The Oxley Update - Term 2, Week 7

Oxley College has experienced an increase in COVID cases in the past week.  Please monitor your children for symptoms.  It is essential that students who have any respiratory symptoms remain at home and do not come to school.  Children who exhibit symptoms at school will likely be sent home.

Further information can be found on the link below:

NSW Government Advice for Families

Week 1: 
The Oxley Shop will be closed for stocktake on Tuesday 1 July & Wednesday 2 July.  It will reopen on Thursday 3 July.

Week 2:
The Oxley Shop will be closed.  Orders can still be placed online.

Week 3:
Open normal hours (Tuesday - Thursday 8.30am - 4.00pm)

We will soon be closing Expressions of Interest for the 2025 Oxley Senior School Ski Trip.

Update: Unfortunately the trip will not be open to students in Year 11 as it will coincide with the End of Preliminary HSC Examinations.

This trip suits skiers and snowboarders from first timers to advanced levels. Approximate costing for the trip will be $780 per child (to be confirmed), which covers transport, all meals, accommodation, lift passes, ski/snowboard lessons and equipment hire.

If your child is interested in attending this trip, please complete the below form to express your interest:

Senior School Ski Trip - Expression of Interest

At this stage, staff confirmed to attend are Dan Collins and Adam Lee.  If you have any questions, please contact daniel.collins@oxley.nsw.edu.au or adam.lee@oxley.nsw.edu.au

A reminder that the following events are coming up:

Thursday 12 June: HSC Taster Day

Students will participate in mini lessons in a variety of HSC subjects offered at Oxley. This day also includes an overview of the Preliminary and HSC structure, as well as information about the ATAR and UAC.

Wednesday 18 June 5.30pm, Rooms 29/30: Parent & Student Subject Selection Information Evening

You are warmly invited to attend this evening, which provides an opportunity to speak with Heads of Department, the Director of Curriculum and the Head of Senior School about subject choices, patterns of study, and any other questions you may have about your child’s HSC journey.

Additionally, there are Subject Information Videos and a detailed Information Booklet available on the CANVAS Year 10 page.

Year 4 Service Learning are collecting donations for the Red Cross and Dhungung Share Program. This initiative supports local Aboriginal families in the Southern Highlands. Twice a year we ask families to donate perishable and non perishable items. Please drop in items such as cans of fruit, instant rice packs, pasta packs, jars of pasta sauces, tuna, baked beans, boxes of cereal etc. All donations can be dropped off in the Junior School Office.

Thank you.

This term, our Year 5 students have been exploring the fascinating world of Earth and Space Sciences. Their journey began with the question: What makes a planet a planet? Through a stimulus video featuring scientists from the Australian National University, students learned about the three key criteria used to classify planets—and why Pluto is now considered a dwarf planet.

Students then took a virtual tour of the solar system, comparing the characteristics of each planet and recording their discoveries. The iconic image Starry Night sparked further curiosity, leading to rich classroom discussions about astronomy, the stars we see at night, and the importance of stargazing in everyday life.

A key focus of the unit was learning about Indigenous perspectives on astronomy. Students explored the Aboriginal Astronomy website and watched the Dreamtime Astronomy video by James Miller from the Powerhouse Museum. They discovered the cultural significance of the Celestial Emu and the Southern Cross, and expressed their learning through creative mind maps and illustrations.

As a culminating task, our Year 5 students took part in the Astronomy Showcase held on Monday, 2nd June. Families were invited to attend as each student proudly presented a 3D project that reflected their understanding of key astronomy concepts. It was a joy to see their enthusiasm, creativity, and deep knowledge shine through as they shared their work with the school community.

This week, we were treated to a truly heartwarming and inspiring showcase of talent at the Junior School Instrumental Concert. Our young musicians displayed confidence, enthusiasm, and a genuine joy for music that was simply wonderful to witness. Whether it was the vibrant sound of strings, or the cheerful rhythm of smaller ensembles, each performance reflected countless hours of dedication and practice.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks and congratulations to our exceptional Music Department and our private music tutors. Their guidance, encouragement, and skillful teaching provide our students with the foundation they need to explore and grow as musicians. It is through their commitment that such a high-quality performance was made possible.

Learning to read music and play an instrument is far more than a creative pursuit. It nurtures discipline, perseverance, and fine motor skills. It encourages listening, teamwork, and patience. It enhances memory, mathematical understanding, and self-expression. For our students, music is not just an activity — it is an integral part of building a well-rounded, enriching school experience.

As educators, we believe that offering opportunities to grow both in and beyond the classroom helps our students thrive. Music plays a vital role in this. It teaches children how to work towards a goal, to listen deeply, and to share something meaningful with others. These are lessons that reach far beyond the music room.

Once again, congratulations to all our Junior School performers — and thank you to the families who support them in their musical journey. We are proud of each and every student who took part.

This is an exciting update regarding the proposed Europe Tour originally planned for April 2026.

To maximise the educational value and keep the trip as cost-effective as possible for families, we are now looking at departing in early January 2026, with the tour commencing from 7 January 2026.

This change allows us to:

Take advantage of off-peak travel pricing, reducing overall costs

Partner with Round Square schools in Europe to enrich the experience with student exchanges or school-based visits

Deliver a more focused and immersive learning opportunity across Modern History, the World Wars, and Creative Arts.

The revised itinerary includes:

Sydney - England 

England - France

France - Germany 

Germany - Sydney 

The trip will run for 14 days, and we are aiming to include a live performance or cultural experience in London as a highlight.

We will be sending out a more detailed information pack, Expression of Interest and deposit payment form in the coming weeks, and we encourage families of students in Years 9–12 (in 2026) to consider this unique and meaningful opportunity.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any initial questions: christophe.gauchat@oxley.nsw.edu.au

Sports Draw 15 November 2025.xlsx

The U12 Antony Liberale Cup will be held this Saturday, 14 June, at Ironmines Oval, Mittagong, for our U12 football teams.

Please find the draw and rules for the day below:

U12 Liberale Cup Draw 2025

U12 Liberale Cup Rules 2025

A friendly reminder that the Football Gala Day for students enrolled in the K–1 Sport Foundations Program will take place on Saturday 21 June. This fun event will give students the opportunity to participate in small-sided games in a mini round-robin format while practising the skills they’ve been learning throughout the term.

If your child is enrolled in the Wednesday afternoon K-1 Sport Foundations program but is unable to attend the Gala Day, please notify the Sports Department at sport.admin@oxley.nsw.edu.au so we can finalise event numbers. Please see further event details below:

Date: Saturday 21 June 2025 (Week 8)

Time: 8.30am – 10.00am.

Location: Founders Field, Oxley College.

Uniform: Oxley PE uniform, Oxley football socks, boots, shin pads and water.

Please see below the Saturday sport schedule for the upcoming school holidays. If your child is unavailable for any of the listed matches, please use the link to let us know. This information is important to help us finalise team numbers as soon as possible.

Hockey:

Saturday 28 June – Matches scheduled.

Saturday 5 July – No matches scheduled.

Saturday 12 July – No matches scheduled.

Saturday 19 July – No matches scheduled.

Netball:

Saturday 28 June – Matches scheduled.

Saturday 5 July – No matches scheduled.

Saturday 12 July – No matches scheduled.

Saturday 19 July – No matches scheduled.

Football:

Saturday 28 June – Matches scheduled.

Saturday 5 July – Matches scheduled.

Saturday 12 July – No matches scheduled.

Saturday 19 July – Matches scheduled.

Congratulations to our Junior School Footballers
Well done to Year 5 and 6 students Thomas A, Conor B, Adam D, Angus K, James F, Stella B, Claudia S and Pia B, who were selected to represent Oxley at the recent IPSHA Football Trials in Sydney.
These students represented the College with pride and gave their best throughout a series of football skill sessions and games. It was a fantastic opportunity, and they should be very proud of their efforts.

Best of Luck to Our Cross Country Runners
We wish Charlotte K and Ruby R from Year 4 all the very best as they travel to Sydney this Thursday to compete as part of the IPSHA team at the NSWCIS Cross Country Championships.
We’re incredibly proud to have them representing Oxley and know they’ll give it their all!

Our band ensembles have been working hard all year to prepare for our Band Soiree Concert. We warmly welcome parents, peers, and carers to enjoy this performance from our talented students from Year 5 to 12.

Compulsory for any student currently playing in the following:

Year 5/6 students from the Junior School Instrumental Program who learn the following instruments – flutes, clarinets, saxophones, percussion, brass, and chanters

Junior School Concert Band

Symphonic Wind Band

Stage Band

Jazz Ensemble

Flute Ensemble

Our string ensembles have been working hard all year to prepare for our Night of the Dragon Concert. We warmly welcome parents, peers, and carers to enjoy this performance from our talented students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

This Dragon-themed concert is compulsory for any student currently playing in a string ensemble. This includes:

Junior String Quartets

Viola Ensemble

Fin Strings

Sharp Strings

Chin Strings

Year 5/6 Strings from the Junior School Instrumental Program

Year 4 Accelerated Strings from the Junior School Instrumental Program.

Join us for a joyful morning as all of Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 perform a selection of fun songs by Peter Combe that they’ve been learning throughout Semester 1.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Book Here for Stan Grant

Book here for From Surviving to Thriving: A Conversation of Hope & Courage

Time to get your groove on….

You’re invited to the inaugural P&F Mums’ Disco — a night of sequins, sneakers and serious fun.

Saturday 26th July 

6–10pm in the PCC

Bubbles on arrival

Grazing tables

Cash bar and non-stop tunes.

Tickets $35 — dust off your dancing shoes and grab your friends for a night to remember .

https://www.trybooking.com/DCOUI

Family Golf Day - Sunday 31 August

Trivia Night - Saturday 8 November (note - change of date)