Reconciliation Week at OCS

As a community, Reconciliation Week offers us a meaningful opportunity to reflect on who we are, how we relate to one another, and how we honour the rich diversity of cultures within our school and nation.

Reconciliation Week calls us to listen deeply, to acknowledge the past with honesty, and to walk forward with humility and respect. As we engage with the stories, traditions, and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, we are reminded that reconciliation is not simply a national conversation.

As a Christian school, our commitment to reconciliation is grounded in a powerful truth, every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).

This foundational belief shapes how we see one another. Every individual reflects something of God’s creativity and character.

At OCS, we desire to be a community where this truth is lived out daily. It is about creating spaces where all students feel known and valued, and where we learn from one another with curiosity and compassion.

During Reconciliation Week last week, we encouraged our students and families to take time to:

Listen and learn about the history and ongoing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. And reflect on ways we can grow in understanding, empathy, and respect.

As a school community, we are committed to continuing that journey, guided by God’s call to love one another deeply and to seek justice with humility (Micah 6:8).

Last week, our Stage 3 Debating Team hosted the next round of friendly matches against Kinross Wolaroi School and Orange Anglican Grammar. Debating provides students with valuable opportunities to develop their public speaking, critical thinking and rebuttal skills while learning to communicate their ideas with confidence. We look forward to welcoming students from these two schools and are grateful to our staff and families who support this enriching co-curricular opportunity. The next round of debating will be hosted by Orange Anglican Grammar early in Term 3.

OCS was also pleased to host Day 2 of the Primary School Chess Teams Competition last week. We welcomed a large number of students from schools across the region for a day of strategic thinking, problem-solving and friendly competition. A special thank you to Mr John Green, who coordinates and leads this valuable extra-curricular opportunity for our Primary students. Our own Stage 2 and Stage 3 students represented the school with enthusiasm and excellent sportsmanship as they tested their skills against other young chess players.

What Do Grades Actually Mean?

As we approach the end of Semester 1, I recently spent time speaking with our Year 7-10 students about grades, assessment and what school reports are designed to communicate.

This year, families will notice that Year 7-10 reports include grades rather than assessment marks. This reflects our focus on reporting student achievement against course outcomes and the level of learning demonstrated throughout the semester.

Families may also have noticed some changes to Semester 1 assessment this year. Most subjects did not hold a traditional examination, and those that did generally completed these within normal class programs rather than through a dedicated examination block.

As a result, some students have commented that their “exams are finished” and that they can now relax for the remainder of the term. It is important to remember that learning continues until the final day of term. Teachers continue to gather evidence of student learning throughout the semester, and this evidence contributes to the professional judgements that inform report grades.

The infographic below provides a summary of the key messages shared with students. Families who would like a more detailed explanation of how grades are determined and reported can also access the full presentation, including presenter notes, using the link below.

Assessment is not about perfection. It is about growth, improvement and responding to feedback over time. View the full presentation here:  What Your Grades Actually Mean

Have you ever given your child a fidget tool, only to find it quickly became a distraction rather than a support? Maybe it even turned into a toy! You’re not alone. Many families notice that while fidgets can be helpful, their success often depends on how they are introduced and used.

Fidget tools (not toys!) can be incredibly helpful when used correctly. They are designed to support self-regulation and focus, particularly for students with ADHD, anxiety, or sensory needs. Small, repetitive movements in the hands can help students stay engaged with visual and auditory information in the classroom.

So, what makes a “good” fidget? The best tools are silent, simple, repetitive, and small enough to fit comfortably in a student’s hand. Fidgets lose their effectiveness as a learning tool when they are loud, visually engaging, distracting, or used for entertainment. A helpful way to think about it is: if it distracts you, it’s not helping you; if others notice it, it may be too distracting for everyone. Teachers will also be reinforcing these expectations at school.

When students understand how and when to use these tools effectively, they are better equipped to succeed. If you are considering a fidget for your child, please keep these guidelines in mind. Thank you to Mrs Edwards for designing this poster!

We are excited to share an update on our upcoming Madagascar Jr. production! Our students have been working incredibly hard and their enthusiasm is shining through in every aspect of preparation. We recently had Mr David Brodie come in to take photos of our lead cast and stage groups for our program that will be available on the nights.

A reminder that a costume note has been posted on School Stream with details of what parents and carers are asked to provide – thank you for your support in helping bring our characters to life.

Behind the scenes, students are creatively designing and building set pieces, transforming our space into the vibrant world of Madagascar. Our Stage 1 girls have been busy making their lemur tails, showing fantastic creativity and teamwork. In the coming weeks, our Stage 3 students will partner with their Kindergarten buddies to create penguin masks, a wonderful opportunity for collaboration and mentorship.

Excitement is continuing to build with ticket sales now on sale! (Find the link in school stream.) Keep an eye out for more information soon – we can’t wait to share this fun and energetic performance with our school community!

Students from K–12 came to school with some incredibly creative and crazy hairstyles as part of our Crazy Hair Day fundraiser for the Cancer Council.

From colourful sprays and ribbons to wild styles and imaginative creations, the day was a huge success raising over $800 for Cancer Council and filled with lots of fun across the whole school.

Thank you to our school community for supporting such an important cause!