The 2025 Bookshelved. Awards – Recommendations from a local bookish podcast.

Hi! I’m Amelie. My friend Evelyn and I have been running a small book podcast for a while now, and in December, we review all the books we read that year and pick our favourites to win the Bookshelved. Awards! We have a full episode talking in-depth about each book, but this article is a quick overview of all the different recommendations we have for anyone who doesn’t have time to listen to a full episode. We have 13 categories, two winners in each, and we get to pick winners out of all the books we have read this year. This is inspired by an episode from another podcast, called Novelbound, which is linked on our Bookshelved Spotify page if any of you would like to go listen. So buckle up, because I have an overview of 26 fantastic books for you to take a look at. If you’d like the full version, go listen to our episode at the link below, or check out our website!

Bookshelved. | Spotify

Bookshelved. Podcast | Website

Best Kiss

Evelyn – Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

This was Evelyn’s pick for Best Kiss because of the buildup to the scene and the clever way it was written. The couple in this book is the kind where you can’t get enough!

If you’re looking for a great queer romance between the son of a US President and a Prince from the UK, loaded with plenty of romantic scenes, then this book is for you.

Amelie – The Way I Used To Be by Amber Smith

This one is definitely not what you’d expect, but we promise that it’s an amazing read!

A big fat trigger warning for this one, as it contains a lot of mature themes. Please read the content warning at the start of the book.

This was my choice for Best Kiss, not because it was super romantic, but because it was realistic and full of tension. If you like an angsty romance, then this one is a great choice, just make sure that you know what you’re getting into!

Best Enemies to Lovers

Evelyn – Wisteria by Adalyn Grace

This is the 3rd book in the Belladonna Trilogy, by a New York Times Bestselling author.

Throughout the trilogy, the perspectives switch around to get a feel for all the characters. Although there is romance in the first book, Evelyn says to stick around because the real enemies-to-lovers is in Wisteria, with a couple who were initially side characters.

Amelie – Wandering Wild by Lynette Noni

This book is not the type of enemies-to-lovers that you’d immediately think of, because it’s not a fantasy book. However, it’s always good to change it up a bit, and the characters in this book had a lot of depth that made it really fun to read about them and the way they fall for each other.

We’ve reviewed this book on the podcast before, so if you’ve read it, then you can listen to our 5th episode. We go a lot more in-depth there, and hopefully it might be of interest to you!

Best Mystery

Evelyn – Catch Your Death by Ravena Guron

This was a number one for Evelyn because of the memorable and shocking ending. It’s one of those books that is fun from the start, but the last few chapters just make the whole book worth it.

Catch Your Death is the type of book that allows the readers to really take part in the plot, trying to solve the mystery with various clues you get as the novel goes on, Sherlock Holmes-style.

This book is lacking in romance, but the engaging writing and well-thought-out plotline means the book can stand up on its own, not needing a romance to fall back on. This is proof of the amazing writing.

Amelie – The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

This is one of the best mystery & thriller series that I have ever read. It won this category because the writing is so gripping, and the plot is really well thought through. As an avid mystery reader, I can say with absolute confidence that this book is on the same level as A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson, a mystery book that nearly every mystery lover has read and loved.

The characters in The Naturals are loveable and relatable, and the plot never fails to captivate. This is a very strong recommendation for any amateur FBI agents or detectives out there!

Best Side Character

Evelyn – Wandering Wild by Lynette Noni

The best side character in this novel is Ember, the main character (Charlie Hart)’s best friend. Evelyn is desperate for a side story with her, thanks to her sunny, hilarious and upbeat personality.

She’s a character who’s always smiling, but she has such a deep backstory that doesn’t get fully explored in the novel, leaving some of it up to the imagination. Her character has… well, character, and she has depth and an overall likeable demeanour that makes her an amazing side character.

Amelie – The Anatomy of Songs by Megan White

A classic enemies-to-lovers fantasy, this is the first book in a duology with one of the most amazing side characters I’ve ever read about. His name is Lhyriel (or Lhy for short), and he is the main character (Kasira Severen)’s ride or die.

Lhy was easy to fall for, and despite not being the main love interest, he was easily the most charismatic character in the book. He’s very well-written, as is the rest of the book. A lot of the time, enemies-to-lovers books all have a similar plotline and worldbuilding, but this book stood out from the crowd in terms of the magic system, and it’s definitely worth reading.

Best Lore

Evelyn – Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Yes, the one we’ve all been waiting for! The book that reached the No. 1 spot on the Amazon and New York Times Bestseller lists, and is a worldwide favourite among readers.

This is Evelyn’s pick because the lore runs so deep throughout the book, and the world-building is cleverly integrated into the story without info-dumping on the reader. It’s famous for a reason, folks! Not just because there are dragons in it.

Amelie – Darkly by Marisha Pessl

It’s hard to have interesting and convoluted lore in a book that’s not a fantasy, but Darkly does it really well. The story revolves around a board game company, with secretive, out-there mystery board games that are played in real life. The concept of these games is so intriguing that it makes the book hard to put down.

The novel is a thriller, and the plotline and lore are something that only a true artist could’ve thought up, and it’s a definite recommendation if you’re a fan of secret society-type mystery novels.

Best Fantasy

Evelyn – Destroy the Day by Brigid Kemmerer

This is the last book in a trilogy, and Evelyn says it’s significantly better than the first two. A YA romantasy, Brigid Kemmerer does a fantastic job of concluding her bestselling series.

There’s a twist at the end that makes this book our winner, so hold on to your hats while this fantasy lures you into its fantastic plotline!

Amelie – The Blood Traitor by Lynette Noni

This is the 3rd book in The Prison Healer trilogy, and my favourite in the series.

I love to read fantasy books that stand out, with a different plotline or different characters, and Lynette Noni succeeds with this in every book she writes. The Prison Healer is great, but stick around because The Blood Traitor is the most captivating fantasy novel I’ve read this year!

Best Cover

Evelyn – The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

This one is a little bit different, because Evelyn did not like this book at all! However, we do have to give credit where credit is due, because the cover is warm, cozy, autumnal and well designed.

Amelie – When The Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

It’s hard to create a book cover that truly reflects the content of the book, but When The Moon Hatched has done this perfectly, with a lovely, silver design that reminds you of the night sky.

Best Book Boyfriend

Evelyn – A Curse of True Love by Stephanie Garber

This one’s a classic — Jacks, aka the Prince of Hearts, from the Once Upon a Broken Heart series, specifically book 3, A Curse of True Love.

Funny, charismatic, and an all-around loveable guy, and he’s quite popular on the internet, so there must be something good about him, right?

Amelie – The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

Armand from The House Saphir is my favourite book boyfriend of 2025. His character quirks, hobbies, looks and personality make him the winner of Best Book Boyfriend.

We’ve reviewed this book on the podcast too, so if you’ve read The House Saphir then go have a listen, because we discuss the novel (and very hot characters) in more depth.

Best Villain

Evelyn – The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

Monsieur Le Bleu is the villain from The House Saphir, and he’s Evelyn’s pick because of the interesting (but scary) way he is portrayed.

For a villain that doesn’t get much of his own dialogue, we still understand him quite well, and he still seems terrifying, despite not being… well, alive.

Amelie – One Of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus

Yes, ANOTHER book that’s the 3rd in a trilogy. (Sorry guys, can’t help it!) The villains are really well written, and yes, there’s more than one.

The way that the author can hide an antagonist in plain sight is a testament to her great writing, and the main villain, Jake, is a big, looming presence throughout the whole story that gives the story a sense of urgency.

Best Couple

Evelyn – The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

This is a friends-to-lovers story, filled with humour, and yes, fake dating. The book is silly and funny, and definitely worth a read.

Bree Camden is fake-dating the star quarterback, Nathan Donelson, who also happens to be her best friend. But she’s hopelessly in love, and this fun, enjoyable book leaves the readers wondering, “Is it ever too late to leave the friend zone?” It’s a classic sports romance that will brighten your day.

Amelie – Whisper by Lynette Noni

Despite not being an ACTUAL couple (yet), the two love interests in Whisper have some of the best chemistry I’ve read. The main character is only known as Jane Doe for the beginning of this book, because she doesn’t talk, and we don’t know why. Her fragmented backstory is revealed well, and the love interest captures the hearts of the readers with little to no effort.

I’m totally terrified for the second book, because I know there’s something incoming for this not-couple, but at the moment they’re amazing, and I’ve just gotta hang tight.

Best Plot Twist

Evelyn – Whisper by Lynette Noni

Thought this book sounded familiar? Not only is this a Best Couple winner, but also the Best Plot Twist. And not just one twist either.

The twists are integrated so seamlessly into the story. None of them feel forced or unbelievable, and they all build up to a climax. It’s the kind of book that you don’t realise is twisty while reading, but when you step back, you realise that there was a small one on every second page, and it’s 100% worth reading.

Amelie – No Place Left to Hide by Megan Lally

This book has the best — and most unexpected — plot twist that I’ve ever read about. I read this until 1 am on my Kindle at a music camp, and sacrificing my sleep was more than worth it. This book shocked me to my core, and I couldn’t put it down, meaning I finished it in just a day or two.

One of the things that made me admire this book is the fact that the entire story only really takes place in one night, the majority of it in a car. That sounds so boring on the surface, but it’s pulled off amazingly and unbelievably. This book is SO underrated.

Best Realistic Fiction

Evelyn – Unnecessary Drama by Nina Kenwood

This book is a romance novel, but that’s not the only central focus. It’s a cute, fun, upbeat story, with plenty of banter between characters.

It’s a coming-of-age story that’s a good alternative to some of the heavier books on this list, and the backstories are captivating, and the characters are loveable.

Amelie – Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

When I started reading this book, I was sceptical of the format it was written in. Instead of being a regular novel style, it’s in the form of an interview, with the character that’s speaking’s name before the text. I thought that it might be hard to get into, but boy, how wrong I was.

This book was so realistic and entertaining that it had friends of mine asking, “Is Daisy Jones and the Six a real 70’s band?” No friends, it’s not. But I really wish it were. Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of the cleverest authors I have ever read, and I really hope you guys go and read at least one of her books.

Runner-up for Best Book

Evelyn – The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

This book shows all the stories of different characters without changing perspectives, which is very hard for an author to do, and even harder for them to do it well. The Night Circus spans over 20 years (crazy, I know), and right at the end, you realise how spectacular the writing actually is.

This book is popular for a reason, friends, and it’s been translated into 37 languages! Following two battling magicians at a circus (wow, really?), this book is not one that you’d ever regret reading.

Amelie – The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Another realistic fiction, this book is AMAZING! It’s an iconic story of an old celebrity revealing her life story, and I promise you, it’s a lot deeper than it seems. As a fan of realistic stories and a tiny bit of queer fiction, this book very nearly got the number one spot for 2025!

Best Book, 2025!!!

Evelyn – Heartless by Marissa Meyer

This book catered to Evelyn’s tastes perfectly. It’s a fairytale retelling; the story of the Queen of Hearts, from Alice in Wonderland, and how she came to be the evil queen that she is.

This book takes something that seems to be a perfect world and makes it darker than you first thought, adding a creative depth to the lore and world-building.

If there is only one book you’re willing to read, let it be this one! It’s full of depth, suspense and wonder.

The little thing that sold me was the Irish culture woven into this book, in the way the people talk (and swear), the clothing worn, the sports played and the names of characters. Yes, I share a last name with the main character, Shannon Lynch. And yes, this book is 6 out of 5 stars.

Another trigger warning here, because there’s plenty of mature language and very dark themes that are suited to older readers. Please read the content warning at the beginning of the book.

Well, that’s it, folks! Thanks for reading, and if you want a more in-depth review of these books, go listen to our 2025 Bookshelved. Awards Episode on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. See you next time!

These Fellows

Olive, lime, ivy, sage, mint, pine,

These hues shade my vision

In blurs shaped like clouds

These leaves

On their stems and branches supporting

The richest form of twisting,

Spiralling, spiking

Loving, dying

Life.

First they rise from their tiny roots

From a seed, from the embryo of creation;

First they struggle, a weak little thing

Then they grow

And they strengthen

Strengthening and strengthening

Growing and growing

And their long limbs tumble out from their bodies

And reach for the sky and the ground and out into open air

And they breathe and live;

Oh, how they live!

In this way, these magnificent beings

Of browns and flowers and blues and greens

They hold in their branches the things we hold dear,

And all of the bugs and all of the elephants

And the giraffes and lions and everything in between.

So isn’t this the ultimatum:

Respect what you love

Acknowledge these fellows we should treasure

These hues surrounding me

Of green

Of trees.

Greta S, Year 8

What to Know Before the Wheels Hit the Track

The 2026 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic and talked about chapters in the sport’s history. With a bunch of new rules and regulations, new teams and drivers joining the grid, and exciting changes to the race calendar, fans are eager to see how this fresh era unfolds.

At the heart of the changes for 2026 are the new technical regulations introduced by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body for world motorsports. These are some of the biggest rule changes the sport has seen in years and aim to make cars more relevant to modern automotive technology and more sustainable for the future. For starters, the cars will be shorter, narrower, lighter and nimbler. The wheelbase has been reduced, which should make the cars more responsive through corners, and those little arches above the front tyres have been removed, which keeps the cars cleaner and lighter. Traditional features like the Drag Reduction System, commonly known as the DRS(a driver-controlled device that helped cars overtake on straights) have been removed and replaced. Drivers will now use ‘Overtake Mode,’ which gives an extra burst of electrical energy when within one second of a rival, and ‘Boost Mode,’ which lets drivers deploy extra power during a lap. In addition, cars will feature active aerodynamics, which is movable wings that can change configuration to help speed on straights and cornering grip when needed. Another major change is the shift toward hybrid power, with engines now producing roughly a 50:50 power split between petrol and electric, making the cars more road relevant.

These regulation changes have stirred strong reactions among drivers. 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has been one of the most vocal critics. After early testing, he described the new rules as “ridiculously complex” and said that even experienced drivers and fans would need a degree to fully understand all the new systems. Another driver, 4-time world champion Max Verstappen, has gone further, suggesting the cars are “anti-racing” and negatively comparing them to the electric-only Formula E cars. However, not all competitors share these negative views: Lando Norris has publicly defended the new regulations, directly responding to Max Verstappen’s criticism. Norris claimed that “if he [Max] wants to retire, he can retire,” arguing that the new challenges are part of the sport’s evolution and that drivers should adapt rather than complain.

However, the new regulations aren’t the only exciting aspect of the 2026 season. The race calendar features 24 Grands Prixacross five continents, including the debut of the Madrid Grand Prix. There are also new faces and teams joining the grid. Cadillac has been approved as the 11th team and is set to enter with experienced drivers Sergio “Checo” Pérez and Valtteri Bottas. Additionally, one of the most exciting new drivers to the grid is 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad, who steps up to Formula 1 as part of the new generation of talent. After impressing throughout the junior categories with his speed and confidence, many fans see him as one of the most promising young drivers in the field, making his debut season with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls one to watch closely.

With so many changes on and off the track, the 2026 F1 season promises to be a thrilling mix of innovation, debate, and high-speed drama. Fans everywhere are already counting down to the season opener in Melbourne and wondering who will ultimately master this bold new era of racing.

Madeline K, Year 11

Staff Spotlight Mrs Julie Pannell, English Teacher.

This month, Ruby C (Year 9) sat down with the newly appointed Oxley staff member Mrs Julie Pannell.

What do you like most about teaching English?

The wonderful opportunity teaching offers to engage with texts across a range of genres and forms while exploring the complexities of being human.

What inspired you to become an English teacher? What was it that got you interested in teaching?

My love of reading was the starting point. English offers us the chance to have interesting conversations and develop our ideas about the world around us, and I love being around people! Teaching feels like a natural way to combine the two.

What author/authors inspired you as a young adult?

I enjoyed Herman Hesse when I was younger, as well as travel literature like Paul Theroux. I also loved Arundhati Roy’s God of Small Things and Jostein Gaarder’s Sophie’s World.

In your faculty area of English, what expertise do you bring to Oxley?

I have a strong background in EAL/D teaching, so I am quite keen on grammar.

What do you think is your favourite book or book series of all time?

Tough question, but probably On Photography by Susan Sontag.

What are you looking forward to most about teaching at Oxley College?

I’ve always loved exploring ideas through richly woven texts, and I’m looking forward to teaching these at Oxley College while continuing to develop my practice alongside dedicated and passionate staff and students.

Why is English such an important subject for students at Oxley?

Because it develops critical thinking skills, the ability to question ideas, and the appreciation of other perspectives and experiences, different to your own.

Who are some of your favourite authors, poets, and filmmakers? How have they inspired you?

Murakami, Don DeLillo, Patrick White, Julian Barnes, Judith Wright, Wes Anderson and Tim Burton to name a few. They have inspired me, I guess, to think outside the box of what is possible in terms of creative expression. There is so much in our world to explore and understand, and I think having the courage to do things differently is brilliant.

What is something no one else knows about you?

I used to do fire-twirling on the beach in my early 20s.

What opportunities does English provide for students?

The chance to understand the evolution of language, in its capacity to reflect and influence society, and give voice to all sorts of people.

What is your favourite activity to do outside of school?

Go bushwalking.

What do you believe fosters a love of reading in our everyday lives?

Simply reading as much and as widely as possible, and staying away from your phone.

What do you think is a remarkable piece of literature of our day?

Monument by the Australian author Bonny Cassidy is a really interesting work of memoir.

When it comes to teaching, what are you most passionate about?

Supporting students to always try to do their best and expand their awareness.

Have you had any works published (such as a short story or a poem)?

No, not literature, but I have had my photography published as well as several exhibitions.

What is one piece of advice that you would like to offer to students?

Whatever you do, do it with all your effort and make it worth it.

More Than A Game: The Cultural Phenomenon of the Super Bowl

While the recent Super Bowl 60 has sparked much attention, with Bad Bunny’s controversial halftime show leading to endless online debate, the Super Bowl has been a staple of American culture, and households across the world, for decades. Whether a football fanatic or just interested in the music performance, millions each year huddle in front of their TV screens, throwing viewing parties, or forking over thousands of dollars for a ticket (the average cost of a ticket is about $8,400 USD on Tick Pik), as it’s pretty much impossible to get a ticket at face value. So, how did the Super Bowl grow from a simple championship game to a multi-billion-dollar spectacle of sport, often described on the same level as the Olympics?

Superbowl Adds

The average cost per second for an ad slot in the 2026 Super Bowl 60 is approximately $266,666 – $333,333 USD. This means a 30 second ad costs roughly $8 million USD, while some brands have reported paying over $10 million USD! This doesn’t include the production of the advertisement, which rounds the cost up to about $16 to $20 million USD. It’s worth it though, as these ads have incredible reach. Not only do millions watch them, but they enjoy them, and even look forward to them. The average profit turnover of these ads is around 460%, but it’s a risky business, which is why most ad slots are filled by the same brands every year. The slots are generally sold out by November the year before but sometimes are full by as early as June.

Half Time Show

The Super Bowl halftime show is a strategic and genius move by the NFL. It expands its audience immensely and has attracted some of the most famous artists ever over the years. Now musicians commonly use the stage to make statements about racism, immigration, and cultural pride, which has led to some intense debate in recent years. Some of the most well-known performances have been by artists such as Michael Jackson, Prince, Beyonce, Madonna, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and many more. The first Super Bowl in 1967 featured university marching bands, and small bands continued to play up until 1993, when Michael Jackson performed, and drew in 133.4 million viewers. This marked the change for halftime shows, being the first where the viewer numbers increased during halftime. This trend often continues in halftime shows today, and the NFL still has some of the most famous artists of this time perform each year.

Super Bowl History

Although the NFL (National Football League) formed in 1920, the AFL-NFL World Championship Game (now known as the Super Bowl) didn’t begin until 1967. In 1960, a group of businessmen got together, with a goal of owning a football franchise. After the NFL stopped them, they launched the AFL (American football league). These leagues were rivals until 1966, when they agreed to merge. The first game was on the 15th of January 1967, where the two championships of each league played each other. These teams were The Kansas City Chiefs of the AFL and The Green Bay Packers of the NFL, in which The Green Bay Packers emerged victorious, 35-10 (who also won Super Bowl II the following year). They played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and ticket prices averaged $12. This game was the only non-sellout in its history, with 61,000 fans watching. The trophy for the team that wins the Super Bowl is called the Vince Lombardi Trophy, named after the Green Bay Packers coach. The AFL and NFL split into the AFC (American football conference) and NFC (National football conference), which the champions of each now play in the Super Bowl. The name for the Super Bowl came from a letter in 1966, where Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt wrote to the NFL commissioner Peter Rozelle, in which he said, “I have kiddingly called it the ‘Super Bowl,’ which obviously can be improved upon.” The super comes from a toy Hunt’s kids were supposedly playing with at the time, called a Super Ball, and the bowl from a common term already being used for college football events. This was published in The Kansas City Star newspaper, and although the NFL pushed back against the name, by the third championship in 1969 Super Bowl was the official name.

Overall, the Super Bowl has a culture that goes beyond sport. It has roots going back to the 1960s, and is a platform for unity, expression, and pride for many. It’s not just a football game, but a carefully constructed global entertainment platform. As USA Today once wrote “Baseball is known as America’s pastime, but football is woven into the country’s fabric.”

Elena C, Year 8

Shawn

Today I have chosen to talk about the name Shawn because I think it’s really interesting that each name has its own origin and every name can shape a person’s personality, culture, language and tradition. Names can come from so many translated words, going back thousands of years, and originally were used to keep things organised. Though we only have written records of names the latest being from around 3,200 BCE, early humans would’ve used sounds or noises as spoken labels. Unfortunately, there is no written, or archeologically evidence of what may have been used instead of the names we use now.

Last names were only introduced in the early Middle Ages, but up until then simple names were given to tell them apart. Whilst early Greeks used simple names such as Plato, Ancient Romans would use more complicated ones like Praenomen.

As names have been translated down, their original meanings may still be present. For example the name ‘Olivia’ is one of the most popular names worldwide, but it first came from one of Shakespeare’s characters in ‘Twelfth Night’, and it originated from the Latin word olive (oliva).

The origin of the name Shawn Anglicized form of the Irish name Seán, which translates to the Hebrew name John. The name it’s self means ‘God is gracious’ or ‘gift from God’, and while the name has been popular since the 1970’s, it dates all the way back to biblical times, just as John the Baptist trusted in Jesus in the Bible.

Language	Form of the Name	Notes
Hebrew	Yochanan	Original form meaning “God is gracious”
Greek	Ioannes	Adapted through translation
Latin	Johannes	Spread across Europe via Christianity
Old French	Jean / Johan	Influenced English naming
Irish Gaelic	Seán	Irish form of John
English	Shawn	Anglicized spelling of Seán

So, the next time you meet someone who’s name sounds quite ordinary, think about where that name really came from, and how long it would’ve taken to become what it is now. Who knows? It might be completely different 100 years from now.

-Sophie H, Year 8

Websites to checkout:

https://www.behindthename.com/

https://namsor.app/features/name-origin/

What Happened to Charlotte Dujardin?

Copy of Journalism Task – Charlotte Dujardin Download

The Housemaid Review by Lulu E, Year 11.

The housemaid movie review Lulu Eagan updated 2 Download

A Little Reminder

Winnie the Pooh once said, “I don’t feel like very much today.”

“There, there,” said Piglet. “I’ll bring you tea and honey until you do.” To this day, this is one of my favourite quotes. I love it because it’s not like you must conquer the world in one day or find the answer to climate change or the dying seas. You only have to do one thing. One thing a day, and you’ll have learned one more thing than you did yesterday.

You would’ve gotten out of bed to do the homework you’ve been putting off, or to go help Mum stack the dishwasher. You would have done one more thing than bed-rotting. I know it sounds nice, binge-watching the new season of a show you’ve been watching, but you could be doing better things with your time.

The world is full of all kinds of people, the good and the bad. The rude and the kind. But remember never to judge a book by its cover (or its movie) because you never know what’s going on behind closed doors. Not everyone is kind all the time, and that’s okay. Not everyone’s happy all the time, and that’s okay. But the smallest things can make someone’s day. A simple smile to a stranger, helping someone when they fall. The little things can just be the extra boost to end someone’s day on a high note. Kindness has never been a bad thing! It costs nothing to do, yet it can mean everything to someone. Your friend had a bad day at school. Talk to them about it. Even if it’s just being there, that’s enough. Someone in class is sitting alone; go sit with them. There’s a new kid in your year; introduce yourself! Why not? You can never truly know what someone is going through. But a simple smile, talk, hug, or hang out with them could make them feel warm in a place that’s cold. The light at the end of the storm. So be the reason someone wakes up happy and smiling, not the reason someone’s crying.

Amelia H, Year 10

Soft and Chewy Lemon Cookies by Annabel B, Year 8

Soft and Chewy Lemon Cookies-2 Download

Junior School Awards

Week 4

Week 5

HSC Visual Arts Progress for 2026.

Welcome to the 2026 Year and for this first Pin Oak Edition we thought we would introduce some of our very talented Visual Arts HSC students. We look forward to seeing their continued progress throughout the year as they work hard on completing their chosen works.

The Local Shows.

Looking for something to do to start off the Autumn season? Coming up over the 6-7^th of March is the famous annual Robertson Show, a fun family event that embraces the spirit of a country town and spreads a feeling of community you’ll find nowhere else. It is then followed by the Moss Vale Show over the 13-15^th of March and is a great way to get out of the house over the weekend!

Friday night at Robertson Showground from 4:30- 10:00pm is Muster in the Mist, a “family friendly evening of country entertainment, live music and classic competitions”. It is a great evening to spend with friends and loved ones, simply soaking up the comforting atmosphere of a classic country show.

Many of the traditional livestock judging events take place on the Friday, as well as equestrian events, whilst Saturday displays on field competitions that especially appeal to the little ones such as wheelbarrow and bicycle races, young farmers challenge, hay stacking and egg throw. Supported by rides and food vans, it appeals to all ages.

There’s also the magnificent pavilion, a showcase of local produce artistry and more, which gives a brilliant old-fashioned feel to the show that is one of its main attracting factors.

And then of course are the famous potato races. One of Saturday’s main events, it is a physical challenge that tests speed, strength and endurance, and is something incredible to watch or participate in. Carrying a potato sack on their back that ranges from 8-50kg, contestants do a lap around the showground’s main oval whilst cheered on by a roaring crowd. If they place, they can win as much as $1000 dollars for the men’s prize. It is one of many factors that makes this country show so unforgettable, and it will hold a place in your heart forever.

To signify the show coming to a close on Saturday night, attenders get the privilege of watching the infamous demolition derby, where drivers brutally compete to be the last car standing in a hilarious and entertaining display that leaves everyone in awe. It is followed by fireworks, where the sky is brightly painted with flashes and sparkles of colour that will outshine even the most bold and sparkly of the children’s face-paint.

The Moss Vale Show holds some similarities, livestock judging, pavilion exhibits and live music, with the addition of motorcycle shows and even wood chop, an event that will draw attention from far and wide.

All in all, it is a phenomenal way to spend a weekend, socialising and making use of the sense of community you don’t find at big city events like the Royal Easter Show. It’s what makes our rural towns so special, so why not just embrace it?

Ruby M, Year 8.

Blue Square by Art Head Competition 2026

Arthead is delighted to present the 9th annual Blue Square Exhibition 2026.

Calling all artists and art enthusiasts! Get ready to be a part of something truly extraordinary as Arthead presents the annual Blue Square Art Competition. It’s time to unleash your creativity and showcase your talent. Just present it to hang on the wall with the outside measurements of 16 by 16 inches (407x407mm).

We showcase artworks embracing the theme of ‘Blue’ – a colour that holds endless possibilities and evokes emotions like no other. Imagine the breathtaking sight of all these blue-themed artworks hanging side by side, creating a mesmerising mosaic on the gallery walls.

For more information please see one of your Visual Art teachers.

You and I Exhibition by Connor Plummer

This autumn, Berida Hotel is proud to host the debut solo exhibition of Southern Highlands artist, Connor Plummer, former student from Oxley College .

YOU & I | May Art be the Spark that Ignites the Fires of Connection invites you to reflect, feel and connect through a deeply personal collection of works exploring intimacy, vulnerability and the ties that bind us.

The exhibition will run from 12 March to 6 April 2026, with a special launch event on 12 March from 6:30pm. RSVP is required.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/you-i-opening-night-tickets-1982166774180