Oxford Falls Grammar is an independent co-educational Christian school from Kindergarten to Year 12, nestled in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. We believe in the power of recognising and developing the unique qualities in every student. With our Christ-centred educational framework, we equip your child for lifelong success, helping them become confident in life.
Principal’s Welcome
Our desire is to see our students learn to “do life well”, to stretch academically and grow in Christian character.
What Makes Us Different
The Co-educational Advantage
Reflecting the world in which we live, work and play, co-education brings many benefits in preparing our students for our complex and evolving world.
Co-education provides a real-world environment for boys and girls to grow and learn together, relate to each other and on a daily basis live out the basics of respect, co-operation, kindness and equality. Students share leadership and academic opportunities, benefitting from equal involvement in sports, camps and co-curricular pursuits.
Co-education normalises and demystifies gender, reduces stereotypes, promotes appropriate behaviours and perspectives and ultimately prepares our graduates for the real world of university and the workplace into which they move.
Meet Rommi below and hear how Oxford Falls Grammar builds a co-educational community from the people who know it best, our students.
Christianity in Action
Oxford Falls Grammar is a school with an inspiring and dynamic Christian foundation that celebrates faith in many ways. Through active involvement in a caring and vibrant Christian community, student’s see Christianity ‘lived out in practice’ by their peers and teachers.
Under the guidance of our Dean of Missions and Ministry, Christian Studies Teachers and Youth Chaplains, students develop into self-aware, respectful, and compassionate adults. Our contemporary Christian studies program teaches students in an engaging, meaningful and relevant way about God and His love for them. We believe each child should feel loved and valued, with a sense of purpose and identity.
Outreach Program
Our Christian ethos is demonstrated through the OFG Outreach Program. It is a K-12 philanthropic initiative that seeks to raise money for less fortunate children and communities across Australia and Asia. In Year 10 and 11, students have the opportunity to participate in an annual overseas mission trip. Oxford Falls Grammar fosters a strong culture of generosity. We believe it is important to encourage students to think beyond themselves and to help others around them.
World Class Educators
Quality Teaching Program
The professional quality of a teacher plays a vital role in your child’s educational success. Oxford Falls Grammar’s Quality Teaching Program drives innovative, professional development for every teacher in a collaborative, supportive environment. This is an exciting initiative with a direct impact on positive student engagement and learning.
Dr Sue Marks, the Dean of Teaching and Learning has implemented SaLT (Sharing and Learning Teams), the Quality Teaching Program at Oxford Falls Grammar. SaLT aims to develop a professional learning community where teachers are encouraged to reflect on, and develop teaching knowledge and practice for improved student outcomes.
Discover the inspiration, experience and lives of Oxford Falls Grammar’s teachers through our podcast TiC ToT (Teachers in Conversation, Transforming our Thinking). Listen to Dr Sue Marks chat with a variety of Senior and Junior school teachers via Spotify HERE.
3C’s Model
OFG Senior School teachers encourage students to exercise particular behaviours that enable effective learning and improve their academic achievement. The learning behaviours fall into three domains: Cognition, Collaboration and Commitment
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In the Cognition domain, behaviours such as questioning assumptions, imagining and critical reflection engage students in the learning process as creators, rather than consumers of ideas.
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Collaboration instills the importance of working effectively with others, where students demonstrate reliability and empathy with their peers.
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A Commitment to learning is an important part of the model, representing perseverance, self-belief, focus and effective planning so student learning is not shallow and sporadic.
CAFÉ Model
In the Junior School, our literacy focus was ignited through the CAFÉ model an acronym for Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency and Expanding vocabulary. Differentiated instruction across these four pillars have fostered a love of reading throughout the Junior School and improved independent learning.
RELATIONSHIPS Encouragement – Leadership – Teamwork – Assertiveness – Empathy – Reliability – Listening – Humility
EMOTIONS AND WILL Effort – Focus – Revision – Perseverance – Self-belief – Planning – Risk-taking – Absorption
MIND Questioning – Reasoning – Analysis – Observation – Independence – Imagination – Connecting – Reflection
Our Vision and Values
For Greatness
Developing confident servant-hearted people of strong character, purpose and attitude.
For Excellence
Empowering our community to aspire, learn and work to achieve their full potential.
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For Christ
Providing a positive and meaningful experience of Christian faith, hope and life.
Our Vision
To develop in each child their unique qualities, equipping them to enjoy a successful, Christ-centred life.
Our Mission
To provide Christ-centered educational excellence, encompassing the spiritual, physical, emotional and academic development of each student.
Our People
Executive Team
Dr Peter Downey’s desire is to see our students learn to “do life well”; to lead the staff in guiding our students to stretch academically and grow in Christian character as they navigate the complexities of life in the evolving 21st Century.
Dr Downey is excited and inspired to lead the Oxford Falls Grammar community. Having worked in independent education for over thirty years and with a background as a teacher of English, History and Christian Studies, Dr Downey has also served in a variety of leadership roles; as Tutor, Year Coordinator, Director of Public Relations and Enrolments, Deputy Pastoral Care, Deputy Principal, Executive Strategist and Acting Principal. He has written several internationally published books on parenting, marriage and the Christian faith, and he also served as the Chairman of the NSW Deputy Principal’s Network for HICES (Heads of Coeducational Independent Schools in New South Wales).
Dr Downey holds the degrees of Bachelor of Education, Master of Arts in Education, Master of Educational Leadership, Diploma of Biblical Studies and Doctorate in Education. He is committed to developing and building on the strong foundations Oxford Falls Grammar already has in academic excellence, pastoral care and co-curricular opportunity.
Dr Downey brings a wealth of knowledge, strong and steady leadership and extensive experience to our school community, and he is proud to lead an exemplary group of professional educators and colleagues at Oxford Falls Grammar.
Mrs Amy Corrigan has been a passionate part of the Oxford Falls Grammar community for twenty three years as both a student and teacher. Prior to leading the Junior School, Mrs Corrigan’s interest for creative curriculum propelled her to lead her grade and in an executive role overseeing the K-6 Curriculum. In 2014 she was appointed the Dean of Stage 3, which included the professional and pastoral care of both staff and students. As a leader she holds a strong belief in the importance of rich learning experiences for all students and the vital role of wellbeing in education. Mrs Corrigan brings this experience to her role as Head of Junior School, having led the staff to implement changes in literacy programming and instruction across Kindergarten to Year 6. She is an advocate for differentiated learning and is passionate about the importance of a high quality Junior School education.
Mrs Juliette Siemsen has been a dedicated and enthusiastic educator for over 25 years. Her career started at Northholm Grammar School in Arcadia as a Senior HSIE Teacher. Mrs Siemsen then worked at Waverley College, St Catherine’s School and the prestigious Kambala Rose Bay, as Head of House and Senior HSIE Teacher. She commenced at Oxford Falls Grammar in 2005 and in 2006 became the Director of Wellbeing Years 7-12. Mrs Siemsen’s educational philosophy focuses on meeting the needs of students in the 21st Century and encouraging student engagement across all levels and contexts. She is passionate about her current role as Head of Senior School where she values a relational model of leadership whilst remaining focused on the core vision, mission and values of Oxford Falls Grammar.
Mr Graham Baikie came to Oxford Falls Grammar with extensive professional and leadership experience in the financial services and education sectors. He has demonstrated passion for the role Christian education has in equipping young people with a Christian worldview that underpins educational excellence. Mr Baikie oversees the Support Services functions at the School and is supported by a Management Team comprising the Director of Finance, Director of IT, Director of Human Resources, Registrar, Marketing Manager, Property Manager, and Office Manager.
School Board
Mr Ian Harry Chair of the Board
Mrs Tracey Berry Director
Mr Darren Cox Director
Mr Clyde Daish Director
Mr Paul Macken Director
Mrs Pam O’Flaherty Director
Mr Sam Richards Director
Ps Caley Korocz President’s Delegate
Ps Phil Pringle Emeritus President
Our Heritage
Oxford Falls Grammar was founded in 1984 under the vision of Pastors Phil and Christine Pringle (Founders and Leaders C3 Church Global) to build a Christian school intentional in its spiritual direction and offering a contemporary, quality education. Today, Ps Phil Pringle is the Emeritus President and founding member of the School Board and continues to support the progression and development of OFG as we provide Christ-centred educational excellence.
Celebrating 40 Years
Employment
At Oxford Falls Grammar, we are committed to providing a progressive, positive, and encouraging work environment for both teaching and non-teaching staff. Our team is dedicated to upholding the School’s ethos: For Greatness, For Excellence, For Christ.
We seek staff who are passionate about education, committed to excellence, and who actively engage students in learning that promotes curiosity, confidence, achievement, and service. With a strong focus on professional development, our dynamic and supportive staff are encouraged to continually grow in their careers.
If you share our commitment to Christian values and are involved in a local church, explore our current career opportunities below. We welcome dedicated individuals who will contribute to the vibrant community at Oxford Falls Grammar.
Join Our Team
Our Policies and Reports
Please click on the below to view our Annual Report.
2023 OFG Annual Report
Please click on the below to view the schools policies.
