At the end of Semester 1, it is fitting to pause and reflect on the strength of the Oxley community – one that extends well beyond the College gates and lives on through our Old Oxleyans across Australia and around the world. The connections between past and present remain a defining feature of Oxley, and it is always a pleasure to see these relationships renewed and deepened across the year.
This semester has offered many opportunities for that reconnection. Our recent reunion was a wonderful reminder of the enduring friendships and shared experiences that bind generations of Oxleyans together. There is something profoundly special about seeing alumni return to campus, reconnect with one another and rediscover the place that helped shape their journeys.
We were also privileged to welcome back Old Oxleyan Heidi Bevan as our Foundation Night speaker. Heidi’s address was thoughtful, generous and deeply resonant—an inspiring reflection on her time at Oxley and the pathways that have followed. Her words captured so eloquently the spirit of curiosity, courage and service that we hope all students carry with them long after they leave the College.
Another highlight of the semester was the Alumni Careers Day, which brought Old Oxleyans back into the life of the School in a very tangible way. Their willingness to share insights, experiences and advice with our current students speaks volumes about the generosity of our alumni community. It is this spirit of giving back that enriches the Oxley experience for the next generation.
We also continue to look ahead with optimism. The Hoskins Hall project is on track to be completed this September and will provide a remarkable new space for gathering, performance and connection – one that we know will be enjoyed by students, staff and Old Oxleyans alike for many years to come.
In this edition of the newsletter, you will find a selection of Old Oxleyan stories that have come to us over the past months. Each one is a powerful reminder of the diverse pathways our alumni pursue and the impact they are making in their chosen fields. We are always delighted to hear these stories and encourage you to stay in touch and share your own.
Thank you, as always, for your ongoing connection to Oxley. Your engagement – whether through attending events, supporting initiatives or simply staying in touch—helps to sustain and strengthen this remarkable community.
Kind regards
Mark Case Headmaster
Tristan Bevan Announces His Departure from Oxley College
At the end of 2026, the Oxley community will bid farewell to one of our most respected educators, Mr Tristan Bevan, whose contribution to the College over more than a quarter of a century has left an indelible mark on generations of students, families and colleagues.
Joining Oxley in 2001 as a Science and Chemistry Teacher, Tristan quickly became known for his passion for learning, his commitment to students and his ability to inspire curiosity both inside and beyond the classroom. Throughout his career, he has embodied Oxley’s values and encouraged countless young people to challenge themselves, embrace new experiences and strive for excellence.
Over the years, Tristan has held a number of significant leadership roles. He served as a Mentor in Monash House and Head of House from 2010 to 2018, before taking on the role of K–12 Administrator from 2018 to 2023. His expertise and dedication to academic excellence saw him appointed Director of Curriculum in 2023, followed by Head of Senior School from 2024 to 2025, and most recently as Deputy Head.
While many alumni will remember Tristan from the science laboratories, others will recall his enthusiasm on the sporting field and on the Year 11 Outback expedition. A passionate coach and mentor, he led First Teams in Rugby, Hockey and Softball, fostering teamwork, resilience and sportsmanship in countless Oxley students. He also coached Cross Country, led numerous Duke of Edinburgh hikes, participated in 13 Outback expeditions, and personally led six of these transformative adventures. His commitment to experiential education extended beyond Australia, leading Rugby Tours to the Gold Coast and New Zealand, as well as a Hockey Tour to Brisbane, creating memories and opportunities that students still cherish today.
Those who know Tristan well will not be surprised that his next chapter is defined by adventure. After dedicating more than 25 years to Oxley, he has chosen to embrace a new challenge that reflects his lifelong love of exploration and learning. In 2027, Tristan and his wife will set off on a journey around Australia, with Tristan taking up teaching opportunities in communities both near and remote, continuing his vocation of educating and inspiring young people wherever the road may lead.
Although he will be leaving Oxley, Tristan’s connection to Oxley and the Highlands remains strong, and he looks forward to returning in the years ahead. His legacy will live on through the thousands of students he taught, coached, mentored and encouraged throughout his time here.
On behalf of the entire Oxley community both past and present, we thank Tristan for his unwavering dedication, his leadership, his sense of adventure and his steadfast commitment to show courage, be kind and seek wisdom.
Foundation Day Tree Planting Speech
This year, Head of Humanities Ms Joanne McVean addressed the College at the Foundation Day Tree Planting. Ms McVean, who commenced at Oxley in 1996, is one of our longest-serving members of staff. In her address, she reflected on her 30 years at the College, noting that while much has changed over time, the strong sense of community has remained constant. You can read Ms McVean’s full speech below.
The size of the Oxley community may have grown, much like all the trees planted on Foundation Days past, but I hope the founders are proud of what Oxley has grown to be.
Joanne McVean
“It is a privilege to speak on behalf of Oxley staff at Foundation Day, but I have to be honest and say that my first response when Mr Bevan asked me did I want to speak this year was a quite abrupt and firm ‘No’. Like many of you, I do not love public speaking but as I have turned 30 this year, I decided I should behave like a grown up, take my inspiration from Oxley students and do what I’m always encouraging them to do, have a go and do this speech anyway. Please don’t feel bad if you didn’t wish me happy birthday for this milestone occasion – it’s not my actual 30th birthday, and all the students here and perhaps some of the teachers (but let’s not think too hard about that) can be excused for missing that as they weren’t actually born then. It is my 30th Oxley birthday, my 30th Foundation Day, and like all ‘O birthdays’ has prompted a bit of reflection regarding how Oxley has changed, but also stayed the same in so many ways.
When I first started here, Chris Welsh was the Headmaster, he of the largest portrait in the Library. The original Deputy Headmaster, Peter Craig, of the Peter Craig Centre fame, was keeping everyone in line (including me as I found him somewhat terrifying to begin with) and Helmut Schaefer, another founding staff member, was, amongst other things, organising his 8th Outback trip in what was already becoming a fine Oxley tradition. Mr Marnoch ruled the DT kingdom, largely from the woodwork room in what is now Lab 5, while Mr Cunich was an enthusiastic PE teacher with a keen interest in drama. The whole school, of roughly 250 students, fitted easily into Hoskins Hall for Assembly, with teachers in full academic gowns on the stage every week. There was no Junior School or Pre-K, not even a plan for one, there was no indoor sports centre nor Cornerstone lessons. There was no Durack and no Oodgeroo House. There were no walls on the Pavilion and there were no Clocktower Rooms, Study Centre, Art Studios, Music Centre and Bray Fields. There were no soccer teams or touch football teams. The Library, sports change rooms and canteen were brand new and pretty much any building that could be turned into a classroom had been. Oxley was 13 years old then, and much like many teenagers, still trying to feel comfortable in its own skin and work out who it was.
My first Foundation Day was quite different to this – to begin with, it was a Saturday, with all of the speeches and tree planting in the morning and the athletics Carnival in the afternoon, with what seemed like an entire squadron of parents keeping the BBQ going and everyone fed and happy. Foundation Day in those years generally focused on the stories of Oxley’s beginnings. The vision of Oxley’s founders, families who sought a different kind of education for their children that would allow them to flourish as human beings well beyond the classroom, is central to Foundation Day. The bravery of that handful of families of those first 24 students, in entrusting their children’s education to a brand new school with absolutely no track record shouldn’t be underestimated. But their commitment was great. They held working bees to renovate classrooms and grounds, spent countless hours in meetings navigating legal processes and educational bureaucracy and had already agonised over decisions about their founding head and teaching staff. It cannot have been easy, but I’m very glad they persisted. Patience and fortitude certainly prove an apt motto given the hard work of these pioneers in whose footprints we stride.
The size of the Oxley community may have grown, much like all the trees planted on Foundation Days past, but I hope the founders are proud of what Oxley has grown to be. It is delightful to welcome second generation Oxleyans, even if it does feel a little odd to be teaching the children of people I taught as children, and the number of ex-Oxleyans who have returned to work here gives great depth to Oxley’s spirit. Combining all those layers with the number of ‘Oxley offspring’, as Mrs Cupitt calls all the teacher kids, deepens the sense of community we feel here. It really is true that it takes a village to raise a child, and Oxley is a great village with so many connections being woven between us here.
Of course, there have been many changes, but many things (not just some of us old timers) remain the same. The Oxley spirit remains strong – so often seen in our sporting teams performing incredibly well against much bigger schools, but also in the way students conduct themselves with dignity in both victory and defeat. Performing Arts has very much moved onto centre stage with the small, and often chaotic, House Drama Competition stepping aside to make space for multiple productions at all sorts of levels and I am looking forward to hearing all the musical performances this evening – they are such a highlight of Foundation Day as we do it now and are so very impressive – but the commitment to being brave enough to step up and perform and the joy, support and encouragement of all involved, performers and audience alike, have always been part of the lives of Oxley students. Oxley students continue to strive to, as Mr Case often says, make themselves better today than they were yesterday and I love hearing from ex-Oxleyans who always seem to have such interesting stories to tell of their life adventures and of their particular joys and passions, but always return to their memories of Oxley, sharing stories of laughter, challenges and friendships. Even though Oxley has grown, the opportunity to try so many things, from debating to fencing to choir, as well as some actual learning in the classroom, remains the same.
And this brings me to one last story from my first year at Oxley. At some formal occasion that I can’t quite remember, which could have been Foundation Day but might have been Speech Night, the School Captain told a story about the actor Anthony Hopkins who, as a small child would be thrown into the air by his father and was always trying to touch the ceiling. He spoke later about how this desire to always touch the ceiling changed as he grew up to become him pushing himself to try new things and perform at his very best. Amber said that all you needed to do was choose your ceiling and someone here at Oxley would help you touch it. And that is something that I hope never changes.”
Joanne McVean at the Foundation Day Tree Planting
Foundation Day 2026
At this year’s Foundation Night we welcomed back Dr Heidi Bevan (Class of 2016) as our guest speaker to reflect on her experiences since leaving Oxley.
We are pleased to share Heidi’s address, in which she reflects on her time at Oxley and the experiences that have guided her journey since graduation.
What I learnt from those conversations is that people don’t talk about their marks, or their ATAR, or the times they came first. They talk about what they did, the risks they took, the people they loved, and sometimes, the things they wish they had done.
Heidi Bevan
“Good evening everyone, my name is Heidi Bevan, and I need to start with a confession. I really don’t like public speaking… which makes tonight a slightly questionable life choice. In fact, when Mr Case called me, my first thought was “absolutely not.” But then I realised that’s exactly why I had to say yes.
Because that’s really what school, and life is about. Learning to look at something that feels uncomfortable or difficult, and doing it anyway. Giving it your best shot, even when you’re not sure how it will turn out.
I graduated from Oxley 10 years ago, which to some of you might sound like a long time ago, but to me feels like yesterday.
Since leaving Oxley, I spent a year in England working at a boarding school and travelling around Europe. Then I moved to Armidale to study Medicine. In 2022, I graduated and started working as a junior doctor. Last year, my husband and I took a second gap year, drove around Australia, and worked in rural hospitals along the way. Since then, we’ve moved to Orange, where I’ve started training to become a GP.
But enough about that, I want to reminisce on my Oxley days. Bear with me while I tell you a few stories. Some more flattering than others.
For those of you in Year 7, you’re probably all settling in… but my Year 7 experience was a series of faux pas after faux pas. I decided it was a good idea to carry all of my books around in a purple Smiggle briefcase, which, in hindsight, was a bold, borderline socially disastrous way to start high school.
I was also very “Type A,” and at one point even started a locker cleaning business with a friend. She found the clients, I cleaned the lockers, and for $2 each, we could afford a juice cup from the canteen.
At the time, I was probably just a bit of a strange kid with a purple briefcase… but looking back, I think that was one of the first times I learnt that it’s actually okay to stand out a little, and that not everything uncomfortable is something you need to run away from.
And that didn’t really change as I got older.
In Years 8 and 9, my friends and I decided we were all going to make it to the ISA swimming carnival. So naturally, we each “specialised” in a different stroke. Mine was breaststroke, and I trained so much that even in freestyle races, I was often faster just swimming breaststroke the whole way… which I’m not sure is how swimming is meant to work.
When we finally made it, we stood on the sidelines cheering each other on despite the fact that most of us came dead last. And afterwards, we celebrated with hot chips.
Because it didn’t matter whether we came first or last. What mattered was that we showed up, we tried, and we did it together.
And I think that was one of the first times I realised that success doesn’t always look like coming first. Sometimes it just looks like showing up, giving it a go, and doing it alongside people who support you.
In Years 10 and 11, I was constantly busy, choir, orchestra, hockey, I said yes to everything. At the time, I didn’t think of it as pushing myself out of my comfort zone, but that’s exactly what it was. Just trying things, saying yes, and figuring it out as I went.
And then there was Outback. Two mini buses, a lot of dust, a lot of red dirt, and a lot of breakdowns. There were plenty of times we had to pull over because something wasn’t working… whether that was the bus, the trailer, or one of us.
But in those quiet, in-between moments, we had conversations we never would have otherwise. We talked about our home lives, our struggles, and our hopes for the future. We learnt how to be vulnerable, and how to rely on each other.
And looking back, those were some of the most important moments, not the big milestones, but the quiet ones where we learnt how to be there for each other.
But despite all of that, by the time I got to Year 12, I still had no idea what I wanted to do. Medicine seemed hard, and honestly, I didn’t think I was smart enough. I knew I could work hard. I just didn’t know if that would be enough.
If I could go back and speak to my Year 12 self now, I would tell her this:
You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room. You just need to be willing to work hard, keep going, and give it a go.
Because the choice is always yours. At any point, you can decide, “actually, I do want to be a doctor… or a teacher, or a musician, or something completely different.” You get to decide your path. Not your parents, not your teachers, not your friends, you.
And it wasn’t until much later, working as a doctor, that this idea really came full circle for me.
I spent time working in a palliative care unit, where patients are cared for at the end of their lives. My role was to keep people comfortable… but one of the most meaningful parts of the job was simply sitting and listening to their stories.
One patient told me about sneaking out as a young nurse to go dancing with sailors. Another spoke about the bridges he had built as an engineer, proudly explaining each one. Another told me how much he had hoped to dance with his daughter at her Year 12 formal, and that he now wouldn’t be able to.
What I learnt from those conversations is that people don’t talk about their marks, or their ATAR, or the times they came first. They talk about what they did, the risks they took, the people they loved, and sometimes, the things they wish they had done.
So when you put all of that together… as a young person, the world should feel big and full of possibility. So the question becomes: what are you going to do with that?
The odds of any one of us being here have been estimated to be about 1 in 400 trillion. Which means every single one of you being here today is pretty extraordinary. So why wouldn’t you make the most of it? Why wouldn’t you try things, even if they feel uncomfortable? Why wouldn’t you give it your best, even if you’re not sure how it will turn out?
Tonight is a celebration of everything you’ve achieved, your effort, your growth, and you should be incredibly proud.
But if there’s one thing I hope you take away, it’s this:
Give things a go. Even when they’re uncomfortable. Even when you’re not sure you’re good enough.
Because there’s no shame in failing, but there is a cost to never trying.
So be the kind of person who shows up. Who supports your friends. Who takes opportunities when they come, even the slightly scary ones.
And if someone ever asks you to give a speech… just say yes.
And standing here now, I’m really glad I did.
Thank you.”
Oxley Alumni Careers Day
We recently welcomed back a group of alumni who returned to share their diverse career journeys through a panel discussion with our current Year 11 and 12 students at the Oxley Alumni Careers Day.
Spanning industries from law and medicine to media, design, agriculture and emergency services, their stories helped our students understand that their pathway after graduation is not linear and some of the best opportunities can come from places they may have never imagined.
Among the speakers was Roger Johnson (Class of 1989), whose career began with hospitality studies in Switzerland and evolved into leadership roles across Europe, Australia and New Zealand. A defining moment came when he managed logistics and staffing for the Olympic Village, igniting his passion for large-scale operations. He later co-founded a national recruitment and training business and today continues to give back through service with the Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and as a Justice of the Peace.
Kerby Clements (Class of 2002) shared her journey from landscape architecture graduate to business owner. After working in Australia, the UK and Europe, including a senior role on major projects, she established her own design practice. Now based on the South Coast, Kerby has expanded her work beyond landscapes to designing and developing homes, blending creativity with entrepreneurship while balancing family life.
A leader in the legal field, Jennifer Ingram (Class of 2003) is now a partner at global law firm Ashurst. Specialising in infrastructure, she has worked on major transport projects including the Sydney Metro. Her career highlights the impact lawyers can have in shaping the cities we live in through complex, large-scale developments.
Students were also inspired by Michael Nielsen (Class of 2007), whose career has taken a less conventional route. Beginning as a ski patroller in Canada, he progressed to paramedicine before becoming an emergency doctor. Having worked across several countries, Michael emphasised the importance of embracing unexpected opportunities and viewing life beyond school as an evolving adventure rather than a fixed plan.
Clare Davies-Mills (Class of 2013) offered insight into the world of data and market research. Now a Senior Client Manager at Kantar, she works with major organisations to better understand people and make informed decisions. Her experience navigating study, an honours thesis, and entering the workforce during the pandemic highlighted resilience and adaptability.
From business to sustainability, William Mussett (Class of 2001) spoke about his transition from working in his family’s timber business to building a regenerative farm. What began as a lifestyle change has grown into a working enterprise producing pasture-raised livestock, honey and vegetables, demonstrating how passion can evolve into a thriving and sustainable career.
In the health sector, Madeleine Griffin (Class of 2005) shared her pathway to becoming a senior physiotherapist. With extensive experience in intensive care and emergency departments, she has also taken on a role supporting the next generation of practitioners through clinical education, reflecting a career that blends practice and mentorship.
Morgan Burgess (Class of 2007) highlighted the value of following intellectual curiosity. After completing a PhD in literary studies, she built a career in libraries and archives, working across major institutions before becoming a Collections Curator. Her journey demonstrated that career directions can change—and often improve—through exploration and persistence.
Paige Farrow (Class of 2011) gave students a glimpse into the world of television and film. Starting as a junior editor, she progressed into production roles on major Australian series before moving to London to work as a writers’ and producers’ assistant. Now developing her own projects and co-writing for an upcoming Disney series, Paige’s story showcased the power of creativity, initiative and industry connections.
Together, these alumni painted a vivid picture of life after Oxley, defined by curiosity, resilience and the courage to take chances. Their return to campus was a valuable opportunity for students to see what is possible, and to be reminded that every journey is unique.
An enormous thank you to all these alumni who gave their time to connect with our current students. If you would like to be involved in the next Alumni Careers Expo, please get in touch with Student Futures Advisor, Mrs Liane Bull via Liane.Bull@oxley.nsw.edu.au
2026 Alumni Reunion
On a lovely autumn afternoon in late March, about 50 Old Oxleyans returned to Oxley to reunite with their classmates. This year, we invited guests from the Classes of 1996, 2006, 2016 and 2021 to share their stories and some laughs about their time at Oxley. It was a joy to host them and we thank all of those who came along.
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.
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.
Valentine MViolet FitzSimons
Old Oxleyans Return to Oxley
It was a pleasure to welcome back Matt Smee (Class of 1989) and his family to Oxley. Matt was one of Oxley’s earliest students and part of just the third graduating year group in the College’s history.
The Smee family’s connection to Oxley runs deep. Matt’s father, Mr Grahame Smee was an integral part of the establishment of Oxley, and contributed a significant amount as a Founding Governor and later Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors.
Matt Smee and FamilyGrahame Smee, Founding Governor and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors
Claire Smith (Ingram, Class of 2000) came to visit Oxley while she was back in the Highlands recently. In her graduating year, Claire was the winner of the Oxley Award, and was the Florey House Captain. Luckily, her visit coincided with a Florey House Meeting so she was able to relive some of the Florey spirit with our current Florey House Students and Mr David Spies, Head of Florey House.
Claire with the current Florey HouseWith Headmaster Mark Case and Deputy Head of College, Tristan Bevan
Where are they now?
Katie Somerville – Class of 1988
Katie Somerville has built an outstanding international career as a leader in fashion and textiles at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).
After developing a love of vintage fashion and history, Katie pursued Museum Studies and began her career working on the acquisition of designer Jenny Kee’s archive at the Powerhouse Museum. In 1995, she became the NGV’s first Assistant Curator of Fashion and Textiles, later progressing to Curator of Australian Fashion in 2001 and Senior Curator in 2014.
Her work has included major exhibitions such as The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture (2017) and Alexander McQueen: Mind Mythos, Muse (2022), as well as the upcoming Westwood | Kawakubo (2025). Alongside these high-profile projects, Katie has contributed extensively to building the NGV’s fashion collection.
In her current role, she oversees research, acquisitions and exhibitions, working closely with designers, donors and industry partners.
Katie credits her Oxley art teachers and the school’s supportive environment for guiding her early ambitions to work in museums. She fondly remembers being part of Oxley’s first cohorts and even helping design the school uniform.
Her advice to students is simple: being shy doesn’t need to limit you.
James Rapp – Class of 2018
James was studying at Macquarie University when he was offered the chance to join the cast of the ABC TV documentary series The Assembly. This experience is what inspired him to change his degree so he can continue to explore journalism. James has since become involved in autism advocacy at Macquarie University and is also a volunteer radio announcer on Highland FM.
Connor Plummer – Class of 2024
While at Oxley, Connor was a finalist in the 2024 Young Archie competition and was nominated for ARTEXPRESS. Earlier this year, Connor held his debut solo exhibition You & I in Bowral. On the opening night, 35 artworks were sold and $2750 was raised for local charity Pop In.
Archie Wilkinson – Class of 2022
Since graduating from Oxley College in 2022, Archie Wilkinson has quickly established himself as an outstanding young professional in the plumbing trade. Beginning with a plumbing apprenticeship straight after Year 12, Archie’s skill and dedication have propelled him to remarkable success.
In 2025, Archie won a regional skills competition in the Illawarra, achieving the highest score recorded in 15 years. He then went on to represent New South Wales at the WorldSkills Australia National Championships in Brisbane, where he earned a gold medal against top apprentices from across the country.
Archie’s achievements have continued to gain national recognition. He has been selected for the prestigious WorldSkills Australia training squad—the only plumbing apprentice among 39 participants—and his success has even been acknowledged in Federal Parliament.
Looking ahead, Archie will represent Australia as part of the Skillaroos team at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai in September 2026, competing against participants from more than 60 countries. Archie’s journey reflects his exceptional talent, as well as dedication and a commitment to excellence.
Fred Hamblin – Year 9, 2023
Earlier this year, Fred Hamblin was announced in the Australian Athletics U20’s 4 x 400m Relay Team. Fred attended pre-departure camps on the Gold Coast and will head to Staging Camps at the University of Santa Barbara. The 2026 World Athletics Championships will be held in Oregon, USA from August 5 – 9 2026 and we wish Fred all the best.
Oxley College Centre for Ethics
The Centre for Ethics was established in 2024 with the aim of delivering an ambitious program of events for students and the wider Southern Highlands community. We host distinguished thinkers and leaders from diverse fields – philanthropy, academia, NGOs, and industry – creating opportunities for dialogue that challenge assumptions and inspire action has never been more urgent. Accelerating climate change, the rise of artificial intelligence, renewed nuclear tensions, democratic fragility, and growing distrust of science are among the defining challenges of our time – issues that demand thoughtful, principled responses.
You are warmly invited to join us for one of our upcoming events:
An Evening with Indira Naidoo
When: Thursday 6 August, 6.30pm
Where: Oxley College
Cost: $15
Join us for an evening with Indira Naidoo, a powerhouse in Australian broadcasting.
With three decades of award-winning journalism under her belt, she’s graced the screens of our most esteemed news programs and currently lights up ABC TV as the host of Compass.
Indira’s talents don’t stop there – she’s a fierce champion for environmental and food sustainability, has designed award-winning gardens, lends a hand to community groups in cultivating their own green spaces and has written a book on growing produce in small spaces, The Edible Balcony.
She’s a dedicated ambassador for Sydney’s Wayside Chapel, helping in tackling the city’s homeless crisis head-on.
Indira will draw from her latest masterpiece, The Space Between the Stars, sharing her journey through love, loss, and the extraordinary healing power of nature.
Don’t miss this evening of inspiration and insight!
As a writer who places being human at the centre of her work, Anna Funder (Wifedom, Stasiland) has explored the best and worst that humans are capable of – surveillance, fascism and the tyranny of patriarchy – and the many forms of human courage and resistance. As artificial intelligence accelerates and patriarchy takes the gloves off, the world of bots and tech bros sees humans as raw material – free data they can profit from – in the same way that men have profited from women’s work for so long. How can we resist this exploitation of our humanity?
Anna Funder’s internationally bestselling Stasiland and All That I Am illuminate the human condition in times of tyranny through true stories of courage, conscience and love. Stasiland won the UK’s prestigious Samuel Johnson Prize. All That I Am won the Miles Franklin and was a finalist for the International IMPAC Dublin Award and the Commonwealth Writers Prize. Wifedom: Mrs Orwell’s Invisible Life, hailed as a ‘masterpiece’ and a ‘spellbinding achievement’, was a New York Times Notable Book and awarded France’s prestigious Prix du Meilleur Livre Étranger.
The Hoskins Hall rebuild is on track to finish at the end of Term 3. We are so excited to see the transformation of this wonderful space come to life and can’t wait to share it with our community.
Buy a Chair in Hoskins Hall
For more than 43 years, Hoskins Hall has been the heart of Oxley College.
Named in honour of Don Hoskins, Oxley’s founding Chair of the Board of Governors, the Hall stands as a tribute to the vision, commitment and generosity that helped bring the College to life. Don and the Hoskins family worked tirelessly towards the establishment of Oxley, giving their time, energy and support to create a school that would serve generations of young people in the Southern Highlands. Their legacy lives on in the thriving community that Oxley has become.
Since those earliest days, Hoskins Hall has been woven into the story of the College. It has hosted assemblies, performances, celebrations, speeches, concerts and milestone moments. In Oxley’s early years, every student and family could fit inside for Speech Night. While our community has grown significantly since then, Hoskins Hall remains the place where the Oxley story comes together.
Today, Hoskins Hall is entering a new chapter.
Its revitalisation will transform this much-loved space into a contemporary and highly flexible venue, with moveable seating, retractable walls and adaptable floorplans that will allow it to evolve with the needs of future generations. While much will change, its purpose will remain the same: to be the place where our community gathers, celebrates, learns and belongs.
As an Old Oxleyan, you have a unique opportunity to become part of that story.
We invite you to leave a lasting legacy by dedicating a chair in Hoskins Hall. Your chair may be named in honour of your family, or someone who has played a meaningful role in your Oxley journey — a teacher who inspired, a mentor who guided, a friend who supported, a grandparent who encouraged, or another individual whose influence has made a lasting difference.
Every dedicated chair represents a story.
A story of friendship. Of encouragement. Of opportunity. Of belonging.
Together, these names will create a lasting tribute to the people and families who have helped shape the Oxley experience. Long after today’s students have graduated, those names will remain, reminding future generations that Oxley has always been built by a community of people who care deeply about one another and about the future of the College.
Official Opening of Hoskins Hall in 1989Year 12 1989 Graduation Dinner in Hoskins Hall
Just as the Hoskins family helped lay the foundations for Oxley more than four decades ago, you have the opportunity to leave your own mark on the next chapter of its history.
Take Your Place in the Next Chapter of Hoskins Hall
Buy a Chair – $2,500 Secure your name, your family’s name, or the name of someone you wish to honour on a personalised nameplate affixed to a chair in Hoskins Hall.
Gold Contribution – $1,500 Gold-level recognition on a permanent donor plaque installed in Hoskins Hall.
Silver Contribution – $1,000 Silver-level recognition on a permanent donor plaque installed in Hoskins Hall.
Bronze Contribution – $500 Silver-level recognition on a permanent donor plaque installed in Hoskins Hall.
Whether you choose to honour a person who shaped your Oxley journey or recognise your family’s connection to the College, your gift will help create a space that will serve and inspire generations of Oxley students to come.
Take your place in the next chapter of Hoskins Hall’s story. Leave a legacy that will be remembered for generations.
Term 3 Open Morning
You are warmly invited to our Term 3 Open Morning, to be held on Friday 28 August 2026 at 11.00am.
Take a walk down memory lane enjoying the next chapter of Oxley College’s history and celebrating the milestone of Oxley’s 40th Birthday.
This 200 page hardcover book has been lovingly created to mark Oxley’s 40th Birthday. Full of stories, photos and memories you can purchase a copy via the link below.
