Senior School
Student Voice is an important part of school life. Listening to what students have to say provides insights not only into their feelings and interests but also their fears, hopes and aspirations. Open Day is an opportunity to showcase our students and their opinions. Students draft their own speeches without direction when asked to present….I simply check grammar! It is also a proud moment for me as the Head of School to hear them speak. They are brilliant ambassadors and articulate representatives of our students.
At our recent Open Day, Chloe Sheer spoke on behalf of the students of Senior School. In my view, it is too good not to share her thoughts about her experiences. Well done Chloe.
Sharron Frame
Head of Middle and Senior School
Oakleigh Grammar has been my home for 5 years now and it has proven to be a strong foundation, even during the weeks of online learning over the past 2 years. This foundation of a strong and welcoming community has supported me up to where I am now in Senior School. The inclusivity from all teachers in the classrooms, of all students, is creating a powerful backbone to the real world setting beyond Oakleigh Grammar. I have found our school environment welcoming from the beginning of my journey. I’ve been able to meet new friends, and I am proud to be part of a welcoming learning environment.
As a student, who I can tell you is quite nervous but also excited for my future, the stress is hard and will only probably get tougher, but is also temporary. I’ve had to adapt to these conditions for the betterment of myself, to take control of my learning. However, this could not be done without the wonderful support of my teachers, and especially my friends. I look to the people who care about me and my future at a school that is growing fast but still also small enough to understand and act upon our worries through student voice.
Student voice has become very prominent in our School. We have already seen events such as the recent fundraiser put together by Year 11s, raising money for breast cancer, and using original ideas to turn into donations at the Mother’s Day Classic walk in the city on Mother’s Day. The SRC has also put plans in place, that the students have come up with, to dedicate time or resources to better our School and Community. This, I believe is important at our school because the students create the environment and drive, and the teachers are the empowerment of support for our futures.
Chloe Sheer
Year 11
Year 12
With Term 2 well underway, many of our Year 12s have indicated that they are finding it difficult to stay on top of all the work and manage the expectations they and others have placed on them. We have been speaking about this during Pastoral and sharing strategies to help support our Year 12s. Building on this focus, we were lucky enough to have Darren Pereira from Success Integrated present to the cohort during Week 3. His Achieve your B.E.S.T program was a high energy seminar, presenting strategies to manage workload and build motivation, as we progress throughout the year. Feedback from students was very positive and many have participated in the selfie challenge, posting their goals for the year. Students will get an opportunity to utilise the strategies presented with Semester 1 Examinations scheduled for Week 7 this term.
Andrew Phillips
Year 12 Coordinator
Years 10 and 11
The year 11 cohort has been busy completing their giving focus for this semester in conjugation with the Mother’s Day Classic. Students participated in a teacher vs student basketball game at the end of Term 1, a sausage sizzle and bake stall fundraiser and participated in the Mother’s Day Classic on Sunday, May 8. These events have seen the cohort raise almost $2000 with donations continuing to come in.
It was fantastic to see 15 of our Year 11 students arrive at the Mother’s Day Classic at 8 am ready to go on a cool Autumn Day. The students showed great enthusiasm and made the most of the experience with the assistance of Mrs Frame, Mr Dickinson, Mr Philips, Mr Karakottas and Mr Patel. The student’s completed the walk with a smile on their faces and not a single complaint. The notion that many hands make light work was certainly a key factor in the success of these events and I take this moment to thank all participants for the work they did in raising money and bringing about awareness of a worthy cause.
The year 10 students have been busy completing their Personal Projects and Service As Action requirements while also preparing for their first examinations at Oakleigh Grammar. Students are reminded to start their preparation early, and regularly revise to reach their examinations ready to go. Students should use teacher guidance to get to this stage. Should they need assistance or clarification, please contact the relevant subject teacher.
As we see the world constantly changing around us with so much negativity, we must remind our students that we need not lower our standards and maintain the good character that they possess. It does not cost anything to be nice to the people around us or to show compassion and empathy. Certainly, we would all be better off with more practice of these key attributes.
Manoj Patel
Years 10 and 11 Coordinator
