Today we have heard from the NSW Premier that Year 12 in the Greater Sydney region are not to attend school for Trial assessments. Oakhill College had been working on the two scenarios and will update Year 12 and Accelerated Year 11 students on Monday 9th August on the format, while keeping close to our previously published Trial timetable.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Year 12 and their families. Br Pat’s reflection at our Friday liturgy this morning was for Year 12 and I encourage you all to read it published here in today’s newsletter. He spoke about Jessica Fox’s comment after winning the gold in the canoe having won bronze in the kayak where she was ranked number one. She spoke about the pressure to do well in the canoe, but the stress to do well in the kayak. The subtle difference is important.
Br Pat also spoke about the scripts we live by and mastering these scripts because we have the ability to reframe these narratives. Remember Panda Bear, all Master Shifu needed to do was encourage and support and inspire Panda Bear and he reframed his view of himself and the world.
“Determination defies defeat and when combined with a view inspired by our faith and relationship with Jesus, nothing is impossible” (Br Pat).
You might wish to read today's Gospel, Matthew 6:25-34. What is important is to be good and to be kind, all other things will fall in place (or as Micah says: all God asks of you is to act justly, love tenderly and live humbly).
We at Oakhill College are blessed with caring staff, supportive hard-working parents, and students who trust in their College and wish to do the right thing. So, at these times we do what we know best – we keep on keeping on.
I will conclude by sharing all the advice that we receive at home, at school and in our workplaces, and that is, to limit the impact of COVID-19 and to make safe our schools and homes, we are highly encouraged to get vaccinated. As a large school with a large catchment, I am reaching out to CSNSW to see if they can help in this regard.
Take care.
Keep well.
Br Steve Hogan fsc Principal
Reflection
From Br Pat fsc
The Olympics have taught us a lot about what is best in human life the past few weeks. At this time it is nice to see things going well for so many of our athletes.
It also teaches us that if we do our best, that is enough, and we are not expected to always succeed.
Life at times is fickle and things we have trained for do sometimes come undone and that is OK.
God has our long term welfare guaranteed and that is what truly matters.
These times are a wonderful opportunity to get things in perspective.
In Memoriam
Rest in Peace
We pray for Aldo Antonio Orsi (Tony) father and Gina, twin sister of Vera MacAndrew (Science Lab Technician); Natalie Jones sister of John Minchenko (TAS Assistant); Henry Sylvester grandfather of Luke Sylvester (Year 10); and Paul John Wilson grandfather of Henry Moore (Year 7).
Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends:
We ask you to grant eternal rest Oh Lord. May the celestial lights shine forever upon their souls. And may they now rest in God’s loving eternal peace. Amen
Mission News
Online College Liturgy - Friday at 8.00am
Another way we are continuing our faith connection is our online Liturgy every Friday at 8.00am. This is an enjoyable way to start the day and to join together as a community in prayer and reflection. Students are sent an invitation each Thursday and we invite parents to join with their children via the Teams link. Due to mid-term break day, our next Liturgy will be Friday 20 August.
Br Pat our College Chaplain had some very apt words at today's Liturgy:
One of the highlights of the Olympics was the performance of Jessica Fox. She got a bronze in the kayak event although ranked number one in the world and won gold in the canoe. The fascinating comment she made was that she experienced stress in the Kayak but pressure in the canoe. The subtle difference between pressure and stress/anxiety is so important for us all to remember but especially our HSC class.
The Australian gold medalist in the area of psychology/counselling is Michael White from Adelaide. He formulated narrative therapy which says that the scripts of our life are laid down for us when we are young. We need to examine that script and decide what parts of it we wish to change as we grow. One of the ways we change that script is by mastering what he calls the reframe. If your script is to worry and get anxious you need to work out how to combat pressure situations without letting worry/anxiety determine the outcomes of what you do. Look at things from another perspective and what seemed impossible becomes possible. Do not allow yourself to be ruled by negative scripts. Be a glass half full type of person not a glass half empty. Perspective, where I view a situation from is all important.
The ultimate reframe for us as Lasallians is to become conscious of the presence of God. When that happens we see things not just from our finite viewpoint but from the viewpoint of a God who loves us. Today Jesus tells us not to be afraid I am with you. If we approach our lives from that frame of reference nothing will be impossible for us and anxiety will rarely attract time in our consciousness. Determination defies defeat and when combined with a view inspired by our relationship with Jesus nothing is impossible. This is how we win a gold medal in life – stay in the presence of God.
Mrs Gabby Russo Marketing and Community Liaison Co-ordinator
College News
ICT Services - Parent Advice on Online Gaming
Many games can improve your child’s coordination, problem-solving and multi-tasking skills, as well as help build social skills through online interactivity with other players. But it is also important to understand what might go wrong and have a negative impact on your child.
Is your Child Spending too much time Gaming?
There is no magic number of hours, but your child may be spending too much time playing games if their gaming starts to have negative impacts on them or your family.
Look out for signs such as:
less interest in social activities like meeting friends or playing sport
not doing so well at school
tiredness, sleep disturbance, headaches or eye strain
changes in eating patterns
reduced personal hygiene
obsession with particular websites or games
anger when being asked to take a break from online activity, or appearing anxious or irritable when away from the computer
becoming withdrawn from friends and family
In some cases, setting firm limits as a family may be enough to help address too much gaming. But there may also be underlying problems like depression and anxiety that are linked to problematic internet use.
Grooming and Bullying through In-game Chat
Network games involve multiple players — in some cases even hundreds or thousands of players.
With these games, your child could be communicating with strangers, including adults, through web cam, private messaging or online chat, increasing the risk of contact from online abusers, or bullying from other players.
Help your child maintain their privacy:
Encourage your child not to share personal information like their full name, birthdate, address, phone number, school name or identifiable photos.
Suggest they use an avatar or other image with a screen name that does not reveal their real name.
Warn them not to talk to another player in private chat or game chat mode.
Be alert to grooming behaviour:
Tell your child to notify you immediately if a stranger tries to start a conversation about something inappropriate or requests personal information.
If you suspect your child is being groomed online, you should report this to your local police or Crimestoppers
Support your child if they experience bullying:
Encourage them not to respond or retaliate.
Keep a record of the harassing messages.
Help them block, mute or ‘unfriend’ that person from their players list, or turn off the in-game chat function.
Help them report the behaviour to the game site administrator.
Limiting in-game Purchases
Some games may be free to download but require payments to advance beyond a certain point or to access additional content not available in the free version — like special powers for a character. Similar incentives to buy may also be offered in paid games.
Talk to your child about costs:
Point out that games, apps and extra features can cost real money.
Set a reasonable weekly or monthly spend for apps, games and data, and help your child track their usage so they can make good choices.
Use parental controls:
Ensure you have set the parental controls on mobile devices and gaming consoles to limit in-game and in-app purchases, so your child has to ask to buy additional items. See our advice on taming the technology.
Consider keeping passwords for the App Store or Google Play to yourself so your child cannot purchase apps and add-ons without you knowing or set up ‘family sharing’ so any purchases must be approved by you.
A reminder that the 3rd and final instalment for 2021 fees (one third of your annual fees) is due on Sunday 15th August unless you pay in instalments via School Easy Pay.
Fee statements were issued prior to the beginning of Term 3.
Cancelled activities from Term 3 due to Covid-19 will be credited to your fee statement at the end of term.
Any family who are in challenging circumstances, please contact Ms Lisa Camilleri in Accounts Receivable.
Please contact the Accounts Receivable Office on 9899 2288 if there are any matters relating to your statement that you need to discuss.
Applications Open for Groundstaff at Oakhill
Quayclean is the cleaning presentation team responsible for the day to day cleaning services and presentation at Oakhill College. We currently have a position vacant for a grounds person to join the team. For more information please see the advertisement below:
The month of August is Census time. Each school is required by the Australian Government to collect certain information on Oakhill College, its staff and student body. For further details on the information collected, please refer to the notice below.
It can be difficult to stay positive at all times about your schoolwork, particularly if you have challenges, whether they be personal or whether you are grappling with something like online learning. When we allow pressure and stress to build, we can get into bad habits and let go of good habits. As a result, students can feel even more drained and exhausted.
The key to being positive and managing negative emotions such as anxiety and feeling down and depressed in any pressure situation including schoolwork and exams is to “Fuel Up”. “Fuelling Up” is about boosting wellbeing factors in your life. You need to boost the wellbeing factors in your BODY, MIND and EMOTIONS.
BODY: Here are some things you can do to boost the energy in your BODY
Get Better Sleep. Feeling good all starts with getting the right amount and type of sleep. Start with a good night-time routine. Stop anything that stimulates you such as caffeine or TV or computer, iPad or phone screens etc. Try a warm drink such as chamomile tea and use essential oils such as lavender oil. Having a soothing bath or shower can also help along with gentle stretching of tight or tense muscles. If you still feel you are not getting a “good” sleep be sure to see your doctor.
Eat in Moderation Never skip a meal, especially breakfast. Breakfast replenishes your body and helps you start your day full of energy. Eat three main meals, and two to three snack meals a day. Eating five to six times a day keeps your blood sugar levels balanced, giving you an overall sense of well-being needed for focusing on your tasks and responsibilities.
Exercise Regularly Regular exercise, at least three times per week for a minimum of 30 minute sessions, can virtually “soak up” stress chemicals in your body and help you to relax and even sleep better. Brisk walking, aerobic classes, swimming, bike riding, or jogging are great exercises to release stress buildup and relax your body and mind to either start or end your day right.
MIND: Here are some things you can do to THINK more Positively
Change your Thinking and Perceptions Write down your top five fears and worries. What’s the worst thing that can happen? Then ask yourself, “IS THAT TRUE”? Usually fears and worries are not based on reality but on imagined scenarios that have little to no evidence. If it’s something that can’t be changed bring acceptance to it. It is what it is for now!
Change your focus Have you noticed that what we worry about, we make bigger and keep closer to us by the way we think and focus. Try this…make your fears and worries SMALL in size (5cm in height) DARK in brightness and as far away as possible in DISTANCE. When we change the size, brightness and distance of the things that upset us in our minds it reduces the intensity of the emotion.
EMOTIONS: Here are some things you can do to FEEL more Positive
Acts of Kindness Make a list of five acts of kindness you can do every day. Make them simple acts of kindness that are easy to do such as saying thank you etc. Do these five acts of kindness every day for six weeks. The research shows that people that do this and think of three good things in their life (as above) have a dramatic positive boost in their mood.
Three Good Things Exercise Every day at the start and end of your day think of three good things that happened. Write them down. Then think about either WHY those good things happened or how it MADE YOU FEEL when those good things happened.
Start Ticking things off your List Pick something small and achievable to start with that you need to do for school and get it done. You will feel much more positive when you start doing things. Do a few more easy things to get your confidence up then tackle a more challenging task.
Accelerated Studies of Religion II Class Commenced for 2021
On Tuesday 27th July at 4.00pm, the new accelerated Preliminary Studies of Religion II class commenced, with 23 students, including 14 Year 10 Oakhill boys and nine girls who are joining the College for Year 11 in 2022. The students were chosen on the basis of academic results and attitude to learning and were invited to make a submission ‘Count me in’, as part of their application. With our current lockdown conditions, we met on Microsoft Teams and are looking forward to gathering face-to-face for our Tuesday afternoon lessons, hopefully later this term. Oakhill College is very lucky to have students who are so motivated and confident to express themselves, and who, even in Year 10, are making choices to embrace challenges and hard work.
Two of the girls from the current Year 11 group, Georgia Cowling and Keira Conlin, joined the first lesson for our new class, to let the Year 10 students know a little more about what to expect, to encourage them and give them hints for success, which they have shared below.
Accelerated Studies of Religion is an amazing opportunity which not only allowed me to get a head start on the HSC, but also meet some amazing people. By being able to complete a HSC subject early, I was able to focus on doing well in Religion meaning that next year, I’ll have more time to work on my other subjects with less stress. Whilst, starting the course was daunting especially coming from a new school, it allowed me to expand my thinking in learning more about the world around me and challenged me to develop skills that I’ll be able to use for the rest of my life. The course also helped me immensely in transitioning to Oakhill this year with lots of familiar faces to look out for from the class which made moving a lot less intimidating. Ultimately, I am incredibly grateful for the experience of accelerated Religion and all that it has taught me as well as all the amazing friendships I have gained from it.
Keira Conlin, Year 11
Accelerated Studies of Religion has been a good opportunity for me and for many of the other people in our class to get a head start on our HSC subjects. Not only does it allow us to finish a subject early giving full focus to Religion and having less pressure in our final year, but it had also allowed us all to make good friends who we may not have met outside the class. It is especially good for the girls who are moving schools as I was able to come to Oakhill knowing a whole class of people which made the transition a lot easier.
Georgia Cowling
Keira, Georgia and the current Year 11 Accelerated Studies of Religion Pathway students are preparing to complete their Trial HSC examination with the Year 12 students on Wednesday 25th August. These students have bonded into a close group who are continuing to support each other as we enter the final four weeks of classes in this program. Their HSC examination will be on the revised date of Thursday 4th November.
Mrs Marianne Castor Academic Head Religious Education
Pastoral Care
Headspace National Online Mental Health Education Session
Headspace National is hosting a free online mental health education session on Monday 9th August for parents and carers of young people in the Northern Sydney region to support their mental health:
Strengthen parents’ understanding of mental health and mental health literacy
Strengthen understanding and skills in how to cope and where to find help
Build skills and strategies to support the mental health and wellbeing of your young person, including their transition to work and study
Build awareness of local, state and national supports available to young people
This will be a live session and will not be recorded. You will receive a digital information pack following the conclusion of the session.
Ms Helen Morris Student Counsellor
Free Parent Line
For help when you need it, the NSW Parent Line Counsellors are available to assist you with any parenting issues on 1300 1300 52.
eSafety Parent Guide Webinar
There is an upcoming free live webinar for parents of secondary school students. You may join the eSafety Commissioner's expert education and training team for this webinar by registering below.
Lockdown is an unusual time for us all. Here are some helpful tips Stay at Home Health and Wellbeing Tips from NSW Health:
For some, extra time at home can lead to boredom eating and eating outside of the usual meal times. Kids need good nutrition for healthy growth and brain development. Here are some quick and easy healthy snacks for your home pantry:
Baked beans on toast, Hummus and carrot sticks, fruit, boiled eggs, popcorn, wholegrain rice crackers and cheese
What healthy items are in your “home school café”?Healthy food can help your child concentrate and focus during home-learning. Before planning your grocery shop this week, check out these lunch ideas: https://healthylunchbox.com.au/blog/create-your-own-cafe/
Keeping active
Did you know something as simple and fun as ‘play’ provides many health benefits?
Play can relieve stress, boost learning, connect you to others, and also make your work more productive and enjoyable.
Discover more ideas to keep the family active at home with fitness classes, active play, yoga and dance here – take a look!
Doing the same walk with the kids each day during ‘stay at home’ period?
Mix it up and play games like “Spotto”, where you try and find something yellow on your walk or “I Spy”, where you take turns to find something with the first letter given as a clue.
Or change the directions or the time of day that you walk for something different.
Limited on space inside? No problem!
Try these BIG activities for small indoor spaces - paper aeroplanes, cubby houses, balloon tennis, toss socks in laundry basket or create a cushion obstacle course!
What are you doing at home to keep the kids active and occupied?
For more fun ideas for the family to be active at home:
PS. Don’t forget that physical activity can also help your child get a better night’s sleep!
Free programs
Fun and fitness are great for building kids’ confidence.
With Go4Fun online, they can get their fun and fitness fix all in the comfort of your own home!
A FREE healthy living program that involves the whole family,
Go4Fun Online includes 10 weekly online sessions run by trained health professionals. Plus you get your own phone coach too!
Check whether you're eligible and sign up today to reserve your spot at: www.go4funonline.com.au
What's Happening @ PJ Walsh Library
12 Great Books to Read Aloud or Listen to with your Teenager
These are available on audible free with the 30 day trial.
Or check out Sora for our eBook and audiobook collection to use on all devices.
Ray Bradbury Fahrenheit 4511953 A fireman who is tasked with destroying books starts to question society and government when a neighbour helps him look beyond propaganda. An interesting exploration of Bradbury's dystopian world versus contemporary society.
Andy Weir Project Hail Mary 2021 Something new From the author of the best seller The Martian. Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission - and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish. There’s mystery and humour. I’m currently in the middle of this book.
Malala Yousafzai I am Malala 2013 Malala stood up for education for girls and got shot by the Taliban. She refused to be silenced.
R. J. Palacio Wonder 2013 A boy with a severe facial disfigurement joins mainstream school for the first time. This moving and uplifting story is told from multiple perspectives - the boy, his sister, his friends. Many of our students read this in primary school and choose to read it again. Much to talk about.
Suzanne Collins Hunger Games 2008 This tale of teenage gladiators in a post-apocalyptic America has some difficult themes, so it is a good book to read aloud. Great writing and storytelling. Popular with our students. Unputdownable.
Bill Bryson A Really Short History of Nearly Everything 2008 This is the kid-friendly version of "A Short History of Nearly Everything" and is a great non-fiction book to enjoy. Bryson describes the major scientific discoveries that have lead to our current understanding of the world. The accounts of how scientists made their discoveries are frequently hilarious.
James Thurber The 13 Clocks 1950 This comical, quirky classic will entertain adults as much as children. It's a mash-up of fairy tale, fable and poem - full of word-play and wit. A short, fast read with many memorable characters.
Robert Louis Stevenson Treasure Island 1883 Classic children's story full of pirates, treasure and adventure. Suspense, expressive language, unforgettable characters … and worth reading to your kids just for the opportunity of using your best pirate accent.
Madeleine l'Engle A Wrinkle in Time 1963 Although written half a century ago it does not feel outdated but has a timeless quality - which is handy, given that it is a story about time travel.
Michael Morpurgo War Horse 1982 The story of a farm horse's experience serving on the Western Front in the First World War, told from the perspective of the horse. It may prompt many discussions about the First World War.
Kevin Sands The Blackthorn Key 2015 Set in 17th century London. A young apprentice apothecary sets out to decipher cryptic codes and solve mysterious puzzles, following a series of murders. But his own life is in great danger as he gets closer to the truth. Riveting from beginning to end.
Louis Sachar Holes 1998 I tell students, it’s difficult to describe what this book is about. Many of our students who are not keen readers have enjoyed this and ask for another like this. It’s funny and moving. "Holes" teaches the reader about loyalty, friendship and not judging others by their looks - or by their unfortunate mistakes in life.
Oakhill is abuzz with the exciting news that our whole College Musical for 2022 is Les Miserables. This epic period musical set in early 19th century France tells the story of injustice, heroism and love.
Onstage at Oakhill in Term 2, 2022.
Breaker Morant
Oakhill College is proud to announce our Year 10 Drama production for 2021 is Breaker Morant. This dramatic masterpiece centres around the court-martial in 1901 of three Australian soldiers from a British combat unit who, following orders in revenge for the murder and mutilation of the unit’s captain, executed a German missionary and six Boer prisoners. The harsh reality, atrocities and contradictions of war unfold in this provokingly controversial drama, onstage at Oakhill in November.
The show must go on, and auditions were held online with staff and students quickly adapting to Covid-19 restrictions. Students did an amazing job despite the circumstances and had prepared parts of the scripts to read, as well as responding to new parts given to them on the fly using Google classroom, facilitated through Teams. The cast has been announced and online rehearsals have begun.
Mrs Gabby Russo Marketing & Community Liaison Co-ordinator
Sports Update
Sport - Around the Grounds
After an exciting and successful start to the Winter Sport season, unfortunately, the remainder of the ISA Winter Sport season has been cancelled.
The ISA will award minor premierships to those teams that were leading their individual competitions in situations where most competition games were completed and where all teams have played each other at least once. This will mean that although we are disappointed that we cannot play the final few games of the season, many Oakhill College teams will be recognised as Minor Premiers for their ISA competition.
The ISA and CIS Athletics Carnivals have been reviewed and moved into Term 4. The ISA Carnival will take place on Tuesday 26th October with the CIS Carnival, for those that excel and make the ISA representative team, running on Tuesday 16th November.
Winter Sport Presentation Evenings
Presentation evenings for all Winter Sports will go ahead on the dates that have been published in the Oakhill College calendar. All presentations will now be online.
We are lucky that we were able to complete most of the winter season. It is important that we take time to recognise each sport and to reward those team members and individuals that have been recognised by their coach as award winners.
Sport Convenors will send all players and parents a link to the presentation on the afternoon of your sports presentation day. Awards, certificates, and trophies for our award winners will be available for students to collect in a manner that is appropriate and safe at the time of the presentations.
Summer Sport Season
We are planning for the ISA Summer Sport season to commence in Term 4. Oakhill College and the ISA are committed to ensuring that we are prepared to commence our basketball, cricket, and touch football as soon as possible. The format of the summer sport competitions will be determined by advice from ISA, AHPP, NSW Health, CSNSW and AIS. We are optimistic about starting sport as soon as it is safe to do so, and Heads of Sport are working together to have several contingencies available for consideration at the start of Term 4.
Congratulations and well done to Lachlan Anderson (Class of 2015) and Dominic Clarke (Class of 2014) for their fantastic efforts in representing Australia at the Tokyo Olympics. Lachlan played in the Australian Rugby 7’s team and narrowly went down to eventual Gold medallists, Fiji, in their Pool match. Australia placed 7th. Dominic made his way through to the final of the Gymnastics Trampoline. Oakhill College is very proud of Dominic’s 8th place in the final against the best gymnasts in the world. Well done gentlemen.
Mr Andrew Wisemantel Head of Sport
Canteen
Canteen Volunteers
With the current lockdown the Oakhill Canteen is closed, therefore there are no upcoming canteen duty rosters.
Uniform Shop
Uniform Shop Update
The Uniform Shop is currently closed to customers and no volunteers are required until further notice. Any orders should be placed via Flexischools and will be processed and waiting for pick-up from Student Services by students when they return to Oakhill.
