黑料社区

It is with great pleasure I once again welcome all members of the 黑料社区 community to the 2022 academic year, especially our new Year 7 and 11 parents and students and those new to Year鈥檚 8-11. There are over 500 new students to 黑料社区 this year across Years 7-11. Welcome to you all.

I would also like to thank all our amazing parents for their understanding and support as we transitioned back to school, safely this past week. We could not have done so without your cooperation. We pray that all our families are well, and that those with COVID positive family members and/or friends have a speedy and full recovery.

We also wish those celebrating the Chinese New Year this week, the year of the tiger, a very healthy and prosperous year (Kung hei fat choi).

This week due to our COVID safety assessment we did not have our normal Dedication Mass for the start of a new school year, but we did stream a Dedication Liturgy to all Tutor Groups focusing our year on our theme include. I thank Mr Goodman, Mrs Marshall, Mrs Leopardi, Mr Domars, staff and students for a wonderful, uplifting and hope-filled prayer service.

On Friday 4th February, the College celebrated our Class of 2021 at the High Achiever鈥檚 Assembly. This was a celebration of all Year 12 who collectively and collaboratively worked to achieve their goals and attain their desired path. It is estimated that about 95% of Year 12, 2021 had one or more early offers and all had their pathway and future endeavours well sorted by the time the HSC exams eventually started in mid-November. With fewer Band 6鈥檚 and more Band 5鈥檚 than usual, the College still attained one of our highest achievements with approximately 18% of students with ATARs above 90%. Well done to Year 12, their teachers and parents. Well done also to the many awardees such as our Dux, Noah Hoyle, with an ATAR of 98.6, Hannah Cook, First in State, and James Nati, Third in Class, and a Scholarship to Stanford University USA.

As we start a new year, I would like to encourage parents, as important members of our College family, to join us in all events that are referenced in the Newsletter, College Calendar and reminder emails. We are a living community (not an institution) and our life and success (and wellbeing of your children) depend on your involvement, energy and support 鈥� it takes a village to raise a child. Research indicates improved student outcomes for those students whose parents stay connected in some way to their children鈥檚 schooling. Often this is as subtle and indirect as attending meetings, joining the P&F or helping in the canteen or uniform shop. I look forward to seeing you at the court, field or theatre and at the scheduled parent meetings throughout the year.

In conclusion, I wish to share from Winston Churchill, encouraging us to keep doing our best:

鈥淲hen 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鈥�.

It may be hard, but as Marcus Aurelius, one of the greatest Roman Emperors said, it is not beyond us. 黑料社区ian鈥檚 by nature are up to the challenge, never say die, and strive for excellence, not mediocracy. Therefore, I have every expectation that we will meet the challenge and grow to be more respectful, more kind to one another, as we learn to include each other in our deeds, words and actions, in real life, real time, and social media.

"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)

Or as De La Salle says: 鈥淒o not spare yourself in what you can do with grace; and believe that, provided you want it, you can do more with the grace of God than you think鈥�. (De La Salle, 1691)

Br Steve Hogan fsc
Principal

We thank our families and staff for their tremendous support in keeping our community safe and well, and for our smooth return to school routines for 2022. Our regular email communications are being sent to our community on Tuesday and Thursday outlining our RHAT test results and any further COVID updates.

At this time, can we also remind parents that for health reasons, we ask you to remain in your car when dropping off or picking up students. We are unable to have anyone milling around the CSC or Benildus Hall.

Ash Barty wins respect and admiration at many levels. 
Her equal acceptance of success and failure,
The extraordinary time she has spent in perfecting such a wide variety of shots,
Her love of family and country,
The graciousness she extends to all.

What I want to highlight is her ability to focus.
Focus meant she never got distracted throughout her whole tournament. 
She always looked at how she could improve and did not worry about all the things she could not control.
The ability to focus is the key to success.
Where is my focus going to be this year?
If it is on God and what he wants from me I won鈥檛 go wrong.

On Thursday 3rd February, 黑料社区 celebrated our Dedication Liturgy for 2022. This is an important annual event, and we usually come together as an entire community, however, due to COVID restrictions, we streamed our Liturgy from the College Chapel into Tutor rooms.

Br Pat, College Chaplain shared a personal story with us centred around 'include' and the impact that small gestures each of us can make everyday as we live out the Lasallian charism:

I would like to tie together our theme for the year, 'Include', with the essence of today鈥檚 Gospel about being the light of the world 鈥� the salt of the earth.

A true story. My youngest brother Brian was born after I joined the Brothers. My mother died just after his first communion when he was seven. Dad, wanting to do the best for him, sent him to a GPS school in Melbourne. He was miserable and unhappy there because a burn mark on his face made him different and he was excluded by other kids. When I was sent to DLS Malvern I convinced dad to send him there in Year 9. By Year 12 he was elected Vice-Captain by his peers and was totally transformed as a person. That is what we do in a Lasallian school. We include people, we do not pick on one another鈥檚 defects and weaknesses, we find what we are good at and with the encouragement of those around us we become the best we can be. There is nothing worse than being excluded 鈥� be aware of those not fitting in and help them find a home here.

Brian was tragically killed in a car accident at 23. He had a terrific but short life. He was one of the Founders of the Melbourne Comedy Festival, there is a concert there held in his honour every year, and he was Captain of the Australian Theatresports team at the Calgary Olympics.

I am forever grateful that his time at DLS Malvern was the gateway to a life he thoroughly enjoyed.

As many of you commence your time with us at 黑料社区 I pray that you will find it a place of inclusion, a place that offers so much that you can find what you need and thrive. May the breadth of personalities we have here allow you to find others who understand and like you.

For all of us may we be a light to others when they are experiencing darkness, may we give of our richness and talents to become the salt of the earth. We are all on the apostolate of encouragement. Encourage and include each other and watch what we can create in this space.

Mrs Gabby Russo
Marketing and Community Liaison Co-ordinator

Today we proudly welcomed back our Class of 2021 for the High Achievers assembly. Despite their disrupted senior years, these students worked hard and overcame many challenges. It was wonderful to be able to give them the recognition they deserved.

黑料社区 is proud of our students. We have many students who achieve not only academically, but by attaining the 黑料社区 Graduate's attributes, they can go on to further study, apprenticeships, and coveted roles. Over the next few weeks, we will showcase some of our HSC Achievers. This week is Alejandro and Kyle:

Last weekend, many of us were glued to our televisions, cheering on Ash Barty to her Australian Open win and just the week before, we acknowledged Dylan Alcott as Australian of the Year for not only his outstanding service to the Paralympics, but his advocacy for Australians living with disability. Sport can teach us many lessons. Lessons about personal growth, achievement, working with others, goal setting and resilience that we can apply to study and to work.

Outstanding role models such as Ash Barty and Dylan Alcott teach us about the mindset and discipline required to meet one鈥檚 personal goals. Growth and achievement require individuals to set clear goals for themselves and develop a plan to achieve these goals. Growth requires individuals to acknowledge that will be wins, losses, bumps and challenges along the journey to achievement of the goal. Learning and growth can be, and should, cause some discomfort, as we journey from what is known and familiar, to what is unknown. We all fall into the 鈥渓earning pit鈥� when we are facing a new challenge and failure is key to learning. How the student navigates and approaches these challenges, however, will be key to success. Grit, resilience and metacognition are crucial capabilities for growth and achievement. How can we encourage our children to develop a growth mindset that enables them to work their way out of the pit, independently and in collaboration with others, to achieve and experience personal pride?

Teachers have a strong impact on student outcomes, however, the student鈥檚 own mindset contributes very significantly to their educational outcomes and parents can support the College in nurturing these vital dispositions. Students at 黑料社区 will be setting targets for themselves and I encourage parents/guardians to have conversations with their child about their learning goals for 2022. How do we then help our children to navigate the bumps, the obstacles throughout the year?

At the Year 7 Parents鈥� Orientation last week, I spoke about the conversations parents might have to help students develop dispositions of resilience, grit, tenacity and metacognition. When a child says that they are not going to bother trying because they simply cannot do it, or they are going to fail, what do we say? When they label themselves as not good at a particular subject or skill, how do we respond? Our response is key. We can acknowledge that learning is hard, but we need to then encourage the child to think more critically. We can ask students questions like the following:

• Yes, it is hard, but can you think of a time when something was hard and you worked through it to improve? What did you do?
• Okay, so you didn鈥檛 do as well as you wanted on this task, but what can you learn for next time?
• What is the feedback? What are your next steps to achieve the improvement you would like?
• What strategies can you come up with to improve? Who can give you support?
• What did work well for you? Tell me about a time when you were successful? What did you do and how can you do more of that?

Both finalists at the Australian Open took pains to say thank you for their supporters. We know that collaboration and positive relationships are key to growth and achievement. Together as a community, we can support our wonderful young people to face the challenges of learning with resilience and commitment.

Mrs Melissa McMahon
Assistant Principal Curriculum

黑料社区 subscribes to Dr Prue Salter - The Study Skills Specialist to assist parents and students in developing effective study skills. There is a vast number of 鈥榰nits鈥� available to assist in not only study skills, but working better at home, using technology, tools for managing challenges and much more. Each month I will provide Dr Salter鈥檚 study skills tips in the newsletter.

黑料社区鈥檚 access details are: 

Username:   foroakhillonly
Password:    41results (the 1 is a number)

Having run over 5,000 study skills seminars over the last 20 years, Dr Prue Salter has been asked many questions about study skills. Below are the top five questions parents ask:

How much learning should students be doing each night?

Different schools will have different expectations, but the general guidelines are that junior students should be doing around 1 hour of self-learning most nights, seniors between 2-3 hours most nights.

But what if students say they have no homework?

In Primary school, students are used to just doing the work their teacher specifically tells them to do. Many students do not realise that things should be different in secondary school; there are actually two types of learning students should be doing. The first is compulsory work such as homework, assignments, and preparing for tests. The second type of work is independent learning work. If students have no homework that night, they are expected to undertake some independent learning in secondary school. This could be reviewing what they have learnt that week, making a mind map, reading ahead, researching an area of interest, making study notes or reviewing difficult concepts.

Can you listen to music while studying?

The general rule is that if students are undertaking learning that is not difficult, it is OK to listen to music. It makes them feel relaxed, makes them feel like the time is going quicker. However, if they are doing work that requires intense concentration or memorisation, it is best to switch the music off (or else have slower music with no vocals such as classical musical) as otherwise it will take them much longer to absorb and learn the information.

Is it OK for students to do work with devices or in front of the TV?

Unless students are doing something mindless like sticking things on a poster or colouring in, it is best not to do work in front of any devices such as phones or TV. Instead, students should do their home learning in an environment that is as distraction-free as possible. It works well if students do their learning in distinct blocks of time and remove all distractions during those blocks. Some students find they have the self-discipline to manage technological distractions, others need a helping hand 鈥� such as their phone in a different room for the half-hour period where they are focusing on schoolwork.

How do I stop my student getting distracted when working on the computer?

Have a discussion with students about doing schoolwork in focused blocks of time so that they can really enjoy their time away from the books (or computer). If students find it challenging to be disciplined, they can also look at self-blocking software such as Self Control (MAC) and Cold Turkey (PC). If students are still struggling, parental management programs such as Family Zone allow families to block particular sites at particular times.

Mrs Melissa McMahon
Assistant Principal, Curriculum

In 2022, the Mathematics Department will be providing two opportunities each week for any student to get additional help with their homework.

The sessions for Homework Help are:

• Wednesday: 3.30pm - 5.00pm (Library)
• Friday: 8.00am - 8.30am (MI304)

During these scheduled times there will be a Mathematics teacher available to answer any questions. This is a perfect opportunity for students to work on any set work/tasks or simply seek clarification on new concepts taught during class. 

For the Wednesday afternoon session, we will also be seeking the assistance of senior students to assist. If your son or daughter is interested in volunteering their time could you please ask them to send me an email: dstokes@oakhill.nsw.edu.au.

We look forward to seeing our students.

Mrs Debbie Stokes
Assistant Academic Head of Mathematics

The National Art School offered an intensive studio practice course for Year 11 Visual Arts students in January this year. The course is endorsed by the NSW Education Standards Authority and has been offered by the National Art School to Year 11 Visual Arts, Preliminary Course students in all government and non-government high schools for over 20 years. It is aimed at students seeking to further their studies in Visual Arts in Year 12 and beyond to tertiary level and who are considering a career in the Visual Arts. 

From Wednesday 19th 鈥� Saturday 22nd January we had two students who participated in this four-day course, developing artmaking skills in drawing and sculpture. Gabriela Chu Barbosa and Elyse Moutia took part in the course demonstrating excellence and maturity, producing some fabulous artworks. 

I commend these students for their commitment and dedication to their Visual Arts studies.

Mrs Marie Hogan
Academic Head of Visual Arts

Every Monday - Thursday our Library is offering 'Study Boost'. During these sessions students can get support with reading, assessments, mathematics and writing. 

Late last year we received the final computer competition results, which involved students solving problems using the Python coding language in Grok Learning's Code Quest 2021. Students received outstanding results and Ms Salem and I were very proud of how the students worked hard through lockdown to complete their extension work. 

Students from 2021 Year 9IST, 10IST and 11SDD entered in either the beginners or intermediate level competitions depending on their coding progress. The students improved their Python programming while competing with students from around the world! 

Python is an easy to learn scripting language used for many different purposes such as web applications and scientific research. Companies like Google, Facebook and Reddit all use Python in their infrastructure and web services. The five-week competition required students to use python coding to solve problems of increasing complexity.

The Code Quest widened their understanding of python encoding and put their knowledge into practice. The competition is interactive as they get an immediate response on whether they have got it correct or incorrect and what is wrong with their code and hints on how to fix it. 

Please note: these students were in these Year groups in 2021.

An outstanding result was gained by Daniel Xu Year 9, who received a Distinction in the NCSSS Challenge Advanced Competition.

Mr Brian Johnson
TAS Teacher

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, please complete the form below which requires your name, date of birth and the school year (2022). 

Once issued, concession cards will be valid until March 2023. Students in Year 12, particularly those intending to go on to further study in 2023, 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.

Mrs Donna Findlay
Head of Senior School

All students who drive to 黑料社区 are asked to register their car鈥檚 details, including registration number, using this link . Please note that this link is accessible only to 黑料社区 students and staff using their College login credentials.

Parking on the College grounds is restricted to those who have applied for and been successful in obtaining a permit in the ballot to be held next week. All applications for inclusion in this ballot were due earlier today.

As mentioned in our first newsletter of the year, students are not permitted to have unauthorised passengers in their car. A note from a passenger鈥檚 parents is required to be submitted to the Head of Senior School before travelling in a car driven by another student. We ask that students respect the local residents by being thoughtful about the manner in which they park and drive in the surrounding streets and mindful of not parking across driveways and blocking bin collection.

When parking near 黑料社区, some of our surrounding streets have curved gutters such as Ollie place. Students parking in Ollie Place can park on the gutter to allow residential traffic too to move. 

Mrs Donna Findlay
Head of Senior School

A reminder to Year 12 students that applications for At Home Study leave are now due. Information was sent to students and their parents earlier this week. Once submitted, students are able to leave the College on the designated days and should travel directly home.

There is no provision for At Home Study leave in Period 1 and all students should be here at the College ready to commence at 8.35am.

Mrs Donna Findlay
Head of Senior School

Please find below updated school bus advice for Hillsbus services commencing Monday 31st January:

Route 3003 will commence 5 minutes earlier
Route 3507 will commence 5 minutes later.

We remind students they must have a valid Opal card to travel on school buses and must tap on and off morning and afternoon. This is how the routes are decided by the NSW government.

If students would like to purchase a House T-shirt, they may do so via the College Uniform Shop. House T-shirts are optional and may be worn to Swimming and Athletics Carnivals only.

Welcome back to 2022! We hope your son and daughter will make the Library a focal point of their learning this year. 

Students are encouraged to use the Library for homework, reading and study.

We aim to boost students reading comprehension and speed. All students are required to bring a book for 'Just Read' time for Wednesday Tutor group. They may borrow from our Library, College community reading box, your local Library or bring a book from home. The Library staff provide a personalised Readers Advisory service to match the right book with the student.

The provides 24/7 access to eBooks, databases and Subject guides.

Library clubs start next week commencing 7th February. This is a great opportunity for students to meet new people and try something new.
Writing - Mondays
Coding - Wednesdays
Board games - Fridays

This term the Library is available to all students before and after school where they will be cohorted into different Library Areas. At recess and lunch year groups are able to use the Library at the following times:

Year 7 - Monday
Year 8 - Tuesday
Year 9 - Wednesday
Year 10 - Thursday
Year 11 - Friday
Year 12 - everyday in the downstairs senior silent area.

Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about how they can make the most of the Library in 2022.

Mrs Lynn Revai
Academic Head of Library

We are delighted to announce that all co-curricular music activities will be commencing again at the College from Week 3.

After a rocky two years it is very exciting that we can get all our bands, choirs, and ensembles back up and running and we are looking forward to a wonderful year with plenty of performance opportunities.

Below is the current schedule outlining when each activity occurs 鈥� from next week we welcome all students who have participated in these groups in the past as well as any new students who would like to take part.

Please reach out to our music department if you have any questions: rmadigan@oakhill.nsw.edu.au

The 黑料社区 Film Festival, known as Oakfest, is open to all students Years 7-12, regardless of whether they study Visual, Creative, Performing Arts. Last year the Oakfest Film Festival saw students endeavour to make a short film following the theme of Respect. Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, we were unable to present the finalists or the winning film to a broader audience. Nonetheless, we are pleased to announce the winner of Oakfest 2021 was Jack Talty (Year 12) for his film titled 'We鈥檙e Not Making an Entry for Oakfest This Year'. 

On behalf of the Visual Arts faculty, I congratulate Jack on his commitment and dedication to his creative arts pursuits and his engaging film.

This year鈥檚 theme will be announced shortly. Stay tuned.

Mrs Marie Hogan
Academic Head of Visual Arts

Chess Club is back in 2022! All year groups are welcome to join us and challenge themselves or play socially. Chess Club runs every Friday at lunchtime in DE101. Hope to see you there!

Ms Katie Kovacevic
Chess Club Co-ordinator

Welcome to the start of Term One and to the new year of 黑料社区 Sport. I am sure 2022 will bring many exciting moments and plenty of outstanding individual achievements. The summer sport season continues after the Christmas break for our junior cricket teams while our 1st XI and 2nd XI prepare for the start of the ISA season. This weekend we have training and 鈥榤eet the coach鈥� sessions for our Basketball and Touch Football teams. The ISA competition will be played this term with a five-round competition starting on Saturday 12th February. COVID protocols are in place at each home and away venue, and we do ask that players and spectators (if spectators are allowed) respect the protocols in place throughout the term. 黑料社区 will ask that parents do not attend the training sessions this week for Basketball and Touch Football.

Team of the Week

We did not have many teams playing last week but the U15 Cricket team did have the opportunity to continue their summer season with a one-run victory over WPHC Red. The close win gets them over the line as 鈥楾eam of the Week鈥� just ahead of our 2nd XI who defeated Barker 2nds.

黑料社区 Championship Swimming Carnival

The Championship Swimming Carnival has moved to Wednesday 16th February at 7.30am in the 黑料社区 pool. All students need to register through Trybooking if they wish to attend this Carnival. We will select the 黑料社区 Swim Squad from this event. 

Register here for the Championship Swimming Carnival -

The House Swimming Carnivals have been postponed and we look to run these later in the term or at some stage this year. Year 7 and 8 will participate in their Carnivals during Tuesday sports lessons.

黑料社区 Sports Lunch

It鈥檚 back again this year - Friday 17th June. Save the date. Chat to family, friends, and alumni, and start getting your tables organised. Last year was a huge success so don鈥檛 miss the 2022 黑料社区 Sports Lunch. 

Mr Andrew Wisemantel
Head of Sport

Congratulations to Marco Graiche (Class of 2021) who was selected and will have his artwork "Origins" exhibited at the Hazelhurst Arts Centre BOW exhibition 鈥淶oomers鈥�. 

Hazelhurst Arts Centre with the support of VADEA (Visual Arts and Design Association) will exhibit Zoomers, a selection of 2021 Higher School Certificate artworks from Saturday 2 April 鈥� Monday 13 June in Hazelhurst's Main Gallery. Zoomers will exhibit local and regional students鈥� artworks demonstrating excellence in HSC Visual Arts and celebrating the achievements of outstanding Bodies of Work. Marco was put forward for consideration and was selected by the organising committee. 

Mrs Rachael Manning was his Visual Arts teacher and provided continuous encouragement to Marco throughout the year.

Mrs Marie Hogan
Academic Head of Visual Art

The Addams Family Production has been held recently to standing ovations. Two current students and two 黑料社区 alumni, Aidan Grace (Solomon Captain), Jack Talty (Music Captain) (both Year 12), Mr Edward Joseph, Mr Tanner Woodhead and Mr James Waters (all Class of 2020) were involved in the Sydney Youth Musical Theatre performance, held at the Hornsby RSL. The show was meant to run in July last but due to Covid restrictions was sidelined until January 2022. 

Aidan played Gomez, Edward played Lurch, Jack an undead ancestor and James Waters and Tanner were part of the ensemble. A commendable performance by all of these talented students who studied and performed in 黑料社区 productions for many years. 

Congratulations to Aidan on being awarded the Founder鈥檚 Award for most outstanding performer in the musical demonstrating leadership and future potential. Aidan demonstrated exceptional engagement, collegiality, empathy, and professionalism both on and off stage. 

Photography by Grant Leslie.

SAVE THE DATE 鈥� Saturday 19th March

The 黑料社区 P&F invite you to our 2022 Welcome Event. 

This is our first event for 2022 鈥� a night for you to meet other new parents and be part of our 黑料社区 Community 

Start planning your winning tables of 8. Tickets $20 each.

Year 7 parents will be able to book tickets to be seated alongside other parents from their son鈥檚 tutor or friendship groups. 

Come along and join in the fun starting at 6.00pm. This is a parents only event open only to current 黑料社区 families. 

Further details and booking information will be available in the next Newsletter. 

If you can assist in donating a prize for this event for a raffle or silent auction, please email pandf@oakhill.nsw.edu.au or call Lynette Hood on 0421 079 648. 

Simone Marshall 
Welcome Event Coordinator 

黑料社区 is running two canteens at the moment (juniors and seniors) and we are therefore looking for volunteers. If you can assist please email Nikki at: nstock@oakhill.nsw.edu.au.

A reminder too that our Benildus Hall canteen is operational before and after school for all year groups.

Mrs Nikki Stock
Canteen Manager

Flexischools pickups will now be available for students to collect from the College Uniform Shop on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Recess or Lunch only. Orders will be ready on the day after the due date itemised on your Flexischools order.

Mrs Carmel Christie
Administration Manager