The College year is now in full swing, with students and staff settling into a productive rhythm. The new building and Amphitheatre are outstanding additions to our College environment, enriching the learning experience and fostering a stronger sense of community. In the Senior School, our focus this term is on courage and living honourable lives—qualities we all aspire to nurture in our children.
Living Honourable Lives
One of the highlights of my role as Head of Senior School is teaching each Year 7 class once per fortnight. This dedicated time allows me to get to know our newest cohort while engaging them in meaningful discussions about what it means to live a life of honour. We explore how honourable choices help build respectful and loving relationships, and we’ve already delved into the transition from childhood to young adulthood—a shift from self-centred thinking to selfless action.
As part of these discussions, we have reflected on Eddie Jaku’s remarkable story, as told in his TED Talk and book, The Happiest Man on Earth. A German Jew who survived the horrors of Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, Eddie displayed extraordinary resilience in the face of unimaginable suffering. He risked his life to help others, endured brutal conditions, and escaped captivity multiple times, demonstrating incredible courage.
Despite witnessing humanity at its worst, Eddie chose kindness, gratitude, and hope.
His commitment to honour was evident in his lifelong mission to educate others about the Holocaust, ensuring that history’s darkest moments were never forgotten. Rather than allowing hatred to consume him, he embraced forgiveness and friendship, believing that true happiness stems from love and compassion. His story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of great evil, we can choose to lead lives of integrity, resilience, and joy.
Eddie’s journey, which began with deep suffering, ultimately became one of hope and service to others. If he could choose love over bitterness, surely we, too, can make a difference—perhaps by simply offering a smile or an outstretched hand in friendship. To put these values into action, the Year 7 students have been set a homework challenge: to complete a random act of kindness over the next two weeks. It may be a small gesture, but stepping out of their comfort zones to bring joy to others is a meaningful exercise in courage and connection.
Swimming Carnival
This week’s Swimming Carnival was filled with energy, enthusiasm, and a little extra motivation—thanks to a well-timed snippet of the Jaws theme for the bell! With soaring temperatures, many students eagerly jumped into at least one race, and the House chants echoed all the way to Cobbitty. It was heart-warming to see students cheer each other on and embrace the spirit of the event.
A much-loved tradition saw our Year 12 students arrive in creative fancy dress, adding vibrancy and a sense of fun to the day. In the highly anticipated Year 12 versus Teachers race, the students claimed victory—just touching the wall ahead of their teachers. A huge thank you to our dedicated staff who embraced the spirit of the day, especially the PDHPE team for organising races and novelty events to ensure everyone had the opportunity to participate.
As we continue through the term, I encourage all our students to embrace the values of courage and honour in both their actions and attitudes. Whether in the classroom, on the sports field, or in daily interactions, may we all strive to make a positive impact on those around us.
God bless,
Mr Steve Owen
Deputy Principal – Head of Senior School
Sport
It has been an exciting start to the year for Sport @ OPAC! We are thrilled to embark on another year of opportunities, where students can engage, compete, and thrive in a dynamic sports program.
At OPAC, our mission is clear: to provide a well-rounded sports program that fosters not only a positive sporting experience but also essential life skills, character, and values in our students.
With a diverse range of sporting opportunities available, there is something for everyone. To stay informed about upcoming events and pathways, we encourage students to check their emails and the newsletter regularly.
MISA Sport
MISA is our weekly representative sports competition, where up to nine OPAC teams compete against independent schools in the Macarthur region. These teams train on Tuesday mornings before competing in the afternoon from 1:00 – 2:20 pm.
Recent Results:
Team | Round 1 (Wk 4) | Round 2 (Wk 5) | Next Week (Round 4, Wk 6) |
10-12 Girls OzTag | BYE | Draw v MAS | Broughton AC @ Sports Hub |
10-12 Boys OzTag (Div 1) | Win v THAC | Loss v MAG | John Terry CC @ Victoria Park |
10-12 Girls Basketball | Win v SFCC | Win v WCCS | Georges River Grammar @ Michael Clarke Centre |
10-12 Boys Basketball (Div 1) | Loss v SBCC | Loss v MAS | Mount Carmel CC @ OPAC |
7-9 Girls Indoor Cricket | Win v WAC | Loss v JTCC | Broughton AC @ All Sports Indoor |
7-9 Boys Softball | Loss v LAC | Loss v WAC | William Carey CS @ Cowpasture Reserve |
7-9 Boys Volleyball | Win v MAG | Win v BAC | Macarthur AS @ OPAC |
7-9 Girls Volleyball | Loss v MAG | Win v BAC | Macarthur AS @ OPAC |
7-9 Girls Hockey | Draw v WCCS | Loss v SBCC | Mount Carmel CC @ Narellan Hockey |
Gala Days
From time to time, OPAC enters teams into Gala Days, providing students with opportunities to represent the College and pursue further pathways in their chosen sports.
Our first Gala Day of the year was the CSSA South Met Zone Touch Football Gala Day, held on Monday of Week 5. We sent four teams (15&U Boys, 15&U Girls, Open Boys & Open Girls) to compete against schools from the Christian Schools South Metropolitan Zone.
Our students represented the College with excellence, demonstrating grit and resilience in the fast-paced competition and challenging heat. The 15&U and Open Girls teams faced tough opposition early on but showed noticeable improvement throughout the day, refining their defensive structure and sharpening their passing under pressure. Their persistence and teamwork were recognised by the referees, who commended their ability to adapt to the intensity of the competition. The 15&U Boys team fought hard throughout the day, finishing fourth in the rounds to earn a spot in the semi-finals, where they continued to improve but ultimately fell to Inaburra. The Open Boys team showcased incredible determination, pushing through cramps and fatigue to reach the Grand Final, where they gave their all against a formidable Shire Christian School team.
It was a fantastic day and we extend our thanks to the parents who came out to support the students and to the staff who helped prepare and guide the teams on the day.
To further develop our Touch Football/OzTag culture, we are launching a Touch Football/OzTag squad. Open to all students, this squad will provide after-school training and additional opportunities to compete in Gala Days. More details will be shared via email soon.
Senior School Swimming Carnival
Our Senior School Swimming Carnival was a spectacular day filled with swimming talent, house spirit, and community involvement. One of the standout highlights was the enthusiastic participation in the House novelty events, bringing energy both in and out of the pool.
Final carnival results will be released by the end of the week, with Age Champions to be recognised at the Week 6 assembly. A huge congratulations and thank you to all students and staff who participated, assisted, and supported this fantastic event!
Further Sporting Opportunities
For students looking to take their sporting journey further—whether through pathways, competitions, or school teams—we encourage them to reach out to Mr. Cranston (Head of Secondary Sport) for guidance and information.
Whether you’re taking up a new sport or refining your existing skills, we are here to support and encourage you every step of the way!
