simple script, filming, and directing we are oblivious to whilst watching our cozy Netflix movies, yet it branches out to the creativity of humankind, diving into the unique expressions and declarations of love, anger, sadness, and emotions associated with our rich culture. Simply put, filmmaking is another art form used to communicate and connect with an audience, using visual storytelling to depict the issues, journeys, and resolutions us humans endure in our lifetime. This may be deterring from our point, but whilst others were hiking through harsh mountains and suffering through the tragedy that is school camp, five of us had the chance to gain a bigger perspective and understanding of film making.

On our first day, with no prior knowledge to film making and the skills required, we walked in with confidence, lacking an understanding of the depth associated with film making. We were soon surprised when learning the steps required to making our own short film, and soon we began an introduction and investigation to other short films. After viewing what seemed like Oscar worthy performances and comparing them to our own skill set, we began to doubt ourselves yet moved on by formulating our own idea for our short film. Although this comparison lowered our confidence, we began to pick apart what made the most significant part of a short film, the message, so clear, even without dialogue. We decided that lighting, camera angles, dialogue, and overall pacing of the film was crucial to our concept, and after evaluating our plan, we organised how to put our plan into action.

However, on Tuesday, we battled the most troubling yet important aspect of filmmaking: the camera. We were all dreading the camera, aware that we could never meet the expectations of an average film, not even knowing if we could possibly produce something cinematic. But the monstrous and beastly object wasn’t as daunting as it seemed, and so, we decided to tackle it. We firstly practiced filming, shifting the lighting, volume, and different camera angles that we could use in our short film, and although holding it caused a hand cramp, the camera offered even more depth and inspiration for filming. After we mastered the art of the camera, we learnt how to use alien objects such as the light sheet, learning how lighting can effort the mood and overall theme of our film, planning to use it for the next day. Finally, we learnt how to use the tripod, a tool which sets the camera up to kept it steady and soothe those hand cramps, and after a day full of filming, we decided we would turn this knowledge to good use and begin filming our opening, as the next day we went to the city.

On Wednesday, we had quite an early start to our day, because we were heading up to NIDA to experience a dramatic arts workshop and film some more scenes for our slowly progressing short film. Our workshop started off with the classic, yet painful, icebreakers then we practised acting and moving around like different types of people, from laid back Californian surfers, to futuristic androids. Then we practised creating tableaus, still shots of some classic nursery rhymes, with the teachers guessing what we were trying our best to recreate. Soon afterwards, we learnt how to make a slate, which is a mini ‘get to know me’ for auditions. We all begrudgingly took turns in front of the camera and introduced ourselves, which was very nerve-wracking. Then we finished off the workshop by making our own mini soap operas, which we were able to film, and watch played back. After an eventful morning, we refuelled with some well-deserved sushi during lunch and then filmed the urban parts of our short film, which filled the remainder of our afternoon.

The next day, we finished filming the rest of the sections and scenes that were left over in our script and then set ourselves on editing it all together. We learnt how to edit the sound, lighting, colour and transitions that were used in our short film, which was very tedious work and more difficult than we had imagined it to be, so editing the film continued into Friday as well.

After all the editing was finally finished and we were finally content with how it turned out, we learnt how to make stop motions – through taking hundreds of photos and piecing them together and playing them fast. We set out in groups with this newfound knowledge to create our own 30 second stop motions. Each of us with a vision, carefully snapped away, slowly making progress by moving our subject in the frame inch by inch. We spent the afternoon stringing all our intricately staged photos together and added a backing track to it. In the afternoon, we ended our busy week by presenting and watching our stop motions come alive, which we all turned out to be proud of.

I’m sure that all of us that had the pleasure of experiencing the film study week would be able to say that this week exceeded the expectations that we walked in on the first day with. Despite all the sore arms from holding the camera, camera shyness and numb fingers from editing, we were all proud of our finished product. While it may not be the best film ever created, it was still something that we were able to create by ourselves, which was something that we all found very satisfying. Sure, we gained a lot of knowledge about film and camerawork, but what really made the difference to this experience was gaining more confidence in ourselves, and that’s what will stick with us the most.

Lulu E & Souhaylah S, Year 10

Thoughts on Year 9 Rites of Passage

The Spoon

Sunlight poured though the tall windows of the spacious kitchen we’d all gathered in- four groups with five to six people all huddled around their tables. The atmosphere, buzzing with the clutter of pans, the sizzle of ingredients, and the light hum of small conversation. And in front of me laid a spoon.

Not a special spoon. Just a regular, slightly bent metal one. But as we all stood there, surrounded by other groups spread throughout the room, all chopping, stirring, and laughing, that spoon felt like something more. Something that could take one average thing many take for granted and turn it meaningful.

Over the course of one and a half hours, each group made 25 meals (all totalling to 100 meals) for homeless and less fortunate individuals living out their life on the streets of Sydney’s city and the many hostels. Each group had a separate flow and set of flavours telling their own stories. But we were united by a shared purpose; to nourish, to care, and to connect. That spoon, passed from hand to hand, stirring broccoli, fluffing cous-cous and dishing potatoes. It became our tool of accomplishment.

Standing behind our counter, spoon still resting in front of us, we watched intently, and the final meal got packed away alongside the others. The kitchen was filled with the warming scents of spices and low mutters. The other teams could be seen doing the same thing, each of us contributing a collective amount of effort which felt immensely bigger than us all. That spoon – simple, worn, and shared – had helped bring us to this moment. It wasn’t just about the food but the comforting feeling in the room. The way we moved together with purpose. It was the teamwork and the quiet pride that settled over us as we packed the last container. It was about the intention behind every meal, the care folded into every bite, the dignity we hoped to preserve through something as ordinary as dinner.

You don’t need a big and shiny commercial kitchen or the most perfect ingredients. Sometimes all it takes is a spoon and heart willing to serve. Because behind every meal is a story. A person. A life. And every time we stirred a pot, we stirred hope. That spoon – simple, scratched and shared – taught me that service isn’t about scale. It’s about sincerity.

So I ask: What can you do?

Lily C, Year 9

Congratulations School Leaders 2025/6!

Look out for upcoming editions of the Pin Oak where we’ll hear from these students to get to know them and their plans for their leadership positions.

College Captains

Georgie A (Monash)

Flynn O (Oodgeroo)

College Vice Captains

Liam H (Mawson)

Ruby P (Dobell)

Prefects

Lucy A (Dobell)

Isaac B (Florey)

Chloe D (Mawson)

Imogen G (Florey)

Sam H (Dobell)

Arki J (Dobell)

Ella L (Florey)

Hamish M (Durack)

House Captains

Dobell – Archie C & Olivia Q

Durack – Benjamin B & Leila D

Florey – Amelia L & Max M

Mawson – Fairlie P & Henry R

Monash – Annie F & Orlando R

Oodgeroo – Peter K & Eliza S

SPORT

Athletics – Imogen G & Aston M

Boys Basketball – Max M

Girls Basketball – Molly D

Cricket – Sam H

Cross Country – Archie C & Mollie K

Equestrian – Chloe D

Boys Football – Harry K

Girls Football – Eliza S

Hockey – Camille V

MTB – Jude O

Netball – Ella L

Rugby – Hamish M

Snowsports – Jude O

Swimming – Leila D & Charlie G

Tennis – Sophie C

Girls Touch Football – Georgie A

Fencing – Hamish T

Softball – Yile Z

PERFORMING ARTS

Chorale Captain – Liam H

Band Captain – Arki J

Pipe Captain – William C

Drama – Ava S

OTHER

Outdoor Education – Chloe S

Word – Flynn O

Vote now: who should we interview next?

Which staff member should we interview next? – Fill out form here!

or let us know at 019162@oxley.nsw.edu.au

Check out some past staff spotlights:

Staff Spotlight: Mrs Bernadette Norton, Senior Science Teacher – Pin Oak

Staff Spotlight: Mr Matthew Bentham, Art Teacher – Pin Oak

Staff Spotlight: Gen Whiteley, Director of Students 7-12 – Pin Oak

Staff Spotlight: Meaghan Stanton, Talented Athlete Program Coordinator – Pin Oak

From the vault: We’re playing Slay the Princess

This article was originally published in Edition 170 (24 March 2025) of the Pin Oak.

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.

The Princess in question. 📷 Black Tabby Games

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…