Principal’s Address
Term 2 has begun with many key events in our school community, including our Anzac Day ceremony, Cross Country athletics event, and a warm and honouring tribute to our mothers at our recent Mother’s Day assembly.
As a school, we value and celebrate significant events such as Anzac Day and Mother’s Day, as both reflect themes of love, commitment, and sacrifice. We honour the servicemen and women, past and present, who have served, and continue to serve, our nation with courage and dedication. Their commitment ensures the safety and freedom of others, often at great personal cost.
We also recognise and celebrate the mothers within our school community for their love, care, and sacrifice in raising families and shaping the lives of their children. Proverbs 1:8 reminds us, “Do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” We are grateful for the vital role mothers play within families, our school, and the wider community. Thank you for your love, strength, and perseverance as you navigate and juggle life’s many demands. It is a great reminder and role model to us all.
In the busyness of school life, I often reflect on the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38–42. Martha was distracted by many tasks, while Mary chose to sit with Jesus and listen. Jesus reminds us that Mary chose the “better way.” This is not to suggest that hard work and service are unimportant, but rather that our busyness should never take priority over what truly matters. So, I encourage our school community to find time to slow down (when you can!), not be distracted by busyness and to take time to connect with God, family and friends.
As our students continue to settle into their routines this term, I encourage you to keep our school in your prayers, especially for the health and wellbeing of our staff and students as we move into the colder months.
God bless,
Yooie
Deputy Principal’s Report
Understanding Assessment, Grading and Student Growth
As we move into another reporting season, it is a good opportunity to reflect on the purpose of assessment and reporting at Orange Christian School.
Our Year 12 students have recently received their HSC Semester 1 and Compressed Preliminary reports, with Year 11 Preliminary Semester 1 reports being issued midway through the term and K–10 reports released at the end of Term 2.
At OCS, reporting is designed to communicate student learning and growth rather than simply focusing on marks or percentages. Students develop at different rates and in different ways, which is why grade descriptors provide some of the most meaningful feedback for students and families.
Grades are determined using a combination of formal and informal assessment data. Across Primary and Secondary, teachers use professional judgement based on a broad range of evidence collected throughout the semester, including classwork, participation, homework, quizzes, practical activities and formal assessment tasks.
In Secondary, formal assessment task marks are derived from the grade descriptors first. Teachers determine the standard demonstrated by the student’s work before allocating a mark. The mark is then used to differentiate where a student is performing within that grade range, rather than the mark itself determining the grade.
This approach is also reflected in the removal of formal assessment task weightings in Stage 4 and 5. As part of this change, Stage 4 and 5 reports will include grades for formal assessment tasks rather than percentage marks, helping keep the focus on demonstrated learning standards and student growth over time.
As reports are released, we encourage families to focus on growth, effort, progress and perseverance alongside academic achievement. These are often the clearest indicators of meaningful learning and development.
Head of Primary
Congratulations to Millie C (Year 3), Lochie C (Year 4), Yusif J (Year 5), and Isaac J (Year 6), who will be representing Orange Christian School at the upcoming CWA Public Speaking Competition. They will compete against students from 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 provided a valuable opportunity for students to develop confidence and strengthen their communication skills.
Well done to all Stage 2 and 3 students for your effort, perseverance and commitment throughout this learning experience.
Head of Secondary (Acting)
Respect and Encouragement in Action at the Cross Country
Respect is a core value at OCS, and our recent Cross Country provided a wonderful opportunity to see this value lived out in authentic and meaningful ways. Throughout the day, students consistently encouraged one another, celebrating effort as much as achievement, offering support after events, and cheering classmates on regardless of age or ability.
This spirit of encouragement created an atmosphere that was noticeable not only within our community, but also to those visiting our school. As a Christian school, we ground our values in Scripture. In 1 Peter 2:17, we are reminded to “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.” Our students embodied this call so well, showing respect to peers, staff and competitors alike, and demonstrating care for the whole community.
We are proud of the way our students represented OCS so positively. Moments like these remind us that respect is not just something we talk about, but something our students are learning to live each day.
Academic Growth Centre
It has been a busy time in the Academic Growth Centre as we develop student learning profiles and collaborate with families on supporting their child’s learning. We have enjoyed getting to know students across the primary and high schools, learning their unique strengths, as each student is fearfully and wonderfully made by God (Psalm 139:14).
Our hope and purpose in the Academic Growth Centre is that every student will feel confident, supported, and encouraged in their learning. Each day, we liaise with teachers on how to support students in their classes. We support students during assessments, making sure every student can do their best. We talk to families about goals for their child and how they can be supported to achieve those goals. Our fantastic Academic Support Officers are in classrooms, partnering with teachers to guide students in their learning.
For families in the school community who would like to learn more about Christian experiences of disability and neurodiversity, we would recommend “Like Me – A Story about Disability and Discovering God’s Image in Every Person” picture book by Laura Wifler and “Views from the Spectrum: A Window Into Life and Faith with Your Neurodivergent Child” by Ron Sandison.
Please also take note of an upcoming webinar on “Neurodiversity and the Family of God”. Tickets are available at https://www.faithfulgod.net/webinar This webinar will explore the ways that we can include and celebrate neurodivergence within the Christian community by providing supportive practices that allow individuals to feel welcomed and valued.
Here at Orange Christian School, we continue to work towards building a community that values and includes people of all neurotypes and abilities, by celebrating individuals as dearly loved and cherished members of the family of God.
CAPA Update
Primary Musical
Our Primary School production of Madagascar Jnr is coming together in exciting ways! Students have been enthusiastically involved in bringing the show to life, with creative set designs now well underway. Under the guidance of Miss Thompson, students have enjoyed participating in set design painting sessions, demonstrating wonderful creativity, teamwork and pride in their contributions to the production.
Program photo day across Primary in Week 3 was highly successful, with students looking fantastic and embracing the excitement of being part of the musical. We have also been incredibly impressed by the work ethic, dedication and commitment students are showing as they learn lines, songs, choreography and stage directions.
Costume planning is also well underway, with some fantastic pieces already being sourced and prepared for our students. We are looking forward to seeing all the hard work continue to come together as we move closer to performance time!
