At the heart of our teaching and learning approach is the desire to give students every opportunity to grow. As we approach the first formal reporting period of the year – the Semester One Report – it’s helpful for families to understand how achievement grades are determined and how these support meaningful learning.

In Years 1–10, we follow the NESA Common Grade Scale to report on student achievement at the end of each semester. This scale helps teachers make professional judgements about a student’s level of understanding and skill development in each subject area. It’s important to note that grades are not based on fixed percentage cut-offs. For example, receiving 75% on an assessment does not automatically result in a “B” grade.

Instead, teachers consider a range of evidence gathered over time through multiple forms of assessment. These include:

• Formal tasks, such as assignments, tests, and projects;
• Informal observations, including classroom discussions, group work, and day-to-day activities;
• Summative assessments that reflect what students know at the end of a unit; and
• Formative assessments that guide student learning throughout the term.

Each piece of assessment contributes to a holistic picture of student learning. A final grade reflects what a student consistently demonstrates across a range of contexts—not just performance in one task.

Understanding this approach allows parents to better support their children by encouraging ongoing effort, reflection, and a willingness to respond to feedback. This mindset is essential for building confidence and a genuine love of learning.

We welcome ongoing conversations with parents about assessment and how we can work together to help every student thrive.

Congratulations to Caleb S (Year 3), Grace W (Year 4), Jacob P (Year 5), and Natalia P (Year 6), who will be representing Orange Christian School at the upcoming CWA Public Speaking Competition. They will be competing against students from schools across the region.

Over the past few weeks, our Stage 2 and 3 students have been diligently writing, editing, and rehearsing their speeches during class time. This unit culminated in the presentation of their work to their classmates. It was a valuable opportunity to develop confidence and communication skills.

Well done to all our Stage 2 and 3 students for your effort and commitment throughout this experience.

The Red Shield Appeal is next Saturday 24 May (School Collection) OR Sunday 25 May (Salvos Collection). Every 17 seconds, The Salvation Army in Australia helps someone.

And this help is made possible through the generosity of those who support the Red Shield Appeal. In 2024 the Salvation Army provided over 1.1 million nights of accommodation and over $24.3 million in financial assistance to Aussies in need. If you can help, please see the note on School Stream for details.

Book your tickets today for Peter Pan. Our talented secondary students will be taking to the stage over three action packed shows – Friday 20 June at 6.30pm and Saturday 21 June at 11.00am and 6.30pm.

Prep has been doing some really exciting things this term. We have introduced a Movement and Learning Program that runs for about 20 minutes each morning. This evidence-based program enhances areas of the brain, developing/improving the neuron connections, while providing a positive impact on your child’s health and wellbeing. The children will be learning Italian and this will be done on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Children generally learn a second language more easily and naturally than adults. They have the ability to absorb language sounds and structures more easily and this allows them to develop a more positive attitude towards language acquisition. Mrs Harris has been sharing and enhancing the children’s knowledge of the Wiradjuri culture every Tuesday afternoon. She does this by engaging the children as they sing and dance, learn language and explore Aboriginal art.

“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 NKJV

Compassion is perhaps the one thing people need more than anything else in this world. They need someone to reach out to them with the compassion of Jesus Christ.

Compassion is a deep yearning that responds to the needs of people. It’s much deeper than sympathy. We may feel sympathy for others, but often that just leads us to feel sorry for people. Compassion enables us to do something for those in need.

Jesus’ life on earth was a picture of the compassion of God in action. It was compassion that caused Him to multiply the loaves and fishes, heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead.

It was compassion for us that compelled Him to go to the cross. And it’s that same compassion that He now longs to pour out through you and I. Just think about that for a moment. As Christians, we are the only people that Jesus has on this earth right now to act as His hands and feet. That’s quite a responsibility.

Jesus’ compassion must move us to provide for the hungry and to meet the needs of those in need. It must compel us to pray bold prayers for our leaders and our country. Jesus’ compassion must be poured out through our faithful prayers for the lost as we share the love of Christ with those who do not yet know Him.

We may feel that we lack the required compassion to make a real difference to other people in the world around us. But we don’t. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, then you have the Spirit of God dwelling inside you and He gives you all the compassion that you need. You just need to activate that compassion.

We can activate the God kind of compassion through prayer and fellowship with the Father. Jesus is the perfect role model and He spent much time alone with God. That time activated the compassion of God within Him. It caused Him to feel what God feels about the suffering of mankind. It stirred Him so much that He always met the needs of those around Him.

We can follow Jesus’ example and spend time in fellowship with our Father God. Meditate on His love and compassion so that it rises up strong on the inside and enables you and I to act.

I see compassion in action through the care and diligence shown by our teachers and staff towards our children at Orange Christian School. I also see compassion in action time and again at board meetings as our executive and board members struggle with issues that may impact people and it makes me really proud to be associated with such caring and compassionate people.

Jesus has sent you and I to reach out and touch a world desperately in need of His love and His compassion. If we don’t do it, who will?

Last Tuesday, we hosted the team from Questacon from Canberra, ACT as they travelled around the Central West hosting STEM-based workshops. Guided by the Questacon educators, our Year 7, 8 and 9 students took part in an interactive workshop that introduced them to the “Innovation Cycle”: Think – Make – Try – Refine. Working in teams, they were challenged to design and build a marble rollercoaster using a base frame and a selection of simple materials. Throughout the session, teams moved through each stage of the process, continually improving their designs before showcasing their prototypes to one another.

I am always in awe of the compassion our students show, not just in their daily interactions around school but also when we go away and compete in sporting events. Through their encouragement of other teams or athletes they play, or showing empathy if someone miss hits a ball. If someone falls over our students often forget the game going on and rush to help the child that has fallen. Proverbs 22:6 says “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” I pray this compassionate trait we see in our children that has been borne between the partnership of you as parents and carers and us as a school never fades. That our children will never depart from this desire to empathise and encourage others, not just in sport but in all their days – for the world is a richer place with them in it.
It has been a whirl wind of sporting events recently.
The results from Week 1 Cross Country are in with our Top 4 Placegetters all progressing to State. Congratulations to the following students, they now can compete at Sydney Equestrian Centre for the CSSA State Cross Country Event for both Primary and Secondary on Friday May 30^th:

The Seniors Mens Netball team participated on Friday of Week 1 at James Sheahan for the annual Mensline Cup. The event aims to raise awareness and funds for men’s mental health and domestic violence prevention. In this year’s event, a record 14 teams participated, representing various high schools from Orange, Bathurst, and Lithgow.  Although the OCS boys did not make it to the final, they gained valuable game time before they head away in June for the state CSSA Men’s Netball Competition. A big thankyou to Miss McKeown who has been training these boys. Congratulations to Zac Howarth, Joaquin Vicente, Gabe Weaver, Natan Sadykova, Toby Jackson, Riley Bennett, George Pulling, Ethan Matters, Micah Weaver.

Week 2 saw 100 students make their way to Parkes for the Annual Christian School Far West Zone Soccer Gala Day. Sun shining, supportive parents in tow, our students competed in the Open Boys and Girls, Under 15 Boys and Girls, Stage3 Boys and Girls and Stage 2 Boys and Girls divisions. It was hard fought day, with some cracking goals scored from our students and skilful defence tactics employed. Although none of our teams progressed to state this year, everyone left this event with a smile and an eye towards 2026.

This week we wish good luck to Dimity Buckerfield and Archie Nelson as their NSW Primary Schools Sports Association (NSWPSSA) Boys and Girls State Hockey Championships in Newcastle kicks off on Monday in Week 4.

Also, in Week 4 on Monday 19^th our fierce Under 15 Boys and Girls teams will be competing in the Statewide Soccer (Football) tournament here at Jack Brabham Sportsgrounds. As always, we love having our ever-supportive parents come and cheer us on no matter where we are and that day will be no different. Below is the draw, if you want to go along and encourage them in their quest for soccer glory.

Two sisters within the primary school, Bridie and Storm Wiggins are making a name for themselves on the circuit for the Schools Mountain Biking (MTB) Challenge. Bridie and Storm competed at round 2 of the NSW All Schools Mountain biking series at Awaba near Newcastle on Friday May 9^th, where a muddy track equalled a whole lot of fun.

First off, the girls competed in the Cross Country event. This involves riding over a 3km course, Storm competed 2 laps and Bridie completed 3 laps. Some challenging climbs and down hills were part of this course aimed at testing endurance and skill. Bridie came 5^th overall and

Storm came in a credible 8^th. Next up it was the Funduro. This is an introduction to Gravity, Enduro MTB riding. 3 stages of fun, downhill racing and flow trails (races). Lowest combined times for the 3 stages wins. Bridie flew home to secure an amazing 4^th place and was quickly followed by Storm in 7^th. The girls are next heading to an event in early June, and we can’t wait to see more pics and to hear their results. Congratulations Bridie and Storm.

Sports Coming up for OCS Students:

May 30^th: CSSA State Cross Country

June 17^th: CSSA State Secondary Netball

June 18^th: CSSA State Gymnastics

We handed out our sports award ribbons at our special assembly on Friday. This included awards for swimming carnival, athletics carnivals, cross country, zone carnivals and more. Congratulations to all of our award winners!