The Oxley Update - Term 3, Week 1A

Dear Parents and Carers

I am writing to inform you that Molly Simpson, our Academic Master, concluded her time at the College on Wednesday 23 July 2025.

Over the last two years, the College has been reviewing the structure and focus of the Academic Master role. It is the College’s intention for this position to be held by a person who has formal teacher qualifications and registered with NESA. After careful consideration and discussion Molly has accepted a redundancy.

Throughout her time at the College, Molly has been an outstanding practitioner and trusted advisor, particularly in her unwavering support of our Year 12 students. Her depth of knowledge, guidance and calm leadership have significantly shaped the academic experience of countless graduates.

On behalf of the entire College community, I extend our heartfelt thanks to Molly for her dedication, professionalism and many contributions to the life of the College. We wish her every success and fulfilment in her future endeavours.

As we transition to a new team in this space at Oxley, I want to assure our Year 12 families that we have spent time ensuring sustained care and guidance for our students as they progress through the coming months.  The Senior Study, Study Club and Intensive Study Camp will see Heads of Departments, Year 12 teachers and members of the Senior Leadership Team, including Mr Bevan, Ms McGuinness and Ms Whiteley, assisting and supporting Year 12 students. Students should reach out to their Year 12 teachers for feedback on essays and practice papers.

Mrs Liane Bull, our Student Futures Advisor, will be able to assist students with their UAC logins and University Applications. Liane will also relocate to the Study Centre to be available for any student questions.

We thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely

Scott Bedingfield
Head of College

As shared in the Week 9 Oxley Update, the College is currently updating the way we engage Peripatetic Tutors due to recent amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), which came into effect in August 2024. These changes have required us to review our arrangements to ensure we are fully compliant with legal requirements and to safeguard the wellbeing of both students and staff.

Until now, Peripatetics have not been engaged under a formal agreement, which we believe poses potential risks both to the College and to the Peripatetic Tutors. To address this, our Co-curricular Administrator, Ms Bridget Tighe and our HR Consultant, Mr Tony Lehner, initiated a consultation process with our Peripatetics through three meetings in May. Draft agreements were sent on Friday 30 May for Peripatetic Tutors to provide feedback.  The College only received feedback on the last day of Term 2, Friday 27 June.

In response, we held a further meeting on Sunday 29 June with delegated Peripatetic representatives, Chair of the Board of Governors Mrs Jane Crowley, Business Manager Mrs Em Cassin, Mr Tony Lehner and myself. At this meeting, we clarified the terms, made revisions based on feedback and had contracts and agreements updated by the College Lawyers. A key change was the inclusion of a six-month review period to allow for ongoing consultation for future agreements.

We also acted on Tutor feedback by improving the teaching spaces - decluttering, repainting and adding mirrors and heaters where needed.

The College is asking Peripatetics to become contractors, not only to ensure compliance with critical policies such as our Staff Code of Conduct and Child Protection procedures, but also to formalise procedures. These contracts also offer tutors protections, including guaranteed notice periods. We are also introducing a modest $2 per lesson room hire fee, which contributes to space maintenance, utilities, use of photocopying facilities and some instrument provision (a drum set and pianos).

It is disappointing that we have not been able to reach full agreement in time to ensure a seamless start to Term 3. Like any professional engaged at Oxley, whether a teacher, landscaper, or external provider, a signed agreement is a non-negotiable requirement for working with our students.

We are currently working with the Music Department to make arrangements for Year 12 students who have HSC Trial Music assessments commencing in week 3 and have Peripatetics accompanying students in their performances.

We are committed to resolving this as quickly and respectfully as possible; however, we are waiting on agreements to be returned by Tutors, and we will process them immediately upon their return, meaning services can resume straight away.

I do thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we work towards a resolution that is in the best interests of the tutors, the College and your children.

Yours sincerely

 
Mr Scott Bedingfield  
Head of College 
Oxley College

Dear Parents and Carers

Student Device Policy 2026 – Coming Soon

In the Oxley Update at the end of last term, I communicated about the development of a new policy for student devices for 2026, including potential changes to the existing BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) model.

We will be sharing these plans with parents/carers in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, and in anticipation of likely changes to the current policy and model, please do not purchase a new school device for your child prior to the upcoming announcement about the Student Device Policy for 2026.

MMG Education Survey for Selected Year Groups 2025

As part of our continuous improvement process, I wish to provide opportunities for Years 2, 5, 8 & 12 parents/carers and Years 8 & 12 students to provide us with feedback relating to their views of the College across a wide range of areas. This follows the survey we conducted of all parents/carers in 2024.

The research is being conducted by MMG Education, a specialist education consultancy that works with schools in the areas of school strategic reviews and stakeholder satisfaction.

MMG's client schools include many schools across Australia.

Parents/carers will be invited to complete questionnaires over a two-week period commencing on Friday 15 August. Students will also complete their questionnaires during this period.

To ensure confidentiality and to encourage frank and full expression of views:

All responses will be de-identified.

The data will be reported back in aggregated form only.

All data collected by MMG Education will remain under its control and archived according to research protocols. The College will not be able to access it.

On Friday 15 August, MMG Education will email you an invitation to participate in the review and provide you with your confidential, secure access to your questionnaire. In accordance with research practices, MMG Education will not use your email data for any purpose other than this research and will destroy this data upon completion of the research.

Whilst I strongly encourage all parents and carers to contribute to this survey, you may not wish for us to share your email address with MMG Education for the purpose of completing this questionnaire.  If this is the case, please opt out via the Oxley College form below by Friday 1 August 2025 and we will ensure that your details are removed from the review email database.

Oxley College Opt Out Form

At the conclusion of the research period, MMG Education will provide me with a report.  I will then provide opportunities for members of the College community to receive feedback from the research.

If you have any further questions regarding the project, please contact me via email at mark.case@oxley.nsw.edu.au.

I look forward very much to the valuable contribution you will be making to this important project by completing your questionnaire.

Yours sincerely

Mr Mark Case
Deputy Head of College

20250605 Community Recognition statement Judy Hannan

Students in Years 5-11 will be invited to participate in 30-minute check-in sessions here at school, under supervision by school staff. They will use a computer or tablet to respond to age-appropriate questions about how they’re feeling and skip any questions they don’t want to answer. Only certain school staff will review their check-in outcomes and follow up on any identified needs.

Why My Mind Check?

It gives our students a voice about their mental health and wellbeing and helps to build their mental health literacy.

It is evidence based; built for Australian schools from research and clinical studies by Macquarie University (Sydney).

It guides schools and families to helpful information and resources for each mental health and wellbeing topic included in the check-in, making it easy for us to learn more and consider next steps.

It meets strict Commonwealth privacy and security standards and is supported by independent security evaluation, which you can learn more about by visiting Security and Privacy.

My Mind Check is not a clinical assessment of mental health. Instead, it gives us insights into the wellbeing of each student and of our collective school community.

There are no costs, and participation is voluntary.

Check-in sessions for students in Years 5 to 11 will commence from Week 3 of this term.

We’re committed to supporting our students and ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive.  Participation in this program requires the consent of both parents and students.  Consent forms will be sent out shortly.

To learn more about My Mind Check, visit mymindcheck.org.au or watch this video.

Whether your recipe is fancy or fuss-free, passed down through generations or newly created, we’d love you to share it with us.

Everyone is welcome to contribute, no matter your skill level in the kitchen. That said, we know we’re lucky to have some incredibly talented, passionate, and even professional cooks in our midst, and we can’t wait to feature your creations alongside those of fellow food lovers.

We invite every Oxley family to submit one cherished recipe. Our goal is for each family to be represented in this unique celebration of food and community. If we receive multiple versions of a popular dish, we may contact you via email to request an alternative. All contributing family names will be proudly included in the cookbook.

In the recipe description, please share the story behind your dish: Is it inspired by a cookbook or food writer? Or is it a treasured family original? Every recipe has a story, we’d love to hear yours.

Please submit your recipe by Friday 29 August 2025.

Optional: Feel free to upload a photo (or a few!) to go alongside your recipe. If you have any questions, contact Justine at Justine.smith@oxley.nsw.edu.au

Let’s come together to create something truly special, a delicious and lasting tribute to the Oxley community.

All students in Year 7-10 should have read their report and I suggest that they highlight areas both of strength and for development that they will focus on over the rest of the year. Mentors will meet with students over the coming weeks to set goals moving forward.

I continue to encourage students to broaden their involvement in the life of the college through our wide range of co-curricular activities. This helps build character, a key part of our mission in enabling students to make positive contributions wherever they go and to have a positive impact by sharing the values and experience of an Oxley education in communities near and far.

This has been highlighted to me in a personal context recently. My eldest daughter, currently in Darwin, has been working alongside two old Oxleyans from 2003 and 2008 in the emergency Department in the Royal Darwin Hospital – all three of them having a positive impact in a community far from Oxley.

I look forward to meeting parents over the term, whether on the sidelines at sport, in a parent teacher meeting, our major work exhibitions and performance evenings, and most certainly at the Year 12 Graduation. Please stop to say hello or to ask any questions that you might have.

As we step into this new term together, I am confident that with collaboration, and a spirit of curiosity, we will continue to grow as a community. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to the values that make Oxley unique. I wish everyone a rewarding and inspiring Term 3.

Dear Year 11 and 12 Parents and Carers

As you are aware, Senior Study Club runs from Monday to Thursday inclusive. This will commence on Monday 28 July and be held until the end of week 9 (Thursday 19 September).

Due to the low take up on meals in Semester 1, we will be trialling not offering them this term. The Pavilion facilities (microwaves) will still be available from 5.00pm – 5:30pm each day as previously and we can provide refrigeration during the day if students want to bring in meals to reheat later on.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Kind regards

Genevieve Whiteley
Director of Students

Ahead of the Year 9 Rites of Passage residential program in Sydney, which will run from October 9 to October 17, we invite parents and students to attend an important information evening. During this session, we will
outline key details about the trip and provide an opportunity for you and your child to ask any questions.

Some general reminders for the start of term:

Pick up procedures

Please ensure you have the family name sign displayed on the front passenger visor and not the dashboard as staff cannot read the name when on the dashboard. If you need a new or additional sign for other family members, please contact Student Services. We appreciate your assistance with this.

Where the eldest child in a family is in Year 8 or below, they and their siblings should be picked up in the Junior School Turning Circle - at the pick-up time for the eldest child. Where the eldest child is in Year 9 on that day, pick up is in the Senior School Pick Up Zone.

Afternoon pick up times in the turning circle will remain staggered to enable a better flow of traffic.

K-2 students at 3.05pm

Years 3-6 students at 3.15pm

Any K-2 students with siblings in Years 3-6 will remain supervised until their sibling arrives for turning circle pick up at 3.15pm. Please do not enter the turning circle to pick up Years 3-6 students prior to 3.15pm to enable a smooth traffic flow.

Please do not pick up your child elsewhere on campus or on adjacent roads due to safety concerns.

Junior School Assembly

Our Assemblies continue to take place on Tuesday mornings at 9.00am in the Peter Craig Centre (PCC). These will begin in Week 2, Tuesday 29 July and families are welcome to attend. At our Assembly we celebrate our student awards and share musical performances and student achievements in sport and other activities.

After School Care Service

After and before School Care is available Monday to Friday during school terms from 3.15pm until 6.00pm on Oxley College grounds.  Visit https://theircare.com.au for more information or email our TheirCare Coordinator at oxleycollege@theircare.com.au. The service phone number is 0467 770136.

Term 3 Co-Curricular Clubs

There is still availability in some of our Term 3 Co-Curricular Clubs run on Tuesdays and Thursdays commencing week 2.   See this link for more details: See link: https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/c2kn9

A reminder that students are to be picked up at 4.30pm from the Junior School Turning Circle or booked in to After-School Care at the completion of their Club.

Uniforms

A reminder of uniform expectations for students (boys in left column, girls in right)

Black RM Williams style of pull-on leather boots may be worn ONLY with long trousers. Please ensure boots are kept polished and tidy, as are school shoes at all times.  Blazers and school ties are easily kept spot cleaned with a damp microfibre cloth.

Kind regards

Heidi Shvetsoff
Head of Junior School

House Poetry Competition 2025

Please register for the Oxley ELEVATE Parent Information Session here

Oxley ELEVATE

As part of our strategic commitment to “reimagine learning” we are excited to introduce Oxley ELEVATE, our innovative new program for Year 5 and 6 students designed to provide an exceptional learning experience that supports them as they begin to prepare for Senior School.

Oxley ELEVATE aims to offer a seamless and engaging pathway for our Stage 3 students, creating a bridge that fosters confidence, independence, and enthusiasm for the future. Working across the Stage allows teachers to differentiate and tailor their teaching to support, enrich and extend students while starting to offer them highly supported opportunities to experience learning opportunities in Senior School learning spaces.

For students commencing their learning journey at Oxley in Year 5 for Oxley ELEVATE it also eases parents' minds knowing that their child has secured a place in the Oxley Senior School. As such we will offer an option of a third Year 5 and/or 6 class from 2026 – subject to demand.

Through this program we aim to challenge and inspire our Stage 3 students by offering enrichment opportunities across a wider range of Key Learning Areas. Through our partnership with the Senior School, students will engage in specialised lessons in secondary school subjects such as Science, Technology, Music and The Arts. These sessions are taught by expert Senior School teachers and take place in well-equipped Senior School classrooms, giving students access to resources and experiences that deepen their learning, foster independence, creativity, and critical thinking.

Stage-Based Classes for Tailored Learning and Enrichment

This approach involves Stage based teaching in some Key Learning Areas and allows for highly effective differentiation across all subject areas within the NSW curriculum, ensuring that each student receives the appropriate level of challenge, support and enrichment. Whether a student is excelling or needs additional help, our experienced educators will tailor the learning experience to meet their individual needs, setting them up for success in Senior School and as lifelong learners.

Exposure to Senior School facilities allows students to experience what it’s like to move between different classrooms and work with specialist teachers, as they would in Senior School, while still in the supportive environment of the Junior School. It’s an exciting, hands-on experience that not only sparks curiosity but also gives students the confidence they need as they ease into Senior School life.

Smooth Transition with Ongoing Support   
The program is thoughtfully designed to help students feel supported and confident as they begin to explore the next stage of their learning journey. It offers a gentle, gradual introduction to Senior School-style experiences, while ensuring students remain fully connected to the Junior School—learning within their familiar classroom environment and guided by their own class teacher as they explore Senior School subject experiences. Teachers and support staff work closely with students, providing continuous guidance and encouragement, ensuring they have the tools they need to manage the academic and social aspects of their transition to SeniorSchool. The transition isn’t just academic; it’s about developing confidence and independence, creating a well-rounded foundation for future success.

Benefits of Oxley ELEVATE

Oxley ELEVATE will offer unique learning opportunities for our students, giving them a taste of Senior School life, with access to specialist classrooms and facilities that enrich their learning experience. The blend of Year 5 and Year 6 students will allow for differentiation in teaching which will ensure that every student is challenged at their level and supported when necessary. This will provide opportunities for our team to meet students where they are at and take them to the next level.

The Oxley ELEVATE program will ensure students are not just academically prepared for Senior School but are also socially and emotionally ready for the next stage of the educational journey.

 For enrolment opportunities

If you know anyone who might be interested in this program, please share the news. If you have younger siblings who were planning to join Oxley in Year 7 but are now considering starting earlier in Year 5 or 6 through Oxley ELEVATE, I encourage you to reach out to our College Registrar, Alex Stone, for more information.

Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening (StEPS) will be visiting Oxley on Wednesday 20 August 2025 around 09.30am.

StEPS is a NSW Health vision screening program available to children who are 4 and 5 years old and eligible for school in 2025.

Envelopes have been placed into children’s bags with a consent form and information sheet outlining the program.

Can consent forms please be returned to Mrs. Lees at your earliest convenience?

Any questions please contact The Clinic at clinic@oxley.nsw.edu.au

Sports Draw 15 November 2025.xlsx

2025 Junior School Athletics Carnival Program

Snow Mountains Trip: 

The final instalment of $300 is due by Monday 21 July.  Payment can be made via the following link: https://payit.nelnet.net/form/Vgig69Aq

Thailand Trip:

The final instalment for the Thailand Trip of$1,700  is due by Monday 21 July. Payment can be made via the following link: https://payit.nelnet.net/form/UNLGhqap

Nepal Trip:

The final instalment for the Nepal Trip of $2,882.50 is due on the Monday 21 July. Payment can be made via the following link:  https://payit.nelnet.net/form/CgRm4Sk4

Nepal Pre-Trip Meeting

We will be holding an information evening for students and parents on Monday 4 August at 5.30pm. Please note the updated location: Orchestra Room.

During this session, representatives from World Horizons will present the final trip details, distribute travel documents, review required gear, and address any remaining questions.

To obtain your visa, visit this website and select Embassy of Nepal, Canberra, complete the details, and then you’ll need the following information for the next section.

Visa Option: 15 Days

Purpose of Visa: Tourism

Address in Nepal: Shambaling Hotel, Kathmandu

Contact Number in Nepal: This is optional, so leave it blank.

Once you've completed the application, you’ll have a confirmation slip that will look like the image below. Note that I have applied for a 30-day visa. You will only need 15 days at A$60.

Download and print this form and then send it, by Registered or Express Post, along with the following documents to the Embassy of Nepal in Canberra:

Embassy of Nepal, Canberra
22 Kareelah Vista, O’Malley ACT 2606

You will need to include:

Your confirmation slip

Your passport (valid for at least six months from your entry date into Nepal) - YES YOU NEED TO SEND YOUR PASSPORT.

A self-addressed express post or registered post envelope for returning your passport

A money order for A$60, payable to the Embassy of Nepal, Canberra (personal cheques, cash, and credit cards are NOT accepted)

Alternatively, if you’re not comfortable with mailing your passport, you may prefer to submit your application in person at the Nepalese Embassy in Canberra. If so, we suggest you call ahead to arrange a date and time. 02 6286 8006. You can submit and pick up in the same day.

Hepatitis A

Typhoid

Meningitis

Polio

Additionally, ensure your tetanus shots are up to date and consider a dental check-up before travel.

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

Requirements:

Current and appropriate driving license

NSW Working with Children Check

Availability during school terms (morning and/or afternoon shifts)

If you or someone you know would be a great fit, we’d love to hear from you!

To express interest or learn more, please email employment@oxley.nsw.edu.au

Read all about what's happening at the Ngunungulla Midwinter event at the link below:

Pre-Literacy Highlights

This week in PreLit, we practised blending printed words, segmenting words with three sounds, and explored the new letter sound /h/.

Our Shared Reading book was Ernie Dances to the Didgeridoo by Alison Lester, where we also learned new vocabulary: flood, monsoon, harvest, and humid.

Book Week is a special celebration that encourages a love of stories and highlights the joy of reading from an early age. It reminds children that books open doors to imagination, learning, and endless adventures. Our Pre-K children were so excited to join the Junior School parade, proudly showing off their Book Week costumes and sharing in the fun.

Pals & Pioneers Program

Pre-K deeply values our intergenerational program, Pals & Pioneers. This week we welcomed residents from Anthem Care for their very first visit. The program’s goal is to build meaningful connections with people in our community through weekly interactive activities. These shared experiences foster respect, empathy, and social awareness, while also enriching the children’s emotional development. Working alongside aged care residents helps our Pre-K children build communication skills, patience, and an appreciation for different life stories, while the residents enjoy the joy and energy of young children — creating a truly rewarding exchange for both generations.