Over the past week, our school has enjoyed several opportunities to celebrate student learning and achievement. Parent-teacher interviews were held recently, and it was wonderful to see so many parents engaging in meaningful conversations with teachers. These meetings are a vital part of the partnership between home and school, ensuring that each child’s academic growth is nurtured through shared understanding and support. When parents and teachers work together, students are better equipped to set goals, overcome challenges, and experience success in their learning.

We were also delighted to see our students shine in the Orange Eisteddfod. Last week, our primary dance groups performed with great energy and enthusiasm, and over the coming fortnight many of our musicians will represent the school in both solo and ensemble performances, including our Stage 1 and Stage 2 Choirs. The Eisteddfod is a valuable opportunity for students to showcase the dedication and effort they have invested in rehearsals, while also experiencing the joy of live performance. Through these occasions, students share the unique gifts and talents they have been given by God, while building resilience, confidence, and school pride. Most importantly, they learn the joy of using their abilities in ways that inspire others and strengthen our school community.

The OCS Book Parade is fast approaching and will be held this Wednesday 20^th August. All Prep to Year 6 students will be involved in this exciting morning. The parade will commence at 9:30am in Ngalgarra Hall, and we warmly welcome parents, carers, grandparents and other family members to attend. The parade will be followed by a morning tea picnic and book stall in the top playground area, and we hope you are able to join us. This annual event is always a highlight for many, as we celebrate the joy of reading and encourage a lifelong love of books. There is a note on the school app with all the details.

Congratulations to the Year 3 and Year 4-6 Dance teams, who achieved an impressive 3^rd place and Highly Commended respectively at last week’s Eisteddfod! What a fantastic achievement for all involved.

All the best to our Primary students competing at the CSSA State Athletics next Friday in Sydney. We have a strong team representing our school, and we look forward to hearing about their efforts, achievements and personal bests.

Secondary students are excited to be joining in the Book Week fun this week on Wednesday the 20^th of August. Please see School Stream notice for more details.

You are all welcome on Friday the 29^th of August to come along to the HSC Senior Showcase at the Orange Regional Conservatorium at 7.00pm. Free entry. For those who can make it, you are in for a treat. The night will commence with dessert and viewing the Visual Arts major works, before heading into the auditorium for a fantastic line up of Music performances.

Please pray for Year 12 students as they prepare for their Trial exams in Week 5.

In week 2 we had the privilege of hosting a group of Japanese students at OCS — an opportunity for cultural exchange that left both our guests and our students richer in understanding and connection.

The Japanese students shared their culture through Anime, Origami, and Calligraphy, and our students shared theirs visiting our ag plot to meet the sheep and chickens, as well as art and drum lessons. The day was full of moments that broadened perspectives and built friendships. Year 9 & 10 welcomed them into their classrooms, while many other students connected with them in the playground, discovering not just how school is done in another country, but also the joy of finding common ground across cultures.

Our visitors’ guide commented on how friendly and welcoming our students were — something that made OCS stand out from other schools they had visited. We’re so proud of our students for showing warmth, curiosity, and respect as they learned from and with their new friends.

Earlier in August the Senior leaders of OCS hosted the annual “Young Leaders of the Central West Summit”. The summit brings together the leadership groups from schools in Orange and the region. The Leaders would like to acknowledge the assistance of Orange City Council in facilitating this event with a grant and beautiful venue at the Orange Botanic Gardens.

As well as Phil Donato, local MP, the leaders heard from Leesa Chaseling, in an inspiring address about leading and following dreams in a way that honours us and those around us. Deb Fidler, psychologist from Health in Mind, spoke about well-being and kind self-talk while leading. The students also had opportunity to share with each other and develop relationships with leaders from the other schools.

Special thanks also to Mrs Anna Sims for her assistance. The OCS leaders did a fantastic job hosting and managing the day. They represented our school graciously and with generosity.

In Careers news:

Year 12 students are in the midst of applying for early entry, university applications and applying for work and apprenticeships.

Year 10 will head off to work experience in Week 6. The range of employers is many and varied and we expect this will be a wonderful opportunity for the students to develop their ideas about what they may choose to work at in the future.

OCS took part in the annual Mayor’s Cup debating competition for Local Government week. Three schools were represented with OCS taking on Kinross in the final. The topic was “that local councils should invest more in emerging technologies for the benefit of our future communities”. The team of Mia Maslen, Amy Pearce, Zarli Hausler and Bree Burke spoke very well but went down in a challenging debate.

Debating is one of those ‘brain sports’ that challenges students’ critical thinking and communication skills. Congratulations to the team for the fantastic efforts.

It may be hard to admit it, but we all lack integrity at some point or another. We like to justify our poor behaviours or actions, but really, we are just being hypocrites. 

Hypokrites, the Greek word that we translate as “hypocrite,” means literally “an actor or stage player”. In ancient Greek drama, each actor played several different roles. They used a different carved wooden mask for each of the various characters they were playing. When an actor in ancient Greece needed to switch to a different character, he simply picked up a different mask and held it in front of his face.

I think many of us do pretty much the same thing. We often try to present ourselves in the best possible light, even if it’s not honest, accurate or authentic. Jesus was very clear what He thought about hypocrites in Matthew 23:25 – 28. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence”. You can read the other verses yourself. Jesus exposed the Pharisees for what they were. He essentially said that they were play actors, with no integrity. He said that they looked nice and righteous on the outside, but on the inside, their hearts were full of sin. 

Jesus reminds us that it doesn’t make any difference if people appear to be righteous. What matters is to be pure on the inside. We must start with what’s inside us, allowing Jesus to transform us, and then our actions will follow suit. Through Jesus, we can clean the inside of the cup before we move on to the outside. Integrity starts from the inside out, not the outside in.

Recently, 124 of our Primary and Secondary students proudly represented OCS at the Zone Athletics Carnival. It was a fantastic day filled with energy, determination and encouragement, as students celebrated personal bests, cheered each other on, and enjoyed the spirit of healthy competition.

We are delighted to share that many students achieved personal best results, with some now progressing to State CSSA in Sydney. A huge congratulations to our Secondary students Samuel, Lily, Caleb and Charlie, and Primary students Jacob and Becky, who all achieved the title of Zone Age Champions.

A special mention must go to Jacob, who not only earned Zone Champion but also broke three zone records — an incredible achievement!

Beyond the results, the carnival was a wonderful display of resilience, hard work and effort, reminding us that the true sense of achievement comes from giving your best, regardless of the outcome. Well done to all our athletes!