Beyond the Books: Student Wellbeing and Success
It was another hefty couple of weeks for OPAC with sporting triumph, a vibrant showcase of our performing arts, wellbeing expos and the cusp of Year 11 End of Course Examinations.
Sporting Triumph
Success does not come without strength of character – the determination to improve fitness, strength and skill, the capacity to follow a coach’s direction and pull together as a team, and the willingness to put in the hours and hours of practice. At OPAC, we recently celebrated exceptional performances, including:
Minnie-Mae G: Winning the 800m and 1500m at the recent CSSA State Athletics Championships, smashing two records. Minnie-Mae slashed 10 seconds off the 13 Years Girls 800m, a record that stood firm for 26 years. She also sliced a whopping 22 seconds off the 1500m record. Perhaps we will see her at the Olympics in the future.
The Open Boys Relay team of Josh D, Brayden W, Noah B and Campbell H also brought home gold in their 100m relay.
On the field our Senior Boys Oztag recently won the CSSA State Gala day and our Years 7-9 Girls Soccer team became undisputed MISA Champions. Goalkeeper Lily E showed nerves of steel in the penalty shootout to secure victory. Our 7-9 Girls Soccer team also won the MISA championships – one of four teams playing in grand finals as the rise of OPAC as a sporting powerhouse continues!
While these are exceptional results and all credit due to the teams, athletes and coaches, we are most pleased with the way our teams compete, giving their best for each other and showing the character and respect that is an OPAC trademark.
Extraordinary Talent on Display
We recently witnessed the fruit of monumental hours of work in the Arts field. Our HSC Showcase was a time to appreciate the exquisite detail in the artwork of our Visual Arts students, the craftsmanship of the Timber students, listen to the musicianship of Music students and learn of the design journey of our Design and Technology students.
We were also privileged to enjoy a night of music, singing, acting, dancing and art at the Capturing Creativity evening on Wednesday. It was a massive turn out to see students across the Junior and Senior School collaborate in their performances. It was heart-warming to have students of all ages showcasing the skills they had developed during the year to play, sing and dance to various pieces. We are blessed to have a community – students, staff and parents willing to invest significant time in the performing arts.
Wellbeing Expo
Years 7 to 12 were able to speak to various wellbeing entities on Thursday as the Camden Wellbeing Expo for Young People came to OPAC. Well aligned with RUOK Day, groups such as Headspace, Little Dreamers, Focus Connect and Macarthur Disability Services had stalls to interact with our students. Talk to Me Bro also joined us on Wednesday to speak to Year 10 students about accessing help and supporting each other through rough times, including during mental health challenges. We often speak to students about courageously reaching out for help for themselves and others. Some students tried the ice-bath challenge, offering a unique opportunity to practice emotional regulation techniques, such as deep breathing and mindfulness, to help build emotional resilience.
God bless,
Mr Steve Owen
Deputy Principal – Head of Senior School
Music
Year 12 HSC performances took place on Tuesday morning this week. Music 1 students Edwin and Aaron prepared their major works for months for this examination. Among the performances were Dvořák’s Humoresque and Snarky Puppy’s Tarova. Congratulations to our two Music 1 students on achieving this milestone!
Year 8 students have been learning how to write Australian folk songs this term. They’ve been learning about convict life, the evils of the bushrangers and the heroism of the women missionaries to Aboriginal Australia. Here is part of Ruth Banister’s chord chart (chords and lyrics) for her folk song about life on the land for an early Australian settler.
A
Life was full of struggles
E
The weather was hot and dry
A
Plants and animals unfamiliar
Em A
But alas they always try
Three hundred of our musical ensemble students took to the stage on Wednesday night for our annual Capturing Creativity concert. The 450-strong audience of family and friends made a raucous noise for all the musical ensembles, drama groups and dance troupes. We’re particularly proud of those who made their debut that evening! Thanks to all the staff who supervised the students in the green rooms. Thanks also to Mr Miller, Mrs Kiefer and Mrs Lane for their musical efforts to make the evening the success it was.
