From Br Steve Hogan fsc
Greetings,
We are halfway through the year with mid-year holidays only one week away. These past two weeks have been busy with student tests and assessments, NAPLAN and Allwell tests, Debating, Chess, MUN, Ethics Olympiad, Mock Trial, sport – which took many over the mountains to Orange - and of course the Oakhill College Musical, Les Miserables. I have always been a promotor of musicals and have only been more encouraged by the amazing achievement of the students in this musical. It is memorable to see each of the students in the finale, full of pride, joy, and enthusiasm - that sense of self that comes from hard work, particularly when it requires one to stretch oneself and take a risk. That sense of I can do and be more than I knew I could. Or as Master Shifu says in Kung Fu Panda 3, “if you only do what you can do you will never find out who you CAN be”. Musicals often require us to do something beyond our comfort zone, but on stage, behind lights, with mates, it is a safe experience and an experience of teamwork. It is an experience of hard work, and of overcoming doubt and fear. I believe musicals ought to be a core curriculum in any school based on what they achieve in the formation of an individual. Thank you to Mrs Gauci, Mrs Madigan, Mr Domars and the vast team of helpers, including many mums and dads.
In my first year at Oakhill College, I became aware that our students need to write more and write better, and teachers need to know how to help improve writing in their subject, no matter what subject, whether it be sport, chemistry, dance, or geography. Our approach is a school-wide strategy where every teacher learns about teaching writing using a common language and a common approach, building a ‘collective effect’. Since 2017 we have been focusing on the use of the framework CAPT-L (Content, Audience, Purpose, Tone, Layout) with the associated grammar and punctuation. Australia has fallen behind in writing, and boys in particular. Boys often take the approach that they think they know how to do it so don’t do it, but when it comes to the exam, they can’t do it. I am reminded of Celia Lashlie’s research into boy’s education, which applies to some girls as well, “boys overestimate their ability and underestimate the effort required to achieve it”. Therefore, we need to be proactive. Reading assists writing as it helps indirectly in teaching how language works and reading increases the vocabulary required to enhance articulation. That is why we have also launched the ‘Read to Succeed’ and ‘Reading Boost’ campaigns across the College.
I am pleased to report that this year’s Year 10 have achieved the best Allwell results since testing at the College began with significant gains compared to other Year 10 cohorts in Reasoning, Reading and Writing. The results can be found here. As these boys are selecting their HSC courses at the moment, it is important they aspire to attain. I encourage them to take the advanced courses and not shy away from what they may perceive as difficult courses limiting future options.
Year 12 Trial HSC Exams begin Monday 1st August (Week Three). For Year 12 the mid-year holiday ought to be essentially a study break preparing for the Trials. This is the time to go over Year 11 and Year 12 work, making swat notes to be used over and over again improving memory of content and to start to practicing past HSC papers. Success only comes from self-discipline and hard work.
Winston Churchill reminds us:
“When you feel you cannot continue for another minute, and that all that is in your human power has been done, that is the moment when one step forward will give you the fruits of the struggle you have borne”.
Several weeks ago, I attended an Association of Independent Schools (AIS) Futures conference. I came away encouraged that as we continue to plan and review, we seem to be asking the right questions and in doing so will provide the best for the students in our care here at Oakhill College. What I remain committed to is that if our young people leave secondary school with a strong foundation, are well rounded and grounded through a breadth of curricular and co-curricular learnings, AND have the attitude and ethic that success comes from hard work, are inspired to always achieve their best, then they will be ready and able to learn what is required, whenever they are required. A positive attitude, can do spirit, and passion, are essential attributes and are at the core of the Oakhill Graduate. I would also add to be good, to be kind, to be inclusive in all we do, think and say. The Prophet Micah says, “All God asks of you is to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:4).
In this last week of term, it is so easy because we are tired and cold, to be glass half empty people. I encourage us all, if tired and cold, to be glass half full people this week. Be good, be kind, be patient. Take a breath, take a moment, just be kind in deed, thought, word and action, and all manner of things will be fine, beyond belief.
Thank you all for your wonderful children and amazing support of the College. Wishing you well and all God’s blessings. I look forward to the students returning refreshed for another challenging term as we start Semester Two on Monday 18th July.
Finally, leaving you with the words of John F Kennedy from his famous Rice Moon Speech given the September afternoon of 1962 at Rice University, Houston, Texas:
“We stand today on the edge of a new frontier but the new frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises – it is a set of challenges. We do these things not because they are easy but because they are hard and measure the best of our energies and skills”.
"Because a thing is difficult for you, do not therefore suppose it to be beyond mortal power. On the contrary, if anything is possible and proper for man to do, assume that it must fall within your own capacity". (Marcus Aurelius)
Br Steve Hogan fsc
Principal
