Volume Seventeen, Friday 22nd November 2024

Groups, churches, political parties etc can define themselves in terms of who they are against or what they stand for.
Unfortunately defining yourself in terms of what you are against produces a tighter and more emotive response.
It is more difficult to define yourself in terms of what you are for.
Love over hate, constructive solutions versus victimhood.
Where do I stand in this increasingly divisive world?

Oakhill got behind International Men's Day on Tuesday 19th November marking the day with several activities led by the Student Representative Council. These activities were based around this year's theme "Look Out for Your Mates", emphasising the importance of fostering positive connections, supporting one another, and promoting mental wellbeing.

Throughout November, several Oakhill staff have also actively participated in Movember, raising awareness and funds for men's health initiatives.

Ms Donna Findlay
Acting Director of Student Wellbeing & Management

Every year Oakhill creates a little bit of Christmas cheer for those in need via the College Christmas Hamper Appeal.  Each student is asked to bring in one food hamper item and a gold coin to buy presents for a family in need. 

Items will be collected up until Week 8.

Mr Chris Goodman
Director of Mission

Twelve student leaders recently attended "Encounter Day" at the Holy Spirit Lakemba, a unique gathering for students from Lasallian schools across Sydney to connect, learn, and grow. The event aimed to strengthen the students' leadership skills and foster a sense of community among young Lasallians.

Throughout the day, students participated in a series of inspiring workshops on relationships, faith development, and personal wellbeing. These sessions were designed to help students build healthy connections, deepen their faith, and learn tools for maintaining emotional and mental balance. The facilitators encouraged open dialogue, and students were able to share insights from their experiences in their respective schools, learning from each other's perspectives.

Encounter Day was a memorable experience that encouraged self-reflection and growth. The participants left feeling inspired to bring new ideas and positive energy back to their school communities. Not only did they gain valuable skills and insights, but they also formed meaningful connections with other Lasallian leaders, strengthening the bond within the broader Lasallian network.

Ms Roxanne Leopardi
Co-ordinator of Lasallian Youth Ministry

Oakhill students have made a remarkable impact through the Kids giving Back program. 

Congratulations to Pratyush Dawadi (Year 8) and Aayan Patel (Year 7) who recently participated in the September/October school holiday program making more than 7,500 meals and care packs for 21 charities around Sydney. Pratyush and Aayan displayed both outstanding empathy and civic commitment throughout the program.

There are more opportunities to get involved coming up. Please see below. 

1. School Holiday Community Programs
We would be grateful if you could include in your newsletter (see attached) our December 2024/January 2025 School holiday programs | Kids Giving Back Bookings are now open! Our programs are highly popular, and we encourage early registration to secure a place.

2. 21 Day Kindness Challenge
Starting December 1st, we’re launching our 21 Day Kindness Challenge, and we’d love your school to become a supporter school by promoting this initiative in your newsletter. This challenge is a great way to inspire small acts of kindness throughout the holiday season. Please see the attached flyer for details.

3. School Incursions and Excursions
Empower students with our experiential Giving Back programs, held either at our Paddington Hub or at your school.

4. School Donation Drives
Make a significant impact by donating groceries and toiletries for our charity partners. We’ll provide easy instructions for each year group to contribute specific items, which can be packed and distributed by your students or our volunteers.

5. Mufti Day Fundraiser for Kids Giving Back
Host a gold coin fundraiser to help us continue supplying Breakfast Boxes and Snack Cups to students at low socio-economic schools and vulnerable communities.

6. Family Volunteering Programs
- Little Helpers (ages 5–7): A Saturday afternoon program for younger children.
- Cook4Good (ages 8+): A Sunday afternoon program for families.

The Oakhill College community is invited to join us for Mass every Friday at 8.00am in the College Chapel. Please find below the Mass schedule for Term 4 2024:

Last week Year 7 welcomed their grandparents to the College for Grandparent's Day. It was a wonderful morning, acknowledging and fostering these meaningful relationships.

Please note, there has been some slight changes to the Term dates for 2025. Please find the finalised dates below: 

Term 1
Friday 31st January - Year 7 and 11, Term 1 commences
Monday 3rd February - Year 8, 9, 10 and 12, Term 1 commences
Friday 11th April - Term 1 concludes

Term 2
Monday 28th April – Term 2 commences
Friday 27th June – Term 2 concludes

Term 3
Monday 21st July – Term 3 commences
Friday 26th September – Term 3 concludes

Term 4
Monday 13th October – Term 4 commences
Thursday 4th December – Year 10 Term 4 concludes
Tuesday 9th December - Years 7 ,8, 9 and 11 students Term 4 concludes

Ms Deborah Gillis
Acting Deputy Principal

The College Open Day will be held on Sunday 2nd March from 10.00am-2.00pm. Bookings for Br Steve Hogan's Principal's Address followed by a student led College Tour are now open. Please register here and pass on to other families who may be interested in attending: https://www.oakhill.nsw.edu.au...

Following Open Day, Oakhill's enrolment process commences for boys entering in Year 7, 2027 and girls for Year 11, 2026.

All applicants require their own Expression of Interest and Enrolment Application including siblings. Expression of Interest forms can be found here: https://oc-au-nsw-340.app.digi...

Mrs Gabby Russo
Head of Marketing & Communications

Oakhill College have partnered with the Sustainable School Shop to provide families with access to second-hand textbooks, uniforms, calculators, musical instruments, sports gear and more!

The Sustainable School Shop have preloaded items specific to Oakhill College onto the site. This makes it easy to list your items for sale and to buy items.

See all the second-hand uniform items for sale here: https://www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au/stocktake/oakhill-college

See all the second-hand textbooks for sale here: https://www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au/booklist/oakhill-college

If interested please visit the site, register and list your items for sale, you will be:

• reusing items rather than adding to landfill
• making money on items you sell
• saving money on items you buy
• providing another family in our school with cheaper items

Login or Register here: https://www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au

Mrs Elke Forrest
Business Manager

The Visual Arts Faculty at Oakhill College are lucky to have so many talented young artists in each year group. These students are talented in a multitude of areas, and are willing to push their skills to new heights by experimenting and exploring many new materials and techniques. Each month the Visual Arts staff select a student to be our Artist of the Month. Their artwork must reflect a high level of artistic skill as well a sophisticated conceptual focus.

Year 9 Elective Visual Arts were the focus for Artist of the Month in November. The students in Year 9 Elective Visual Arts have created a range of pieces this year, exploring in-depth ideas that convey strong opinions and ideas based on the world around them. One student in particular always rises to the occasion, investigating and researching his ideas extensively to ensure he is always pushing his work further. We would like to congratulate the Artist of the Month for November, Edward Wijanto. Edward created an outstanding artwork, conveying a self-portrait using ballpoint pen. Edward works diligently, he becomes completely focused and immersed in the process of creating. It is great to see his artistic practice developing with each work he creates.

Mrs Nadina Hazon
Visual Arts Teacher

Tickets are now on sale for the upcoming Year 10 Drama production of "Laughter on the 23rd Floor". Ten Comedy writers. One chance to save the funniest 90 minute show in television. One thing stands in their way.......EACH OTHER!!!!

Preforming in the Adrian Theatre on:

- Tuesday 26th November - 7.00pm - PREVIEW PERFORMANCE - Tickets $15
- Thursday 28th November - 7.00pm - OPENING NIGHT - Tickets $25
- Friday 29th November - 7.00pm - Show 2 - Tickets $25
- Saturday 30th November - 7.00pm - Closing Night - Tickets $25

Tickets can be purchased through Trybooking

Ms Rebecca Madigan
Administration Assistant - Performing Arts

Oakhill College’s Year 12 production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was nothing short of a magical theatrical experience. Inspired by The Royal Shakespeare Company’s adaptation by David Edgar, this interpretation captivated the audience with its dazzling blend of artistry, emotion, and technical innovation, leaving all in attendance deeply moved and uplifted.

The world of Ebenezer Scrooge was brought to life with stunning set and costume designs that captured the essence of each character. Every detail—from Scrooge’s austere attire to the ethereal glow of the ghostly apparitions—highlighted the creative brilliance of the production team. Complementing these designs were mesmerising animations on the LED screen, transporting the audience into another realm. Ghosts appeared in chilling clarity, while swirling vortexes and atmospheric visuals intensified the supernatural elements of the play.

The music was meticulously curated, seamlessly intertwining classical and modern compositions to heighten every scene. The symphonic orchestra and haunting violins provided an emotional undercurrent, while standout musical moments brought the audience to its feet. The joyous energy of Kelly Clarkson’s Underneath the Christmas Tree had the entire cast singing in unison, infusing a celebratory spirit. The poignant use of My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade during Tiny Tim’s funeral was profoundly moving, and Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You provided a jubilant finale. The show’s crowning moment came with the cast’s stunning rendition of O Holy Night, as their harmonies reverberated through the theatre, leaving the audience spellbound.

The brilliant cast delivered unforgettable performances, portraying each character with extraordinary conviction and emotional depth. Their talent and dedication brought Dickens’ timeless story to life, taking the audience on Scrooge’s transformative journey from despair to redemption. This masterpiece would not have been possible without the visionary direction and tireless efforts of the Drama Faculty—Mr Warren Flanagan and Mr Tyler Thoroughgood—whose collaboration resulted in a visually and emotionally stunning production.

Special recognition goes to the Entertainment Crew for their professional execution of lighting, sound, and technical elements that elevated this production to an unforgettable level of artistry.

The audience was taken through a whirlwind of emotions, from laughter to tears, as they witnessed the timeless power of Dickens’ story. Congratulations to the Drama Faculty and the Year 12 Entertainment Crew for their dedication to creating such a magical and memorable production for Oakhill College.

Mr Warren Flanagan
Academic Head of Drama

The School Drive Subsidy is available in areas where there is limited or no public transport. The subsidy is intended to partly offset the cost of using a private vehicle to drive the eligible student all or part of the way to school.

Who's eligible for School Drive Subsidy?

To be eligible, your child must:

• Be a resident of NSW, or an overseas student eligible for free government education
• Be aged 4 years 6 months or older and enrolled full-time in school or TAFE (pre-school children are not eligible)
• Live in an area where there is no public transport and more than the minimum distance to school (the minimum distance varies according to the year or grade the child is enrolled in).

To see if you are eligible please click here https://transportnsw.info/tick...

If you have turned 16, and have not yet done so through Student Services, you are invited to apply for a concession card. This card allows you to travel on public transport at student rates and also to secure tickets to various events at a reduced rate.

To request a concession card, students should complete the form below which requires your name, date of birth and the school year for 2024.

Concession Card Request

Once issued, concession cards will be valid until March 2025. You are encouraged to apply now if you haven't already obtained a card.

If you already hold a concession card, now is a good time to check that it hasn't expired. If it has, you can also use this form to apply for a new card.

Without a concession card, you may be expected to pay adult fares and rates now that you are 16 or over. You may be subject to fines on public transport if you cannot show a valid card. This concession card will be the only proof of student status which some venues and providers will accept.

If you have any questions about this, please contact Student Services at the College.

Ms Donna Findlay​​​​
Acting Director of Student Wellbeing & Management

Applications are now open for 2025 Student Opal cards via the Transport NSW website https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/#/ . We encourage all families to apply now before the start of the 2025 school year.

All students catching the bus in 2025 will need a School Opal card.

Under the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS), eligible students can apply for free or subsided travel between home and school. For more information about the SSTS and how to apply for a School Opal Card, visit https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/#/ from a desktop computer, and click 'apply for a school travel pass'.

The library is proudly supporting the Movember movement to raise awareness about men’s health and wellbeing issues, helping to break the stigma surrounding these topics. The library space has been decorated with moustaches to encourage conversation around men’s health, while showcasing the library’s wellbeing resources.

The popular ‘try on a moustache’ station encouraged students to get involved by trying on a variety of different moustache styles.

Alongside this, the library hosted a ‘Two truths, one lie’ competition which required students to separate fact from myth around men’s mental health, while also highlighting the library’s wellbeing resources.

Ms Tiana Visnjic​​​​
Library Assistant

Oakhill College has made history by claiming victory in the 2024 Theatresports Schools Challenge Junior Division Grand Final, sharing the title as co-champions with Kambala. This marks a momentous achievement, as Oakhill College last won this prestigious competition in 2013.

With over 150 schools entering the competition this year, the journey to the top was no small feat. Oakhill College progressed triumphantly through the heats and semi-finals, culminating in an extraordinary performance in the Grand Final. The atmosphere was electric as the nation’s most talented young improvisers gathered to showcase their creativity, wit, and teamwork.

Oakhill set the stage alight in the opening round, establishing an early lead and setting the bar high. In the second round, nail-biting tension gripped the room as the competition tightened. By the third round, just a single point separated the top teams, with Shore and Kambala making significant gains.

The final results reflected the immense talent on display:

6th Place: Cranbrook

5th Place: Sydney Grammar

4th Place: Sydney Boys High School

3rd Place: Newington College

Equal 2nd Place: Oxford Falls Grammar and Shore

Equal 1st Place Co-Champions: Oakhill College and Kambala

Congratulations to our exceptional Junior Theatresports team members Zac Sommerton, Angelo Chichizola, Curtis Hamilton, Alex Borovnjak, and Hugo Hulme, whose outstanding performances and synergy earned this incredible accolade. A special thank you to their talented coaches, Philip Joseph and James Ransome-Haberley, for their expertise and dedication in preparing the team for this remarkable win.

We also extend our gratitude to Mr Flanagan, Academic Head of Drama, and Drama Teachers Mr Turbott, Mr Thoroughgood, and Miss Borg, for their visionary leadership in embedding Theatresports into the Year 7 Drama program and fostering creativity through the annual in-house college competition.

Our thanks also go to the College Leadership Team for their support, with Vice Captain Bernadette Laird, Music Captain Jack Tyzack, and Drama Captain Joshua Vaz cheering on the team at the event.

The entire Oakhill College community is immensely proud of our Junior Theatresports team for their extraordinary achievement. This victory not only highlights their skill and dedication but also reflects the College’s commitment to fostering talent, teamwork, and excellence in the arts.

Congratulations once again to our co-champions!

Mr Warren Flanagan
Academic Head of Drama

This weekend marks Round 5 and the halfway point of our ISA Summer Sport competition. It’s fantastic to see so many of our teams performing exceptionally well.

A special mention goes to our 1st V Basketball team, who are determined to maintain their unbeaten streak as they face St Patrick’s College this weekend. Likewise, our 1st Girls Basketball team will travel to Oxley, aiming to continue their winning run.

Our Boys 1st Touch Football team is also on an impressive unbeaten streak, seeking their fifth consecutive win. Additionally, our inaugural boys' golf team is making a strong impact in the Inter Schools Golf Series, currently sitting in 4th place.

A reminder to all players and parents that ISA Sport Competition Tables can be found on the ISA Website.

Click Here for ISA Website and Sport Results

Student Achievement

Leon Cooray - NSW CIS Cricket U15s

Leon trialled for the NSW CIS cricket team on Nov 6th. He performed extremely well with the bat and ball. The trials consisted of a net session on day 1 and then a centre wicket trial on day 2. Leon was announced in the NSW CIS team and will play in a tournament against other school associations on November 26th. If successful at the next level, Leon will hopefully be successful with selection in the NSW All Schools team.

We wish him the best of luck.

Mr Anthony Toro
Acting Head of Sport

Please join us in congratulating Benjamin, who has been nominated for consideration in ARTEXPRESS for his Major Body of Work.

ARTEXPRESS is a prestigious annual showcase of outstanding Major Works by HSC Visual Arts students that will be exhibited at various galleries around NSW throughout 2025.

This is an outstanding achievement that highlights Benjamin's talent and dedication.

*Please note that a HSC ARTEXPRESS nomination does not reflect a particular HSC mark allocation.

Please join us to celebrate the festive season at our annual Christmas@Oakhill Service. 

Monday, 9th December
5.00pm - 6.30pm
Oakhill College Chapel

Please bring a plate, refreshments will be supplied by the College P&F.

Book Here.

Ms Carina Morales
President P&F

Please find below the upcoming Uniform Shop roster:

Ms Suzanne Haskins
Uniform Shop Manager

Want to save money while making a difference? With an Entertainment Membership, you will unlock amazing rewards with proceeds going towards Oakhill's fundraising.

To purchase an Entertainment Membership please click here - https://subscribe.entertainment.com.au/fundraiser/21434p0

Castle Hill Rotary Club and District 9685 are holding an event tonight called "Reclaim the Night', a chance to walk and hear from survivors and service providers. If you would like to participate please book via the following link https://events.humanitix.com/reclaim-the-night-or-2024