Teaching & Learning
Beginning Of Term 1:
Teaching and Learning
Studio+
As the school year kicks off for 2025, we have rebranded and introduced a new logo for the Lunchtime Media Club to attract a wider audience. This club is perfect for those keen to gain hands-on experience with broadcast equipment, podcasting gear, short films, and much more—the possibilities are endless. Whether you're interested in being in front of the camera or behind the scenes, there's a place for everyone. Members will have the opportunity to collaborate on exciting projects throughout the school year, learn from industry professionals, and even showcase their work to the school community. It's a fantastic way to explore your creativity, build new skills, and talk technology with fellow media enthusiasts. Join us every Wednesday in the Tv Studio during lunch to roll record your journey in the dynamic world of media production!
We are currently seeking our next weekly podcast team or member to cover all things related to school information to be shown during Monday morning mentor group. If you're interested, please check the Compass post and submit your one-minute presentation for voting.
Philip Clark
Theatre Manager
Japanese Placement Test
As is tradition at South Oakleigh College, those who didn’t have the chance to do so completed their Japanese Placement Test at the start of Term 1. It was an opportunity for those students to be introduced to the ‘testing conditions’ at our school, which they are likely to experience again during the exam season later this year.
For our students transitioning from our OEP (Oakleigh Education Plan) connections, who’ve already completed their tests with their primary schools, Qian-sensei and Ms Carmody facilitated a session on 内輪 (うちわ/uchiwa), traditional paddle fans. As shown in the photos, these students were able to design and make their own 内輪, taking into account the many uses for 内輪 in the realm of traditional festivals, concerts and sporting events.
Bonnie Tynan
Japanese Head of Learning
HPE KLA Newsletter Article
The Health and Physical Education (HPE) department would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new Year 7 students at South Oakleigh College! It has been fabulous to meet you all and see your smiling faces as you embark on this exciting new journey. We are all looking forward to learning and growing together throughout the year.
I was wonderful to see many of you participating in the swimming carnival on Friday. We encourage all students to get involved in the various extracurricular sports and activities available at South Oakleigh College. Whether it’s joining a sports team, participating in lunchtime games, or taking on fitness challenges in the Fitness Club, there is something for everyone!
A big thank you to our dedicated HPE staff and Year 7 students for making the start of the year such a positive and energetic experience. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the year holds. Keep up the fantastic work, and remember—stay active, stay healthy, and most importantly, have fun!
Jacinta Wallis
Health and PE KLA Leader
Arts and Technology
The Arts and Technology departments have hit the ground running in 2025. It’s exciting to see so many enthusiastic year 7 students and wonderful to be back with everyone else. This year will be busy in both departments. In the Arts, we will be running our second SOC Archibald Prize. It was a big success last year with so many amazing entries. We are looking forward to seeing students’ work in Term 3 for that.
Year 10 Textiles is running for the first time. Students will have the opportunity to build on their skills learned in year 9 to upcycle waste plastics into functional items. Year 9 Design Technology (Wood) is running again this year with a revised curriculum and students are already gaining new skills with tools and wood.
Peta Close
Arts and Technology
Wheelers ePlatform
South Oakleigh College is committed to providing students with various and unique learning opportunities, which is why we are pleased to remind you once again that Wheelers ePlatform, is South Oakleigh’s digital library. It provides our students free access to eBooks and audiobooks throughout the year and during (summer) school holidays.
The benefits of ePlatform: With ePlatform, your child has 24/7 access to eBooks and Audiobooks for free. This is a wonderful extension of our physical school library and allows titles to be checked out at home, over the weekend or during school breaks without worrying about losing books because they automatically return at the end of the loan period. Students of all ages can benefit from ePlatform's reading and comprehension tools. A service like this can benefit struggling or reluctant readers, learning-challenged students, second-language learners and the visually impaired as well as gifted readers alike.
- Unique reader customisation with Settings wizard, across all devices
- Introduce students to books above their reading level
- Help busy kids find time to read
- Professionally curated collection with age restrictions set by school staff
- Increase vocabulary and improve pronunciation and comprehension
- User friendly for all types of readers & listeners (e.g. reluctant, dyslexic)
How to access: Ensure your child has Wheeler’s ePlatform app on their device which can be downloaded for free from the Apple Store, Google Play Store, or the platform can easily be accessed via the school website in the ‘student’ dropdown menu, top left-hand corner. Click on the link below. https://www.sosc.vic.edu.au/ Students have their own unique login to access the platform using their Compass user ID: i.e. NBA0001 and the initially generic password Library1. Please contact us directly should your child have any trouble logging in.
Nancy Bastakos
Library Manager
Year 12 Visit the ACMI
Last week, our Year 12 students had the incredible opportunity to visit the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) to watch the iconic film Sunset Boulevard and attend a specially curated lecture on the text. As one of the key texts in their English curriculum, this experience was designed to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Billy Wilder’s masterpiece, which they will be studying in detail and analysing in their upcoming exams.
The day was nothing short of inspiring. Students were captivated by the film’s haunting narrative, complex characters, and striking cinematography, all of which came alive on the big screen. Following the screening, they attended an engaging lecture that delved into the film’s themes, historical context, and cinematic techniques. The speaker provided invaluable insights, drawing connections between the text and its broader cultural significance, which sparked thoughtful discussions among the students.
The excursion proved to be a wonderful way to bring the text to life. Many students remarked how the experience allowed them to see Sunset Boulevard in a new light, fostering a deeper connection to the material and enhancing their analytical skills. The combination of watching the film in a cinematic setting and hearing expert analysis has undoubtedly enriched their understanding, equipping them with the tools to excel in their studies.
We are incredibly proud of our Year 12 cohort for their enthusiasm and engagement throughout the day. This outing not only reinforced their knowledge of Sunset Boulevard but also highlighted the importance of experiential learning in fostering a genuine appreciation for literature and film.
Nicholas Morlin
English Teaching and Learning - Debating and Public Speaking
Music News
The South Oakleigh College Music Department is off to a flying start with all of our instrumental lessons and ensembles in full swing. We’re thrilled to announce our first concert of 2025 will be an evening of OzRock featuring special guest Cameron Muncey, lead guitarist of JET.
The concert will feature a wide variety of Australian music from all of our ensembles, including a Q&A and a JET performance with 60+ students on stage with Mr Cameron Muncey himself. Tickets will be available via Try Booking shortly.
Keep an eye on Compass for further details and please mark your calendars for Thursday March 27 at 6:30pm!
We’re looking forward to another action-packed year for the Music Department – stay tuned for more details about all our upcoming Music events throughout the year!
Aiden Prewett
Head Of Music