Presentation Evening 2025

Principal's Address

Mr Simon Bartlett-Taylor

Year 11 Academic Awards

Year 11 Announced by Mr Jacob Shaw (Year 11 Advisor) & Presented by Mr Simon Bartlett-Taylor (Principal)

Year 11 Academic Awards

Year 11 Announced by Mr Jacob Shaw (Year 11 Advisor) & Presented by Mr Simon Bartlett-Taylor (Principal)

Year 10 Academic Awards

Year 10 Announced by Mr Christian Rice (Year 10 Advisor)

& Presented by Mrs Natasha Gillan (Deputy Principal)

Year 10 Academic Awards

Year 10 Announced by Mr Christian Rice (Year 10 Advisor)

& Presented by Mrs Natasha Gillan (Deputy Principal)

Year 10 Academic Awards

Year 10 Announced by Mr Christian Rice (Year 10 Advisor)

& Presented by Mrs Natasha Gillan (Deputy Principal)

Year 9 Academic Awards

Year 9 Announced by Ms Breanna McFadyen (Year 9 Advisor)

& Presented by Mrs Deirdre May (Deputy Principal)

Malcolm MacPherson Award for Personal Growth in Year 12

Awarded to a student who has developed in character and faced adversity in their schooling career. This award recognises personal growth and achievement from a Year 12 student who has achieved the HSC whilst overcoming personal barriers.

Awarded to: Mikah De-Rossi Simpson

Year 8 Academic Awards

Year 8 Announced by Mr Liam Crawford (Year 8 Advisor) &

Presented by Mrs Samantha Reading (Deputy Principal)

Year 8 Academic Awards

Year 8 Announced by Mr Liam Crawford (Year 8 Advisor) &

Presented by Mrs Samantha Reading (Deputy Principal)

Year 7 Academic Awards

Year 7 Announced by Mr Cary Smith (Year 7 Advisor) &

Presented by Mrs Leisel McIlrick (Relieving Deputy Principal)

Year 7 Academic Awards

Year 7 Announced by Mr Cary Smith (Year 7 Advisor) &

Presented by Mrs Leisel McIlrick (Relieving Deputy Principal)

Newman & Pengilley Award for 1st in Legal Studies in Year 12

Newman & Pengilley Solicitors have been serving the Tamworth community since 1876. This small legal firm with an emphasis on personal service, encourages Oxley High School to develop their understanding of the law.

Awarded to: Emily Wood

Thrift Plumbing VET Excellence Award

Thrift Plumbing VET Excellence Award recognises a Vocational Education and Training student who has demonstrated outstanding application, perseverance, and dedication throughout their chosen VET course. This award celebrates a student who consistently upholds industry standards, shows a strong commitment to practical skill development, and embodies the values of responsibility, initiative, and professionalism in all aspects of their learning.

Awarded to: Rochelle King

Tamworth Teachers Association Public Speaking

& Debating Awards

For Public Speaking and Debating - is awarded to a Student who performed creditably in both school and outside competitions.

Awarded to: Larina James & Rochelle King

Gary Brown Memorial Award for Outstanding Commitment to Performing Arts

This award is in memory of Mr Gary Brown. Mr Brown had a passion for the performing arts and this award is to recognise a student for their outstanding devotion and contribution to performing arts.

Thank you to Gary’s Mother & Sister for attending our evening.

Awarded to: Fraser Simpson

Bob Gordon Award for Outstanding Student in Industrial Arts

As a Head Teacher at Oxley High School for 25 years, Bob Gordon was an inspiration to those around him. His commitment to Industrial Arts and the school in general was outstanding. This award goes to a student whose skills and commitment to Industrial Arts are also outstanding.

Awarded to: Cody Wilson

Bluedog Fences Award for Agriculture

The Bluedog Fences Award for Agriculture is presented to a senior student who displays enthusiasm and commitment to Agriculture. It is presented to our highest achieving senior student in Agriculture.

Awarded to: Laura Woods

Mathematics Medal for Excellence in Mathematics

Awarded to the student who is the Most Outstanding Mathematician in the school.

Awarded to: Owen Shepherdson

Joblink Plus Excellence in Employment Pathways

This careers based award recognises the exemplary effort of a student in the Employment Pathways class. This class focuses on work place relevant skills and knowledge and is designed for students in Year 9 or 10 that wish to move into a trade apprenticeship when they complete their education at Oxley High School. The Employment Pathway class has a key emphasis on career development and preparation. Established in 2025.

Awarded to: Koby Coulter

Joblink Plus Dedication to Work Experience

Work experience provides a general introduction to the world of work. Students are able to observe a variety of work and undertake supervised tasks appropriate to their knowledge and skill level. This Joblink Plus award rewards students that excelled in the workplace during work experience through a commitment to learning, motivation to learn and a respectful approach in the workplace.Established in 2025.

Awarded to: Amelia Whatley & Tyra Brinkley

University of New England Vice Chancellor’s Award High Achievement Prize

The University of New England Vice-Chancellor’s High Achievement Prize is awarded to students who have displayed attributes of citizenship, leadership, and academic effort. It is a monetary prize for students intending on studying at UNE next year.

Awarded to: Jessica Elms & Chloe Freeman

University of Newcastle Vice Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence in Year 12

This award was established in 1999 to support academically excellent Year 12 students who intend to enrol at the University of Newcastle in the year following their Higher School Certificate (HSC) studies.

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, the student must have been nominated by a High School qualifying for the Regional and Rural Preference Scheme during their HSC year.

Awarded to: Katie Sheppard

The Hon. Kevin Anderson MP Awards for Outstanding Service to the Senior School & the Middle School

At the 2023 election, Kevin was re-elected for a fourth term serving as the Member for Tamworth. As our Member for Tamworth the Hon. Kevin Anderson supports and advocates for programs for youth across our region and encourages young leaders to develop and excel. This award is presented to a junior and senior student each year to recognise their contribution to our Student leadership.

Awarded to: Lawson Chessell & Katie Sheppard

John Copp Memorial Award for Citizenship

& Service to the School

John Copp was the founding Principal of Oxley High School. This award is made to the student who has made an outstanding contribution to the Senior School.

Awarded to: Hunter Gibson

Reuben F Scarf Foundation Award for Commitment in Year 10

Reuben F Scarf businessman, philanthropist and poet was eminently successful in commerce. His practical and uncomplicated approach to the realities of life and its problems is clearly expressed in his recorded speeches, his writings and his poetry.

This award is not necessarily for the brightest or highest achiever. Its purpose is to recognise and honour consistent effort and a desire to improve.

Awarded to: Brayden Finlay

The George Harrison Award for Character Development in the Senior School

Awarded to: Natalie Hanks

Inclusive Education Awards

Inclusive education means all students, including students with disabilities, are welcomed by their school and supported to reach their full potential. At Oxley High School we aim to create a culture that celebrates diversity and builds on the strengths of each student. This award recognises the commitment to learning and inclusive values by students in our Support Unit.

Awarded to: Alexander Prider

Inclusive Education Awards

Inclusive education means all students, including students with disabilities, are welcomed by their school and supported to reach their full potential. At Oxley High School we aim to create a culture that celebrates diversity and builds on the strengths of each student. This award recognises the commitment to learning and inclusive values by students in our Support Unit.

Awarded to: Benjamin Fox

Hawthorne Trophy for Outstanding Track & Field

Jenny Hawthorne is a past Mathematics teacher who was heavily involved in Tanworth Little Athletics and the promotion of sport at Oxley High School through the Sports Council.

Awarded to: Mackenzie Wilson

Tamworth Zonta Club Award for Citizenship & Service to the School

Zonta International is a leading global organization of individuals working together to build a better world for women and girls. Zonta International envisions a world in which women's rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. This award is given by Tamworth Zonta Club Award for Citizenship and Service to the School by a young woman who also follows the core values of Zonta.

Awarded to: Mili Woods

Tamworth Peel Valley Lions Club Award for involvement

in the Middle School

Tamworth Peel Valley Lions Club Award through community fundraising assists funding medical research, health care, assisting adults and children with disabilities, emergency response and other purposes to help the community. This Lion Club supports our students' ability to provide service to others and our community.

Awarded to: Mia Gardner

Australian Defence Force Awards For Future Innovators

In 2020 the ADF Future Innovators Award was introduced to: acknowledge and support the next generation of STEM capable young Australians: highlight the ADF’s requirement for innovators, critical thinkers and problem solvers: and to give young Australians an awareness of the exciting STEM careers opportunities on offer to them in the Navy, Army and Air Force.

Awarded to: Nada Abdelraouf & Owen Shepherdson

Australian Defence Force Awards For Leadership & Teamwork

The ADF established the Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award program in 2006 to formally recognise young Australian school students exhibiting the qualities of leadership, teamwork and community service and to highlight how the ADF values these qualities.

Awarded to: Elizabeth Eldridge & Mili Woods

Excellence in Oxley High School Talented Athletes Program

Our Talented Athlete Program provides the opportunity for student athletes to further develop their skills in their chosen sport whilst supported in our school environment. Excellence in the program is demonstrated by commitment and achievement whilst upholding the school values.

Awarded to: Bonnie Bachali

Olympic Change-Maker Award

Since 2019 the Australian Olympic Committee has recognised students nationwide. These students uphold the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect. The Olympic Change-maker award is given in recognition of the demonstration of the Olympic Spirit through leadership and driving positive change in the school and community.

Awarded to: Zac Watson

Sports person of the Year 2025

Based on representation in school, regional, state and national level in a variety of sports. Students accumulate points weighted according to the level of representation. Students are awarded points for all school teams, officiating and representation at higher levels.

Awarded to: Hugh Ward

2025 Principals Awards

This person has demonstrated excellence in dedication and application over a consistent period in the school community. This award reflects commitment as a positive role model, in class, work, uniform, attendance and building rapport with teachers and peers. They are congratulated on achieving the HSC and are recognised as an exemplary student of Oxley High School.

Awarded to: Caylab Cabral & Lily Adams

Ampol Medal for Best all Rounder

This medal is awarded to the student who has shown scholastic achievement across a range of subjects, is committed to excellence and is willing to assist others, who has demonstrated outstanding conduct at all times, is a role model to other students, participates in school and community activities and who has represented their school in sport.

Awarded to: Emily Wood

Gordon Bruderlin Award for most Outstanding Student & Academic Excellence in Year 12

Is for the Most Outstanding Academic Student in Year 12, based on trial and assessment marks.

Awarded to: Chloe Freeman

DUX of Oxley High School 2024

The title of Dux of the School is awarded to the student who achieves the highest academic results in their final year of secondary education. This prestigious honour recognises outstanding academic excellence. At Oxley High School, the Dux is determined based on the student's performance in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in the year prior to Presentation Evening. This is based on the highest achieving ATAR. The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a number between 0.00 and 99.95 that indicates a student’s position relative to all the students in their age group.

Awarded to: Kendra Fitzpatrick

The Oxley Medal

This medal goes to a member of staff who has gone well beyond the “call of duty” and has engendered in students all the values and qualities that is characterised in Public Education. The name of the recipient of this award will be inscribed along with previous winners on an Honour Board presented to the school by the 2006 Year 12 students. The Oxley Medal winner is chosen annually by previous recipients of this award.

Awarded to: Mrs Breanna McFadyen

Harold Bradley Award

Since 1973 this award has been presented to a Year 10 student who has excelled in citizenship, school effort, involvement in school activities, sporting representation and social skills. It is given in the memory of the 1970 Oxley High School Captain, Harold Bradley. It is the Most Prestigious Award in the Junior School.

Awarded to: Maddison Mason

Sir Roden Cutler Award

The Sir Roden Cutler Award is our most Outstanding and Prestigious School Citizenship Award.

The winner of the Sir Roden Cutler Award typifies all the qualities expected of the recipient of this prestigious award and is a most outstanding student in the opinion of the staff and students. This award recognises the student who through school assessment, citizenship, sport and all-round leadership, displays the qualities sought by Rhodes Scholarship selection committees.

Awarded to: Katie Sheppard