Welcome to the 2025 School Year

From the Head of College, Mr Scott Bedingfield

We have thoroughly enjoyed seeing students back on campus over the last week. The buzz is back, and the staff and students are excited for the year ahead.  

As you know in 2025, we have launched a new Strategy for the school and one focus is to ensure we spend time considering who an Oxley College student is and what we need to do as a school to ensure they can develop the skills they need to succeed at each level of their educational journey and beyond.  

We are committed to developing students who are not only academically proficient but also equipped with essential life skills. Our new Graduate Attributes focus on nurturing challenge-ready individuals who approach obstacles with resilience and curiosity.  

Throughout the year, students will be encouraged to ask thoughtful questions, work collaboratively to solve problems, and express their ideas with confidence. These attributes are at the heart of our teaching and learning, shaping not just what students know, but how they think, engage, and contribute to the world around them. We look forward to partnering with you in nurturing these qualities in your child, ensuring they leave our school ready to thrive in an ever-changing world and taking a little bit of Oxley wherever they go.  

Once again we have had a full week to start this year, with so much happening across the school including: 

• Professional learning for our staff with sessions run on identifying and responding to bullying and hearing from Dr Andrew Frankland on the needs of our neurodivergent children. You will be able to read more about this in Mark Case’s article in this newsletter.  

• Welcoming new students to the College. 

• Hosting our first cricket game of the season, with our First XI taking on Oxley Alumni. 

• Having our first assemblies for the year including the 2025 Academic Excellence Assembly acknowledging a number of Year 12 students from 2024, and hearing an inspiring speech from ATAR Dux of 2020, Mya Bertolini.  

• Service learning for Year 8 getting underway and our first Duke of Edinburgh trip for the year.  

• Parent information sessions across the school, highlighting the things to come in 2025.
  
   

Website, College Newsletter, Pin Oak and Oxley Connect 

A reminder about how we communicate with you in the College. From 2025 most communication will come through the College App. This is to ensure that you know there is one place where information comes from. For those who do not have the App, we encourage you to download it, so you don’t miss anything coming from the school. We are moving away from email as there are times when mass emails are sent to people’s spam and things are missed. If you lose your app password, it can be reset online (from a desktop or laptop), but you can also call the school and we can help you. 

From time to time you will still receive emails from the College, but anything requiring a call to action will also come through the App to ensure it is received. 

We are also about to launch a new website. One fantastic addition to this will be Oxley Connect (an intranet, which will have the same sign on as the app) where we will be able to develop for you a one-stop shop where the information you need will be available at the click of a button. The App will remain our communication tool and the place to grant permission for excursions.  

I look forward to meeting our new parents, and connecting with our whole community at Welcome Drinks next Thursday 13 February. This is always a great way to start the year – please register your attendance via this link: https://www.trybooking.com/CYLDO.

Finally, parents and carers are welcome to sign up for the Head of College Breakfasts which take place once a term. In Term 1, the breakfast will be held on Tuesday 25 February from 7.45am – 8.30am. For more information, and to register your attendance please follow this link: https://www.trybooking.com/CYKEQ

A New Junior School Playground

From the Business Manager, Em Cassin

We are excited to announce an upcoming upgrade to our Junior School playground! This project aims to create a more engaging, safe, and inclusive play environment for our students.

The new playground will feature modern equipment designed to cater to a wide range of interests and abilities. From our popular climbing structures (these will remain) and sensory play areas for interactive games (new spaces), there will be something for everyone. We believe that these enhancements will not only provide more fun and excitement but also promote physical activity, social interaction, and cognitive development.

Safety is our top priority, and the new playground will include state-of-the-art safety features. The ground surface will be made of soft, impact-absorbing materials to reduce the risk of injuries. Additionally, all equipment will meet the highest safety standards and be regularly inspected to ensure it remains in excellent condition.

We understand the importance of inclusivity, and the upgraded playground will be accessible to all our Junior School students.

The project is divided into two Stages and the first stage has already begun. You may have already seen the fencing and diggers at work. We anticipate full completion of both Stage 1 and Stage 2 by the end of Term 1. During the construction period, we will make alternative arrangements for student play to move to the ovals to ensure that the student’s routines will not be impacted.

We are grateful for your continued support and look forward to seeing the joy and excitement on our students’ faces as they explore their new playground. If you have any questions or would like more information about the project, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The Stage 1 design drawing is shown below:

Professional Learning (PL) 2025 – Snapshot

From the Deputy Head of College, Mr Mark Case

Start of 2025 PL: Dr Andrew Frankland – Neurodivergence

What is it like to experience the world as a neurodivergent child? This was the driving question addressed by our keynote speaker psychologist Dr Andrew Frankland, when he presented to staff last week during our start of year professional learning programme.

Dr Frankland shared recent statistics around neurodiversity – around 25% of Australian children require some adjustment in their learning, with around 4% of Australian students being autistic, and around 6-10% having ADHD. Staff were educated in the importance of the language we use to, and about, neurodivergent children – that these are not ‘conditions’, ‘deficits’, or ‘symptoms’, but a difference in the way that society expects human minds to operate.

Dr Frankland went on to address three commonly held myths about neurodiversity:

• Myth 1: “Giving a child a label will be bad for them”. Obtaining a diagnosis acts as a protective factor, given that children without a diagnosis may be given other, negative labels. Research indicates that early knowledge of neurodivergence reduces negative mental health outcomes later.
  
• Myth 2: “Everyone’s a little bit autistic”. A person is either autistic, or not; the autistic spectrum applies to those who are.
  
• Myth 3: “It’s so over-diagnosed now”. Under-diagnosis for many years means we are playing catch up. A striking statistic is that only 20% of autistic females are diagnosed by the age of 18.

Dr Frankland shared the developments in understanding ADHD, which traditionally was diagnosed only when a child demonstrates external behaviours. ADHD is now better understood as ‘too much’ attention, or a difficulty in regulating attention – for which ‘interesting and trivial’ stimuli will trump ‘boring and important’. An ADHD child will on average receive 20 000 more negative pieces of feedback by the age of 12 than a neurotypical child.

He also spoke about the sensory experience and challenges for autistic children, environmental responses (such as stimming) and described the challenges autistic children can experience due to different communication styles with neurotypical people; but how these difficulties disappear in communication between autistic children.

We will be inviting Dr Frankland back to Oxley later in the year to continue to work with our staff in further developing strategies to support our neurodivergent students.

Start of 2025 PL: Ms Genevieve Whiteley – Anti-Bullying Strategies

As part of our ongoing focus on effective strategies for identifying and addressing bullying, Ms Whiteley, Director of Students 7-12, presented to staff as part of our start of year PL. Ms Whiteley led an analysis of the MMG Survey data from 2024, including providing important guidance around addressing mean-on-purpose behaviour, the language used with students and parents/carers in dealing with these matters, the importance of reporting and documenting, and strategies staff can use. There will be further presentations to staff, parents/carers and students throughout the year on this important issue.

Professional Learning Plans

This week, teaching staff have begun the process of developing professional learning plans for 2025. Recent educational research make clear that effective professional development should move away from traditional one-off courses and instead focus on ongoing learning and collaboration.¹ There is also substantial evidence supporting the idea that the implementation of professional learning cycles for teachers, including goal setting, improves student learning outcomes. ² Throughout this year, teaching staff will be supported in setting and working towards meeting strategically-aligned goals. By working collaboratively in teams, engaging in classroom observations, giving and receiving feedback, and participating in professional learning communities, staff can build the collective teacher efficacy that is such a strong predictor of positive student achievement.

¹ Boeskens, L., Nusche, D., & Yurita, M. (2020). Policies to support teachers’ continuing professional learning: A conceptual framework and mapping of OECD data. OECD Education Working Paper No. 235. OECD Publishing, Paris.

² Hill, H. C., Papay, J. P., & Schwartz, N. (2022). Building Better PL: How to Strengthen Teacher Learning. Annenberg Institute at Brown University.

Data Analytics at Oxley

In today’s data-driven world, the ability to analyse and interpret data is crucial. This year we have created the role of a P-12 Data Analyst, to help us make informed decisions based on comprehensive data analysis. Mr David Houghton will be taking up this portfolio in addition to his role of Head of Department – Mathematics.

The Data Analyst will play a crucial role in enhancing the educational experience by collating, synthesising, and presenting student data to inform decision-making for both staff and students. It will involve working with academic performance data, effort tracking, attendance records, and wellbeing metrics to provide comprehensive insights that support the College’s strategic goals. 

Continuous improvement is vitally important for us at Oxley. This new role will help us to track progress over time, set measurable goals, and adjust our strategies as needed to achieve the best possible outcomes for our students.

Car Signs

All families should have by now received two name cards for use at pick-up. Please ensure that your name card is displayed on the front passenger side (visor if possible). Should you require a replacement or any additional cards, please contact college.services@oxley.nsw.edu.au.

Senior School News

From the Head of Senior School, Mr Tristan Bevan

Welcome to the Oxley Senior School to all our new families and welcome back to those who have been with us for a while. I have spoken with three cohorts of parents at Information Sessions this week and my key message has been to explain how the words in our College Strategy relate in day-to-day life at Oxley.

Our focus on care for the whole child lends itself to development of character. Through opportunities in Sport, Performing Arts, Spoken Word and Outdoor Education, our students have the opportunity to build, amongst others, resilience, discipline, teamwork and self-reflection. Mentor Group provides a forum for collaboration between year groups and the chance to develop leadership in a familiar environment. In future newsletters, Ms Genevieve Whiteley, Director of Students, will dig deeper into the wellbeing of our students and what they can do to make community vibrant, inclusive & respectful in future newsletters.

Ms McGuinness, our Director of Curriculum (7-12), has unpacked some aspects of our Enlightened Academic Rigour. I spoke with the students at the start of year assembly about living our values of show courage, be kind & seek wisdom. The fact that these are verbs invites us to action them in our College life. This may include showing courage to try a new sport or volunteer to ask or answer a question in class, or being kind at break and recess by inviting new students into your group. Each student should aim to seek wisdom and to work towards their personal bests.

This graph represents how our Year 12, 2024 students went last year with 73% achieving at or above the benchmark of their Year 10 performance. Whilst this is an improvement on recent years, we are hopeful that the introduction of Learning to Learn and Study Skills in Years 7-10, restructured assessment, the continuation of Study Club four nights per week for Years 11-12 and Academic Coaches, will enable this to get closer to the 2018 levels of 94%.

You can find highlights of the Year 12, 2024 cohort’s HSC results, and other academic achievements in the Academic Highlights Report, accessed by the link below. Yesterday we held our Academic Excellence Assembly to celebrate those who attained an ATAR of 90+ or who were nominated for the HSC Showcases: ArtExpress, Encore, OnStage or SHAPE. We welcomed back Mya Bertolini who received the highest ATAR in the Year 12, 2020 cohort – when our current Year 12 students were in Year 7. Mya shared some lessons that she learned through her journey at Oxley and beyond. Hearing from recent Alumni is an inspiration to students in their journey. That journey now has fewer than three terms until the HSC for our current Year 12.

Our students have taken to the firmer mobile phone policy very well. Whilst early days, I have witnessed more students taking the opportunity for exercise at recess and lunch and building better connections with each other. There are a few teething problems with locks on student lockers but this provides a safe place for students to store their phone whilst they are in class.

Mr Bedingfield mentioned the new sound system installed in the PCC. After years of glitches this is particularly exciting as it will encourage students to show courage and perform in front of the Senior School in Assembly. There is so much to look forward to this year and our staff are ready to work with you and your children to help them to develop into young people who are Challenge Ready!

A New Year Begins

From the Head of the Junior School, Heidi Shvetsoff

Welcome to the start of another exciting school year! It has been wonderful to see our vibrant and happy students return to school, full of enthusiasm, ready to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and settle into their new classrooms. The energy around the school is infectious, and we’re thrilled to see the children so excited to be back.

We are also delighted to share that there is some landscaping work underway to improve our playground space. These upgrades will make our outdoor area even more engaging and enjoyable for the children, with fresh, exciting features designed to encourage exploration, teamwork, and fun. We expect the work to be completed by the end of Term 1, and we can’t wait for the students to enjoy the new play areas once finished.

As part of our ongoing commitment to the school’s strategic plan, we are working on developing stronger connections between our Senior and Junior School students. We are excited to look for opportunities to invite senior students into the Junior School to work with, play alongside, and mentor our younger students. These interactions will be invaluable in helping build a sense of community, while also providing our Senior students with the chance to develop leadership skills and model positive behaviour for our younger learners.

A big thank you to all the parents who attended our Parent Information Sessions. It’s fantastic to see so many of you engaged and interested in learning more about your child’s classroom environment, routines, and expectations. The partnership between parents and the school is vital to the development of the whole child, and we appreciate your support as we work together to provide the best possible educational experience for our students.

Looking ahead, we are excited about the upcoming K-2 Splash and Dash, and Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival. These are always such fun events that showcase our students’ talents and encourage healthy competition and team spirit. We look forward to seeing everyone dive in and make a splash!

Wishing you all a wonderful start to Term 1. We are excited for the many learning adventures ahead!

Cornerstone: Building Essential Skills for the Future

Dr Jeremy Hall – Head of Philosophy & Ethics

There was a buzz of excitement a couple of weeks ago when the 2025 timetables were released. If you’re new to Oxley College, you might have noticed the subject, ‘Cornerstone’. Even our long-time Oxley families might be curious about this subject and why it’s so important to us. Having been at the College for a year now, I’m keen to share my vision for this unique and innovative subject that truly distinguishes Oxley.

The title ‘Cornerstone’ is significant because we believe that the ideas and skills explored in this program truly are the cornerstone of a well-rounded education, preparing students for the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century.

Let me highlight three key areas of this program:

Discussion Skills

In today’s world, where debates are often polarised and generate more heat than light, the ability to engage in constructive dialogue is more important than ever. Cornerstone equips students with essential discussion skills such as active listening, building on others’ ideas, providing well-reasoned arguments, and respectfully disagreeing with ideas rather than people. These skills are crucial in an era where entrenched views can lead to divisive and unproductive conversations. A distinctive feature of the Cornerstone classroom is providing a safe space where students can enjoy testing their ideas in discussion, fostering a culture of mutual respect and understanding. By mastering these techniques, students are better prepared to navigate complex issues thoughtfully and collaboratively, contributing to a more inclusive and thoughtful exchange of ideas.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking and problem-solving consistently top the list of essential 21st-century skills, highly valued by educators and employers alike. Although their importance is widely recognised, and critical thinking is included as one of the ‘general capabilities’ in the Australian curriculum, there is often less clarity about what this entails in practice. The Cornerstone courses provide opportunities for students to learn how to assess alternatives, present well-reasoned arguments, and evaluate evidence effectively.

An important part of critical thinking is understanding cognitive biases—common thinking errors that can affect our decisions. For example, confirmation bias makes us favour information that supports our existing beliefs, while anchoring can cause us to rely too much on the first piece of information we see. Recognising these biases helps students make better decisions.

In today’s digital age, students also learn to navigate the complex information landscape by identifying false news and recognising manipulated media, such as deep fakes. These skills are essential for discerning credible sources from misinformation. By understanding how to spot altered content and verify the authenticity of information, students become more informed and critical consumers of media. This not only helps them make better decisions but also empowers them to contribute positively to public discourse.

A Life Well Lived

Cornerstone is a Philosophy and Ethics course that allows students to explore fundamental questions about what it means to live well. One of the oldest and most profound questions is: “What is a good life?” This question examines ethics and morality, focusing on what it means to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. Arguably, there is no more important question for students to explore during their formative years.

In Year 9, we directly address this question, examining contemporary, philosophical, and religious perspectives. The Year 10 course introduces moral philosophy and discusses a wide range of contemporary issues, including climate change, social justice, artificial intelligence, and bioethics.

Civics, often overlooked in secondary education, is a crucial component of the Cornerstone curriculum. Students study Australia’s electoral system and explore key democratic principles such as freedom of speech, human rights, and civic engagement. This comprehensive approach ensures that students understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens and appreciate the importance of active participation in a democratic society.

How You Can Help

One of my favourite homework assignments is to ask students to discuss the topics they are exploring with a family member. We are very keen for these discussions to continue beyond the classroom—during car journeys, dinner table conversations, and other family interactions. Engaging with the valuable perspectives of parents and carers enriches the learning experience. You can follow students’ progress on Canvas, and we encourage you to support and motivate them on their educational path.

Cornerstone Conversations

I invite Oxley parents and carers to join our Philosophy and Ethics insight sessions, known as ‘Cornerstone Conversations’. These sessions offer a unique opportunity to gain insight into your student’s learning – and have some fun along the way. We will also showcase some of the activities and learning strategies we use in Cornerstone.

These evening events, held once a term and free of charge, will provide a hands-on experience of the engaging discussions and thought-provoking activities our students enjoy. It’s a wonderful chance to better understand the curriculum, connect with other parents and carers, and enrich your own understanding of these important topics. If you are interested, please complete the Expression of Interest form to find out more.

Term 1 Cornerstone Conversation: What is a Good Life?

One of the oldest questions in philosophy and a fundamental question in education. It’s about understanding what makes life meaningful and fulfilling. Philosophers have debated this for millennia, with ideas ranging from the pursuit of happiness and virtue to the importance of relationships and personal achievements. In popular culture, the concept of a good life often reflects contemporary values and societal norms.

Join us as we unpack this profound question, exploring perspectives from both philosophy and popular culture. This event offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into Cornerstone’s approach and connect with other parents and carers. Light refreshments will be provided.

When: Thursday 3 April 2025, 5.30pm – 6.45pm

Where: Oxley College

Register: https://forms.office.com/r/LTG0CfJHNa

Assessment For, And As, Learning

Test scores and measures of achievement tell you where a student is, but they don’t tell you where a student could end up. Carol Dweck

Students should be provided with opportunities to demonstrate their learning through a variety of assessment activities as part of an ongoing process. Whatever assessment strategies are used, it is important that activities are accessible to all students. (NESA)

Harvard School for Education argues that idea behind authentic tasks and assessments is to provide students with purposeful and challenging assessments that support deep understanding and reflect what skills students might be called upon to use in their life beyond school.

Oxley has always offered a variety of assessment opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding. The Diverse Learning team works closely with classroom teachers and Heads of Department to ensure that tasks are designed to meet the learning needs of all students in our care.

However, in terms of formal reporting at Oxley, the focus has been on ‘assessment of learning’ which helps to summarise what students know, understand or can do against the relevant year level achievement standard for different learning areas/subjects.

This does not mean that traditional assessments like exams inherently foster surface approaches and encourage memorisation. However, research has found that complete reliance on summative assessments and feedback can cause students to focus only on studying ‘just for the task’ rather than acquiring a deep understanding which can be applied to a range of different contexts.

Whilst summative assessment will continue to be part of our reporting structure, this year, we will be piloting a new adjusted model in Years 7-10.  We will aim to consider both informal and formal evidence. Essentially, classwork, Academic Prep and core tasks will all contribute to a student’s final report grade.  

It is our aim that students grow through consistent hard work and dedication. We are looking to acknowledge the process and celebrate students who engage in effort, focus, perseverance, who reflect and act on feedback and who in turn demonstrate character and academic resilience.

Kind regards

Mrs Lee McGuinness
Director of Curriculum 7-12

Building Strong Foundations for a Year of Growth

Welcome to the 2025 school year. It has been wonderful to spend time in classrooms this week and see the interactions between students and teachers as they embark on the journey of a new school year. Our teachers are dedicated to getting to know each student and are spending these first weeks of the school year identifying academic needs and getting to know each student’s unique interests, strengths and goals. By building strong relationships and understanding what motivates each child, a supportive environment is created, where children flourish both in the classroom and beyond.

Our school values—Show Courage, Be Kind, Seek Wisdom—are at the heart of everything we do and are powerful drivers of academic success. Showing courage might mean tackling a challenging mathematical problem or speaking up with an innovative idea in class discussions. Being kind encourages collaboration, respect and the creation of a positive learning environment in each classroom where every student feels seen, valued and supported. Seeking wisdom goes beyond acquiring knowledge; it’s about nurturing a love of learning and developing critical thinking skills that will serve our students for life.

Oxley College Junior School teachers work side-by-side with the Diverse Learning Team to provide opportunities for all students to succeed. In the classroom, teachers plan and implement in-class extension and support groups that provide students with differentiated instruction to deepen understanding and enhance core skills. Students requiring support may be involved in programs such as the MacqLit reading intervention program or receive in-class support from specialised staff. Enrichment is offered through numeracy & literacy extension groups, ICAS competitions, the Oxley College Writing Competition, Art Competitions, our Talented Athlete Program, Music Ensembles and other external academic competitions, where students can demonstrate their talents and grow in confidence.

Beyond these programs, our teachers are committed to delivering a rich and engaging curriculum that inspires curiosity and deep thinking. Whether it’s through hands-on Science investigations, creative storytelling, problem-solving in Mathematics or exploring History through inquiry-based projects, learning at Oxley College Junior School is designed to be both challenging and meaningful. By fostering an environment where students ask questions and take risks and believe in themselves, we develop learners who are independent, innovative and well-prepared for the future.

As we navigate this new school year, let’s work together to help our children show courage in their learning, be kind in their interactions and seek wisdom in every opportunity. We look forward to a fantastic year of growth, achievement and shared success.

Kind regards

Alison Rasheed
Director of Curriculum P-6

Equestrian Update

We are pleased to announce some exciting updates to the Oxley Equestrian Program for 2025. These changes are designed to provide greater opportunities for our riders, ensure a more inclusive and enriching experience for all participants and reduce costs and administrative requirements. These changes have been made in consultation with our Equestrian team and in response to feedback from the MMG survey last year.

What is changing?

Instead of holding the traditional Equestrian Day, we will be introducing a number of Sunday training days throughout the year. These training days will focus on skill development, team bonding, and preparing our riders for key competitions such as the Berry Interschools Championships.

What Will These Training Days Include?

The training days will be hosted by local equestrian centres and facilitated by highly experienced coaches. Each term, the team will focus on a different discipline to provide a well-rounded experience:

1. Horsemanship and Flat Work: Riders will learn groundwork skills, horse movement and riding techniques in group lessons tailored to their ability levels.
2. Jumping: Designed to enhance jumping skills through a modified clinic format suitable for all levels.
3. Dressage: This clinic will be led by world-class dressage coaches.

Further information on these events will be provided by the Equestrian Team Coordinator, Miss Georgie Ridehalgh, in the coming weeks. Please keep an eye out for these via broadcasts on the Oxley App.

Why the Change?

Feedback from our riders and families in the MMG Survey, highlighted a strong interest in more frequent training opportunities. This new model will:

• provide more consistent and meaningful skill development.
• increase participation in competitions like the Berry Interschools Championships.
• alleviate challenges associated with the Equestrian Day, such as unsuitable horses, limited event options, and horse/rider injuries.
• improve the safety of participation and reduces the risks of injury to riders.

Looking Ahead for Term 1:

1. The first exciting activity for 2025 will involve a trail ride with Highlands Equine Trail Adventures on Sunday 23 February.

Students and their horses can participate in a guided trail riding adventure through the beautiful National Park.

There will be two groups: one riding in the morning and one in the afternoon. The morning ride will be for less confident riders/horses who require a slower pace, and the afternoon ride will be for more confident riders and will be at a faster pace. Please note, for safety reasons, each group can have a maximum of 6 riders so once spots are filled, we will be unable to accept more riders.

Please click HERE FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

For more information about the trail ride or other upcoming events, please be in touch with Miss Georgie Ridehalgh Georgie.ridehalgh@oxley.nsw.edu.au

Please contact Mr Christophe Gauchat- Director of Co-Curricular: christophe.gauchat@oxley.nsw.edu.au  if you have any questions about these changes to the Equestrian program.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to seeing the Oxley Equestrian team flourish in 2025!

Kind regards

Christophe Gauchat
Director of Co-curricular P-12

Junior School Sport

Welcome back to a new school year! I hope you and your family had a restful and enjoyable holiday. As we begin an exciting 2025, I would like to share some key Junior School Sport dates and updates for Term 1.

Key Junior School Sport Dates

Wednesday 19 February – Years 3-6 Junior School Swimming Carnival

The Oxley Junior School Swimming Carnival will take place on Wednesday 19 February at Bowral Swimming Centre. Students in Years 3-6 will have the opportunity to participate in a range of swimming races (50m and 25m pools), as well as a variety of novelty events. Further details will be shared with parents and carers soon.

Wednesday 26 February – Kindergarten to Year 2 ‘Splash and Dash’ Event

Our youngest students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 will take part in the ‘Splash and Dash’ swimming afternoon on Wednesday 26 February. This event is designed to provide a fun and engaging introduction to water-based activities in a supportive environment. More information will be provided shortly.

Summer Sport Competitions and Programs Set to Resume

The Summer Sport competition and training sessions will resume this week for all students registered in Junior School Summer Sport teams and programs, including Cricket, Basketball, and Softball. Please ensure students bring the correct gear and uniform for all training sessions and matches. Training will also recommence this week for students enrolled in Cricket Blasters and the Basketball Development Program. Training is held on Wednesday afternoons at Oxley from 3.30pm – 4.30pm. Match details can be found on the weekly sports draw that is released to parents and carers as a broadcast each Tuesday.

For our new Kindergarten students:

Junior School Sports activities will be available from Term 2. More details will be shared in the Junior School Sports booklet soon.

Junior School Running Training – Registrations Now Open!

To help students prepare for the Oxley Junior School Cross Country Carnival later this term, we are offering Running Training for Years 3 to 6. Sessions will take place on Wednesday mornings from 7:40–8:30am at Oxley, starting in Week 3.

These sessions focus on building endurance, improving running technique, and fostering a love for fitness. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents will be notified if their child’s registration is successful.

Further details and a registration link for this opportunity will be shared early this week.

Junior School Sports Booklet – Coming Soon

We are excited to share the 2025 Junior School Sports Booklet, which will be released during Week 3. This booklet will outline the structure of Junior School Sport across both the Summer and Winter seasons, including key dates, team arrangements, and training schedules.

Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 will also have the opportunity to select their sport preference for the upcoming Winter season (Terms 2 and 3). More details will be shared soon.

If you have any questions, please contact the Sports Department sport.admin@oxley.nsw.edu.au or call us on 4861 1366.

We look forward to another fantastic year of sport at Oxley!

Warm regards

Miss Fran Dorczak
Head of Junior School Sport

2025 Welcome Drinks

We are looking forward to welcoming our whole Community to the 2025 Welcome Drinks on Thursday 13 February, to be held on Elvo Lawn.

Please register your attendance via this link: https://www.trybooking.com/CYLDO

Jennifer Robinson

The Oxley College Centre for Ethics is the home of ethical inquiry and critical thinking at Oxley.

This year will be delivering an ambitious program of events for both our students and the local community in the Southern Highlands. These events will feature distinguished speakers and leaders from diverse fields, including philanthropy, higher education, non-governmental organisations and industry. You can find out more here: Oxley College Centre for Ethics – Oxley College

Free Speech, Human Rights & Democracy

Jennifer Robinson

Jennifer Robinson is an Australian human rights lawyer at Doughty Street Chambers in London, renowned for her expertise in human rights, media, public, and international law. She has been a vocal advocate for free speech, warning since 2010 about the implications of the U.S. government’s investigation into WikiLeaks. In 2024, she played a pivotal role in securing Julian Assange’s release, allowing him to return to Australia.

Robinson’s work often involves advising governments, individuals, and organisations on international law and human rights issues, including representing the BBC World Service against Iran’s persecution of BBC Persian journalists. She has provided expert evidence to the UN inquiry into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and acted for the family of Daphne Caruana Galizia, a murdered Maltese journalist.

In her TED talk, “Courage is Contagious,” she shares the story of Benny Wenda, the leader of the West Papua liberation movement, highlighting her commitment to helping those who stand up against powerful interests. Robinson also made history in 2018 as the youngest woman to appear before the International Court of Justice, successfully arguing for the right to self-determination in the Chagos Islands case.

Her legal work focuses on human rights, free speech, and freedom of information, advising major media organisations like The New York Times, CNN, and Bloomberg. She has also successfully challenged anti-protest injunctions and had the UK government’s fracking policy declared unlawful.

When: Thursday 20 February 2025, 6.30pm – 8.00pm

Where: PCC, Oxley College

Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/CXUOT

More information: ethics@oxley.nsw.edu.au

Parents’ and Friends’ Association

Welcome to 2025!

The Oxley College P&F plays a vital role in shaping the vibrant and supportive culture of our college. Through ‘Friendraising’ and Fundraising events , we help strengthen the connection between families, staff, and students, creating a sense of community that makes Oxley so special.

To ensure we are making the best impact and to help us moving forward we’d love your input. 

Please take a moment to complete our P&F Survey (link below) to share your ideas and let us know how you’d like to get involved.

Our first P&F Meeting for 2025 will held on Tuesday 18 February at 5.30pm – it will be an exciting discussion and productive planning session, where we will set the direction for 2025. Whether you’re a long-time volunteer or new to the school, we’d love for you to join us as every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.

Sincerely

Mrs Sooz Heinrich
P&F President 

Being ‘Allergy Aware’

At Oxley College we follow the guidelines of The National Allergy Strategy. Given the number of substances to which students may be allergic, it is not possible to remove all allergens and state, for example,  that we are ‘nut-free’. Therefore, rather than promoting that we ‘ban allergens’, we are ‘allergy-aware’. This involves staff creating student awareness around allergies that is age-appropriate, and implementing strategies such as discouraging food sharing, promoting handwashing, and encouraging parents to provide up to date medical information for their children, which includes having an ASCIA Action Plan for students who are at risk of anaphylaxis. All of our staff receive annual anaphylaxis training at the start of the year.’

Immunocompromised Students

As we have students at Oxley College who are immunocompromised, it is crucial to be aware of infectious illnesses that may be of concern to fellow students’ health. Infectious illnesses like chicken pox, shingles, measles, mumps, whooping cough, and hand, foot, and mouth disease are highly contagious and seriously impact the health and medical needs of immunocompromised students.

If your child is suspected of having any of these illnesses or is unwell, it is imperative that they refrain from attending school. Additionally, it is crucial for your child to stay home until they are no longer contagious whilst they are unwell. Information about infectious conditions can be found on national health websites such as www.health.gov.au, or you may contact your local general practitioner (GP).

If your child has chicken pox, shingles, measles, mumps, or whooping cough, or if there are suspicions of such illnesses, please notify the College immediately. Please call Student Services on 4861 1366 during office hours, or email clinic@oxley.nsw.edu.au. Doing so will enable us to assess the duration and extent of any potential contact and help us to minimise the potential risk of exposure to immunocompromised students.

Thank you for helping to keep our children safe.

Nurse Bec

Burradoo Walking School Bus

Late last year I mentioned the proposal of a ‘Walking School Bus’: a group of children walking to school with adult supervision. This initiative is designed to promote a healthier, safer, and more environmentally friendly way for our children to travel to and from school. As you will be aware from our 2025-2027 Strategy, we are committed to improving our sustainability at Oxley. ‘Stay Fit’ is one of our five wellbeing principles, and so walking to and from school is a great way to apply this.

In addition to cardiovascular health, there is evidence that walking boots mood and concentration levels during the day. Indeed, studies even show that students who walk to school experience lower stress and higher levels of happiness and relaxation during the school day.  A Walking School Bus would also reduce traffic on local roads, decrease our collective carbon footprint and help to build a sense of community.

To register your interest in the Walking School Bus proposal, please complete this form: https://forms.office.com/r/BzFMuQX8xK.

If there is enough interest in this proposal, parents will be advised and next steps can be taken accordingly.

Kind regards

Mr Mark Case
Deputy Head of College

International Women’s Day 2025

As part of Oxley’s ongoing commitment to celebrate the achievements and voices of women, we are excited to invite expressions of interest from inspiring women who would like to speak at our International Women’s Day 2025 breakfast event.

This year’s United Nations theme, March Forward, reminds us that progress is not just about reflection but about taking decisive, bold steps to turn our commitments into action. It calls for unity, collective effort, and the determination to push forward in our ongoing fight for gender equality and women’s empowerment, aligning with the vision of the United Nations and its work to ensure a more equitable world for women everywhere.

Event Details

When: 7.30am – 8.45am, Friday March 7, 2025

Where: Oxley College

Audience: Oxley current and ex-students, parents, community members and friends of the College.

We are looking for speakers who can:

• Share their personal journey and experiences as women in their respective fields.
• Inspire and motivate others through their work or activism.
• Engage in thought-provoking discussions about the global movement towards gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Reflect on the significance of the March Forward theme and how we can collectively take bold steps toward meaningful change.

We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about amplifying women’s voices and contributing to this essential dialogue.

Please submit a brief expression of interest by Tuesday 11 February 2025, including:

1. Your bio (max 200 words).
2. A brief overview of how you would speak to the topic ‘March Forward’.
3. A brief overview of why you would like to participate in this event

If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to reach out to the 2025 Oxley College Empowerment Group, care of Molly Simpson at molly.simpson@oxley.nsw.edu.au

Kind regards

Mrs Molly Simpson
On behalf of the Oxley Empowerment Group

2025 Round Square Conferences

International Conference Dubai – September 2025

Expressions of interest for Dubai Round Square Conference for Year 10 and 11 students are closing next Monday 10 February. The RSIC is the biggest event that Round Square runs each year and is particularly aimed at senior students. A limited number of students are invited to join us on this trip. If you are interested, please complete the Expressions of Interest form. Your child will need to login with their Oxley credentials to access the form.

More information can be found here. Please note we may offer a post conference tour if there is sufficient interest. Plans for this tour are currently being investigated.

Round Square Middle School Conference Perth/Bunbury April 2025

Expressions of Interest for Perth & Bunbury Round Square Conference for Year 6,7 & 8 students are also closing next Monday 10 February. This conference is designed for young leaders interested in thinking about big ideas. If you are interested, please complete the Expressions of Interest form. Your child will need to login with their Oxley credentials to access the form.

More information regarding this conference can be found here.

If you have a question regarding either of these conferences please contact Stacey Taylor at stacey.taylor@oxley.nsw.edu.au

Kind regards

Mrs Stacey Taylor
Head of Global and Service Education

7-12 Visual Art Enrichment Group

ACT Brumbies Visit Oxley

Oxley College had the privilege of hosting the ACT Brumbies Rugby team on Saturday 1 February. The team arrived by coach and was warmly welcomed by members of the First XV Rugby team and other eager students from the Junior and Senior School.

A meet-and-greet session allowed students to interact with the players, get autographs, and take photos, creating a great atmosphere on campus. The team then proceeded to a pre-game meal before beginning their preparations.

The Brumbies utilised the indoor gym for strapping, stretching, and team walkthroughs before the team departed for Bowral Rugby Club. This memorable event helped inspire students and strengthened Oxley College’s connection with the rugby community. Special thanks to Ms Brooke Devlin and Ms Ani Williams for their efforts in making this possible.

Community Announcement – Memory Walk

On Sunday, 16 February, I’m taking part in Southern Highland’s Memory Walk & Jog to raise funds to support Australians impacted by dementia. This is a cause close to my heart and I would love your support.

Please make a donation to support my efforts and help us reach our goal to beat dementia.

Not many people know, but dementia is Australia’s second-leading cause of death. By 2058 it’s expected that over 800,000 Australians will have dementia. But we can change this.

All money I raise will support the work of Dementia Australia and help provide vital support services like counselling, support groups, education, and research to help find a cure.

Together we can achieve a lot. Your donation would mean the world to me.

Memory Walk – Kylie Magill

Thanks for your support!

Kylie Magill

Upcoming Dates

This is a modified version of events. Please see the Calendar icon on the Oxley App for the full College Calendar.

The Oxley College 40th Birthday Book

to think, to dare, to dream

The Oxley College Book: to think, to dare, to dream is now available for sale. This beautiful, hard cover, coffee table book has been lovingly created to mark Oxley’s 40th Birthday milestone and is full of stories, photos and memories.

Purchase your copy today by following the link below: