After a busy Term 3, we reflect on one full of energy, growth, and memorable experiences. Our Year 9 students embraced the challenges and camaraderie of the urban challenge camp, while Stage 2 and 3 students enjoyed their own adventures in Bathurst and Canberra, building resilience and deepening friendships.

Year 10 stepped into the world of work, gaining valuable insights and experience through their work placements—an important step in their journey of deciding what life after school looks like.

Meanwhile, our Year 12 students have been navigating their final weeks of school with determination and optimism. As they prepare for the HSC, we hold them in our prayers, asking for peace, clarity, and strength in the weeks ahead.

We are so proud of all our students and staff for their commitment and enthusiasm throughout this busy term. As we head into the break, we hope and pray that it will be a time of rest, renewal, and joy for all.

May Term 4 bring fresh energy and purpose as we finish the year strong—especially for our Year 12s as they take their final steps in this chapter of their learning journey.

As Term 3 has drawn to a close, I’d like to thank everyone for another successful term. Our students have worked hard, continued to learn and grow, and enjoyed a wide range of achievements. Creativity and performance shone through music, dance, and the Eisteddfod, where students competed across choirs, individual performances, ensembles, and dance competitions as outstanding ambassadors of the school. We celebrated reading at the Book Parade, welcoming many families to join the festivities, and marked the significant milestone of our Kindergarten students completing 101 days of school. Students also challenged themselves on Stage 2 and 3 camps, and represented the school with excellence at State Athletics, State Netball, debating competitions, and other sporting pursuits. We are grateful to our families for their continued support in making these experiences possible.

I pray this holiday break brings refreshment and rest for everyone. We look forward to seeing all students back for a fantastic Term 4!

A massive congratulations to our Year 12 students who have now completed their schooling journey. We are so proud of all they have achieved throughout their years with us and the way they have finished their time at school. Please keep our each of them in your prayers as they prepare for their upcoming HSC Examinations, which commence on Thursday 16 October.

Our new school leaders for 2026 include – School Captains: Ebony Cooke & Zachary Howarth; Vice Captains: Olivia Zell & Gabriel Weaver; Senior SLT: Atahlia Edwards, Noah Farlow-Holland, Imogen Nancarrow & Amelia Pearce

Congratulations to Lily Bangert on achieving an Encore Nomination for her recent HSC Music Performances. This is a great honour, well done Lily.

Prep’s 20th anniversary was a wonderful celebration, well attended by present and past students (some now adults) along with former and current educators, families, and friends.

Special guests included politicians Phil Donato and Andrew Gee, and Dr Jenny Dwyer, who gave wonderful speeches highlighting the importance of quality early childhood education, reinforcing Prep’s commitment to nurturing and supporting young minds. A highlight of the evening were the artworks made by the children for each of the politicians. It reflected their personal interests and it made an impact when they were received. The children loved the idea of Andrew Gee owning a red ute and painted this to give to him. Andrew was thrilled to receive it and on Monday, brought the ute to Prep to show everyone, much to their delight. After inspecting the ute, the “Dream Big” time capsule was buried with Andrew Gee’s help. The children encouraged Andrew to came into the Prep room where they were able to show him around and tell him the things they enjoy doing.

Sports and faith often intersect, offering powerful lessons in perseverance, teamwork, and excellence. Faith plays a pivotal role in an athlete’s journey, providing strength during challenges and humility in victory.

This year has offered many memorable moments in sport for both our students and the people who have coached them. As we round out Term 3, we give thanks for our young athletes and the recent events they have been in and the parents and carers that support them to use the gifts God blessed them with.

Charlie Reeks and Henry Kay both in Year 7, this week competed at the CIS Secondary Athletics Championships. We are so proud of both boys and their achievements at this event. Henry Kay found his stride and came a commendable 8^th in the 1500m, a great result at this level. Charlie Reeks had a cracking day across a diverse range of events; 100m 6^th, 200m 5^th, Discus 11^th and Shot Put 5^th – amazing results at a championship where the best athletes across the independent schooling system converge.

As the winter sporting season comes to an end and the summer sporting season draws near, it is a prime opportunity for a time of reflection with the young athlete in your family. The Bible is their source to guide their life but also the ultimate sporting playbook. Some of the Bibles most powerful passages can be the inspirational quote to guide their sporting journey and to understand the role The Creator plays as they navigate the sporting world.

“With God, nothing is impossible.” – Luke 1:37

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

Ultimately performances on the big stage do not define our athletes. Only JESUS can do that and it is our job to help them grow in understanding and action.

As we reflect on Term 3, we pause to give thanks for the learning and growth that have shaped the past nine weeks. Across English and HSIE, our students have been engaged in a wide range of deep learning experiences.

In Stage 5 English, students have been immersed in the creative writing process as they composed imaginative pieces, drafting and refining their ideas into polished works. It has been encouraging to see our students give each other meaningful peer feedback and celebrate one another’s creativity. Their growing confidence as writers has been a joy to witness. We have some very talented writers among us!

In other highlights, Stage 5 Geography students traced the journey of everyday products back to their original biomes, uncovering the environmental impact of items we often take for granted. Stage 4 History students created time-travel guides to medieval Europe, bringing the Middle Ages to life with advice on what to wear, which foods to avoid, and most importantly, how to steer clear of the plague! Meanwhile, cross-curricular learning between English and Visual Arts saw Stage 4 students design artworks that captured elements of the dystopian genre they have been exploring in class.

Finally, we give special mention to our Year 12 students. This term has been their last as OCS students in the classroom, and we have walked alongside them through revision lessons, practice papers, and Trial HSC exams. We are proud of the dedication they have shown, the thoughtful questions they have asked, and the encouragement they have offered one another. As they now move toward the HSC examinations, our prayer is that they go forward with confidence, knowing that their identity is not measured by marks, but grounded in Christ. We remind them of Proverbs 16:3: Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.