Oxleyans Shine in the 7 News Young Achiever Awards NSW/ACT

Congratulations to Year 6 student Valentine M and Old Oxleyan Violet FitzSimons (Class of 2025), who have both been named finalists in the 2026 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards (NSW/ACT).

Valentine is one of the top five finalists in the Awards Australia Foundation Connecting Communities Award, selected from hundreds of nominees under the age of 30 across New South Wales and the ACT. As the founder of Peace Hive, she has inspired schools and communities through initiatives centred on peace, empathy and kindness. Through the Bee Bracelet Project alone, Valentine has helped raise more than $75,000 for the Britvan family, while encouraging young people to put values into action through everyday acts of kindness and service.

Valentine has also been nominated for the People’s Choice Award, giving the broader community the opportunity to recognise her remarkable contribution.   

As a whole school community it would be wonderful to support Valentine, we encourage you to cast a vote in the People’s Choice Award.

Voting is open until 20 July, and while you can vote once each day, even a single vote is a wonderful way to celebrate this outstanding achievement.

Cast your vote here: https://awardsaustralia.app.do/2026-7news-young-achiever-awards-for-nsw-act-people-s

The winners will be announced at the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards Gala on 24 July.

We also congratulate Oxley alumna Violet FitzSimons (Class of 2025), who is a finalist in the Office for Youth Create Change Award. Violet founded Grow Your Voice at just 13 years of age to help young people build confidence through public speaking and creative expression. Since 2021, the initiative has reached more than 20,000 children around the world, giving young people the confidence and skills to find and use their voice.

We are delighted to see both Valentine and Violet recognised. Through their leadership, initiative and commitment to serving others, they embody our College values of Show Courage, Be Kind and Seek Wisdom. We wish them both every success at the awards and look forward to celebrating their achievements in July.