As we commence Semester Two, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on the importance of trying different things and persevering towards our goals. At our school, rich in diverse opportunities, students are encouraged to explore their interests both inside and outside the classroom. Whether it’s preparing for HSC Trial Exams, practicing for the Orange Eisteddfod, rehearsing for the Primary Musical, or playing in a sports team. Each experience teaches us valuable lessons about discipline and commitment.

Our Christian faith reminds us that perseverance builds character, and character builds hope (Romans 5:3-4). In every challenge we face, there is an opportunity to grow stronger, learn from our mistakes, and keep moving forward. The process of working diligently towards a goal, with unwavering effort and dedication, is just as valuable as achieving the goal itself.

Through these experiences, we learn the joy of hard work and the satisfaction of improvement. The rewards are not only in the final performance or the score but in the journey we took to get there. Let us celebrate each student’s courage to try new things and their perseverance in the face of challenges. May we all continue to embrace every opportunity, knowing that each effort strengthens our character and prepares us for future success.

On any given day of the school week, Primary classes begin their morning by reading the Bible, sharing prayer points, praying for others or even some worship songs can be heard. Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students use The Beginner’s Bible, The Big Picture Story Bible, and The Jesus Story Book Bible respectively. Stage 2 and 3 students use the NIRV Adventure Bible, and they are currently working through some books of the New Testament.

‘Thankful Friday’ is also a focus in many of the classes, giving the students an opportunity to reflect and share with each other what they are grateful to God for. Gratitude reminds us about God’s grace, the importance of humility and that all good things come from God.

Congratulations to the 16 students who competed at the CSSA State Athletics last week, with many PBs achieved and records broken. Check out the OCS Facebook Sport page for further information.

Week 4 was an opportunity for our Primary students who progressed from Zone Athletics to compete against their Christian peers at the Christian School Sports Association (CSSA) State Primary Athletics Championships at the Blacktown International Athletics Track. We took away our biggest contingent of 16 students – double last year! Our team of Fiyin Adelokun, Emily Barr, Jacob Bertram, Dimity Buckerfield, Millie Chislett, Thomas Gately, Abby Hewitt, Eloise Hickey, Archie Nelson, Emily Perrett, Becky Price, Jacob Price, Jett Reid, Jackson Sharpe, Crystal Sheehan and Emma Williams were amazing as they each got personal best’s (PB’s) across their events. As always, our students competed with determination and grace and displayed outstanding sportsmanship.

A huge shout out goes out to Jacob Price in Year 4, who achieved a new record in the Junior boys 1500m, and his success did not stop there. Jacob’s success at the championships means he will now compete as part of the CSSA State team at the Combined Independent Schools (CIS) State Championships on September 6^th. He will compete in 5 events; 100, 200, 800 and 1500 running events plus the high jump. We wish Jacob well at this next level and look forward to hearing about his results.

What an exciting week ahead for Stage 5! With Year 10 heading to Work Experience and Year 9 Urban Camp kicking off on Wednesday morning. Please pray for safety, growth, friendships, and plenty of fun as they navigate their way around Sydney and Cockatoo Island on buses, trains, and ferries.

Our talented Year 12 Music students will be showcasing their HSC pieces on Friday 13^th of September at the Orange Regional Conservatorium, commencing at 7.00pm. For those who can make it, you are in for a treat. Entry is free and light refreshments will be provided.

The Orange Eisteddfod has been going for a while now, and lots of OCS students have been involved in a few different areas, and are coming out with some awesome results – we are so proud!

Grace Perrett Highly Commended for open under 12s – Piano

Emily Perrett Highly Commended for open under 10s – Piano

Kate Perrett Highly Commended for restricted under 8s – Piano

OCS Secondary Choir Third – Open Secondary School Choir

Maxwell Chudleigh (Year 10):

• • First – 16 Years & Under Piano Solo
  • First – Open Piano – Classical, Baroque or Romantic Solo
  • Winner – 13 to 18 Years Senior Pianoforte Scholarship Solo

Isaac Johnston (Year 4) Highly Commended – 10 Years & Under Piano Solo Restricted

Matthew Skrinnikoff (Year 5)

• • First – 12 Years & Under Piano Solo Restricted
  • First – 12 Years & Under Piano Solo
  • Third – 12 Years & Under Popular Piano Solo

Bailee Honeysett + Eve Godfrey (Year8) – second place – 14 years and under duologue

Well done to our talented students! If we missed your child, please let us know and we’ll feature them in a Facebook post in the coming weeks.

There’s a few more to come as well, so keep an eye on our Facebook page for more updates.

Christian discipleship is defined as the process of learning to love and follow Jesus and becoming more like him in our attitudes and actions. It is also seeking to make other disciples who want to do the same.

In the 14^th century John Wycliffe stood against the tyranny of religious greed and control by writing the first English translation of the Bible and putting it in the hands of the common man. He also trained up a band of preachers that travelled town-to-town across the UK proclaiming the gospel and winning the lost. Wycliffe obeyed the Great Commission and paved the way for the reformation. Christianity is not about church attendance, it is about becoming like Christ – and church certainly helps equip us to be more Christ-like.

Dr Vance Havner writes

“It is not our business to make the message (Gospel) acceptable, but to make it available. We are not to see that they (other people) like it, but they get it.”

Lord help us to be bold and to share your message.

This week we wished our Secondary students who were off to CSSA State Secondary Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park good luck as they competed on August 29^th. Ayo Adelokun, Lily Bangert, Ryan Bravenboer, Matthew Greenfield, Azarleah Hausler, Leila Johnston, Zoe Jones, Charlotte Layton, Laura Paton, Anastasia Pyle, Caleb Reid, Lani Roberts, Zoe Roberts, Madeleine Tai, Honsometa Thorn and Gabriel Weaver will be competing across a massive 43 events on the day. Stay tuned for their results in the next newsletter!

In Week 2 we had our amazing Primary netballers go away for the annual CSSA Primary Netball Gala Day. Our 3 teams; Stage 2 Girls, Stage 3 Girls and Stage 3 Mixed teams were guided by our wonderful and enthusiastic OCS Staff; Mrs McFadyen and Mrs Drummond. It was an exciting day, full of first representative experiences for our little Stage 2’s, new friendships, and the thrill of competing with friends and representing your school for our Stage 3’s. This event was made all the better by the AMAZING support of our passionate parents who travel everywhere to support our students and staff and be our biggest cheerleaders – thank you.

We loved having our community at our annual Father’s Day breakfast this week! It was cracking weather and a wonderful time of celebration of Dad’s, with delicious bacon and egg rolls and coffee, what more could you want?! We wish all Dad’s and Father figures a wonderful Father’s Day this weekend.