Head of College
I would like to thank the school community for their wonderful support of our recent Foundation Night. I would also like to thank our teaching staff and students for ensuring the evening was a true celebration of our 41st year. I am sure you agree the performances on the evening were incredible. If you missed my speech on the evening an edited transcript is found below.
I would also like to thank our community for their participation in the MMG Survey which closes this Sunday 2 June. I am looking forward to using the feedback to help plan our next Strategic Plan for the College. This begins early next term and the Board of Governors and I look forward to sharing the plan with you towards the end of the year.
Speech from Foundation Night (Edited)
Tonight marks my second Foundation Night as Head of College and last year it was all new to me, but this year as we have prepared for an event of this scale I have asked members of my Team “What is Foundation Night?” and “What does it mean for our school” and I have received a range of answers:
- Some told me it is a ‘fun version’ of Speech Night.
- Others told me it is something “that has always been done”.
- Many thought it signifies Oxley’s Birthday (that our founders met in May to say that they would start a school the following year).
As I researched this, I discovered that the Founders did not meet in May and that the date for Foundation Day was actually settled on by Peter Craig about 12 years ago as it seemed to fit into the school calendar well and it just stuck. Before that, Foundation Night was held at all different times throughout the year including in Term 1 and Term 3.
Understanding history is important. It is important to understand as we metaphorically grow as a school, things change, Foundation Night has changed, traditions have changed, people change, curriculum changes, thinking around best practice in education changes and our cohorts of students change.
Change is important, teaching our students that change happens and how to learn from it and cope with it is important, our students are moving to a world where being able to critically think and deal with change is vital – really stop and think deeply for themselves and make good decisions on the things they see is essential. in a world where fake stories are presented to them through social media every day.
But what has not changed and what will not change is our commitment to being a school where we “develop character”, we “Care for the Whole Child” and we “inspire individuals to thrive”.
So, with Foundation night the “why” is so important. Why even have “Foundation Night”?
For me the answer of why we celebrate Foundation Night is simple – it is about our students. It is the chance we offer them to perform, present, act, sing and be present together to share our stories. It is about learning the lines, overcoming their nerves and supporting our friends as they participate. It is about their achievement, experience and reminding ourselves of our shared vision.
This is why we have recently joined the Round Square Network of schools. Joining Round Square is not about trips and adventures (this is a byproduct). Joining Round Square is a commitment to our vision well into the future – Oxley will continue to give students wide-ranging opportunities. Opportunities like tonight, opportunities for students to step out of their comfort zone, to be global thinkers, to have a voice, to care about their world, to be challenged, to show kindness and courage through leadership and service and to seek wisdom.
Research says when students are challenged (and challenged beyond their comfort zone), this is when they truly learn. When people are given a wide range of opportunities they become more intrinsically interested, they are more engaged with their learning, and they remain motivated. So, when it comes down to it, that is why we are here tonight, to give our children this opportunity.
And tonight, you have done just that, you have risen to the challenges and presented a wonderful evening. Thank you to our wonderful students.
Yours sincerely
Mr Scott Bedingfield
Head of College