Junior School

After several wet and chilly days, it is wonderful to see the sunshine return. Even now, as I write, the sun is shining brightly—a welcome reminder of the beauty that follows the storm. There is something deeply comforting about the rhythm of God’s creation: the rain that refreshes, the warmth that revives, and the light that reminds us of His constant presence. Each new day reflects His goodness and the hope we find in Him. As the term moves quickly along, I trust that our families enjoyed the recent four-day weekend and found time for rest and renewal. Our Junior School has remained vibrant and full of life, with students engaged in their learning and preparing with enthusiasm for the year ahead. Assessments are underway, and teachers are guiding students with care and encouragement as they reflect on how far they have come. It is a privilege to see each child’s unique gifts unfolding and to witness God’s hand shaping their growth and character.

Throughout this term, our Year 5 students have participated in a four-part leadership program designed to inspire, challenge, and equip them for leadership in everyday life. Across the sessions, students explored what it truly means to lead—not through titles or positions, but through character, service, and example.

The program began with thoughtful discussions about leadership and the qualities that make someone a positive influence. Students were encouraged to reflect on a person they admire as a leader and to consider how they, too, can lead in their own way. Together, they discovered that leadership is not an inborn gift but a skill that can be learned and developed. Throughout the program, students unpacked five key practices of exemplary leadership:

1. Model the Way: setting a positive example through words and actions.
2. Inspire a Shared Vision: motivating others by painting a clear and hopeful picture of the future.
3. Challenge the Process: having the courage to question, improve, and innovate.
4. Enable Others to Act: empowering others by building trust and collaboration.
5. Encourage the Heart: recognising and celebrating the efforts of others.

The second session was an exciting incursion called Lead It. This engaging program invited students to “discover the leader within” through a series of hands-on challenges and real-world problem-solving tasks. Students explored how leadership begins with influence, integrity, and service—not authority or recognition. The program encouraged them to identify their individual strengths, work collaboratively in teams, and apply the leadership principles they had been learning throughout the term. Aligned with the Australian Curriculum, Lead It fostered ethical thinking, collaboration, and communication, empowering students to see themselves as leaders in the classroom, on the playground, and in their community.

The third session brought the leadership principles to life through a creative, energetic team activity—the Egg Drop Challenge. Guided by Miss Wynne, Mrs Turnley and Mr Moran, students worked collaboratively to design a structure that would protect an egg from a three-metre fall. It was wonderful to see students practising teamwork, problem-solving, and encouraging one another as they tested their designs and celebrated the results together. The challenge showcased not only creativity and perseverance but also how effective leaders support and value the contributions of others.

In the final session, students reflected on the key characteristics that make a strong and effective leader and discussed how these qualities had been demonstrated during the collaborative challenges. They were then given the opportunity to voice their opinions and vote for the 2026 Junior School Leaders. These votes will be combined with staff recommendations to help determine the successful candidates. We look forward to announcing and celebrating our new Captains at the Final Assembly on Monday 1 December, at 1.30pm in the LMC. All parents are warmly invited to attend this special event, where every student will be acknowledged on stage and celebrated for their effort and achievement throughout the year.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

In Week 4, it was a pleasure to announce our ROAR Awardees in Chapel and host an afternoon tea with some amazing Junior School students. The following students received the award for showing either: Respect, Obedience, Acceptance or Resilience.

Our students are looking forward with excitement to the upcoming Poetry Celebration—a special event marking the culmination of their writing journey this year. On Thursday, 20 November, from 8.45am to 9.15am, parents are warmly invited to join us as students share their original poems and creative pieces. This celebration is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their growing confidence and imagination as writers. It will be a joyful morning filled with creativity, expression, and well-deserved pride in all they have accomplished.

Preparations are well underway for the 2026 academic year. We are pleased to advise families that the 2026 Booklists are now live through Lilydale Books. Families have been sent an email from our College Administration with a copy of the 'Let's Get Ready for School' booklet outlining the requirements for the new year. If you have any questions or have not received this email, please contact office@oxley.vic.edu.au .

A friendly reminder to families that Friday 21 November, and Monday 24 November, are student-free days. Students are not required to attend school on these dates, so parents are encouraged to make alternative care arrangements.

From the beginning of the 2026 school year, all Junior School students must be collected by 3.50pm each afternoon. Any students who have not been collected by this time will be taken to Oxley Kids for care, where standard After School Care fees will apply.

A reminder also that Junior School students are to be collected from the end of Learning Street in the Junior School carparks, not from other areas of the College. This ensures students remain under the supervision of Junior School Yard Duty teachers and are kept safe until parents arrive. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and consistent dismissal process for all students.

With just over three weeks remaining in the school year, our focus turns to helping students prepare for a smooth and positive transition into 2026. During Week 8, we look forward to welcoming a number of new students to Oxley as part of our Transition Program, while current students will have the opportunity to spend time in their 2026 classrooms. It is always an exciting time as friendships form, new routines begin to take shape, and anticipation for the year ahead grows!

We look forward to all our end of year celebrations, such as the Prep Nativity, Year 6 Graduation, Final Junior Assembly and other end of year excursions. Please ensure you read all communications on the College App at this busy time of the year and refer to the calendar for key dates. If you are unsure, your child's teacher will always be willing to answer any questions. 

On Thursday 27 November, our Year 6 students will mark an important milestone as they celebrate their Year 6 Graduation. The evening will begin with a Graduation Ceremony at the LMC, followed by a special dinner for students and staff. This occasion provides a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the achievements of our Year 6 cohort and their valuable contributions as leaders of the Junior School. We express heartfelt thanks to our families for their ongoing partnership and support throughout the year. As our graduates prepare to begin their secondary school journey, we pray that God will continue to guide, protect, and bless them in the years ahead.

Junior School Final Assembly will be on Monday 1 December, 1.30pm - 3.30pm, at LMC. Please ensure that students are in full school uniform, with a jumper and the correct socks, for this formal event. Shoes must be shined, with hair styled to Oxley standards. Please refer to pages 12 and 13 in the student diary for specific guidelines. Teachers will conduct uniform checks in the lead up to the day, so please watch for any communication requesting that you address any out of uniform issues. 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22–23

Amy Liddle

Head of Junior School