Cultivating Character: Oxley’s commitment to holistic student development

From the Head of College, Scott Bedingfield

At Oxley, we are deeply committed to the holistic development of our students, and character development is a cornerstone of our educational philosophy. As we develop our new strategy for 2025 onwards the things that keep coming up is ensuring Oxley remains “big enough to cater, and small enough to care” and the importance of maintaining our commitment to the development of character in our young people. Our values of showing courage, being kind and seeking wisdom will remain at the centre of all we do as they are the values essential in shaping well-rounded individuals who are prepared to make positive contributions to society. We look forward to sharing our new Strategy with you at Speech Night.

Our recent Orientation Days are testament to the importance of character development and community connection. I had the privilege of witnessing our School Captains, Vice Captains, House Captains, and peer support leaders embodying these values as they welcomed new students. Their leadership, empathy, and dedication were evident as they guided the newcomers through the day’s activities, ensuring they felt supported and included from the very beginning.

Our Orientation Days are planned to foster a sense of belonging and connection – for example having our students in mufti enables all to feel they belong no matter which school (or pre-school) they are coming from. The opportunities on these days to make connections, form bonds with their peers and mentors, sets the stage for a wonderful beginning of 2025.

Our older students played a crucial role in this process. They shared their own experiences at Oxley, offered guidance, and provided a reassuring presence. This peer support is invaluable in helping new students navigate the transition to a new school environment. It also reinforces the importance of feeling part of our community from day one.

We invite you to join us at our upcoming Speech Night on Thursday, 5 December 2024, in the Peter Craig Centre. Please be seated by 6:20 PM, and light refreshments will be served afterwards in the Pavilion. This event will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our students’ achievements and the strong sense of community that defines Oxley College. Register your attendance via this link: https://www.trybooking.com/CWRUU

Yours sincerely

Mr Scott Bedingfield
Head of College