Cultural Richness/Beyond the Classroom
AT OXLEY, OUR COMMITMENT TO LEARNING IN BREADTH RECOGNISES THAT ACTIVITIES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF OUR CONSCIOUS PROGRAM OF LEARNING.
Abundant opportunities exist for students to explore their gifts in cultural, sporting, community service and outdoor activities. As well as acquiring particular skills, students test and develop their sense of self, their commitment to a group exercise and teamwork in all its complexity. Some of these activities are compulsory others are a matter of choice. All students are encouraged to explore these offerings and to find something that suits their abilities and interests.
THE ARTS
Students at Oxley enjoy the Creative and Performing Arts which are wide in choice and high in standard. In Visual Arts and Design & Technology, students exhibit their course work and often submit works for external exhibitions and competitions.
Similarly, Music and Drama students perform as an integral part of their learning. Wider opportunities for performance are not limited to students of Drama or Music. There are regular dramatic productions exploring a wide range of style, idiom and performance dynamic.
In Music, a variety of ensembles perform across the musical spectrum. The Oxley Chorale, Concert Band, String Ensemble and the Stage Band often combine to perform larger works for formal occasions as well as presenting their extensive repertoire at more intimate musical evenings.
Music ensembles and Drama groups have travelled interstate and overseas to perform in a variety of festivals and educational settings.
Teams compete regularly in the Mock Trial competition, HICES Debating and in Public Speaking events such as the Rotary Youth of the Year competition and the Model United Nations Assembly.
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
The Outdoor Education Program is designed to foster an awareness in students of the beauty of the natural world. It also exposes them to personal challenge and intersects with the academic curriculum. With the assistance of highly trained professionals, this program offers a wide variety of activities including bush walking, abseiling, navigation and remote survival skills.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Scheme, offered at three levels—Bronze, Silver and Gold—includes a major outdoor component, community service and personal growth. Students are assisted in their progress through the provision of regular hikes and individual tracking.
OLE! OTHER LEARNING EXPERIENCES
OLE! Week is a unique multi-day Kindergarten to Year 8 College event held at the beginning of Term 4.
This is a wonderful opportunity for Oxley students to explore new experiences with their peers in a
supervised and supportive environment. The learning outcomes of OLE! are also closely aligned with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Programme. Students will acquire new skills as they begin their
journey towards independence. Specifically, they will learn to prepare for the elements, camp in tents, navigate, canoe, cook and clean for themselves. They will also be involved in hiking, mountain biking and climbing.
OLE! Week has close links to the Rites of Passage program in Year 9 and Service Learning in Year 10 which include overseas and regional trips. The program culminates in the ultimate Oxley experience of Outback in Year 11.
