From Br Steve Hogan fsc
Greetings,
The past several weeks have been busy in respect to the College’s academic calendar. The Year 12 complete their Trial HSC exams on Monday 18th August and will over the next two weeks receive some important feedback on what they are able to do to attain their best in the HSC exams in October. There is still plenty of time and much can still be done and achieved. It is important that all Year 12, in all classes continue to aim to achieve their personal best and finish their six years of secondary education feeling accomplished.
Over the past several weeks we have also been receiving NAPLAN data. Results show continued progress and significant improvement on previous years for both Year 7 and Year 9 with extraordinary results for Year 7 in particular, as you can see in the following graphs. Whilst the results are very good with virtually no students in the ‘Needs Extra Support’ band, the College is continuing its Reading & Writing initiative as a primary focus for all faculties and our professional learning teams.
In addition, Year 10 have just completed their first attempt of the Minimum Standards test, a requirement for the HSC. All students who sat the test passed both the Reading and Numeracy tests.
Our Year 7 and Year 9 NAPLAN data, Year 7-10 Allwell data, and Year 10 Minimum Standards data provides the College and subject teachers rich information to inform them about the learning needs of their students. It also provides benchmarks to aim for, helping us improve each student’s achievement so that they can attain at their best, creating opportunities and fulfilling the potential God has given. I say, if you can, why not. If it is within your capacity, then it ought to be.
In addition to the busy academic program in the College these past few weeks students have also been fully engaged in the closing rounds and finals of the winter sport competition. There will be 19 out of 20 rugby teams; 21 out of 24 football teams, five out of five netball teams; one out of two girls football teams in the Semi Finals this weekend (Saturday 16th August); and eight out of ten tennis teams in the tennis Finals. We wish all our finals teams and their coaches and managers every success.
The last few weeks have also involved many students in Dance, Drama, and Music ‘Showcase’ recitals in preparation for their HSC. These recitals illustrate the amazing talent and giftedness of the students at Oakhill College.
Research tells us that practice and feedback are the most essential in improving performance. This applies to all aspects of life, but evidence certainly supports this in education. There is no shortcut to hard work and particularly for boys who at times “overestimate their ability and underestimate the effort required”. Thank you to all those parents who support their children by getting them to training and rehearsal and who keep motivating and encouraging them to keep practicing and working hard. Building resilience is one of the more significant attributes home and school can achieve working together.
The last two weeks have also been busy in the Catholic and Lasallian life of the College. Friday 8th August was the Feast of Mary MacKillop of the Cross. Tuesday 12th August was the Feast of St Benildus, and Friday 15th August was the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Feast of the Assumption is a very special day in the Catholic calendar. Mary is a woman who made a very strong choice for God in her life, whose vocation was to bring Christ to the world. This belief that Catholics hold about the assumption of Mary into heaven is but one of many traditions, values and principles of the Catholic faith. It is through celebrating these events that Catholic faith is sustained, especially for adolescents.
While academic achievement is important and essential, Catholic Education goes beyond skills and qualifications. It guides individuals to seek wholeness, truth and hope in their lives; sees the person as essentially social, with a sense of community, based on solidarity, the promotion of justice and making a difference. Lasallians have a keen sense of this pursuit of justice and making a difference as seen through our commitment to service. College Liturgies, Mission Action Day, service programs to India, Vietnam and the Philippines, local mission service activities to Castle Hill Australian Retirement Village, the disabled swim programme, St. Lucy’s Day, the Year 9 St Edmund’s service programme, aboriginal community service programmes, and retreats and reflection days are all examples of how Oakhill College students live out their faith in ways which hold meaning for them.
Finally, I would like to thank all the Year 11 students who applied for leadership positions for 2026. The College is blessed with so many gifted, talented, capable students. Regretfully we only have 22 formal positions. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to all those who were shortlisted, for their graciousness, when positions were announced on Wednesday 13th August. A full list of College Student Leaders for 2026 is published elsewhere in this Newsletter.
Wishing you well.
Br Steve Hogan fsc
Principal
