Volume Fourteen, Friday 23rd September 2022

Greetings,

Year 12 2022 graduated on Wednesday 21st September with only their HSC exams to complete between 18th October through to 5th November. We wish them the very best for all their future endeavours. The Graduation Class of 2022 is like no other because they have lived with the changes and adjustments to teaching and learning from the start of Year 10 in 2020 due to COVID. Winston Churchill said to the Harrow Class of 1941, “Never give in. Never, ever, give in — in nothing, great or small, large or petty — never give in”. The Class of 2022 are remarkable for this legacy they will be known for.

Peter Kurti wrote in the Weekend Australian about a shifting moral compass in Australia as free speech is being eroded by many guises, trust in institutions broken, and religion so divisive we now need a law to protect it – the Freedom of Religion Act. He went on to suggest that at the heart of this cultural shift in Australia is a move away from communal civic mindedness and the unwritten social contract that keeps us cohesive giving rise to the sensitivities of the individual as a priority over the communal.

Kurti proposed Australia today (and I would suggest regretfully the world over) is more and more governed by a compass that has become relativized in the form of personalised values. The subjectification of values has displaced virtues. The idea of a shared guiding compass on human behaviour has lost coherence of meaning. Principles of reason have been replaced by individualized feelings, emotions and beliefs. Human flourishing however depends on a communal and common upholding of a broad spectrum of informing philosophies. As we seek to redefine ourselves as a Nation, we depend on the many fine young men and women such as those graduating from Oakhill College to engage in the conversation informed by an understanding and an experience of communal and civic-mindedness.

At Oakhill College we believe we provide students with an experience and an understanding of the importance of virtues and collective moral norms as a compass to guide and live by; that call to service, trust, respect, inclusivity and the pursuit of excellence (our core Lasallian principles). Our Year 12 Class of 2022, now Oakhill Graduates have their feet firmly grounded, aim for the stars, and know that life’s journey will not always be clearly defined, straight or predictable. Oakhill Graduates know that they have the strength of spirit that enables them to rise above the fleeting things to engage in life consciously. Oakhill Graduates always strive for what matters, look out for the other, knowing and experiencing true mateship. Oakhill Graduates are always up for the challenge, keep the faith, are good and kind, and know they contribute to God’s Kingdom.

I wish to thank our parents for choosing Oakhill College and giving us the privilege of walking with you a while in the formation of the young men and women you place in our care - a most happy and joyous walk - and for supporting us on the field and court, in the theatre and at productions, at parent meetings and mission programmes.
 
I would like to thank teachers and all staff who work hard to provide their best for students in their care.

May you all have a blessed and happy holiday with special family times. I look forward to meeting students refreshed and ready to do their best each and every day in Term 4.

Br Steve Hogan fsc
Principal

Mission Action Day was a huge success, and we thank our community for its support. Our activities surrounding MAD have raised over $55,000 which will go to the Breakfast Club in PNG and to our Lasallian sister school, St Albans in Faisalabad, Pakistan. The MAD raffle has been drawn and we congratulate the winners below:

1st Prize - Anthony Naim - 6 x ATC Members Entrance Tickets to Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens
2nd Prize - Cooper Korb - 4 Diamond Tickets to the 2022 NRL Grand Final
3rd Prize - Fran Nourdine - Extra Large 'Coke' esky
4th Prize - Naldo Pacchini - 2022 NSW State of Origin Signed Jersey
5th Prize - Luke Thompson - 4 x LUX Movie Tickets
6th Prize - Grant Cleland - 2022 Qld State of Origin Signed Jersey
7th Prize - Vanessa Hames - Event Cinema Gold Class Movie Tickets
8th Prize - Susan Easton - 6 x General Admission Movie Tickets
9th Prize - Marlena Salib - Gift Pack of 3 bottles of wine and chocolates

Mrs Gabby Russo
Head of Marketing & Communications

Every Friday at 8.00am in the College Chapel we gather for Mass. Each week we dedicate our Mass to a Year, House or cause. We hope that you can join us:

Week 1 - Friday 14th October - Year 11 and 12 students

Week 2 - Friday 21st October Mass - Year 11/12 Change is Good (Benildus and Solomon)

Week 3 Friday 28th October Mass -Summer Sport

Week 4 Friday 4th November Mass - All souls/All Saints - We remember those who we have lost (Miguel)

Week 5 Friday 11th November Mass - Remembrance Day (La Salle Students) (Years 7 - 12 - Especially those in Essential services) 

Week 6 Friday 18th November Mass - The Oakhill Graduate

Week 7 Friday 25th November “Enter to Learn, Leave to serve” Years 7 to 9

Mrs Laurainne Marshall
Prayer & Liturgy Co-ordinator

This week we farewelled the Class of 2022 with several graduation ceremonies. These were our last opportunities to thank, acknowledge and congratulate each Year 12 student alongside classmates. They walked up the drive for the last time as students and walked down the drive as aspirational Oakhill graduates. They leave us knowing they always have a place here at Oakhill College and remain an integral part of our Lasallian family. We are blessed to have so many graduates return to continue to share their talents and gifts with us long after they walk down the drive for the final time. 

Thank you to the Class of 2022 for making our College a more prosperous place, our staff who have guided them on their journey and parents and families who have given their unwavering support.

Mrs Gabby Russo
Head of Marketing & Communications

On Tuesday 20th September at our final Assembly for Year 12, we announced our Student Leadership Team for 2022/2023. Congratulations to our Student Leaders; we know you will enrich Oakhill College with your gifts and talents.

Oakhill’s vision for a central outdoor space at the campus’ heart has come to life with our highly anticipated Hilltop Precinct now open. Our Hilltop Precinct includes additional green spaces and seating linking buildings with walkways, significantly improving pedestrian transition and disability access across the College.

You can read all about the completed work in our Master Plan Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3LeIxjr

Mrs Gabby Russo
Head of Marketing & Communications

Edirimuni Amarasekara (Rav) (Year 12) recently attended the [EX]plore Conference at Macquarie University to present his Extension Science Project. This was the perfect opportunity for him to meet and network with like-minded students, teachers, and PhD researchers to share his project and passion for science. Despite this being Rav’s first conference, he presented to approximately 250 people, his scientific research, mentoring and internship experience superbly and interacted and shared his profound findings with the audience. Rav and his teacher Ms Tabone were also able to hear from other students about their exciting research projects, and take a lab tour through the Faculty of Science to get a taste of how his research journey will continue at university and beyond.

Rav’s project is: "Hydrogen: The fuel of the future!" investigates whether hydrogen is a suitable alternative for sustainable and renewable power in automobiles compared to combustion and battery-electric powered automobiles? This is an important question, particularly as we head towards global net zero, which Rav is committed to not just for his HSC project but long term, as he will continue his research for many years to come. Rav is looking to study in the UK as Australia does not offer the degree which aligns with his career objectives.

Rav encourages all students who have an interest in science to consider Science Extension due to the vast opportunities and valuable skills relevant across the sciences and beyond which will prepare them for further study and careers. 

Mrs Gabby Russo
Head of Marketing & Communications

Congratulations to Dance student Talia Scheeren (Year 12) who has been nominated for Callback (Dance). Callback is the annual showcase of exemplary performances and compositions by HSC students of Dance presented by the NSW Department of Education in association with NESA.

Congratulations to Design & Technology students Emma Rodd and Gabrielle Taylor (Year 12) who have been nominated for possible inclusion in Shape 2022:

Shape is an annual exhibition of exemplary Major Projects developed by HSC Design and Technology, Industrial Technology and Textiles and Design students. The exhibition will be held at the Powerhouse Museum, Ultimo, Sydney from Friday 3rd March to Sunday 21st May 2023.

Congratulations to Music students Marcus Burford and Victoria Petkos (Year 12) who have been nominated for possible inclusion in HSC Showcase, Encore, a selection of performances and compositions from HSC Music students.

The HSC Showcase, Encore, will be held at the Sydney Opera House, on Monday 27th February 2023.

Congratulations to Industrial Technology students Cooper Boffo, Gerald Breatnach, Dominic Fedele, Nathan Fox and Jake Smith (Year 12) who have been nominated for possible inclusion in InTech, the annual exhibition of outstanding Major Projects developed by HSC Industrial Technology students.

A number of projects will be selected for Shape 2022, the combined exhibition of HSC Technology projects at the Powerhouse, Ultimo, Sydney from 3rd March to 21st May 2023. 

Hysteria hits Salem! The town is going wild over the accusation of women who are falsely accused of witchcraft. Betrayal, lust and envy put a marriage to the test. Truth is overpowered with lies and pride ultimately leads to tragedy. Senior Drama proudly presents Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’.

Four magnificent performances commencing at 7.00pm on Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd, Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th October in the Adrian Theatre.

Tickets are on sale via trybooking https://www.trybooking.com/CCDHM.

Mrs Donna Findlay
Head of Senior School

A reminder that all students are to return in Term 4 in full Summer Uniform. The College Uniform Shop will be open during the school holidays on Thursday 6th October from 9.00am-3.00pm. 

To place an order: HTTPS://USER.FLEXISCHOOLS.COM.AU/LOGIN

Flexischools parent support number: 1300 361 769.This support number is available Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 12 noon. Alternatively, parents can send an email to help@flexischools.com.au

Mrs Carmel Christie
Administration Manager

Some choices are easy to make, while others are more difficult. But once made, some choices cannot be unmade, and their consequences remain with us for the rest of our lives.

Betrayal, tragedy, obsession, revenge…what will be that one final choice? Liberation or desolation.

Year 10 Drama presents the World Premiere of MJ Knapp’s The Choice. Commissioned especially for this class to perform, The Choice will play out in the Adrian Theatre with three performances, on Tuesday 1st November, Thursday 3rd and Saturday 5th November, at 7.00pm. 

Tickets on sale now from Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/CCTSW

Mrs Donna Findlay
Head of Senior School

Over the past year, the Extension Science class have been working on individual research projects. Science Extension focuses on the nature, development and processes of science. The syllabus requires students to engage with complex concepts and to critically evaluate contemporary scientific research with a focus on methodology and experimentation. Students investigate a scientific research question they are passionate about, influenced by their study in another scientific discipline, formulate a hypothesis and produce a detailed, authentic scientific research report acceptable for publication in a scientific journal. 

This is an exciting, growing field and this year’s class was up to the challenge. Over the past year, Matthew Wilson, Steven Mitchell, Rav Amarasekara, Nicholas Steen and Sophie Martin (Year 12) have grown in critical thinking skills, communication and independence as well as increased their drive for scientific knowledge. Their individual, self-driven projects have explored unchartered scientific ideas and issues, and new technologies. Here is a snapshot of their projects:

Sophie Martin: My project investigates the effect of urban development on the invertebrate population. Simply, invertebrates are animals without a vertebrate (bone) in their back. This report will investigate the excessive urbanisation and the effect relating to the invertebrate population. The extension science modules stretched my scientific knowledge. Module A was my overall favourite topic as it explored philosophy and scientific thinking. 

Edirimuni (Rav) Ramarasekara: "Hydrogen: The fuel of the future!" The project investigates: Is hydrogen a suitable alternative for sustainable and renewable power in automobiles, compared to combustion and battery-electric powered automobiles?

My aspiration is to become an engineer that specialises in automobiles. The development of science and technology over time has demonstrated the importance of an environmentally sustainable future. This has highlighted the need for the automotive industry to evolve further.

Matthew Wilson: My research task focused on the analysis of key differences between two environmentally sustainable and economically viable methods of transportation, namely the Sydney metro station and the central Japan railway companies Maglev train. These systems will be actively analysed and compared across a wide variety of factors. From this, a conclusion will be drawn so as to ultimately determine which system possesses a more environmentally sustainable and economically viable method of propulsion. It was concluded that whilst the Maglev train was more environmentally friendly, the Sydney metro possessed greater financial viability.

Nicholas Steen: Citric Acid is one of the world's most important resources being used as emulsifiers, perseverant, surface cleaners or in pharmaceuticals. However, the world is slowly running out of this organic molecule thus an evaluation of methodologies ie. Microbial Fermentation and Chemical Isolation must be done. This ensures that modern society will be able to progress into the future or need to divulge into alternative methodology. Through the exploration methodology, the development of important laboratory techniques for research is gained, and further progress into entries to University are opened up.

Steven Mitchell: How efficient are solar trackers in comparison to solar panels and if wind energy is a suitable option to replace the use of solar energy at home.

Ms Ann-Maree Tabone
Science Teacher

This term Year 9 Food Technology studied Food for Special Occasions. They learnt about different types of celebrations and how food plays a big part in religious, social, and cultural events. As a part of their assessment task, students planned a children’s birthday party where their menu, invitations and cake had to match a specific theme. They spent one week baking and decorating their cakes, during class time, to be assessed and they produced some magnificent cakes. As a cohort who had very little experience decorating cakes, we are very proud of the skills they displayed.

Ms Michelle Salem, Ms Julie Wilson and Ms Gracy Singh
Food Technology Teachers

This year students in Year 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12 Computing and Digital Technology courses entered a Cyber Security competition.

A number of our students successfully gained perfect scores in questions about secure passwords, phishing, security settings, and social media. These were fantastic results, and the students should be very proud of their effort.

A sample question is below:

Bad Password

Perfect Scores

Year 12: Ewan Blanch, Ethan Bowyer, Guy Turney.

Year 11: Brandon Abbott, Luke Bampton, John-Paul Edge-Bennett, Thomas Gray, Elijah Lehmann, Nicholas McKenzie, Aaryan Thakorlal.

Year 10: Dylan Manio, Bowen Minett, Mason Newton, Anish Patel.

Year 9: Hamish Johns, Kristijan Magdic.

Year 7: Preston Attard, Kobe Coombes, Liam Doyle, Lachlan Ellis, Cavin Philip, Zoravar Singh, Justin Wen.

Mr Brian Johnson
TAS Teacher

In Term 3, students in Years 7, 8 and 10 have been participating in the Cows Create Careers – Agriculture Extension program, meeting once a week after school to complete the elements of the program. This program is an innovative project that highlights the diversity of skills and professional careers within Australia’s vibrant dairy industry. Cows Create Careers allows students to engage with the dairy industry in a unique and novel way - all while highlighting the range of university, vocational and professional pathways within the industry.

The project is supported by industry, regional development programs, dairy farmers and sponsors. Over 230 schools across Australia participate with more than 11,500 students completing the project in 2021. This is Oakhill’s first year in the competition.
Students were required to take a creative photo with the calves and to make a short 3 minute video on the nutritional value of milk and ‘a day in the life of a dairy farmer’.

Upon completion of the project, students and teachers will be recognised at an online presentation day, where there will be industry-based games and prizes awarded to the winning teams and schools. Best of luck to the following students:

Lucas Hosking, Charbel Kazzi and Casey Lobsey (Year 10)
Hunter Lennox, Spencer Robson, Wally Hanckel, Kavir Knatt (Year 7)
Neel Reddy, Yatin Chandrasekar, Dheer Desai (Year 7) and Oscar Collimore (Year 8)

Mrs Stellina Trestrail
Co-ordinator of Agriculture

Last Thursday the Italian classes of Years 9 and 10 embarked on an excursion to see an Italian movie and to eat some authentic Italian food in Leichhardt. The Palace, Norton Street, Leichhardt welcomed our Year 9 and 10’s to a viewing of the Italian Movie ‘The Legend of the Christmas Witch 2’ to reflect on the topics the students have been learning this term. The movie was in Italian, but it did have English subtitles for better understanding. Everyone enjoyed the movie and the time spent in the Italian community in Leichhardt. To build on the students knowledge on Italian Culture, the students enjoyed an authentic Italian meal of pizza and gelato at Bar’ Italia, molto Delizioso!

Throughout the day the students enjoyed surrounding themselves with the rich Italian culture and it was a great excursion.

Ms Marina Murazzo
Acting Head of Languages

Last week, Year 10 Food Tech had an incursion from ‘grilled gourmet’, a food truck featuring burgers. We first began by receiving an informational talk by the owner of the food truck on the requirements of owning a food truck including the legislation that is relevant  to the food industry., This followed an explanation of the issues he has faced in the industry. All of what we learnt is an important aspect to our assessment task, as we are learning how food trucks are a major part of the culinary industry. We got the opportunity to see the inside of the truck and learn how food truck managers do their job. Afterwards, we had the pleasure of being served food from the truck. This incursion was a great experience for Year 10 Food Tech, and was highly beneficial for understanding the significance of food trucks in the food industry.

 Ian Joye and Travis Love, Year 10

The Year 10 Play, ‘The Choice’, has tickets on sale now for three shows on Tuesday 1st, Thursday 3rd and Saturday 5th November, commencing at 7:00pm. 

As this play is set in 1945, 1965 and 1985 the Year 10 Drama students have learnt about the relationship between Germany and Russia, which ultimately resulted in Russia bombing and invading Dresden. Dresden is the setting of Act 1 and is where the German boys are held captive by the Russian guards. This play has allowed the students to learn about the cruelty of war and how choices devastated not only the soldiers but the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire, including children. 

This play was written specifically for the Year 10 Drama class, focusing on the students individual talents and skills. The characters were written with the students in mind, which meant that the characters perfectly matched the actors’ vocal abilities, whether that be singing, or creating an authoritarian or naive tone. Furthermore, certain characters allowed the cast to demonstrate their physical skills of stage combat or dancing, all of which have been developed during rehearsals. 

The Drama students have had the ability to contribute their creative ideas to the production, whether that be through playing music, set design or character interpretation. Ms Carloss and Mrs Butler have aided the students in contributing by listening to everyone’s ideas and the playwright, MJ Knapp, has provided insight into the history and progress of the play. These aspects have created an engaging and unique experience for the Year 10 students. 

The Year 10 Drama cohort strongly encourages you to attend ‘The Choice’ which highlights that “some choices are easy to make, while others are more difficult. But once made, some choices cannot be unmade and their consequences remain with us the rest of our lives.” The concept of choices and their consequences aims to challenge the way society treats one another, and asks each of us to think about how our actions can impact our future.

Matthew Walker-Rolls,Year 10

High Potential and Gifted Students in Years  9 and 10 have been working on a STEM project which involves problem-solving and creative skills as they tackle the need for extra farming space in flood conditions in Bangladesh. They must build a floating garden to facilitate rice crops in the region. We look forward to seeing what they come up with at the end of the year! Thank you to Ryan Hamilton for providing his expertise and guidance on this Science and Engineering project.

Ms Stella Papavasiliou
Acting Gifted & Talented Co-ordinator

Each year, a number of students from Years 7 and 8 participate in the Mathematics Enrichment programs, run by the Australian Mathematics Trust (AMT). This very intense program goes beyond the mathematics taught ordinarily in class and offers students the opportunity to challenge themselves and to better prepare students for the higher levels of Mathematics study in the senior school years. Thank you to Ms Horvat, Mrs Matheson and Mrs Anand who were involved in the delivery of the content. A number of competitions were run by of faculty for students at Oakhill College. 

A total of 38 Distinctions and 92 Credits were awarded to the students across Years 7 to 11. The Computational and Algorithmic Thinking Competition, also organized by the AMT, was participated by our high achievers across Years 7 to 9. The highest achievers were Michael Rizk (Year 7), Rain Luo (Year 8) and Jason Herbas and Ethan Loiacono (Year 9). The Kangourou des Mathematiques, was the third competition organized by the AMT. The highest achievers were Patrick Ren (Year 7), Rishan Kumar (Year 8) and Ethan Loiacono (Year 9). Congratulations.

Mrs Pela O'Reilly
Academic Head of Mathematics

All students can make use of the PJ Walsh Library throughout the holidays. Here are some ideas:

Check out our eBook and AudioBook service on your laptop on mobile device. Using the Sora App, students can download an AudioBook for the whole family to listen to on a road trip.

• HSC students can go to the Library webpage and use the Library Subject guides for extensive supporting materials for their English texts
• Get creative! Use this page to explore a range of software to create cartoons, storyboards, mind maps, videos and podcasts.

Hone your coding skills. Learn about Python, Thunkable and Scratch. This page has many handy ideas that a student could bring next term during Wednesday lunchtimes coding club.

• Explore your local libraries. They are free! Some have cafes. Connect your Sora app to their Ebook/AudioBook collection.
• The PJ Walsh Library is open the second week of the holidays for homework, reading and study from 10am to 4pm.
• Reading Boost - ePortfolios are due for submission Week 2 Term 4 - Students can submit book reviews, and book suggestions, continue with MS Teams Progress Reader and of course, read books.

Happy holidays.

The Library Team

Congratulations Patrick Spence (Year 12) who was awarded the 2022 Oakhill College Sportsperson of the Year.

The Annual General Meeting of the Oakhill College Parents & Friends Association Incorporated will be held Wednesday 19th October 2022 following the General Meeting commencing at 7.00pm. This will be held in the Library.    

All office bearer positions (President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary) along with the three extraordinary committee members who together make up the “Executive Committee” as per our constitution will be declared vacant and an election will take place to determine the new nominations.    

As a current member, you are invited to cast your nomination for any of the above positions via the link below. Your nomination will need to be endorsed by two current members of the association.  

Please complete and submit your nomination form below by the 12th October 2022 3:30pm 

AGM Nomination Form 

Below is a link to role summary descriptions for the above positions.   

Executive Committee Role Summary Information.pdf 

Please email our secretary at pandf@oakhill.nsw.edu.au for a copy of the Constitution or to answer any queries regarding the above.  

All subcommittee positions and event coordinator roles not needing to be nominated but to be accepted will also occur at this meeting. You need not be a member of the executive committee to consider the following: 
 
Catering Manager 
Entertainment Book Coordinator 
Grants Coordinator  
Gala Day Coordinator  
Welcome Night Coordinator  

Ms Carina Morales
P&F Secretary

Oakhill had several boys who played recently in the U14 Gen Blue team and won the U15 Gen Blue Cup. Congratulations.

Commencing Sunday 2nd October, Castle Hill Library will be hosting a series of HSC Study on Sundays sessions.

To support studying, the library will open exclusively for HSC students on Sunday mornings from 9.30am – 1.00pm for three weeks prior to the HSC on 2nd, 9th and 16th October. Bookings can be made online via the Library’s webpage on Eventbrite.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/hsc-study-on-sundays-tickets-396930689377

A reminder to all who park in the surrounding streets of the College:

Parking Near Driveways
 
When parking legally near a driveway, you must ensure that no part of your vehicle blocks the driveway or access to the property at any time.
 
A vehicle can be parked up to the wings of the driveway.
 
A driver can drop off or pick up a passenger in front of a driveway, however it is an offence to leave a vehicle unattended or to not move their vehicle at the request of the property owner.  

Parking near Footpaths and Pedestrian Kerb Ramps

When parking legally near a footpath or pedestrian kerb ramp, you must ensure that no part of your vehicle blocks access to the footpath or kerb ramp at any time.  
A vehicle can be parked up to the wings of the pedestrian kerb ramp.
 
By parking correctly and considerately, you allow other vehicles and pedestrians to access properties or footpaths easily and safely, creating a safer environment for other road users.

Ms Deborah Gillis
Assistant Principal, Pastoral Care