From Harmony Day to the Dance Floor
As a whole College approach to improve the safety and flow of students and traffic in the afternoons, the College is conducting a brief trial to see if bringing Junior School students out ten minutes earlier will help alleviate the congestion and make the afternoons safer. You will have noticed an increase in teacher presence in the Kiss and Drop area as well as in the main areas where students and parents cross the roads. So far, we have seen that this has had a positive impact in the afternoons and once the impact of this change has been reviewed before the end of this term, formal communication will be issued to all families outlining how the day for Junior School students will look moving forward into Term 2. We thank you for your support and patience as we look to making our College as safe as we possibly can.
Friday 21 March was the end of another busy week in the Junior School. We acknowledged and celebrated Harmony Day through activities done in the classroom, by reflecting on the meaning of the day on the morning assembly and by students showing their support for the day by wearing an orange item or two with their uniform. We are proud to celebrate the diverse cultures represented within the College and enjoyed taking the time to reflect on the central message of the day that “Everyone belongs” and reinforcing with our students the importance of inclusiveness to all Australians.
Our amazing P&F also ran a College disco for all students from Prep to Year 6. This annual event is a highlight in our College calendar for many students and a key fundraiser for our College. It was a great night with both the Prep to 2 and then Years 3 to 6 discos allowing our students (and some teachers) the chance to let their hair down and dance the night away. Our OPAC Alpaca made their first appearance on the night as well and was a huge hit with the students, dancing and helping leading students in a huge dancing snake line. Students from Year 5 and 6 and the Senior School have been given the opportunity to name our alpaca mascot and we are looking forward to hearing this being announced soon.
We have an amazing community at Oran Park Anglican College and we really value the mutual support and collaboration in providing all the wonderful experiences our students get to enjoy.
God bless,
Mr Luke Przydacz
Acting Deputy Principal – Head of Junior School
Sport
The past fortnight has been an action-packed time for sport at Oran Park Anglican College, with our students actively participating in a range of sporting events, training sessions, and competitions. It has been fantastic to see the enthusiasm, teamwork, and sportsmanship displayed by our students across all year levels.
K-2 Sport
Over the past six weeks, our Year 2 students have been actively participating in the Learn to Swim program at Oran Park Leisure Centre. This program is an essential component of our PDHPE curriculum, designed to help students develop fundamental swimming skills and important life-saving techniques.
Throughout the program, students have engaged in structured lessons that focus on water confidence, stroke development, floating, and survival skills. These sessions have been tailored to meet the needs of all students, ensuring they build both their abilities and their confidence in the water.
Beyond the physical benefits, the Learn to Swim program has been a fantastic opportunity for students to develop resilience, perseverance, and teamwork. Many students have expressed how much they have enjoyed the experience, with highlights including fun water-based activities and achieving new personal milestones in their swimming abilities.
This program not only equips students with essential swimming skills but also instils a lifelong understanding of water safety—an important skill for all Australians. We look forward to seeing our students continue to grow in their confidence and abilities in the water.
Well done, Year 2!
CIS Swimming
This week Noah J, Grace S and Nate W, participated in the NSW CIS Swimming carnival held at the Sydney Olympic Park Leisure Centre. This prestigious event is a fantastic achievement for our students and the College. Students experienced a very professional environment that had livestreaming and commentary for all of the event. Congratulations to all swimmers on this fantastic achievement.
IPSSO Sport
Each week students from across years 3-6 participate in out IPSSO sport competitions which sees us compete against schools across the Camden area. Our Junior and Senior teams have been working hard to represent our college but also shown tremendous sportsmanship towards competing teams.
Next term students have to opportunity to trial in week 1 and 2 for our Winter IPSSO teams. The teams include:
Junior
- Boys Soccer
- Mixed Necomball
- Girls Netball
- Mixed AFL
Senior
- Boys Soccer
- Mixed Modified Volleyball
- Girls Netball
- Mixed AFL
CSSA and CIS Nominations
From time to time, the College is able to nominate some of our exceptional athletes to trial for CSSA or CIS representative teams. These teams are selected for high level representative competitions, drawing from almost 100 schools across NSW. If you would like the College to nominate your child for one of these events, please follow the procedure below:
- Go to CSSA website to see the list and dates of these trials (cssa.net.au)
- Email me (swright@opac.nsw.edu.au), expressing your child’s interest, background and skills in the sport
- If they fit the requirements of the trials, I will nominate them to attend
- Attend the trials with your child
Upcoming Events
Week 10
Wednesday (2/4): IPSSO
- Away Game against Wollondilly Anglican College
- Juniors 12:00 pm
- Seniors: No Seniors game due to year 6 camp.
Week 11
Tuesday (8/4): Years 3 – 6 Athletics Carnival
- At Narellan Sports Hub
- Carnival starts at 9:00 am
- Students who wish to compete in the 800m event will need to be brought to the carnival by a parent. The race will be at 8:40.
- Discuss and Shot Putt will only be the top 8 competitors from the trials that take place at college.
- Ribbons for each event will be handed out at college.
God bless,
Mrs Stephanie Wright
Junior School Sports Coordinator
