Letter from the Principal
Welcome to Term 2
Welcome back to our school community. I trust that the break was refreshing and energising for your family. We are excited to be back for Term 2!
Facility upgrades
Over the term break, considerable work has been completed to improve the facilities around the school. You will notice new pathways, gardens and turf laid around K block. These upgrades to our landscape are designed to create more green space, play areas and create a hospitable environment, conducive to recreation and building positive relationships. More is to be done in this area, with planned amphitheatre type seating, tree plantings and outdoor recreation table tennis facilities.
The school has also installed with a grant from the Federal Government, solar panels and batteries to improve our deliverability of power and to save money, by drawing on our solar resources during the day and utilising battery power after hours. These savings should not only benefit the school but also demonstrate our care for God’s world as his faithful stewards.
Staffing change
It is with some sadness that I inform the school community that Stephen Toms will be leaving OCS at the end of this term. After many years of faithful service, Stephen is relocating his family towards Newcastle and will be joining another Christian school in the TAS department. We honour Stephen’s decision to move and start this new chapter in his family’s life. No doubt, Stephen will be a blessing to the school community wherever he goes.
The school will be looking to recruit a suitable candidate this term, and I ask the school community to join me in praying for a suitable candidate to build on our excellent reputation in the TAS faculty.
Coming up at OCS
Term 2 is packed!
- Year 7+10 Vaccinations – POSTPONED to a date TBC
- Stage 1 History Excursion – 8th May
- Mother’s Day Breakfast – 9th May
- FACTS Day for Year 12 – 9th May
- Association AGM – 22nd May
- CSSA Primary and Secondary State Cross Country – 30th May
- Primary Chess Days – 16th June (offsite) + 18th June (onsite)
- Peter Pan at the Civic Theatre – 20th + 21st June
- Stage 2 to the Civic Theatre – 23rd June
- Stage 6 Compressed Exams – 30th June
- K-10 Semester 1 Report Distribution – 2nd July
- Primary STEAM Day – 4th July
- Last Day of Term 2 – 4th July
- STAR – Mon-Thurs from 3:15-5:00pm
- Active Kids Club – Mon-Fri from 3:15-5:00pm
- Primary Assembly – Friday Week A 9:15am
- Secondary Assembly – Friday Week A 10:50am
- Parent’s Prayer Connect in Bembooka – Friday Week 3, 8:45-9:15am
Deputy’s Report
ANZAC Service: A time for reflection and thinking about service
The ANZAC service held at OCS was a deeply moving and reflective occasion, honouring the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Students and staff came together to contribute to this significant event, creating a sense of unity and remembrance.
A notable part of the service was the inclusion of rosemary, which served as a tactile symbol of the sacrifices made by those who have served in our armed forces. This reminded attendees of the importance of remembrance and gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy today.
Additionally, the service encouraged reflection on the greater sacrifice of Jesus Christ and encouraged students and staff to consider how they can support and serve others in our own community. As we honour our veterans, we are reminded of the various upcoming service opportunities available, including the Red Shield Appeal, Fiji Mission fundraisers, and support for the Cancer Council with crazy hair day for Primary.
These initiatives offer everyone a chance to contribute meaningfully, fostering a spirit of service and compassion within our community.
From the Head of Primary
We warmly welcome the new families who have joined our Primary School community this term.
There are several exciting events coming up for our students, including Crazy Hair Day, Fiji Mission Trip fundraisers, Debating and Chess competitions, and STEAM Day. You can find more information about these events on the school app.
We love having families attend our fortnightly assemblies! The first assembly for the term will be held in Week 3 and will be led by our Year 3 students. Come early, grab a coffee from Bembooka, and be ready for a 9:15am start. For details on which students will be leading the remaining assemblies, please refer to my ‘Term 2 Important Dates’ note.
From the Head of Secondary
Welcome back to Term 2! We hope you had a restful break and are ready for a big term of learning, growth, and exciting events.
Our Peter Pan cast are rehearsing hard, and tickets are now live! You can purchase them below. You are not going to want to miss this show!
With our Fiji Mission team heading off at the end of the term, the team along with the SLT will be running a series of fundraisers for anyone who would like to participate.
Friday 2nd May – Fiji Friday Pie Day – Pies and poppers: thank you for your support. We sold over 300 pies which is amazing!
Friday 16th May – Fizzy Friday – Soft drinks for secondary and Whiz Fizz and Sherbies for primary.
Friday 30th May – Fiji Fryday – K – 12 hot chips
Friday 13th June – Fiji Frog Friday – K – 12 Freddos and red frogs
Friday 27th June – Out of uniform and fun Fiji activities
Stay tuned for updates, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. Here’s to a fantastic start to the term!
From Careers + Leadership
Elevate – last Tuesday students in Years 7-12 participated in Elvate Education study skills seminars ranging from time management, memory methods, positive study mindsets and effective notetaking.
Each student has access to ongoing resources through Elevate and will be reinforced in Homeroom in the lead up to exams later in term.
Elevate also run parent seminars online to assist parents. The next one is coming soon
How to Get (And Keep!) Your Child Motivated. Wednesday 7th May 6:30-7:30pm (AEST)
Click here to register for free
Here’s what Elevate will be covering on the night:
- Using praise and reassurance to motivate your child
- Setting relevant and effective goals for your child
- Helping your child to stay motivated long-term
In Careers news – Year 12 will go to CSU in Bathurst on Friday May 9 for the FACTS Day. They will participate in a talk from NESA / UAC and a Careers expo featuring 60+ universities and employers to assist the students plan for the future. Year 10 are working towards finding their work experience placements for Term 3.
From the Academic Growth Centre
What is Neurodiversity?
Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well
One of our main AGC goals this year is to create awareness and share information regarding neurodiversity. Above all else, we want our students to see themselves as unique, precious and valuable and to be able to say with confidence, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”.
“Neurodiversity is the concept of natural differences across the spectrum of human brains. Each person has something unique and valuable to offer the world due to their neurological differences. Neurodiversity can include individuals across the spectrums of Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia, etc.” Advanced Behaviour Analysis
Thank you to the Learning Support team for their engagement in Professional Training sessions regarding various components of neurodiversity and to teachers who are accessing webinars and research material to broaden their understanding in this space.
A huge thank you also to parents who frequently share their experiences and knowledge with us so that we can better support our students.
Regarding our Learning Support team – a warm welcome to Andrew Hocking (who will be getting married next Saturday) and to Sally Francis who is already proving to be a gem on a team.
Before I sign off – we are again looking for volunteers to assist us as readers and writers for students during the half yearly and yearly examinations and for the HSC exams. No prior experience is required. If you, or someone you know, will be able to help us, please contact the school.
Sport Spot
Sport ended with a bang when the day shone for the Primary Athletics Carnival, and there were several record breakers that are featured in this newsletter. The Secondary Athletics Carnival record breakers were featured in the last newsletter of Term 1.
Primary Record Breakers:
Jacob Price – 11 years boys 800m, 100m and shot put
Dimity Buckerfield – 12-13 years girls high jump
Mitchell Hickey – 8 years boys 100m (tie)
Callen Paddison – 8 years boys 100m (tie)
Term 2 has kicked off with the annual Cross Country on Friday Week 1. Please check Schoolstream for the event details. Most races will be run off site next door at Nelson Park (starting just near the overhead bridge) but our Kindergarten students along with those who are 7 will all race onsite. Winners will be announced in the next newsletter.
Week 2 will see our students head to Parkes for the annual Zone Soccer Gala Day. This year we are sending boys and girls teams in Seniors, Under 15s, Stage 3 and Stage 2. Last year was a very successful year, when our Stage 2 boys progressed to State titles in Sydney. This year should be another cracker with OCS sending strong teams over to contest each division.
Offsite sport for Term 2 & 3 has started once more for both Stage 4 and Stage 5 students. Each double sport period they will head to Ten Pin Bowling, Fitness Perfection or Central West Gymsports for sport. Their single sport periods will be on site. Please ensure you support your child by sending them to school with a note if they are injured and unable to participate. Students not participating without a note will be issued with a detention as sport is a mandatory requirement under the Department of Education. Stage 5 go off site every odd week of the term and Stage 4 go off site every even week.
A big shout out to all our parents who helped make OCS sporting events great in Term 1 – without you we would not be able to run the events we do. THANK YOU.
Stay tuned for next newsletter with all the latest results from upcoming events.
