Published on: 27 November 2025



This weekend, the final Year 9 House group will graduate from the On Queenslea Drive (OQD) program, a 16-day live-in experience that is a defining part of the School’s Making of Men initiative. The unique program is designed to help students develop independence, self-awareness, and encourage reflection as they navigate the transition to young adulthood.

OQD combines academic responsibilities with sessions before and after school focused on life skills, values, and spiritual exploration. Daily activities challenge students to build leadership and strong relationships with their peers while living on campus.

Chris Miles, Head of the Year 9 OQD Program, said, “Watching 14-year-old boys recognise and celebrate each other’s unique strengths is truly inspiring. One student shared that after OQD, he finally feels confident enough to be his true self, which is an incredible transformation in just 16 days.”

Students themselves reflected on the experience.

Ben Gregory (Queenslea): “The OQD program was a highlight for many. Reflecting, along with sharing about who we are, truly strengthened our friendships within our House. The skills that we learnt are valuable, and we carry them on as we transition into adulthood.”

Will Shawcross (Wolsey): “On OQD, we had an amazing time, it was an incredible experience in which we learnt all about how to become the best young men we could be.”

Abel Mearns-Jeffrey (Hill): “It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I learned things that I would’ve never learned anywhere else and found out things about myself that I didn’t even know about.”

OQD Graduation represents more than the end of the program – it celebrates the growth, friendships, and leadership skills students have gained, equipping them to step confidently into the challenges and opportunities of young adulthood.