Deputy Head of College
MMG Education Survey
In the next few weeks, all parents/carers (K to Year 12), students (Years 6-12) and staff will be given the opportunity to provide us with feedback relating to their views of the College across a wide range of areas.
This research is being conducted by MMG Education, as specialist education consultancy that works with schools across Australia in the areas of school strategic reviews and stakeholder satisfaction.
This feedback will be invaluable to us when we embark on our new Strategic Plan later in the year. We want to ensure that as many members of our parent/carer body take part in the survey.
Parents/carers will receive a communication later this week with more details about the survey.
Help us to make it safer for students to get to and from school!
Many Oxley families reside “on the other side” of Moss Vale Road; a bustling state-owned arterial road devoid of safe crossing points for our students. Consequently, many of our students are left with no option but to rely on transportation to and from school each day. This reliance not only exacerbates traffic congestion on our local roads but also leads to lengthy queues during peak hours. The situation is mirrored for students attending neighbouring schools who live on this side of Moss Vale Road.
We urgently require a crossing over Moss Vale Road. The proposal from local community groups also includes a kilometre stretch of footpath/cycleway on Charlotte Street, and a crossing of Eridge Park Road from the existing bike path; this would connect the path network in East Bowral with the western side of Moss Vale Road.
We believe the most effective way to make this a reality is for individual members of the community to reach out to the office of Judy Hannan MP, Member for Wollondilly in the NSW State Parliament. We believe requests of this nature are more impactful coming from individual community members than they are from organisations.
Please spare a few moments to email her office at office@judyhannan.com.au.
Through collective action, I firmly believe we can bring about a significant change that will have benefits for so many in our community.
What do teachers do on “student free days”?
The College’s vision statement deliberately describes us as ‘a learning community’. As teachers, we need to always keep learning in order to provide an education that meets the needs of our students in a rapidly changing world. A phrase I have frequently plagiarised from a former colleague is that “we are too good not to be better”. Schools (and all organisations) that do not change will decline.
Today was all about Technology @ Oxley. Our Keynote Speaker and one of our workshop presenters was Brett Salakas. Brett is a teacher, leader, poet, the founder of #aussieED (the largest online network of teachers in Australia) and the co-founder of both the ED Poets Society and #TheWalkingED. He is also the HP Education Ambassador, where he co-hosts the HP Reinvent the Classroom Podcast. He is also author of A Mammoth Lesson: Teaching in the Digital Age. Brett spoke compellingly about how AI can reduce the administrative burden of teachers, increase productivity and support student learning; in his words, “Generative AI enables us to put the humanity into teaching” through reducing workload, personalising learning and feedback, and enabling teachers to focus on the essential relational work that is key to a successful learning environment. He also spoke about the risks and challenges around data privacy and assessment integrity.
Staff participated in workshops on two of our digital technology platforms – Lumio (Junior School) and Atomi (Senior School), as well as in-house workshop of Canvas. Members of our staff AI Committee also led a workshop on AI tools for the classroom. Our College Services staff also took part in professional learning today, receiving training from Microsoft educators on the use of Microsoft platforms, including Teams and Co-Pilot.
Yours sincerely
Mr Mark Case
Deputy Head College