MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
A commitment to education has been a feature of the Christian Church from its beginning. Many of the great educational institutions of the Western world owe their origins to the outworking of this commitment. The Reverend Richard Johnson, the first Anglican Chaplain to Australia (1788-1800), built the country's first church, established the first three schools and began educating both Indigenous Australians and European settlers. In May 1813, The Reverend Thomas Hassall opened in his father's house the first Sunday school in Australia. For the next six decades of European settlement the planting of Anglican churches was generally accompanied by the establishment of schools. It was in this way for example, that All Saints' College was established in Bathurst in 1874 by the first Bishop of Bathurst, The Right Reverend Dr. Samuel Marsden. The Anglican Church continues to embrace Richard Johnson's vision for Christian education through to the present day. Here in the Diocese of Bathurst we have opened two new schools, Macquarie Anglican Grammar and Orange Anglican Grammar, during the past ten years.
They found Jesus sitting in the Temple, listening to the teachers and asking questions (Luke 2:46). Jesus refers to the Temple as his Father's house - a place of worship, a place of learning. These went hand in hand in the first century, and today in the 21st century, Anglican schools continue to fulfil the Gospel imperative by being places where young people tread in the footprints of Jesus.
Here at Orange Anglican Grammar School we strive to be a Centre of Excellence in teaching and learning, pastoral care, worship and service.
As President of Council, I took over as Chairman from Mr David Day at the end of 2010, due to his appointment as a NSW Magistrate. During this year we have welcomed two new members of Council, Mr Gary Want and Mr David Bracey. I would like to pay tribute to the Members of the School Council – they are a motivated and committed group of volunteers, who with Mrs Ann Brown, our Principal, are responsible for the governance and strategic oversight of Orange Anglican Grammar.
On behalf of the Council, I would like to warmly acknowledge the ongoing magnificent support of the Parents and Friends Association in the life of the School and to offer our sincere thanks for the vital contribution that you have again made over the past year.
To our Principal, who is offering us outstanding leadership, and to the teaching and support staff – I would like to record Council's grateful appreciation for the professional manner in which you carry out your various responsibilities, and to congratulate you on a first rate school year 2011.
To the students and their families I wish you joy and fulfilment as you celebrate the seasons of Advent and Christmas – and then for the New Year, God's grace, peace and blessing.
The Right Reverend Richard Hurford
Bishop of Bathurst and Chairman of Council
School Policies
Orange Grammar has a no pedestrian/bicycle access policy. To read the policy, click here: Download Document