Remembrance Day is celebrated on Monday 11th November. Remembrance Day was initiated by King George V in 1919 a year after the Armistice was signed by the allies of WWI and Germany, and was originally known as Armistice Day. On Monday 11th November the College will stop for a short service around the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th month, the moment each year in which many nations of the world remember those who gave their lives in war. Our actions of respect, kindness, sharing and forgiveness are ways we can bring forth peace.
In November it is common in the UK and across the Commonwealth to wear a poppy, the most popular symbol of Remembrance Day. The red poppy was the only flower resilient enough to grow in the previously beautiful landscapes that had been turned into barren and muddy battlefields symbolising the blood of soldiers who lost their lives. This image is captured in the poem entitled ‘In Flanders Fields’ by Canadian Doctor, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, shortly after losing his friend in the battle of Ypres.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
The remaining four weeks of the academic year are extremely busy. There are the Year 9 and 10 exams, and the Year 9 camp. Reports are to be written. There is also the Senior Play, Year 10 Play and Christmas at Oakhill, sports to be played and photos to be taken, and learning to be done.
Keep us in your prayers as you will be in ours. As Advent and Christmas approach, may what is essential, to love and be loved, to touch hearts and transform lives, to inspire each other to aspire to be our best, that is, to be whom God has willed us to be, be our focus and resolution this Advent as we prepare to welcome the Prince of Peace.
Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever.
Br Steve Hogan fsc Principal
Reflection
From Br Pat fsc
Leading up to the US election this week, I have been reading Hilary Clinton’s account of how she lost the election to Donald Trump.
A sign she has up in her house might resonate with some of our mums and girls.
It is hard to be a woman. You must think like a man, Act like a lady, Look like a young girl, And work like a horse.
In Memoriam
In Memoriam
Oakhill College extends our heartfelt condolensces for the sudden passing of Mr Paul Griffin, husband of Robyn Griffin and father to Oakhill College alumni Kayla Clulow (Class of 2014) and Jayden and Dana Griffin (both Class of 2017).
Please also keep Aaron Hickey, his wife Briony and their family in your thoughts and prayers for the passing of Aaron's father-in-law.
We pray:
Eternal rest grant to them O’Lord. May the perpetual lights shine upon them. And, may they rest in eternal peace. Amen.
Mission News
Impact of Oakhill's Mission Action Day in Pakistan
The Lasallian Foundation is making a profound impact on the lives of children and young people by providing essential resources and opportunities for education. A recent example of this commitment is the installation of a water filtration plant at Alban’s Boys and Girls High School in Multan, which has significantly improved access to safe drinking water for the school community. This initiative was funded by contributions from Oakhill College, and facilitated by the Lasallian Foundation, not only enhancing health and well-being but also supporting the Foundation’s mission to uplift disadvantaged students.
Water pollution is a major public health threat in Pakistan, as public drinking water quality is poorly managed and monitored. Both surface and groundwater sources are contaminated by coliforms, toxic metals, and pesticides. Numerous drinking water quality standards established by the World Health Organisation are often disregarded, largely due to human activities such as the improper disposal of local and industrial waste and the careless application of chemicals. These pollutants contribute to significant public health issues, underscoring the urgent need for effective solutions like the water filtration plant at Alban’s.
Christmas Hamper Appeal
This year Oakhill College will be creating a bit of Christmas cheer for those in need.
Years 7, 8 and 9 will be collecting items for St Bernadette's Parish and the St Vincent de Paul Society. Years 10 and 11 will be collecting for the San Miguel Family Crisis Centre and Baabayn & the Community X Change Indigenous Preschool.
We kindly ask students to bring in a food hamper item and a gold coin to purchase gifts for families in need. Please bring your donations in Weeks 5 to 8.
Together let's make a difference!
Mr Chris Goodman Director of Mission
Birthing Kits Making a Difference
During the Year 9 Reflection Days earlier this year, students worked together to the assemble birthing kits for the Birthing Kit Foundation Australia. These birthing kits have now been distributed to women living in and facing the most challenging of circumstances when they give birth in Nigeria and Papua New Guinea. One kit can mean the difference between life and death.
Mr Chris Goodman Director of Mission
Walk the Talk Program Celebrated at Parliament House
Recently, a group of Oakhill College Year 10 and Year 11 boys were honoured at the Walk the Talk awards held at Parliament House in Sydney. The students received this recognition for their dedication and hard work in supporting "The Sanctuary" women's shelter in Castle Hill as part of the Walk the Talk program. Through this initiative, students have committed themselves to raising awareness about domestic violence and providing essential support for women in need within their community.
In addition to spreading awareness, the students have raised funds through various activities such as selling cupcakes, showbags, and soft drinks. These efforts have contributed to vital resources for the shelter, helping provide essential items for those seeking refuge.
Looking to amplify their impact, the boys are now developing their own media platform, aimed at educating others on the importance of supporting women’s shelters and the issue of domestic violence. It has been inspiring to work alongside these young advocates, watching them grow into powerful voices for such an important cause.
Mrs Gabby Russo Head of Marketing & Communications
Term 4 Mass Schedule
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:
Movember BBQ
Help us support Movember!
Oakhill will be hosting a BBQ on Tuesday 19th November to support Movember. $5 lunch combo - sausage sandwich, juice popper and Chupa Chup. Cash only.
Mrs Roxanne Leopardi Co-ordinator of Lasallian Youth Ministry
College News
Year 11 Academic Assembly and Leaders Induction Ceremony
On Friday 1st November, the College celebrated and acknowledged several achievements from the Year 11 cohort. During this celebration, we also announced the Student Leaders for 2025 and presented them with their badges. Br Steve Hogan fsc anointed the students into their new leadership roles with the symbolic tradition of anointing with oil. As anointing with oil has been and remains a symbol of dedication and healing. The students then pledged themselves to this commitment for the following year, to lead the College 'with God as leader'.
The 2025 Student Leadership students are:
College Captains - Christian Attard and Nicky Williams
College Vice Captains - Flynn Farrell and Bernadette Laird
Benildus House Captains - Connor Calleja and Eva Cooper
La Salle House Captains - Aimon Fitzsimons and Olivia Kerr
Miguel House Captains - Tarun Puri and Hamish Zlotkowski
Mutien House Captains - Ned Cane and Cooper Rawhiti
Solomon House Captains - Samuel Baker and Imogen Harding
Turon House Captains - Lachlan Abdallah and Jacob Tamaro
Lasallian Captains - Nathan Colaco and Andre Dabit
Drama Captain - Joshua Vaz
Music Captain - Jack Tyzack
Sports Captains - Mollie Faehrmann and Samuel Kable
The Assembly continued with the recognition of the Academic Awards for the Year 11 Preliminary Year subjects. Mr Gavin Russell, Assistant Principal - Curriculum, announced the awards, congratulating those who placed either first, second, or third in their respective courses. We extend our congratulations to the following Year 11 students, who were awarded the final placings for the 2024 Preliminary Year:
DUX - Jonathan Soares Caplice
2nd Proxime - Jason Herbas
3rd Proxime - Marko Slankamenac
Mr Ryan Hamilton, Science Teacher congratulated and recognised the students who participated in the Science Extra Curricular activities in Year 11, 2024. The Australian Youth Science Forum is recognised as the most prestigious of all the science programs, allowing those selected to visit research institutions, universities and industry sites, providing valuable insights into potential career paths in Science and Engineering. This is a highly sought after opportunity for students and the selection to the forum reflects the student's high academic potential. Congratulations to Radheen Wettasinghe and Matthew Sabbouh, who have been selected to attend the 2025 Australian Youth Science Forum in Canberra this coming January.
The newly anointed College Sports Captains - Mollie Faehrmann and Samuel Kable - announced the Athletics Age Champions:
U12s - Dominic Jurkovik
U13s - Jack Nardi
U14s - Jamie Kastelan
U15s - Keegan Free
U16s - Cyrus Bloomfield
U16s Girls - Emily Knight
U17s - Lachlan Abdallah
U17s Girls - Mollie Faehrmann
This year Oakhill has been incredibly successful in several ISA Winter Sport Competitions. Congratulations to the following teams:
Athletics Team - ISA Athletics Champion School 2024
ISA Girls Firsts Netball - ISA Premiers
Boys Firsts Football Team - ISA Premiers - and to all our Football teams who won Premierships, making us the ISA Boys Football Champion School.
Tennis Division 1 and Division 2 - ISA TennisChampion School
The Oakhill College Summer ISA season commenced last week. All the first team members were presented with their badges at the Summer Sports Dinner on Wednesday. Firsts Captains announced their teams:
Christian Paino (C) First's Boys Basketball team: Samuel Akle, Malachi Alzona, Samuel Baker, Jackson Carlos, Matthew Despoges, Riley Hayhow, Alexabder Lawson, Nicholas Power, Gary Roberts, and Ryan Sloan.
Lucas Medford (C) First Eleven Cricket team: Isaak Bale, Leon Cooray, Thomas Foxall, Adam Hough, Ashane Jayapragash (Vice Captain), Aryan Kumar, Tom Medford, Krish Mehta (Vice Cpatian), Zach Nicholls, Senon Ranasinghe, Sehaj Singh, and Harry Valenzisi.
Keean Holmes (C) Golf team: Owen Brightman, Flynn Farrell, Jarvis Hemmings, Eli Keast, Lukas Kohlhagen and Harry Pratt.
James Fitzhenry (C) Boys Touch Football team: Lucas Bielby, Logan Bubb, Kobi Canning, Tobias Comito, Jonathan Du Preez, Lachlan Ellis, Jett Gremmo, Hunter Jones, David McGuire, Callum Spooner, and Antonio Wadih.
Chloe Sankey (C) Girls Touch Football Team: Sienna Angels Corke, Sophia Berkely, Jessica Figures, Charlotte Gibson, Madison Graham, Emily Knight, Alyssa Kunkel, Grace Liddle, Sammi-lee Nassar, Georgia Pratt, Kiarna Pupo, Sienna Rudd, Lucy Silk, Georgia Toon and Nicky Williams.
Mr Jack Rajczyk announced the Show Team Captains for 2025:
Sam Scarsbrook - Captain
Charlotte Gibson - Vice-Captain
Mrs Roxanne Leopardi awarded Year 11 Gold Lasallian Youth Badges. This is achieved through accumulating time through the activities they partake in. In order to receive a Gold LYL Badge, students must exceed 50 hours:
Christian Attard, Emily Bremner, Nathan Colaco, Andre Dabit, Yekta Esmaeilzadeh, Saverio Fedele, Joshua Foo, Imogen Harding, Aleisha Hood, Douglas Ip, Bernadette Laird, Ava McCosker, Lucy Patchell, Jaden Pather, Matthew Sabbouh, Mahak Sadeghi, Joshua Vaz, Radheen Wettasingh and Nicky Williams.
College Careers Breakfasts are the perfect opportunity for students exploring career options and pathways, to hear from some incredible alumni who have the lived experience, as well as university ambassadors regarding study options and courses. This term, the focus was on STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and it was an inspiring morning.
Hiba Abadir (Class of 2013) a Stress Engineer at Airbus, shared her journey from leading the Sydney Motorsport Team at the University of Sydney to her work on the A330/A350 Wing assembly line, where she’s applying her engineering expertise in aerospace.
Andrew Chaiban (Class of 2019) now a Data Engineer at CommBank, discussed his role in building AI-driven tools to predict customer needs and prevent fraud, showcasing the impact of data science in real-world banking applications.
Isaac Johnston (Class of 2019) is working in Cyber Defence Analytics at CommBank, described his experience across digital forensics and cyber attack analysis, highlighting the importance of cybersecurity in protecting critical systems.
Dr Kevin Law (Class of 2014) is a Medical Scientist specialising in brain research, captivated students with his groundbreaking work in stem cell therapy for brain injury at the University of Sydney, aimed at advancing regenerative medicine. Dr Law also spoke about his inspiration and connection to Mr Nathan Gremmo (Class of 2019).
Mark Michael (Class of 2022) a Project Engineer Lead with CSPD, shared his journey from Cisco to leading network modernisation projects across Catholic schools, enhancing connectivity for thousands of students.
Our university ambassadors from Macquarie University: Tristan Tulloch Future Students Division as the Senior Recruitment Consultant – Undergraduate; Calvin Truswell who is studying a Bachelor of Actuarial Studies and Bachelor of Information Technology (Data Science); Huan Hong studying a Master of Research (previously completed a Master of Biotechnology). From Sydney University: Troy Affolter Outreach and Development Officer; Jason Luo studying a Bachelor of Applied Science (Diagnostic Radiography; Jiah Lee who is studying a Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Biomedical) / Bachelor of Project Management; Amber Perkins studying a Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Medical Science (Medical Science).
Mrs Gabby Russo Head of Marketing and Communications
Oakhill’s Got Talent!
There wasn’t a spare seat in the Miguel Lecture Theatre on Friday 25th October as three finalists battled it out to win Oakhill’s Got Talent! Finalists gave it their all, performing their musical acts with great confidence and skill. The Theatre erupted as violin soloist, Anjay Muttuvel (Year 7) was announced the winner. Second place went to Year 9 band ‘Echoes of a Snare’ including Sebastian Devillecourt, Rohit Reuben, Allessandro Del Fante, Isiah Lorenzo and Aditya Venugopal and third place went to guitar duo ‘Rat Face Cousins’, Ned Francis (Year 8) and Archie Fisher (Year 7).
Congratulations to the winners and well done to everyone who entered this year’s Oakhill’s Got Talent!
Mrs Lisa Foulstone Marketing Officer
Government House Lecture
The College was honoured to be the only school invited by the NSW Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC to attend an exclusive lecture at Government House.
Students had the opportunity to hear Professor Tim Stephens from the University of Sydney Law School discuss "The Big Thaw: Who Governs Antarctica's Ice?", hearing about the complexities of international law and climate governance.
Mrs Gabby Russo Head of Marketing and Communications
Sustainable School Shop
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.
Study Skills - Overcoming Roadblocks to Study Success
Find Your “Why”: Search for a meaningful reason to aim higher than the minimum. Whether it’s getting into your dream course, pursuing a career you’re passionate about, building your neural capacity as a learner, or just proving to yourself that you can succeed—use that as motivation to stop making excuses and invest extra effort.
Tame Your Distractions: Distractions are everywhere—social media, friends, pets, hobbies can all pull you away from your studies. Implement strategies like turning off notifications, setting specific “study hours”, or using apps designed to limit screen time so you can focus and allocate enough time to your schoolwork. A distraction-free environment helps you stay on track and makes study sessions more effective.
Turn Mistakes Into Momentum: Don’t let mistakes discourage you; instead, see them as stepping stones to growth. Each error or setback is a chance to identify what you can improve. Reflect on what went wrong, adjust your approach, and focus on learning from your experiences. Mistakes are often the best teachers and can launch you toward greater achievements if you use them wisely.
Set Small, Achievable Goals: Break down big tasks into smaller, manageable goals. Rather than thinking about an entire semester’s worth of material, focus on mastering one chapter or concept at a time. This makes studying less overwhelming and gives you a sense of accomplishment with each small win, motivating you to keep going.
Create a Supportive Home Study Environment: Surround yourself with people who encourage your success—whether it’s classmates, friends, or family members who support your study efforts. Consider forming or joining a study group to share resources, discuss topics, and keep each other accountable. A positive support system can keep you motivated and make studying feel like a team effort rather than a solo challenge.
Develop a Routine That Works: Consistency is key to successful studying. Establish a study routine that fits your lifestyle and energy levels. Whether it’s studying early in the morning, after school, or late at night, find a time that you can consistently dedicate to your work. A consistent routine helps your brain recognise study time, making it easier to focus and be productive.
Reward Your Progress: Motivation is easier to maintain when you celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Set rewards for yourself when you complete a study session, finish a chapter, or achieve a good result. It could be something simple like a snack, time with friends, or a short break doing something you enjoy. Rewarding progress helps reinforce positive habits and keeps you motivated to keep pushing forward.
For further information Oakhill's login details are: Username: foroakhillonly Password: 41results
Mr Gavin Russell Assistant Principal Curriculum
Scientific Insights from the Barker Institute
On Monday 28th October, our current 2024 and some of our future 2025 Science Extension students had the privilege of attending an insightful presentation at the Barker Institute. They were honoured to hear from Associate Professor Tien Huynh, who shared her deep expertise in Indigenous cultural knowledge and its integration with modern science. Her inspiring vision for a healthier, cleaner, and greener earth - one that will benefit us all and generations to come, left a lasting impact on everyone. Michael and Kristijian were among the fortunate few invited on stage to test one of the innovative products she’s been developing, making the evening even more memorable.
Mrs Maria Thomas Academic Head of Science
Handy Examination Tips
Some handy tips for Year 9 and Year 10s upcoming exams:
Establish a routine and a timetable and post it on the fridge so all the family can help keep the schedule (including the weekend)
Make study/swat notes – use a book or folder for each subject; review chapters and or topics making summary notes of contentLearn/memorise essential content captured in summary notes e.g. memorize then make notes of notes
Schedule several subjects a night covering all subjects several times a week and plan to get swat notes complete well in advance leaving time for leaning/memorizing content and practicing questions
Practice answering actual questions – go online and google for practice questions, go over past tests, ask the teacher
Practice, practice, practice - do not look at the question and assume you know how to answer it, actually do it.
The Year 10 Photography and Digital Media students were tasked with creating a Major Practical Submission, which involved producing a single artwork or a collection of artworks that showcased their refined skills in digital media techniques, creation, and presentation. One student who has excelled in this task is Jonathan Le. Jonathan has shown exceptional dedication, engaging with the project enthusiastically, working diligently both in class and at home. His impressive animation and poster reflect his hard work and creativity, earning him recognition as Artist of the Month for October. Congratulations, Jonathan, on your outstanding commitment and achievement!
October Artist of the Month - Kaelan Adams
In Term 3, Year 9 Photography students embraced the Digital Media side of their course and created a business. They had to create a logo and three forms of advertising to market and sell their business using Adobe Illustrator. Illustrator is a challenging program to learn, but the students took to it quickly and enjoyed the process. Kaelan Adams has marketed himself as a Wildlife Photographer, creating ‘Bird’s Eye Wildlife’. His dedication to mastering Illustrator has earned him Artist of the Month for October. Kaelan cleverly used the photographs that he took while on our excursion to Taronga Zoo to showcase his passion for wildlife photography, well done Kaelan!
Ms Marie Hogan Academic Head of Visual Arts
News from the Drama Department
We are thrilled to announce that our Junior Theatresports team has earned a well-deserved place in the Grand Final! This talented group showcased exceptional skills and creativity as they performed against an impressive lineup of schools, including Tara Anglican School for Girls, Mount St Joseph’s College, Mount St Benedict College, The Ponds High School, William Clarke College, Birrong Girls High, Northern Beaches Christian School, St Paul’s Grammar, Pittwater House, and Cedars College. Through their dedication and teamwork, Oakhill College and St Paul’s Grammar were the only two schools to secure spots in the Grand Final round of the competition.
A special congratulations goes to our team members Zac Sommerton, Curtis Hamilton, Angelo Chichizola, Alexander Borovnjak, and Hugo Hulme. Under the expert guidance of coaches Mr James Ransome-Haberley and Mr Phil Joseph (both Class of 2020), these students have excelled, embracing every challenge with enthusiasm and finesse. They now prepare to face their final challenge on Tuesday 19th November, at St Andrew’s Cathedral School’s Chapter House.
Event Details: Arrival Time: 5:30 PM for a 6:00 PM briefing Show Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
We wish Zac, Curtis, Angelo, Alexander, and Hugo the very best for the Grand Final and encourage everyone in our community to support and celebrate their incredible journey. Their hard work and talent truly embody the spirit of Oakhill College!
As we celebrate our Junior Theatresports team's success, we're also thrilled to invite you to experience the magic of live theatre with our upcoming Senior Play, A Christmas Carol. Opening on Wednesday, 13th November, this timeless classic promises an evening of thrilling performances and a heartwarming ending that will leave you inspired.
This is a perfect event for families and friends, and tickets are selling fast! Be sure to book yours early to secure your seats: https://www.trybooking.com/eve...
Join us in supporting our talented Senior Drama students as they bring this beloved story to life on stage. See you there!
Following the Senior Play, we’re excited to present our Year 10 Production of Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor, opening on Tuesday 26th November. This comedic masterpiece, inspired by Simon’s time in a 1950s writers' room, promises sharp wit, memorable characters, and laugh-out-loud moments.
With only four shows, seats are limited—so don't miss your chance to enjoy this hilarious and fast-paced production. Book your tickets via Trybooking today and come support our talented Year 10 performers!
Mr Warren Flanagan Academic Head of Drama
Pastoral Care
School Drive Subsidy
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).
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.
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
Young Entrepreneurs
It is always wonderful to hear positive stories from our community about students and we have recently had some great feedback on Viraj and Evan (Year 9) who have launched their own business, Lawn Mowing by Evan and Viraj. The boys are seeing good results and their reason why: 'we are two high school students who are trying to make some pocket money for an up and coming school trip overseas. As well as trying to expand and improve out skills for future jobs and employment'.
What's Happening @ PJ Walsh Library
2024 Reading Boost Morning Tea
The Walsh Library team would like to express a huge thank you to the Oakhill community for their participation in and support of Reading Boost 2024, through which students can be rewarded for their personal wide reading throughout the year.
We are especially proud of the individual students who have made the year-long commitment to complete at least 10 Reading Boost missions and have invited them to an exclusive morning tea with Br Steve Hogan to reward them for their dedication. Additionally, there are two outstanding English classes, English 714 with Ms Christina Koutsopoulos and English 810 with Mrs Janelle Butler, who have completed the highest number of missions in the Reading Boost challenge within their respective cohort, and thus earned their classes a pizza party in the weeks to come.
Even with Reading Boost over for this year, we continue to challenge our Oakhill community to discover the joy and rewards of reading, ever expanding their horizons through the infinite worlds in books.
Ms Joyce Ng Teacher Librarian
Sports Update
Around the Grounds
This weekend marks Round 3 of the ISA Summer Sport competition, which also signifies the halfway point of the ISA fixtures for this term. Many of our teams are performing exceptionally well, and I’d like to remind you that you can track all Oakhill sport results on the College website.
It gives me great pleasure to introduce our 2025 Sports Captains, Sam Kable and Mollie Faermann. Both Sam and Mollie are exemplary students who have already made a significant impact. They have been actively supporting our College Swim team, served as masters of ceremonies at the Summer Sport Firsts Dinner and badge presentation, and led College Assemblies with poise and enthusiasm. Sam and Mollie have set a high standard, and we look forward to seeing them continue to support Oakhill sports teams throughout 2025. Please see below as our 2025 Sports Captains introduce themselves:
Hi, my name is Mollie Faehrmann and I am very excited to be working alongside Sam this coming year. From a young age, I have participated in a range of sports including Basketball, Netball, Touch Football and Athletics. Sport has allowed me to develop my skills, whilst providing me with the chance to make lifelong friendships.
During my first year at Oakhill I have been privileged to take part in various sporting and service opportunities. I started the year off playing Netball for Oakhil, and have recently joined the girls Rugby 7s squad. This season I am also a part of the Girls Firsts V Basketball team. On top of sports at Oakhill, I have participated in a range of other activities including the Lasallians Without Borders trip to India in the Term 3 holidays. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, as it allowed me to build new friendships and give back to the community.
Hi, I'm Sam Kable, and along with Mollie, I will be your Sports Captain for 2025. At four years old, I put on my first pair of boots and ran out onto a rugby field, since then, my passion for sport has grown, spanning a range of sports including Rugby Union, Rugby League, Football, Oz Tag, Touch Football, Swimming, Basketball, Baseball, Waterskiing, Athletics and potentially a few more I have forgotten. Sport has not only enhanced my physical fitness, but has given me a range of opportunities to lead. These have benefited me immensely off the field, and I hope to bring some of this experience into my position here at Oakhill.
One of my favourite things about Oakhill, is the opportunities provided to each and every student. During my five years at the College, I have participated in a range of initiatives that I am lucky enough to have been offered. These include an upcoming sporting tour to England, Italy and Wales, leadership workshops across other Lasallian schools and participation in the 2nd XV Rugby team. Additionally, as Sports Captain's, Mollie and I have dropped ourselves into the deep end, having attended various inter-school events such as the ISA Athletics Carnival and the Knox Invitational Swimming Carnival. I have no doubt that this upcoming year will introduce new opportunities both as a student and as a Sports Captain.
In this upcoming year, we aspire to continue to build upon Oakhill’s strong culture and sporting legacy. Together, we have highlighted four major goals and priorities we are looking to focus on in this upcoming year:
Reinforce Oakhill College sports as part of the culture of the College as a whole.
Increase participation in sports (playing, coaching, refereeing, performing etc)
Ensure Gala Day, Grand Finals and other sporting showcases are of an incredible standard, posing as enjoyable events for all.
Strengthen relationships between older and younger athletes across the College.
Oakhill has had a successful season of sports, achieving premierships and champion titles in various ISA sports. We aim to build upon this success in the upcoming year and wish all athletes good luck. Make sure to come down and show your support!
Summer Sport Photos
Summer Sport photos will be taken on Saturday 16th November. Please check the website for game and photo times for all teams. Photos will be held in the CSC Foyer. Teams not playing at home on 16th November will have their photos taken on Saturday 22nd February 2025.
First Team Prayer Service, Dinner, and Badge Presentation
Our First Sport teams received their badges during a special evening last Wednesday. The ceremony began with a blessing in the College Chapel, wishing our athletes the best of luck for the upcoming season. Following this, students and their parents gathered in the CSC Foyer, where their badges were presented, and a meal was shared. A highlight of the evening was the Captain's speeches, which were both inspiring and passionate. Best of luck to all our teams this season!
Student Achievement: Touch Football
Congratulations to Ryan Charlwood, Liam Bissett, Dane Grosvenor, and Logan Bubb, who were members of the NSW Combined Independent Schools Boys Touch Football team. The team made history by winning the National Youth Championship in Coffs Harbour for the first time, defeating Queensland 5-4 in a thrilling final. This is a tremendous achievement, and we are incredibly proud of their success.
Mr Anthony Toro Acting Head of Sport
Cricket
It’s been a great start to the season for many of our cricketers. While it is a team game, there have been many terrific individual achievements which should be celebrated:
Vihaan Kollipara
U13
55 runs
Christian Eaton
U13
54 runs off 30 balls
Hudson Clark
U13
50 runs
Krish Barua
U14 - Maroon
52 runs
Ashane Jayapragash
U17
100 runs
Felix Brown
U15 - Gold
53 runs
Krish Barua
U13
88 not out (52 balls)
Neel Modi
U15 - Gold
57
Abhiraj Champawat
U15 - Gold
74 runs
Abhiraj Champawat
U15 - Gold
5 for 18
Captain of the 1st XI, Lucas Medford, also scored 50no in Round 1 and 100 runs (off 43 balls) in Round 2 against St Stanislaus’ College. He has been well supported by Tom Medford (53no) and Harrison Valenzisi (63 runs) in the Round 2 fixture where Oakhill scored 8/368 in their 50 overs.
Mr Murray Fisher Cricket Convenor
Student Achievements
Order of Australia Medal Award- Marcus Campagna
Congratulations to Marcus Campagna (Year 12), who was honoured at Government House with the prestigious Youth Community Service Award from the Order of Australia Association NSW. Presented by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, this award celebrates Marcus’s extraordinary dedication to several charities across the community.
Marcus has also been involved as a charity volunteer, in our Lasallians Without Borders program, as a Lasallian Youth Leader and as a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award achiever. This is well deserved recognition for an inspiring and outstanding leader!
Mrs Gabby Russo Head of Marketing and Communications
Isobel Takes on Japan in Women's Baseball
During my trip to Fukuoka, Japan, I had the incredible opportunity to represent New South Wales as one of four women selected to play with the Kyushu Honeys, a professional women's baseball team in Japan. Over the course of a week, I trained with the Honeys and played against talented All-Star Japanese teams, immersing myself in their disciplined approach to the sport. This experience not only allowed me to enhance my skills on the field but appreciate Japanese culture and their unique passion for the game.
Isobel Lambert, Year 11
P & F News
Christmas@Oakhill Service
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.
Parents and Friends Association Annual General Meeting
Following the Oakhill College Parents and Friends Association Annual General Meeting, held on Wednesday 6th November, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Nicole Moog as Vice President, and Dani Krastev, Devina Singh and Ann Kumar as members to our P&F Committee for 2025. We still have two vacancies, please consider volunteering for either the Secretary or Treasurer role for 2025.
For more information, please contact Carina at pandf.president@oakhill.nsw.edu.au.
2024 has been an exhilarating and rewarding year for the P&F. It has been a year of building and fostering a sense of community, promoting unity, creating lasting friendships and memories. These connections are the heart of what makes our College community so special. With your generosity of spirit and compassion we were able to donate:
$80,000 to the College – which will go towards the acquisition of AV equipment in the Commons and Atrium building
$1,000 to the De La Salle Brothers
$646.53 to La Salle College in Pakistan
$6,973.39 to the Breakfast Club in Papua New Guinea
Some key dates for 2025:
1st P&F Meeting - Wednesday 26th February 7.00pm
Welcome to Oakhill College Social Event - Saturday 22nd March, 6.30pm
Gala Day - Saturday 31st May
I encourage you to get involved. Keep an eye out in the newsletter or visit the Oakhill website for more information about our events and meetings.
To our Year 12 committee members. As your last Oakhill Graduate embarks on their next chapter, we wish you all the very best and hope to see you at one of our events next year. Thank you for your commitment and engagement throughout your years at the College.
Planning for 2025 events is already underway. Please reach out if you can help or volunteer time.
Ms Carina Morales Oakhill College Parents and Friends President
Oakhill Alumni
A-League Debut
Congratulations to Mr Adam Bugarija (Class of 2022) who made his A-League debut playing Football for the Perth Glory in October.
Uniform Shop
Uniform Shop Roster
Please find below the upcoming Uniform Shop Roster.
Ms Suzanne Haskins Uniform Shop Manager
Date
Volunteer 1
Volunteer 2
Monday 11 November
Darcy Weber
Gillian Cook
Thursday 14 November
Billie Roditis
Joanna Pisani
Monday 18 November
Victoria Papallo
Community Notices
Serving Hope Fundraising Event
Serving Hope aligns closely with our Year 10 program, Walk the Talk, which is dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence and supporting those affected in our community. This special event will not only raise much-needed funds for The Sanctuary Women’s Shelter in the Hills but also serve as an evening of inspiration and unity.
Date: Sunday, 24th November 2024 Time: 5pm – 9pm Venue: Sophia’s (Mullane’s Hotel) | Level 2, 36 Brookhollow Avenue, Baulkham Hills 2153 Tickets: $45 (ticket includes canapes and drinks!)
