Living Our Values
From the Head of Senior School, Mr Tristan Bevan
Senior School Sessions: The Transition to Senior School
Last week we gave students from Year 6 the opportunity to experience a few short lessons in the Senior School. Students were split into groups based on their House and each group spent time with Ms McGuinness for an English lesson investigating ‘blackout’ poetry and Mr Verco for a History lesson where they became historical detectives. This was followed by morning tea with Heads of House, House & Peer Support leaders.
The students thoroughly enjoyed the session, which is the first step in transition to the Senior School. Later in Term 2 they will spend the morning in the Senior School during Experience Day where they will have three more lessons in other curriculum areas. This is all in addition to Orientation Day in Term 4 and opportunities to ask questions of Senior School staff about expectations.
Student feedback on Senior School Sessions:
‘It was great! I can’t wait for Senior School.’
‘I think it was amazing; it was really fun and really educational.’
‘It was great, I am really excited to get into the Senior School and do heaps of work.’
‘I really, really liked it and when I go into the Senior School I will be ready.’
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Embracing Gratitude, Meaning and Authenticity
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters. We often find ourselves entwined in a web of responsibilities, ambitions, and challenges, neglecting the essence of our existence. However, there are times when we are forced to reflect and think about who we are as individuals and where we fit in our family, school & the broader community. It is times like these when we realise that, through showing gratitude, seeking deeper meaning, and embracing our authentic selves, we can cultivate a life of fulfillment and joy.
There is a reason that these three actions are a key part of our Wellbeing Framework at Oxley. It is evidence-based, built around the work on positive psychology by Martin Seligman. Combined with keeping fit & building connections, these are more than just character traits we hope to develop in Oxley students as they progress through to becoming flourishing adults, contributing to society. They are factors that positively enable our mental health and wellbeing.
Over the past fortnight, I have been extremely grateful to numerous members of the Oxley Community (particularly in the healthcare domain) who I have spent more time with than anticipated due to an unexpected injury. Unfortunately, it meant that I missed the Oxley community showing up in record numbers to both volunteer and participate at the Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens Parkrun on March 22. The photos of the event were wonderful to see. So many people running (and walking) with smiling faces and the opportunity to build and strengthen connections. I thank the students, staff and parents who took the time to be involved.
My time spent in recovery also gives me time to reflect, show gratitude, find meaning and to ensure that I am being an authentic representation of myself. This is something that we all need at times and families need to ring fence areas of time to slow down, disconnect and have time to reflect. We actively participate in goal setting with both staff and students to help to strive to become better versions of ourselves.
The upcoming school holidays can provide time for this reflection. Students at key points in their Senior School journey, including Year 10 as they start to consider Stage 6 subject selections after Student Parent Teacher night this week and Year 12 as they are now approximately halfway through their HSC year, need to reflect on their where to next.
All Senior School staff are happy to assist in answering questions to assist both the academic journey of our students but also in the development of their character.
