An OPACked Week: Deep Thinking, Big Wins and New Faces
Another OPACked week! From students wrestling with life’s deepest questions to outstanding sporting and academic achievements, there’s been a lot to celebrate—and reflect on—at the College.
What is the Purpose of it All?
At Chapel this week, College Chaplain Peter Stevenson tackled one of the biggest questions: What is the purpose of it all? Drawing from Ephesians 2:10, he reminded students of a powerful truth:
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
In simpler terms, we are made for relationship with God, and out of that relationship, we are called to live lives marked by good choices and purposeful action. That means loving others, serving with humility, seeking truth, making peace and promoting unity—values that often stand in sharp contrast to a culture focused on self, wealth, and pleasure.
Uniform Reminder
A sincere thank you to the many students who consistently wear the College uniform with pride and honour. However, there are still some who need encouragement to meet expectations. Please support your child in starting each day well-prepared—with the College blazer, being clean-shaven, and ensuring skirts and shorts are worn properly, with no makeup or excess jewellery (apart from one set of earrings). The College diary is a helpful reference for our uniform standards. The thermometer has literally reached freezing point this last week, but students are still arriving at the College under-dressed. Please encourage them to dress appropriately for the winter season.
Great Endeavour (and Reports 7-10)
Next week, students in Years 7–10 will be bringing home their academic reports. We hope these provide a clear picture of their progress, effort, and learning attitude this semester. At our upcoming assembly, we’ll also be celebrating students who have demonstrated diligence, perseverance, and craftsmanship through our Endeavour Awards.
In other Endeavour news, we’re thrilled to share that our Senior Girls Indoor Cricket MISA team finished the season undefeated and were crowned Finals winners—an outstanding achievement! See Mr Cranston’s Sport notice for more. Similarly, our Year 9 Debating team made it to the Finals after skilfully tackling the topic: “Freedom of speech should be without limits.”
New OPAC Head of English
While our new Head of English has been here for a few weeks, we’re excited to officially welcome her. With considerable experience leading English faculties, she brings a deep passion for literature and a belief that every student deserves access to rich, meaningful learning. Her vision is to create inclusive, vibrant classrooms where students are both challenged and supported to reach their potential.
Mrs Mazzolini is committed to academic rigour balanced with creativity—building a culture where achievement and a love of English go hand in hand. A keen reader herself, her favourite book is A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, and she’s currently enjoying Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. On this recommendation, I may well have a read.
We’re grateful for the breadth of learning, character growth and opportunity happening across the College, and look forward to what Semester 2 will bring.
God bless,
Mr Steve Owen
Deputy Principal – Head of Senior School
Sport
As Term 2 comes to a close, there’s so much to celebrate when it comes to our students’ remarkable sporting achievements. From first-time competitions to outstanding individual performances, OPAC athletes have shown skill, heart, and character across every event.
Indoor Cricket:
This season, a group of girls from Years 10 to 12 came together to form a team that no one saw coming. They didn’t all know each other, and not everyone had played cricket before—but that didn’t matter. What they shared was a determination to give it their best, to support each other, and to have fun.
From the first game, they played with heart. Every match was full of energy, laughter, and teamwork. They backed each other up, celebrated every win, and kept pushing forward—together. It wasn’t just about cricket; it was about connection, courage, and commitment.
They went undefeated all season and brought home the trophy—but more than that, they built something special. A team that played for each other, and a season they’ll never forget.
Congratulations to the girls and Mrs van Loon on an awesome victory.
CSSA & CIS State Cross Country:
OPAC proudly sent a team of 35 students to compete at the Christian Schools NSW Cross Country event. Despite challenging windy conditions, our students showed incredible enthusiasm, resilience, and school spirit throughout the day.
A special congratulations to:
- Minnie-Mae (Year 8) – 1st place
- Joel (Year 8) – 10th place
- Rilley (Year 11) – 9th place
These outstanding performances earned them qualification for the Combined Independent Schools (CIS) NSW Cross Country Championships, where they faced elite-level competition and a demanding course. Each athlete gained valuable experience at this high level.
A standout achievement goes to Minnie-Mae, whose exceptional run placed her 6th overall, securing her a spot on the CIS NSW team to represent the Independent Sector at the NSW All Schools Cross Country Championships in July.
We’re incredibly proud of all our runners for their dedication and determination!
Oztag NSW Regional Gala day
For the first time in OPAC history, students proudly represented the College at the All-Schools Oztag competition. Despite the freezing temperatures and relentless rain, our students’ spirits remained high and their determination unwavering.
Under the dedicated coaching of Mr McMinn and Mr Bullock, our teams showed that OPAC is a force to be reckoned with. The Junior Girls and Senior Boys teams fought hard and narrowly missed out on the semi-finals in their divisions. The Junior Boys team gave everything they had, playing to the point of exhaustion in a nail-biting semi-final that ended in a narrow 4–3 loss.
What stood out most on the day wasn’t just the skill or effort—it was the character. Our students conducted themselves with respect, kindness, and integrity. Officials and spectators alike commented on how well they interacted not only with each other, but also with referees and students from other schools. It was a true testament to the values we hold at OPAC.
Well done to all involved—you’ve made us proud!
15&U CSSA Zone Soccer Gala day
This year, OPAC proudly sent both our 15&U Boys and Girls teams to compete in the CSSA Zone Soccer Gala Day.
The Girls team played earlier in Week 5, right around the time torrential rain forced the closure of many soccer grounds. As a result, matches were played on synthetic mini-fields in an 8 v 8 format. Despite the challenging conditions and limited time together as a team, the girls delivered a fantastic day of football. Standout performances came from Jazlyn (Year 9) and Alba (Year 7) in the back line, Indiana (Year 7) in goals, and Layla (Year 9) on the wing. The team gelled quickly and played with great spirit, making it all the way to the Grand Final. Although they were defeated by a strong Shire team, the girls walked away proud, saying they “won in spirit.”
The Boys team, selected from a trial of over 50 students, was full of potential. With only five actual 15-year-olds in the squad, this young team showed they could hold their own against top competition. They drew 1–1 with last year’s champions and impressed teachers and officials throughout the day with their skill and promise. Key performances included Aleksa (Year 8) dominating in both defence and midfield, Brooklyn (Year 9) leading with solid defence as captain, Hayden (Year 9) showing blistering pace and scoring brilliant goals, and Joel (Year 8) with excellent positioning and awareness. The boys narrowly missed out on finals qualification, needing just one more win.
The real highlight, however, was the way the boys—ranging from Years 7 to 9—supported one another. In moments when it would have been easy to drop their heads, they lifted each other up and played with heart. It was a great day of football and a proud moment for OPAC.
Well done to all our players—you’ve represented the College with skill, spirit, and outstanding character.
CSSA NSW Secondary State Netball:
This year, OPAC proudly sent three teams to the CSSA State Netball Gala Day: a Junior Girls, Senior Girls, and—for the first time ever—an Open Boys team.
While none of the teams progressed beyond the pool rounds, their participation marked a significant moment for the College, especially with the historic of our boys’ team. Across the day, all teams showed determination, teamwork, and school spirit, improving with each game and representing OPAC with pride.
What stood out most was the way the teams encouraged and supported one another, creating a positive and uplifting atmosphere throughout the day. Our Year 10 students especially stepped up to the challenge, showing early signs of leadership and setting a strong example for their peers.
We’re incredibly proud of all our players for embracing the opportunity and giving their best on the court.
CSSA NSW Secondary State Gymnastics:
One of the exciting opportunities available to students who train with a registered gymnastics club is the chance to compete at the CSSA State Gymnastics Championships. This year, Violet (Year 9) proudly represented OPAC at the event.
Violet delivered a consistent and composed performance across all apparatus, scoring above 8 in most events. Her standout moment came on the floor, where she placed 3rd, and her overall efforts earned her a 6th place finish in the competition.
Congratulations, Violet, on taking on the challenge and performing so well at this level. Your dedication and poise are an inspiration to our community!
Umpires and Officials:
This term, our secondary students have truly stepped up—not just as players, but as leaders and role models. Several students have generously volunteered their time to support both secondary and junior school sport through umpiring and refereeing. Their dedication has enhanced the sporting experience for everyone involved.
Thank you to the following students for their service to the Sport program through umpiring and refereeing: Aliya (Year 9), Marizelle (Year 9), Katarina (Year 10), Dallas (Year 7), Emily P. (Year 7), Rubie (Year 9), Ayaan (Year 10), Nathan (Year 10).
A special thanks and mention to Will (Year 10). Will has gone above and beyond this term. His exceptional skill and unwavering commitment have been recognised by many in our community. Thank you, Will, for your outstanding service!
Your leadership and generosity make our Sport program stronger and more enjoyable for all. Keep up the great work!
What’s Ahead
Term 3 will see plenty more opportunities for our students to shine in the sporting arena. Students are strongly encouraged to read their emails regularly to ensure they do not miss out.
MISA Trials:
As we look forward to Term 3, we remind students that MISA trials will take place in Week 9 of Term 2 and Week 1 of Term 3. Due to the trials needing to be held off site, only students who have signed up via Clipboard will be eligible to attend.
College Sport:
Term 3 College Sport program will see our students participate in a House-based sports challenge during the term. Students will compete against other Houses in a variety of sports throughout the term. House Cup points and prizes will be awarded to the teams with the highest points at the end of the term.
God bless,
Mr Christopher Cranston
Head of PDHPE and Sport
