Though it’s Winter, Our Community Remains Warm
As the cooler weather settles in, our College continues to be warmed by the energy, creativity and commitment of our students. This past fortnight has been a wonderful reminder that learning extends far beyond the classroom, flourishing in performance, creativity and character.
An Enchanting Production
Our College community was treated to a truly enchanting production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The performances brought our values vividly to life, with students demonstrating courage, collaboration and creativity on stage and behind the scenes. Conversations with students after the final performance revealed something even more special, the friendships formed through the journey. Their excitement is already building for next year’s musical, The Clockmaker’s Daughter, which promises to be an extraordinary milestone as what I understand will be its first performance in New South Wales.
Explore more moments from the College play by viewing the photos and details in the below article.
Dance Troupe Shines at MISA Festival
Adding to this celebration of the arts, our Dance Troupe represented the College with distinction at the MISA Dance Festival on Tuesday.
During Term 1 and 2, 18 of our talented students have been giving up their Thursday mornings before school to bring something truly special to life , and their hard work paid off at the MISA Dance Festival held this week at The Cube Campbelltown. MISA Dance Festival is an opportunity for all MISA school to showcase and celebrate Dance as part of the Arts.
Their piece, When the Marble Moves, blended contemporary and hip-hop styles to explore a wonderfully playful idea: what if the statues of ancient Rome and Greece finally stepped off their plinths? What began as something strong and sculptural gradually loosened, found its rhythm, and discovered its groove , and so did our dancers.
We are so proud of the dedication, creativity, and joy this group brought to the stage. Congratulations to each and every one of them! Thank you also to Mrs Grant for her tireless commitment to this program and to nurturing the talents of our students.
Celebrating Student Creativity and Achievement
Creativity and dedication have also been evident in the outstanding achievements of Year 10 student Monique. Inspired by Japanese fashion and culture following her travels, she has developed an impressive collection of garments and decorative pieces. Her work showcases advanced techniques in garment construction and fabric manipulation, while also supporting her grandmother’s charity efforts through a shoebox initiative. Monique’s talent and determination have been recognised with remarkable success across several agricultural shows, including Hawkesbury, Camden, Luddenham and Penrith, an exceptional accomplishment.
Understanding Student Progress
Closer to home, reports were distributed to students on Thursday. I encourage you to take some time with your child to look through their report, perhaps prompting them to retrieve it from the depths of their school bag. In particular, the Endeavour grades offer valuable insight into each student’s approach to learning. These reflect qualities such as diligence, effort, curiosity, collaboration and the contribution they make to a positive learning environment. Importantly, these are areas in which every student can excel, regardless of academic results. It was a pleasure to recognise many students at our recent Endeavour Assembly, celebrating those who consistently strive to do their best.
Looking Ahead: Parent-Teacher Interviews
Looking ahead, our Parent-Teacher Interviews for Term 3 are currently being planned for two evenings in the middle of the term. These will again be conducted online, allowing for convenient access from home and avoiding travel in the winter weather. Each interview will run for six minutes, helping us maintain a smooth schedule while still providing valuable opportunities for connection with your child’s teachers.
Thank you, as always, for your partnership in supporting our students, not only in their academic progress, but in their growth as engaged, resilient and compassionate learners.
God bless,
Mr Steve Owen
Deputy Principal – Head of Senior School
Sport
Term 2 Sport Wrap-Up
Term 2 has been an outstanding season of sport at OPAC, marked by strong participation, impressive achievements, and a growing presence on the wider school sport stage. Our students have represented the College with commitment, skill, and sportsmanship across a wide range of competitions.
Cross Country
- Minnie-Mae (Year 9) – 5th
- Lily (Year 7) – 12th
- Ryan (Year 7) – 14th
Representative Honours
Sophia (Year 8) achieved an excellent milestone by being selected in the CSSA NSW Hockey team following trials, going on to compete at the CIS Championships. This is a significant accomplishment, representing one of the largest independent school sporting associations in the state.
In soccer, Jazlyn’s consistent performance, teamwork, and skill have been recognised with selection in the CSSA NSW team. She competed at the CIS Championships, becoming the first OPAC student to achieve selection in this squad—a fantastic achievement.
Soccer – Bill Turner Trophy (15&U Girls)
This term marked our first-ever entry into the prestigious Bill Turner Trophy competition. Our 15&U girls team, made up of students from Years 7–10, delivered an exceptional campaign. The team recorded victories against St Benedict’s Catholic College (5–3), Oran Park High (3–1), Camden High (5–4), and John Therry Catholic College (3–0). Their efforts have seen them progress to the Area Championship match against Freeman Catholic College, to be played in Week 1 of Term 3. Their commitment to weekly Friday morning training has been instrumental in this success, and we look forward to their continued progress. Plans are also underway to enter a boys team in 2027.
Swimming
Following strong performances at School, Zone, and CSSA State levels, Victoria (Year 9), Caitlyn (Year 8), and Lily (Year 7) qualified for the CIS Swimming Championships. Competing at this level is a significant achievement given the quality of competition. Caitlyn performed particularly well, finishing within the top four in most of her events.
Volleyball
Our volleyball teams enjoyed great success at the CSSA State Gala Day. The Open Mixed team went undefeated throughout the tournament to claim the title, while the 15&U Mixed team performed strongly, finishing runners-up after a narrow Grand Final loss. These results reflect the commitment of students and the valuable preparation provided through training sessions led by Mr Irwin.
Oztag
OPAC sent four teams to the South West Sydney Regional Oztag Tournament, competing against strong opposition including Matraville Sports High and Picton High. Both the 7/8 Boys and 7/8 Girls teams reached the semi-finals, narrowly losing to Matraville. The 9/10 Girls team also performed well, missing a semi-final position on for-and-against. These results demonstrate our continued growth and increasing competitiveness in representative sport.
Netball
Our Open Boys and Girls 15&U teams both recorded strong results, finishing the day with four wins from six matches. While they narrowly missed out on semi-final qualification, their performances reflected strong teamwork and determination throughout the competition.
Athletics Carnival
The OPAC Athletics Carnival was another highlight of the term, showcasing both community spirit and athletic excellence. Students have received their individual event results, and those finishing in the top three for track events and top two for field events will be invited to compete at the Zone Athletics Carnival in Week 3 of Term 3. Age Champions and the House Champion will be announced at the Week 2 Assembly.
Overall, Term 2 has been a fantastic season of sport, with many ‘firsts’ for the College and continued evidence of our students’ dedication and growth. We thank all staff, coaches, and families for their support, and we look forward to even more opportunities and achievements in Term 3.
