From the Principal

I warmly welcome our community back to Oxley Christian College for the commencement of Term 2. We look forward to connecting with you at school and across a range of events throughout the term.

Thank you to the families who joined us for Open Day at Oxley earlier this term and supported our students across a diverse range of activities and performances. We appreciated the opportunity to showcase our engaging curriculum and our Christ-centred approach to education, and to introduce visitors to our dedicated staff. We thank our students for their excellent representation of the school, and our staff for their enthusiasm and commitment. We also give thanks to God for the beautiful weather and the wonderful day we had connecting with the broader Oxley community, including past students and staff, parents and grandparents, and friends of our school community. 

As I reflect on Open Day, I recall with great appreciation the many student performances and displays showcased across the College. It was particularly encouraging to see the integration of a Biblical worldview throughout these presentations, highlighting Truth, Goodness and Beauty as central to the Biblical Curriculum Framework that underpins learning at Oxley Christian College.

I recently read, “The feeling of art is a means to shared feelings, creating community not merely between humans but between humans and God” (Turley, 2014, p. 102). This insight speaks powerfully to the sense of connection we observe when our students gather to sing and worship together, as well as through the artworks they share with others. In our Christian school context, performance and creativity are the fruit of an imagination shaped by virtue and formed in truth, directed toward creating what is beautiful, good, and life-giving. These expressions reflect a deep appreciation for God’s Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. My key takeaway from Open Day is a deep sense of gratitude for the Oxley community, and for the privilege of belonging to a Christ-centred school where students are encouraged to draw closer to Him and encounter His Truth, Goodness, and Beauty throughout their learning journey. It is my prayer that we continue to value and nurture this together.

Our theme verse for this year, John 14:6, reminds us of the importance of our connection with Jesus and the transformative influence He has on our lives as we strive towards Following the Way He has modelled for us. As we support one another in this journey, we pray that this shared pursuit continues to strengthen our community at Oxley Christian College.

May I take this opportunity to thank the staff and students who supported and facilitated the ANZAC Service at Oxley on 24 April. Our students are to be commended for the outstanding leadership they demonstrated throughout the service. I would like to particularly acknowledge Mr Stephen White for his work organising this event. It was wonderful to see so many members of the Oxley community come together to share in this important occasion. Our Junior School students laid beautiful wreaths they had created, honouring the courage and sacrifice of those who have died in war. This event also provided us with a chance to remember all those who served our nation in times of war. We also extend thanks to Mr Jeffrey Clarke and our musicians, Mr David Cook for his early arrival and management of AV, our Junior School teachers for their support and involvement in wreath-making, and Mr Paul Moseley, together with the students who prepared pancakes for attendees. You can view photos from the event here.

What a blessing it is that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. I am grateful to be part of a community of believers at Oxley who “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). May we continue to support one another in Following the Way each day.

Working together, 

Mr Michael Bond

Principal 

Reference

Turley, S. R. (2014). Awakening wonder: A classical guide to truth, goodness & beauty. Classical Academic Press.