James McFadden delivers his passionate speech during the Mock Elections

Liberal Victory!

Last week the Year 9 area was transformed into a colourful political arena.  Each of the four Home Groups became political parties and spent two days making badges, writing speeches, decorating the party rooms, producing press releases and propaganda and campaigning to the staff and the Year 5 students.  The Year 9 students hosted the staff at a special morning tea, where the students impressed the ‘swinging’ voters with their knowledge about their party’s policies over delicious refreshments.

The program culminated with the staff and students voting for their choice of political party overseen by the Australian Electoral Office.  Rooms S8 and S9 became an electoral centre, complete with voting booths and ballot papers.  After the secret preferential votes were tallied, the Liberal Party (Home Group 9.21) gained office via a third preference count.  Congratulations to all Year 9 students for their enthusiastic and excellent participation in this program.

Members of Oxley College Concert Band

Last Saturday members of our Senior Concert Band, Lodaré and the boys from the Senior Choir took part in a community concert for ‘The Dining Room’, a Croydon community meal service for struggling families and homeless people.  The purpose of the concert was to raise funds and raise public awareness about the issue of homelessness and poverty, and needs in our own community. The evening included a presentation from David Knoop, the Director of The Dining Room.

The groups from Oxley College were joined with traditional jazz band, Maurie’s Jolly Rollers and the Sunbury Divas who were seen on The Battle of the Choirs television show.  The manager of the Divas, Adam Przewlocki, said before his Choir performed, “I just want to congratulate the Oxley choirs, they were just outstanding.  It’s fantastic to see the quality of what is coming out of the secondary school system in Victoria at the moment. It’s an exciting sign for the future.”

Oxley College warmly invites the Oxley College community to attend a live broadcast of Light FM’s breakfast program, live from Oxley College on Friday October 9, 2009 from 7.30am.  Competitions, Mr. Balloonatic, student interviews and free Coffee will make this a fantastic morning for parents to attend.  Tune in from 6am to hear the full broadcast.  Make sure you tell all of your friends and family to tune in!

Senior students were recognised for a range of achievements during a special assembly at Oxley College this week.  Beth Shelley, currently completing Year 12 is also mid way through completing a University subject.  She recently gained recognition on the Dean’s Roll of Excellence for her performance in her university History subject.  Myriam Amiet-Knottenbelt was also congratulated by her peers for gaining a medal for achieving the highest score in Victoria for her performance in the national (UNSW) Writing Competition.  Two fantastic achievements!

A number of students who have shown great improvement were also recognised and congratulated.   A comparison of 2008 results with results from this year so far, identified  eleven students  that have improved most dramatically.   Oxley seeks an understanding of excellence, acknowledging it is more about personal best and stretching oneself, than simply the highest achievement.

Our Year 10 debating team has also performed remarkably well, winning our local competition against a range of schools.  The team was defeated by only 2 points in the Octo-finals by Kardinia International College.

We look forward to tomorrow and Friday night’s performances of A Bush Yarn by the Junior School.  The musical, written by Mrs. Narelle Walker and Mr. Andrew Levey, weaves together their classroom studies of Australia with drama, music and dance in to what is sure to be a delightful production!

Science Competition

Students from Oxley (Years 7–10) achieved outstanding results when they participated in the University of New South Wales International Science Competition this year.  The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) are conducted annually across 13 countries.  There are over 2 million entries worldwide.  Those students whose achievement was outstanding were rewarded with Certificates of Credit, Distinction and High Distinction.  “All students from Oxley College are to be congratulated on their significant achievement”, said Penny Hutton, Assessment Manager at EAA.

Oxley College is proud of those who gained Distinctions and especially those who achieved High Distinction as they were placed in the top 1% of the state.  We had 76 students receive Credits and 26 Distinctions.

Well done to the following who received High Distinctions:

Benjamin Winger
Jared Frost
Thomas Mullaney

Science Photography Competition – The Wonders of Science

To celebrate National Science Week students from Years 7 – 12 participated in a Science Photography competition.  The Science Faculty congratulates all those who participated.  The General Manager of Macmillan Publishing Australia judged the photos and commented on the high degree of talent.

The winning entries were:

1st Prize: Jamie Cubitt (Year 10)
Runner up: Brittany Gardner (Year 10)

During Term 3, the students in year Four learn about the farming industry.  One of the activities is to bring fertilized chicken and duckling eggs into the classroom and to watch them hatch and grow.  There is a huge amount of invaluable learning that takes place during this time.  We watch in anticipation as the ‘babies’ hatch from their eggs and the excitement builds as we see new life begin.  We care for them in their pen until they are two weeks old.  They are totally dependent upon us.

During this time we handle them, take them for walks to the vegetable garden, complete descriptive writings, weigh them and find the average weight each day, graph results, research poultry farming and watch in awe to see the unfolding of God’s creation.  The way God has designed our chickens and ducklings is amazing.  We start to realize that God’s design for each of us is perfect and without error.

- Mrs. Ann Gaschk ( Year 4 Teacher )

The National Christian Schools Basketball Championships were held in Queensland this year.  The competition saw the best basketball players from around Australia, currently attending Christian Schools, come together head to head on the basketball court.

Oxley College was well represented in the Victorian teams this year, with 12 students playing in varied age groups.  Teams had a very heavy schedule for the four days of the tournament, playing 8 – 10 games.  Victorian teams brought home four of the six trophies on offer, the U 14 Girls, U 14 Boys, U16 Girls and the U16 Boys.

Representing Oxley at the championships were:

A fantastic week was had both on and off the court, with players building close friendships, further developing their skills and in gaining an understanding of the importance of character.  Character was a theme throughout the devotional times for the Victorian team, led by the chaplain of the Melbourne Tigers NBL team.

Well done to all participants and a special congratulations to Paige Tomlins, Ashley Hopkins, Charlotte Hooper and Michael Baldwin on playing in winning championship teams.

Individual honours go to Ashley Hopkins for receiving the Most Valuable Player award, Best Defensive Player award and also for selection as part of the All Star 5 team for the U14 Girls championships.

Jordan Etches was also the recipient of an individual honour, voted by her Open girls peers as the most positive and encouraging senior girl.

We look forward to next years championships in Sydney!

Miss Anna Broadley & Lodaré with Professor David de Kretser and Mayor Len Cox

On Thursday the 6th of August, the Oxley College a Capella vocal group Lodaré were invited by Mayor Len Cox, to perform at a Civic Reception for the Governor of Victoria at the Linley Estate in Kilsyth.  The event was attended by over 200 invited guests, including state and federal politicians, volunteers, representatives from CFA and the Police, local business leaders and welfare organisations.

The Governor spoke of how beautiful our shire is, with its amazing natural beauty.  He told of his visit to fire affected areas and acknowledged the fantastic work of volunteers, especially those who continue to work tirelessly for those affected by the fires of Black Saturday.  Governor, Professor David de Kretser also used the opportunity to highlight men’s health and the resources that are now freely available, stating “Men are role models for their family and need to take their health seriously”.

Lodaré performed four items to the mingling guests and were congratulated on their beautiful sound by the Mayor. Cr Len Cox invited Lodaré as entertainment for the event after hearing their performance at the National Day of Thanksgiving earlier this year.  The performance capped off two busy days for the group, who participated in Oxley’s Musical Ensemble Evening the night before and presented items that morning to the hundreds in attendance at the Outer Eastern Prayer Breakfast held at the Karalyka Centre.