Welcome to Term 4: Reflections on Remarkable Journeys

From the Head of College, Scott Bedingfield

As we embark on Term 4, I am filled with immense pride and admiration for the remarkable students at Oxley College. Over the recent school holidays, I had the unique privilege of spending significant time away with our Year 11 and Year 9 students, allowing me to witness firsthand their resilience, teamwork, and exceptional character. It was a time of getting to know them on a personal level and hearing from them what is important in their lives and their schooling.

The Outback trip with our Year 11 students, who are transitioning to Year 12, was an unforgettable experience. This journey, which takes students from Oxley to the heart of Australia, provided an excellent opportunity for them to grow individually and as a group. We covered many kilometres on foot, delving into the rich history and culture of the areas we visited. The students’ ability to handle the challenges of the trip with grace and determination was truly inspiring. It became clear why we place such importance on these adventures at Oxley—they offer invaluable growth, resilience building, and the formation of strong bonds.

It was wonderful to receive this letter via messenger from a member of the public, which shows the quality of our students at Oxley:

Last weekend, I joined our Year 9 students as they participated in the Rites of Passage programme in the city. This programme is designed to help students develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their peers, fostering a sense of community, personal growth and most importantly allow for students to spend a significant amount of time away from home learning how to look after themselves.

It was great to see them spend time together, learn how to navigate the city well into the evening (with teacher supervision) and have cultural, sporting and educational experiences around the wonderful city of Sydney.

This last week I enjoyed visiting Year 7 and 8 Camp, where once again students were learning new skills, developing their character and resilience and learning they are capable of more than they know (a theme Mr Mark Case will unpack in his newsletter article).

As we move forward into Term 4, I look forward to more opportunities to witness and support the growth of our students. Their resilience, curiosity, and exceptional character are what make Oxley College a truly special place. I am excited to see how they will continue to flourish and achieve remarkable things in the months ahead.

Yours sincerely

Mr Scott Bedingfield
Head of College

Year 6 Study Skills – ‘Organise, Focus, Succeed’

What would you imagine a “Study Space of the Future” would include? This was exactly what Year 6 students did today in the first of six ‘Study Skills’ sessions. The creativity that emerged was amazing! One standout idea was a sanctuary with walls made of a special touch-responsive material that allowed students to draw, write and brainstorm directly on them. This innovative wall would not only save their notes digitally for easy access later but could also transform to display relevant visuals based on the subject they were studying, sparking inspiration and creativity in real-time. Students excitedly shared their visions, showcasing how technology could enhance their learning environments and make studying an engaging and interactive experience.

These ‘Study Skills’ sessions have been designed to provide students with the essential tools they need as they transition to Year 7 and beyond. In the recent MMG survey, our school community emphasised the importance of equipping our students with effective study techniques to support their academic journey, and this initiative has been created with this feedback in mind.

One of the distinct advantages of being part of a P-12 school is our ability to create a seamless educational experience that bridges the gap between primary and secondary education. The collaboration between Year 6 teachers, myself as Director of Curriculum P-6 and Mrs McGuinness, Director of Curriculum 7-12, has been instrumental in developing this program, ensuring a comprehensive approach that addresses the needs of all students.

Over the coming weeks, our Year 6 students will participate in fun and engaging lessons focused on vital study skills, including:

• Organisation: managing their materials and developing a system that suits them as a learner for keeping track of assignments and deadlines.

• Note-Taking: exploration of various note-taking methods, such as the Cornell method and mind mapping, to find techniques that work best for their learning style.
• Digital Literacy: organisation of digital files and how to utilise online resources effectively to enhance their studies.
• Home Study Strategies: how to create a dedicated study environment at home that works efficiently and adheres to family expectations (i.e. – some families have a designated study area, others prefer their children to work in a common area), developing routines and learning how to use tools like calendars and planners to manage their time effectively.
• Revision Techniques: learning effective study techniques, including the Pomodoro Technique, to maximise focus and retention during study sessions.

Participating in this program will enhance students’ learning by providing them with practical strategies to manage their time and materials effectively and build their confidence as they approach the challenges of Year 7 and the higher demands of secondary education. The essential life skills this program fosters will serve them well throughout their academic careers and beyond, helping them become independent, self-directed learners.

We are excited about this initiative and look forward to seeing our students thrive as they prepare for the next chapter of their educational journey. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure the best outcomes for our students.

Kind regards

Alison Rasheed
Director of Curriculum K-6

Experiential Education

From the Deputy Head of College, Mark Case

“There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.” – Kurt Hahn

Hahn’s approach to education was also the inspiration behind the founding of Round Square, the international network of schools that values experiential learning and character education. At the end of last term, I attended the Round Square International Conference in Colombia, along with Ms Stacey Taylor (our Round Square Coordinator), six of our Year 10 and 11 students, and teachers and students from over 200 schools in 27 countries. Under the theme ‘Blooming from the Past’, students explored how they can build a better future by starting from an understanding and acceptance, of the past – learning from, and with, each other, as well as making an authentic and significant contribution to communities in Colombia through service work. Each activity in the conference was linked to at least one of the six IDEALS of Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service – from learning about the history and culture of Colombia, to hiking, planting over 800 native trees as part of a reforestation program, building chicken sheds and fences in rural communities, to collaborating with students from across the world to address issues such as gender inequality and climate change. The conference also enabled us to build connections with schools that share similar values, with a view to establishing student exchange programs in the coming years.

OLE Week, Outback and our Service Trips use nature and outdoor activities as a backdrop for learning, helping students develop resilience, problem-solving skills, social and emotional learning and a connection to the environment; they help to develop a young person’s character:

Expeditions should be part of every young person’s education. They teach the value of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork.” – Kurt Hahn

Our Service Trips also provide opportunities for students to make meaningful contributions to others and to develop gratitude and an appreciation for the opportunities and privileges that they have. Rites of Passage develops independence and self-knowledge at an important stage in a young person’s development, and provides activities that support them to find their vocation and make connections with others outside their friendship circle.  Such activities align perfectly with the Oxley principle of ‘care for the whole child’, our Wellbeing Framework (‘Stay Fit’, Show Gratitude’, ‘Find Meaning’, ‘Build Connections’, ‘Be Authentic’), as well as helping to prepare students to take on future challenges with confidence.

These programs continue to be well supported at Oxley – evidenced from this year’s MMG Survey (note: the activities relate to the 2023 programs).

OLE Week (2023)

Year 9 Rites of Passage (2023)

Year 10 Service Trips

Year 11 Outback (2023)

Character education and experiential learning are clearly important to our community – this came through in our consultation process for the development of the new five-year strategy, as well as the MMG Survey, which helps us to improve and refine our programs each year. In the coming years, Round Square membership will enable us to provide further opportunities to connect with like schools, as offer student exchanges, online student forums and local and regional conferences for students.

None of these learning experiences are possible without the dedication and professionalism of our staff – many of whom will gave given up holiday and family time to run these trips, in addition to the extensive planning and preparation work that goes in to making these programs a success.

Yours sincerely

Mr Mark Case
Deputy Head of College

With only 39 days left of the school year, there is a lot going on!

From the Head of Senior School, Tristan Bevan

Welcome back to Term 4. Over the break and the last week, students and staff have travelled near and far. They have been challenged, fatigued and pushed outside their comfort zone. This is all part of the development of character at Oxley. Along with 9 other staff members, I took 69 students from Year 11 to the Outback and they returned ready to tackle their final year at Oxley. This was my 12^th time on Outback and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience; getting to know students better, giving them the opportunity for some Type 2 fun, seeing them experience the vast and rugged beauty of Australia and giving them the chance to bond as a cohort and discover more about themselves.

Whilst I’d like to thank all the staff that gave up their time travelling to Nepal, Thailand, Sydney for Rites of Passage and the various OLE trips, I would like to single out one person. Dene Patterson has completed her 10^th Outback in a row. Running the kitchen on Outback is an immense and all-consuming job, and Dene has done it exceptionally well since our eldest daughters went on Outback in 2015! All the students and staff that you have fed on Outback thank you!

In staffing news, we welcome a few new staff to Oxley. Ms Anna Hitchcock joins us from Cranbrook School into the English Department and as Enrichment Co-ordinator for Year 7-12. Mr Greg McGriskin, joins us from Parramatta Marist High School bringing with him a wealth of experience. Mr McGriskin will be teaching Legal Studies, English and History. Mr Keiran Staples also returns full-time to his role as Head of Dobell House following a period of leave and as the co-pilot of Red Dog on the Year 11 Outback trip!

In the remaining 39 days of the year, there is a lot going on. The HSC is underway for Year 12 2024 until 6 November. Students in Year 12 2025 will have their first HSC assessments, and Students in Year 7-10 will have their Yearly Examinations. Learning continues all the way through the term and it is important to encourage students that whilst an examination or assessment measures their performance in one type of task at a point in time, the work they do in between is essential to their understanding and growth. We are working towards adjusting assessment in Year 7-10 next year in line with this philosophy to ensure that we assess what we value.

I’d like to highlight a few events coming up this term – details and booking information can be found in links on the upcoming events page of this newsletter.

Dr Judith Locke Parent Presentation  – Wednesday 23 October (Junior School) &  Thursday 24 October (Senior School):

Judith was unable to present to parents in February following her presentation to staff as part of our professional learning. She raises some excellent points about how some modern parenting approaches are depriving young people from learning how to deal with some level of challenge and consequences. This has negative knock-on effects.

Dining Dilemma’s – Wednesday 6 November:

There are few schools that offer philosophy and ethics as well as Oxley College. Between Mr Case, Dr Hall and other members of our Cornerstone team the College is blessed with skill and passion in this area. I thoroughly enjoyed the speakers who presented at the Oxley College Centre for Ethics presentations over the year. Dinig Dilemma’s promises to be a fantastic, relaxed opportunity to engage with and discuss ideas that your students tackle weekly in Cornerstone.

Mamma Mia – Tuesday 26 November – Sunday 1 December:

If you are lucky there may still be some seats available. Students, under the guidance of Ms Pascoe, Mr Young and their team, have been rehearsing all last term and a few glimpses I saw during their intensive week in late September shows just how far they have come. After hearing many acapella moments from Donna and her Dynamo’s on Outback, I am looking forward to seeing this musical extravaganza!

Finally, I am excited to be working with our new Year 12 and team of student leaders who are keen to lead the College forward over the next 12 months. Keep your ears and eyes open for more student led initiatives in the next edition.

Warm regards

Mr Tristan Bevan
Head of Senior School

OLE Week Opportunities and More

From the Head of the Junior School, Jane Campion

Welcome to Term 4! I trust you all had a lovely break and enjoyed some family time. This term promises to be full of new and exciting learning experiences and opportunities. It tends to fly by very quickly so enjoy every moment.

I would like to welcome Mrs Katie McGrath back from maternity leave. Katie will share the teaching of 3BR for the remainder of the year.

I would also like to extend a warm welcome to Mrs Danielle Pascoe, who is our new Learning Assistant in Junior School, predominantly based in KR but working across Stage 1 also.

As the end of the school year gets closer, it’s important to start preparing your child for the transition to a higher grade. This period can be both exciting and challenging for children, and with the right approach, you can help them navigate this change smoothly.

Firstly, it’s essential to celebrate your child’s achievements from this year. Reflecting on their progress and accomplishments can boost their confidence and motivate them for the upcoming challenges. Take some time to discuss what they enjoyed most about their current grade and what they are looking forward to in the next one.

Next, establish a routine that includes some academic activities during the break. This doesn’t mean rigorous studying, but rather engaging in fun and educational activities that keep their minds active. Reading books, visiting museums, or even educational games can be great ways to keep learning enjoyable.

To help your child overcome anxiety about moving to a higher grade, it’s crucial to address their concerns openly. Encourage them to express their feelings and reassure them that it’s normal to feel nervous about new experiences. Share your own experiences of overcoming challenges and emphasize the importance of taking things one step at a time. Practising relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or mindfulness, can also be beneficial in managing anxiety.

By taking these steps, you can help your child feel confident and ready to take on the challenges of a higher grade. Remember, your support and encouragement play a crucial role in their academic journey.

We will have Move Up Day in a few weeks and this will allow your child to see who their year level teachers are and meet some new students attending in 2025.

 Co-curricular payments – a reminder.

For those students who attended after school Co-curricular clubs in Term 3, fees are now overdue and we ask that students who are intending on joining clubs in Term 4 have all fees up to date by Wednesday 23 October so we can finalise numbers.

OLE Week – what to wear?

All K-6 students should be in school uniform for Monday 21 October.

OLE Week offers opportunities that students may not normally participate in. We get them outside and into nature and working together in teams and groups to problem solve and team build – it is always fun, often dirty and involves lots of laughter!

Students will be in casual clothes for their camp days. Packing lists have been supplied and it is important that extra plastic bags are packed in case of wet weather. For those students staying at school and doing activities locally, t-shirts with short sleeves, shorts or bike pants closed in joggers, broad brimmed hats (no baseball caps) and no skirts or dresses are encouraged. A jumper or jacket for those cooler days is essential. Please check in with your child’s teacher if you have any last-minute questions about OLE week.

Miss Jane Campion
Head of Junior School

The HSC: what else does it teach our students?

From the Director of Curriculum (7-12), Lee McGuiness

The HSC Examinations commenced this week, with English being the first exam. There is no doubt that this is a challenging time for students, teachers, and their parents. In an ever-changing world, new metrics are being used to measure the skill sets our young people will need in the future. The ongoing relevance of the HSC process is being interrogated by all stakeholders, including students, schools, parents and carers, industries, governments, and tertiary institutions. There are many robust debates and perspectives on the HSC, but students who complete the process at Oxley leave us with skills that will benefit them in the future.

While some students have mastered all these skills, some have mastered a few, and others are still a work in progress. There is no doubt that after completing Year 12, students have been exposed to:

• Developing their ability to think critically and solve complex problems.
• Managing study schedules, meeting deadlines, and learning to manage their time efficiently.
• Conducting independent research, gathering, evaluating, and using information from a variety of sources.
• Managing multiple subjects, requiring students to be adaptable and resilient in handling pressure and overcoming challenges.
• Becoming self-disciplined and independent; preparing for exams and completing coursework independently instils a sense of responsibility, self-discipline, and autonomy in learning.
• Communicating effectively in both written and verbal contexts.
• Working in groups and collaborating effectively.
• Developing creative skills through subjects like the arts, design, and technology, where students learn to approach problems with innovative solutions.

After the first exam on Tuesday, here is a little snapshot of what the students said:

“That is the biggest relief to have the first one over. I feel so much better.”

“That was a fair exam, and now I think I can get through the others.”

“There were some hard questions, but I had a go at all of them.”

“There was more reading than I expected, but I managed to finish.”

“I was worried about my timing, but I worked it out.”

“I panicked when I read the question, but then I took a breath and thought about it. The words were not what I expected, but I was sure I was prepared.”

“I know my writing has improved so much since the Trials.”

“I hated that essay question, but I still wrote heaps.”

“I loved that essay question.”

“Now I know all that practice was worth it.”

“I am starving—thinking is hard work!”

Kind regards

Lee McGuinness
Director of Curriculum 7-12

Senior School Sport

ISA Summer Sport 2024 – 25

Welcome back to Term 4 and the beginning of the 2024-25 Summer ISA Sport season.  Please see below for information about the start of the season and some key dates. We are looking forward to another fantastic season of sport at Oxley.

Uniform – Sport Uniforms should be purchased from the Oxley Uniform Shop prior to the season beginning.

*Note – If you have purchased a Basketball or Touch Football singlet second hand or acquired one another way, please email oxleyshop@oxley.nsw.edu.au and let Nicky know which number you have, to avoid double ups.

A reminder that only Oxley PE/Sport uniform should be worn during training and game days.

Training – To maximise court space and to assist with coach availability, some Basketball teams have been scheduled to train outside of the usual Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. We are hoping this doesn’t cause too many clashes and will be reviewed early in the season.

Attendance – Attendance at training and games is compulsory. If your child is unable to attend training or a game due to injury, illness or misadventure please notify sport.admin@oxley.nsw.edu.au. We ask that where possible, appointments are scheduled outside of training times and matches.

*Note – If your child is absent from training without explanation, you will receive an email from the Sport Dept notifying you of their absence. This is an important step in ensuring students are safe and accounted for.

Important Dates – Training restarts in Week 2, Term 4. The 1st round of the ISA season will begin on Saturday 26 October and continue until Saturday 30 November in Term 4.

Training will recommence in Week 2 of Term 1, 2025 with the season recommencing on Saturday 8 February. The last round of the season is on Saturday 1 March. Semi-finals and Finals are scheduled for Saturday 8 March and Saturday 15 March.

*Note – The Softball team and the Under 14’s Cricket team do not play in the ISA Competition, competition dates will be communicated separately.

Communication and Planning – The weekly sports draw will be available on the Oxley portal/app each Tuesday afternoon. The season draws will be posted on the Oxley College website shortly. You can view upcoming fixtures, points tables and other information via the ISA mobile app which can be found in the Apple or Android app store.

Swimming Training and Carnival Dates

Swimming training will begin for Senior School students on Wednesday 6 November (Week 4, Term 4) at Bowral Swimming Pool from 7am – 8am. Training will continue each Wednesday for 4 weeks in Term 4, finishing on the Wednesday 27 November. Training will resume in Term 1, 2025 on Wednesday 5 February and continue each Wednesday and Friday morning until Friday 7 March.

Students will be supervised by a staff member until they are picked up or can catch the bus from the pool directly to school.

*Note – this program is squad style swim training and is not a learn to swim program or suitable for beginners.

The Oxley College Swimming Carnival is on Wednesday 19 February. The ISA Swimming Carnival is scheduled on Wednesday 12 March however this may change as the date currently clashes with the start of NAPLAN.

Kind regards

Mr Josh Hurkett
Head of Senior School Sport

Junior School Sport

We hope all our students and families had a relaxing and enjoyable break and are ready to jump into the new term with renewed energy. This week, we’re thrilled to see our Junior School students back in action as they dive into the summer sports season, with cricket, softball, and basketball all on the agenda. The term promises to be filled with exciting opportunities for our students, not only to develop their skills in these sports but also to experience the joy of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship. With a variety of events and activities lined up, we are committed to encouraging our Junior School students to lead active, healthy, and balanced lives.

Junior School Sport – Term 4 Key Dates:

Please take note of the following important start dates for Junior School sport activities this term:

• Changes due to OLE Week (Week 2):
  • There will be no sports training on Wednesday of Week 2 due to OLE activities.No games have been scheduled for U12 Girls and Boys Basketball on Wednesday evening or U14 Boys and Girls Basketball on Friday evening during Week 2 due to OLE Week.
  • Cricket matches will still proceed on Saturday 26 October. Please note, Softball has a bye that weekend.
• K-1 Cricket Blasters Program:
  • This program will start on Wednesday 30 October (Week 3) and run until Wednesday  20 November (Week 6). This program will resume again in Term 1, 2025.
• Junior School Swimming Training:
  • For students registered in this program, swimming training will start on Monday 4 November, from 7:00am – 8:00am at the Bowral Swimming Centre. Training will continue each Wednesday for 4 weeks in Term 4, finishing on Monday 25 November. Training will resume in Term 1, 2025. Students will be supervised by a staff member until they are picked up from the pool.Please note, this program is squad style swimming training and is not a learn to swim program or suitable for beginners. 
  • If any students need Oxley swimmers, please visit Nicky Moran in the uniform shop.

If you have any questions, please contact sport.admin@oxley.nsw.edu.au.

NSWPSSA Athletics Championships:

Best of luck to our Oxley Senior Boys 4x100m Relay Team—Lucas H, Chase H, Sebastian R, and Harrison S — who will proudly represent the NSWCIS Team at the NSWPSSA Athletics Championships in Sydney next week. A special shout-out to Lucas H, who will also compete in the Boys 12 Years 100m and 200m events as part of the NSWPSSA Team.

In preparation for the Championships, the Senior Boys Relay team has had the incredible opportunity to train with Joshua Azzopardi, an Olympic sprinter and currently the fastest Australian man over 100 meters, as well as a record holder in the Australian men’s 4x100m relay! Joshua’s guidance on sprint techniques and baton changeovers has been invaluable in getting the team ready to perform at their best. A big thank you to Todd Hill for making this exceptional training opportunity possible. We’re all wishing the boys the very best of luck for their events next week!

Olympics Unleashed Visit

We are thrilled to announce that Oxley Junior School has been selected to participate in ‘Olympics Unleashed,’ a program that brings Olympians and aspiring Olympians into schools to inspire and motivate young Australians.

In Week 3 this term, our Year 5 and Year 6 students will have the exciting opportunity to hear from Australian women’s water polo player, Luci Marsh. Luci, a member of the Junior Australian Team and the Paris 2024 Squad, will share her journey and achievements. Students will also have the chance to engage with her in a Q&A session, making it a truly inspiring experience.

Jumping into Term 4!

This term, Junior School students are jumping into action with a focus on skipping! Throughout their PE lessons, they’ll be honing fundamental and advanced jump rope skills through individual, partner, and team activities.

As they skip, students will learn about the many benefits of this fun activity, including improved cardiovascular fitness, coordination, rhythm, timing, and teamwork.

Their hard work will culminate in a special Jump Rope for Heart Week later in the term, where students will showcase their skills during break times. The highlight of the week will be a Jump Off Day, filled with challenges and competitions, where students can demonstrate their progress. A gold coin donation on this day will go toward supporting the Heart Foundation, raising funds for life-saving research and programs through the Jump Rope for Heart initiative.

 Warm regards

Fran Dorczak
Head of Junior School Sport

Right to Disconnect

What is the Right to Disconnect legislation?

The Right to Disconnect legislation came into effect in August 2024 and is a significant change to the Fair Work Act (2009). It is designed to ensure that employees have the right to disengage from work-related communications outside of their regular working hours. This means that they are not obligated to respond to emails, messages, or calls related to work during their personal time. The primary goal of this legislation is to promote a healthy work-life balance, reduce stress, and improve overall wellbeing.

How will this legislation benefit the school community?

By respecting the ‘Right to Disconnect’, we can maintain a healthy and balanced environment for our staff, which ultimately benefits our students and their families.

How does this legislation impact school communications?

As a school community, we are required to adhere to this legislation to support the wellbeing of our staff. Staff will not be expected to respond to work-related communications outside of their regular working hours. This includes evenings, weekends, and holidays. We kindly ask parents/carers to respect this boundary.

What are ‘regular working hours’?

Staff will not be expected to respond to work-related communications outside of their regular working hours, which includes evenings, weekends, and public holidays. The specific hours vary according to the area of the College in which staff work and their particular role/responsibilities. The standard operating hours of the College are 8.00am to 4.00pm weekdays, however many staff have classes, meetings and co-curricular activities before and after these times and at weekends, with some school commitments extending into evenings.

What is the expected response time to emails/phone messages?

You can continue to expect an acknowledgement of an email/phone call within two business days (term time, excluding weekends/public holidays). This allows for staff commitments both within and outside of the timetabled day.

What should I do if I do not receive an acknowledgement of my communication within a reasonable time frame?

Please complete the Feedback Form. This will go to the relevant member of the Executive for follow up.

Can students contact their teachers after regular school hours?

Students can send emails to teachers after the end of the school day, but teachers are not expected to monitor their emails or respond outside of their regular working hours. We will be discussing this with students in the coming weeks. It is important to bear in mind that teachers often have co-curricular commitments after school, are attending meetings or are engaged in marking/lesson preparation.

What about communication during non-term time?

Please be aware that staff may be on scheduled breaks and may not monitor and respond to emails as they do during regular term time. In line with the Right to Disconnect legislation, we appreciate your patience with non-urgent queries, which will be addressed as quickly as possible upon staff return.

Does this represent a cultural change in communication with the College?

No. We remain committed to providing timely responses to communications and to maintaining our duty of care to all students. It represents an adjustment to communications outside of regular hours to support the wellbeing of staff and to ensure compliance with the legislation.

How can parents/carers help in supporting this legislation?

Please consider only sending or scheduling emails (e.g. using Outlook’s “Delay Delivery” function) during the College’s standard operating hours (8.00am-4:00pm, weekdays). If you need to communicate something important outside of these hours, please be aware that a response may not be immediate.

Further information about communication at Oxley can be found on our website: Communication – Oxley College

Kind regards

Mark Case
Deputy Head of College

Transport Update

The School Drive Subsidy

The School Drive Subsidy is a program administered by Transport for NSW to provide financial assistance to families in areas where there is limited or no public transport, helping to offset the cost of using a private vehicle to drive students to school. The subsidy is designed to support families in rural/remote areas.

Applications must be submitted by the end of Term 4 for Semester 2 payment, and the last day of Term 2 for Semester 1 payments.

See the Transport NSW website for more information and to apply.

Apply for a School Drive Subsidy | transportnsw.info

Oxley Shop

If your child is changing uniforms in 2025, please consider visiting the Oxley Shop soon to purchase any new items.

The Oxley Shop opening hours are:

Tuesday: 8.30am-4.00pm

Wednesday: 8.30am-4.00pm

Thursday: 8.30am-4.00pm

Our online shop is also available for orders: Oxley Shop Online Store (company.site)

Warm regards

Nicky Moran
Oxley Shop

Zephyr Ensemble

Featuring Oxley College Senior School Choristers

Zephyr Ensemble joins talented soloists and a beautiful string ensemble to present Ring Out, Wild Bells, featuring works by Rutter, Arnesen, Gjeilo, Dove and Clements. Zephyr Ensemble is a local vocal ensemble that brings together Oxley College staff, parents and friends. This November, Zephyr Ensemble’s concert will also feature some of Oxley College’s own Senior School choristers.

Hosted by Centennial Vineyards Cellar Door, ticket holders can enjoy beautiful music paired with Centennial Vineyards wines and a light menu.

Join us this spring to ring out the old year and joyfully welcome the new. We’d be delighted to have you with us for these beautiful performances.

Parents & Friends Association

In Term 4 there will be two opportunities for our community to come along to a P&F Meeting:

Tuesday 29 October, 5.30pm (Week 3)

Tuesday 19 November, 5.30pm (Week 6) – AGM and Thank You

All parents and carers are welcome to both meetings.

As our community evolves, Executive roles become available. We are currently in need of an Accountant to audit the P&F accounts. If you would be interested in taking an active role or would like to have a chat with what that might involve, please reach out to either:

Sooz (Senior School) 

0414 894 544

Kristy (Junior School) 

0466 911 140

Kind regards

Sooz Heinrich
P&F Vice-President, Senior School

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:

Upcoming Events

Further Ahead

Tuesday 27 Nov – Sun 1 Dec: Mamma Mia

Thursday 5 December: Speech Night, Last Day of Term 4

Thursday 30 January: Welcome Day (all Year 7, all Year 11 and new students in 8-12)

Friday 31 January 2025: Term 1 begins for all students

Clinic Update

We have been made aware of a few cases of head lice in various year groups across the Junior School. Below is information regarding head lice and a link to NSW Health information regarding the management and treatment of head lice. Please check your child’s hair and watch out for itchiness and irritation to scalp.

How do you catch head lice?

Head lice are most common among primary school aged children. They cannot fly, jump, or swim and are spread by direct contact with the hair of the infested individual. A head lice infestation is not the result of dirty hair or poor hygiene, and it can affect all types of hair regardless of its condition or length. Head lice are rarely transferred through clothing, hats, furniture, or bedding.

Female head lice lay eggs close to the scalp on the hair shaft. Eggs hatch after 5-7 days, leaving empty eggshells (nits) glued to the hair shaft. These eggshells are more noticeable as hair grows and they get carried away from the scalp. Nymphs that emerge from eggshells take 7-8 days to grow to adult sized lice. They may take another 7 days to start breeding and hence it is important to remove them to stop them spreading.

Head lice (nsw.gov.au)

Treatment – Head lice (nsw.gov.au)

‘Help, My Kids Keep Getting Head Lice!’ Here’s How To Break The Cycle Of Nits | NSW Health Pathology

Kind regards

Rebecca Rodgers
School Nurse 

Dr Judith Locke – Helping Your Child Become Capable & Confident

We are pleased to announce that Dr Judith Locke has rescheduled her presentations for Oxley parents.

Dr Judith Locke is the author of two best-selling parenting books, The Bonsai Child and The Bonsai Student. She is a registered clinical psychologist, former teacher and school counsellor and speaks to parents, teachers and students throughout Australia and internationally on topics related to modern parenting, family wellbeing and academic environments.  Dr Locke’s psychological commentary features regularly in the media, including a weekly parenting column for The Sunday Mail. She is a member of The Australian Psychological Society and a fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists.

Dr Locke is presenting two parent sessions at Oxley, one aimed at parents with children in Pre-K to Year 6; and the other with children in Year 7 – 12.

These presentations will assist parents in adopting a parenting approach that truly builds their children’s wellbeing and competence. Topics will include strategies to help students develop essential skills such as resilience, confidence, self-regulation and resourcefulness. Dr Locke will also work on strategies to maintain a good relationship between parents and children as children become older.

Junior School Session: Wednesday 23 October at 6.00pm

Senior School Session: Thursday 24 October 6.00pm

Dining Dilemmas

The Oxley College Centre for Ethics warmly invites you to Dining Dilemmas.

Over a delicious two-course meal and a glass of wine, you’ll have the chance to dive into lively discussions on pressing ethical issues such as the impact of AI on society and the role of social media in shaping young minds.

• How do you separate truth from belief when everyone’s shouting?
• How do we rank crimes when everyone has a different sense of justice?
• When cultures clash, whose morality wins? Can something be right in one place and wrong in another?
• Where do we draw the line between free speech and shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded theatre?

This light-hearted yet insightful evening offers a unique glimpse into how Oxley College is preparing students to tackle the ethical challenges of tomorrow.

We look forward to welcoming you to an evening of engaging conversation, great food, and a deeper understanding of our transformative ‘Cornerstone’ program.

HOSTED BY: Mark Case (Deputy Head of College) and Jeremy Hall (Head of Philosophy and Ethics)

WHEN: Wednesday 6 November 2024, 7.00 – 9.30 pm

WHERE: The Conservatory, Briars Country Lodge, 653 Moss Vale Road, Burradoo.

COST: $75

Head of College Breakfast, Term 4

You are warmly invited to join Scott Bedingfield for the Term 4 Head of College Breakfast, to be held on Tuesday 5 November 2024 from 7.45am – 8.30am.

Please register via this link: Head of College Breakfast

We look forward to seeing you there.

Junior Strings Spectacular

Oxley College is proud to be hosting the 2024 Junior Strings Spectacular. Gathering together over 100 string players from the Southern Highlands, Illawarra and South Coast, this event will see students engaging in a series of workshops with experienced String Practitioner Loreta Fin, AM, culminating in a mass performance celebrating all things string!

Mamma Mia!

Oxley College proudly presents Mamma Mia! Coming to Hoskins Hall in November with a cast and crew of over eighty talented senior students.

Tickets are on sale now via the link below:

Class of 2023 – One Year On

Dear Class of 2023

Come back to Oxley – we would love to see you!

Wow that year has flown by so quickly and we would love to extend to the Class of 2023 the warmest invitation to come back to Oxley, stop by for a cuppa and visit your Mentor Group and tell them all about your adventures over the last year. (Maybe you would all like to get together for lunch afterwards?)

WHO:

The Class of 2023

WHAT:

One Year On Catch Up

WHEN:

Friday 29 November 2024

10.30am Morning Tea

11.15 am Visit your Mentor Group

RSVP:

Friday 15 November 2024 to oc.alumni@oxley.nsw.edu.au