English

Welcome back to another exciting year of High School English! Whether you’re a returning student or new to our school community, we’re thrilled to embark on another year of exploration, creativity, and critical thinking. This year, we’ll dive into rich texts, sharpen our writing skills, and engage in meaningful discussions that challenge perspectives and inspire new ideas. Parents, your support is invaluable in fostering a love of reading and learning, and we look forward to working together to help our students grow. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

Year 7

Year 7 have immersed themselves into their first term of high school English with enthusiasm and excitement! They are exploring the concept of ‘Survival’ and how survival can look different depending on context as well as how composers can represent it.

Their core text is ‘Hatchet’ by Gary Paulson and students will have copies of this book arriving into their classrooms very shortly!

Year 8

Year 8 English has begun their unit exploring the Australian voice in poetry, considering how composers such as Dorothea MacKellar were able to create a sense of time and place in their compositions such as ‘My Country’. Students have utilised visual techniques to engage with personal responses to the texts before beginning their analysis.

Year 9

Year 9 has started the unit, “Dystopian”. This unit is a deep dive into the dystopian genre using novels such as ‘Fahrenheit 451’ by Ray Bradbury, ‘The Hunger Games’ by Suzanne Collins and ‘Gone’ by Michael Grant to enhance their understanding. Students will refine their sustained analytical writing skills with a focus on analysis of the novel.

We encourage parents and carers to support their students' engagement with this unit and their learning through encouraging their student to engage with the novel. Students are expected to be reading this novel outside of class time and if they finish the novel, to speak with their teacher to broaden their engagement with the other novels that fit within the dystopian genre.

Year 10

Year 10 have begun their study of ‘From Screen to Page’ in a unit that explores the transposition of the text from graphic novel to film. As students progress through the text they analyse the composer's choices as to whether they are staying true to the original text or creating something new. Students will develop their analytical skills as they focus on completing their learning task.

Book Week 2026

As for the last few years, English will be hosting Book Week in Term 3. Whilst this is some time away yet, students are encouraged to begin considering costumes and engaging with the Reading Challenge for their chance to win a $150 canteen voucher.

Two of the four book clues have been released and if a student reads all four texts from the school library they will win a $150 canteen voucher!

The clues are as follows;

Miss Jessica Armfield

Leader of Learning - English

Creative and Performing Arts

Welcome back to an exciting year in Creative & Performing Arts!

We are so pleased to welcome back Mrs Jenny Frazier and Mrs Megan Wooster in the Art, along with Mr Bruce Myers, Mrs Melanie Pardy, and Mrs Caroline Chapman in Music. We also welcome Mrs Natalie Mellowship to the CAPA team, who will be teaching Year 11 Dance this year. We are looking forward to a vibrant and creative year ahead.

A special congratulations to Jessica Race, our 2026 Arts Captain. Jess did a fantastic job organising the music for our recent Community Night.

Thank you also to our year 12 musicians who helped lead the music at the Year 7 liturgy and opening Mass.

Join an Ensemble

Our extracurricular ensembles begin next week and we would love to see new and returning students involved. Being part of an ensemble is a wonderful way to build confidence, develop skills, and connect with others who share a love of music.

Monday (Break B) - Holy Horns (Jazz/Soul Band).

Tuesday (Break B) - String, Wind & Brass Ensemble.

Wednesday (Break B) - Saxophone Ensemble.

Thursday (Break B) - Choir.

Friday (Break B) - Trumpet Ensemble.

All students are welcome - we encourage everyone to come along and give it a try!

Chapel Band will be based around year groups and when you have your year masses - please refer to the daily notices as when rehearsal will be for this.

Learn an Instrument in 2026

Learning an instrument is a rewarding and enriching experience that supports creativity, discipline, and confidence. If your child is interested in starting instrumental lessons this year, please contact Mrs Pardy at msampso1@arm.catholic.edu.au for further information.

Looking Ahead

We have several special events coming up:

Ash Wednesday Mass - Mr Myers will be working with our Year 11 students to provide music for this important liturgical celebration.
Principal's Mass - We are seeking singers from Years 11 and 12 to assist. Music students haver eceived further details via email.
Holy Horns Performance - Our Holy Horns ensemble will represent the College at the CWA Centenary Celebrations at Saumarez Homestead on Saturday 21 February 2026.

Mrs Melanie Pardy

Leader of Learning - CAPA

Science

As we launch into a brand-new school year, it has been wonderful to see our Science laboratories buzzing with curiosity, questions, and hands-on learning. From exploring the vastness of space to investigating the microscopic building blocks of life, students across all year groups have already begun engaging deeply with the scientific world around them.

Year 7 – Observing the Universe

Our Year 7 students have started their secondary Science journey with a unit on Observing the Universe. A key focus has been developing safe laboratory practices, ensuring students understand how to work responsibly and confidently in a science lab environment.

From there, students have begun exploring how scientists developed our understanding of space. They are learning about the work of astronomers such as Galileo Galilei, whose observations helped shape our knowledge of the planets. Students are investigating how we explain:

Day and night
The phases of the Moon
Solar and lunar eclipses
Tides and their connection to the Moon

It has been fantastic to see students applying models and diagrams to explain these phenomena and beginning to think like scientists.

Year 8 – Cells and Body Systems

Year 8 students have moved into the fascinating world of cells and body systems. They are exploring the work of scientists such as Robert Hooke, who first described cells after observing cork under a microscope.

Students are learning:

The structure and function of plant and animal cells
How specialised cells perform particular roles
How body systems (such as the circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems) work together

A major focus is understanding how these systems interact to keep us alive — reinforcing the idea that the human body is an interconnected and highly coordinated system.

Year 9 – Energy Transformations

Year 9 have begun their study of energy — a concept that underpins much of Physics and everyday life. Students are investigating different forms of energy and how energy is transferred and transformed in a variety of situations.

They are examining real-world examples, from electrical appliances to moving vehicles, and learning how to calculate efficiency in energy transformations. This includes identifying useful and wasted energy, and considering how we might design more efficient systems.

This topic encourages students to think critically about sustainability, technology and energy use in the modern world.

Year 10 – Reproduction, Genetics and Evolution

Year 10 students have started an important unit on sexual reproduction, linking this knowledge to genetics and evolution. They are learning about:

The processes involved in sexual reproduction
How genetic information is passed from parents to offspring
How variation within a species contributes to natural selection

Students are building on the foundational ideas developed by scientists such as Charles Darwin, whose theory of evolution by natural selection continues to shape modern biology. This unit encourages students to see the connections between reproduction, inheritance and the diversity of life on Earth.

Year 11 – Beginning Senior Scienc

Our Year 11 students have made a strong start to their senior studies in:

Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Investigating Science

The transition to Stage 6 brings increased depth, independence and academic rigour. Students should be mindful that their first assessment task is approaching. Now is the time to establish strong study routines, review class notes regularly, and seek clarification when needed.

Senior Science rewards consistent effort and curiosity — and we encourage students to ask questions early rather than waiting until assessment time.

Year 12 – Staying Focused in the HSC Year

Year 12 students are already progressing through their second topic of the HSC course. This is a crucial time to consolidate understanding and refine exam technique.

With upcoming assessment tasks on the horizon, students are reminded that support is always available. Teachers are more than happy to provide additional guidance, feedback on practice responses, or clarification of difficult concepts.

Maintaining steady effort, reviewing feedback carefully, and asking for help when needed are key strategies for success in this important year.

Looking Ahead

The year has begun with energy and enthusiasm across all Science classrooms. We look forward to seeing our students continue to develop their scientific thinking, practical skills and curiosity about the world around them.

Here’s to a year of discovery, experimentation and achievement in Science!

Mr Daniel Fittler

Leader of Learning - Science

TAS

Innovation in Action: What’s New in Stage 4 Technology at O’Connor

Welcome to a new era of hands-on learning! This year, our Year 7 and 8 students are diving into the newly implemented NSW Technology 7–8 Syllabus (2023). This mandatory course is designed to move students from being passive consumers of technology to becoming creative, critical designers who can solve real-world problems.

The Four Core Contexts

Throughout Stage 4, students will rotate through four essential technology "contexts." Each area involves a practical design project where students develop a solution from scratch and document their journey in a Design Folio.

Digital and Communication Technologies: More than just using a computer, students dive into coding, data security, and how digital systems communicate. (Yr 7 & 8)
Engineering Technologies and Systems: Students explore how things work, focusing on mechanics, energy, and the "engineered" solutions that keep our world moving. (Yr 8 )
Food and Agricultural Practices: This context bridges the gap between the farm and the fork. Students learn about sustainable food production and experiment with food preparation and nutrition. (Yr 7 & 8)
Materials and Production Processes: Working with materials like timber, textiles, or polymers, students learn to use tools safely to manufacture high-quality physical products. (Yr 7 & 8)

The Yr 7 Technology teachers are Mr Hawthorne, Miss English, Mrs Tara Hogan, Mr Mark Fulloon & Miss Laura Phillip

(In 2026 all students must complete the Enginneering & Digital Communication Units. However, not all students will do the same Materials & Food/Ag context areas due to timetable constrictions)

The Yr 8 Technology teachers are Mr Hawthorne, Mrs Healey, Mrs Tara Hogan, Mr Lance McNamara, Mr James Healy & Ms Emily Smith

Food Technology

Year 7 Food Tech Students Off to a Tasty Start!

Some of our Year 7 Food Technology students have kicked off the term in the most delicious way possible by making sausage rolls in their very first practical lesson!

There was a real buzz of excitement in the kitchen as students put on their aprons, washed their hands, and got ready to cook. For many, this was their first experience of working in a food tech kitchen and they rose to the challenge brilliantly.

Students learned key skills including safe knife handling, shaping and rolling pastry, and understanding basic food hygiene. They carefully measured ingredients, worked cooperatively in pairs, and followed the recipe step by step. It was fantastic to see such focus, teamwork, and enthusiasm from everyone involved.

The final results were impressive. The sausage rolls came out golden, flaky, and smelling amazing! Even better, students reflected thoughtfully on what went well and how they could improve next time. A great example of developing both practical skills and confidence.

Well done to all of our Year 7 chefs for such a positive and successful first lesson. If this is how they’ve started, we can’t wait to see what they’ll be cooking up next!

Agriculture

Show season is once again upon us! Our Ag classes are busy prepping the cattle for our first show of the year (Guyra 20 February). Stay tuned on the OCC Instagram!

Mr Jon Hawthorne

Leader of Learning - TAS

Mathematics

Welcome to the start of a new college year! The Mathematics faculty is excited to begin another year of learning, challenge and growth, and we look forward to supporting students as they build confidence, curiosity and problem-solving skills across all pathways in Mathematics.

We are pleased to congratulate our 2025 award winners who received Mathematics Certificates from the Australian Mathematics Competition. These certificates recognise outstanding effort, persistence and achievement in problem-solving, and we commend all participants for engaging with challenging and enriching mathematical tasks.

Late last year, our College also celebrated student success at the annual Mathematics Celebration, where Merit and Achievement awards recipients from Years 7–12 were acknowledged. These awards acknowledged not only strong academic performance but also commitment, perseverance and a positive approach to learning. We congratulated all recipients and commended those who consistently applied themselves throughout 2025 — their effort and dedication sets a wonderful example for others.

As the year gets underway, students are revisiting key skills, setting learning goals and engaging in rich mathematical investigations designed to deepen understanding and prepare them for future success. I encourage families to continue supporting positive study habits and a growth mindset toward learning Mathematics. What you do at home and the culture you promote towards valuing education is crucial.

We look forward to a productive and rewarding year ahead and celebrating many more student successes along the way.

I leave you with some pictures from the Mathematics celebration at the end of Term 4 2025.

Mr Mark Harris

Leader of Learning Mathematics

PDHPE

Welcome to the new school year in the PDHPE Department. We hope all families had a safe, healthy and happy Christmas, New Year and Holiday period!

The PDHPE Department for 2026 includes some familiar faces and some new staff as well. Welcome back to:

Mrs Felicity Magann

Leader of Learning Wellbeing and Engagement

Mrs Amber Smith

Leader of Engagement

Mrs Camilla Clydsdale

Leader of Learning PDHPE

Mrs Rachel Galvin

Leader of Student Pathways

Mr James Russell!

Leader of ATSI

Mr Steffan Fastier

PDHPE Teacher

A big warm welcome to our newest PDHPE staff member, Ms Bodene Barnes!

Last week the following letters were emailed home to all parents outlining important information for our Department:

PDHPE at O’Connor

Dear Sir/Madam,

Welcome to the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Department at O’Connor Catholic College. Years 7-10 PDHPE is a compulsory part of your child’s education. Our Department aims to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes needed to take action to protect and enhance your child’s, and others’ health, safety and wellbeing in varied and changing contexts that they may experience in life. Physical Education is fundamental to the acquisition of movement skills and concepts to enable students to participate in a range of physical activities – confidently, competently and creatively.

To ensure a smooth transition into a new academic year, our Department has put together some useful information for both you and your child.

For all PDHPE lessons that state OVAL as the classroom on Compass, your child has a practical PDHPE lesson where they will need to wear their correct sports uniform for the entire school day.

The correct compulsory O’Connor sports uniform consists of:

OCC Polo Shirt
OCC Shorts
OCC Track pants
OCC Tracksuit top
OCC Hat or cap
Plain white or black socks (No logos)
Joggers (Supportive athletics shoes - no Converse, no skate style shoes, Vans etc)

Mobile or digital devices are not required for practical lessons (unless requested by the teacher) and these devices are to remain in student bags. All students will need a charged device, exercise book, student diary and a well equipped pencil case for all theory lessons.

If you have any questions or concerns in relation to this document or anything PDHPE related, please feel free to contact the College, your child’s PDHPE teacher or myself.

Yours Faithfully

Camilla Clydsdale

PDHPE Leader of Learning

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Department

O’Connor Catholic College Armidale

Dear Sir/Madam,

Over the course of the next academic year your child will be studying a variety of topics in PDHPE at the College. Some of the units we explore are sensitive in nature and we would like to inform you about the content we will explore this year.

Year 7

Who Am I? (Identity)

Turning Around a Put Down (Bullying)

Risky Business (Risk Taking & Safety)

Year 8

Fit for Life (Fitness and Healthy Lifestyles)

Did you know (Sexting and Drug Use)

Mind, Body, Spirit (Mental Health)

Year 9

The Network (Accessing Health Support)

Eat, Sleep, Train, Repeat (Nutrition and Lifelong Physical Activity)

RUOK (Mental Health)

Staying Alive (First Aid and Personal Safety)

Year 10

Respect (Respectful Relationships, misuse of power, domestic violence)

Be Street Smart (Road Safety)

The Party (Drugs and Alcohol)

The Next Chapter (Managing Change and Challenges)

If you have any questions or concerns around the content delivered in the PDHPE Department please feel free to contact the College and your child’s PDHPE Teacher. To access the full PDHPE Syllabus in greater detail please visit the NESA website at: https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/learning-areas/pdhpe/pdhpe-k-10-2018

Yours Faithfully

Camilla Clydsdale

PDHPE Leader of Learning

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Department

O’Connor Catholic College Armidale

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our PDHPE team if you have any questions or concerns regarding our subject. Wishing all students and families a successful 2026!

HSIE

Welcome back to another exciting year of learning at O’Connor Catholic College and the HSIE KLA. We trust that you all have had a great Christmas and New Year and enjoyed a restful break.

There are a lot of new faces in the HSIE Department for 2026. This year we welcome Ms Marnie Henwood; Mr Clayton Thomson; Ms Lauren Spelleken and Ms Jayden Goodchild to the HSIE team. Ms Henwood brings a wealth of experience to our department, but particularly to the Commerce classes through her background in the legal and banking worlds. Ms Spelleken will also be found teaching Maths and brings to the HSIE department her passion and expertise in teaching Geography. Our students will recognise Mr Thomson and Ms Goodchild who have been working at O’Connor in years past, but in different capacities. Both are very excited to be working in HSIE. We also welcome back Mrs Cheryl Leggatt; Mr Garry Osborne; Mr William Blake and Mr Evans Madhuyu.

Ready to Learn : Equipment

Thank you to the many of you who have ensured that our students have returned to school with fresh exercise books and other stationery.

For reference a basic equipment list below. All students should bring the following stationery items every lesson, all kept together in a pencil case:

• x2 Blue or black pens • x2 lead pencils • A ruler

• A sharpener • An eraser • Glue stick

• Scissors • Highlighter/s

Additionally, a red pen and coloured pencils are good items to have on hand.

I would extend this list to also ensuring that your child’s/ward’s laptop is fully charged overnight and that they bring their charger to school.

If you require any support in providing these stationery supplies, please contact the college.

Around the KLA

Students in year 7 have started the year learning about what History is - how do historians and archaeologists do history and why it is so important to know where we have come from. They will be learning about how time works across BC/BCE and AD/CE in historical enquiry and the different types of sources historians work with.

Students in year 8 are starting their HSIE studies with Geography. They are looking at the water cycle and the different ways water is valued in our world. In the coming weeks they will be looking at water scarcity and ways of managing water resources.

Year 9 students will complete a full year of Geography this year. They have started their studies with a unity on Biomes. They are looking at what factors influence biomes: where they are located and why and how the features of biomes impact the plants and animals that live there. They will go on to look at the impact of human activities on biomes and how biomes can be used sustainably for human activity.

Our year 10 students are just starting a full year of studies in History. Their first topic is the Industrial Revolution. They will look at how life has changed since the Pre-Industrial period and the effects of industrialisation on the people who lived through it - good and bad!

Please don’t hesitate to contact me or your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns about their learning.

Year 11 Society and Culture Class 2026

Mrs Cherie Stoessel

Leader of Learning - HSIE

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