Principal's Report
End Of Term 2 :
Principal's Report
As we reach the end of Semester 2, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been an incredibly busy, and equally rewarding, term at South Oakleigh College.
Schools are, by their very nature, busy places — and this semester has been no exception. What makes me so proud, however, is not just the busyness, but the productivity, the positivity, and the genuine effort demonstrated by our entire school community.
A Semester of Achievement
To our students — thank you. The breadth of opportunity available to you at South Oakleigh College extends well beyond the classroom, and it has been wonderful to see so many of you embrace those opportunities with energy and commitment, embodying our school values of High Expectations, Respect, Responsibility, Resilience, and Teamwork.
Congratulations to our Year 8 to 11 students who completed their End of Semester examinations, and to all students for their diligence and consistency in completing assessment tasks across the term. Your efforts will be reflected in your Semester 1 reports, published to parents and guardians through Compass on Friday 26 June.
Year 11 & 12 — GAT and Beyond
A special mention must go to our Year 11 and 12 cohort, who on June 16 completed the General Achievement Test (GAT). The GAT is an important part of the VCE assessment process, allowing students to demonstrate their literacy, numeracy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills across a range of areas.
The societal expectations placed on our senior students — both academically and socially — are immense, and I am filled with pride each time I walk into a Year 12 class or the VCE common room and witness not only how hard they are working, but how they engage with each other, with staff, and with our younger students. That speaks volumes about your character.
A big thank you to our staff for ensuring the smooth running of the examination and for supporting our students every step of the way. Well done, Year 11 and 12 students — your hard work and dedication continue to make South Oakleigh College proud.
I encourage every senior student to use the upcoming holidays to rest, recharge, and prepare for the final stretch. You are doing brilliantly.
Year 10 Careers Expo
Congratulations to our Year 10 students, who capped off a successful Work Experience program with the Careers Expo held on Thursday 25 June. All our students in Year 10 -12 had the opportunity to engage with representatives from a diverse range of universities and industries, including Melbourne University La Trobe University, Monash University, Deakin University, Holmesglen Institute, Kangan Institute, Hawthorn College of Sport, CMV Truck & Bus, and Intuitive Finance.
A heartfelt thank you to Effie for her extraordinary dedication in organising the Careers Expo and for her ongoing commitment to preparing our students for their chosen pathways beyond school. Events like this open doors and broaden horizons, and that is something we deeply value at South Oakleigh College.
Barista Club
One of the highlights of this term has been watching our Barista Club go from strength to strength. Every Tuesday morning, our Year 11 and 12 students have been running a coffee service for staff and senior students, gaining genuine hands-on experience in a real-world setting right here at school. From crafting coffees to serving customers, they have been developing invaluable skills in teamwork, communication, and responsibility — all while building the kind of confidence that extends well beyond the café. It has been wonderful to see the pride they take in their work each week, and a credit to all involved.
2026 Student Attitudes to School Survey
This term, we received the results of the 2026 Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS), and the outcomes are genuinely encouraging. An impressive 95% of students across Years 7–12 completed the survey, providing anonymous insights into their experiences of school life.
We are proud to share that across all domains measured, the percentage of positive responses increased compared to previous years. This is a meaningful result — one that reflects the collective efforts of our students, staff, and families in building a positive, inclusive, and supportive school community. Your voice matters, and we remain committed to listening and acting on what you share with us.
Sport & House Points
This term showcased tremendous spirit and participation across our sporting program, with students competing with pride and determination at both of our major House events.
Our House Cross Country, held on May 4, kicked off the term's sporting calendar. Students from all year levels put in fantastic efforts throughout the course. Congratulations to Grevillea for finishing in first place with 87 points, closely followed by Banksia with 84 points, Acacia in third place, and Waratah in fourth.
The House Athletics Carnival, held on June 23, brought the term to an exciting close on the track and field. It was a closely contested competition, with Grevillea claiming the top spot with an impressive 816 points, followed closely by Acacia with 757 points. Banksia placed third, and Waratah came in fourth. Congratulations to all students who competed and represented their houses with such enthusiasm and sportsmanship.
Peer Support Program
We are delighted to congratulate Stephanie Heppel for her dedication to professional learning this term, having completed training in the Peer Support Program. Peer Support is a student-led whole school wellbeing program, backed by over 50 years of practice and research, that empowers students to build positive relationships, develop social and emotional skills, and contribute to a positive school culture. Stephanie's commitment to bringing this program to our students is a wonderful example of the care and dedication our staff show every day, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have across our school community.
I also want to sincerely thank our teaching and education support staff, whose commitment to our students goes far beyond the classroom. Your dedication to co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, on top of your excellent classroom practice, does not go unnoticed.
Thank you to our parent and guardian community. Your ongoing support of your children and their learning is the foundation upon which everything else is built, and we are grateful for your partnership.
Please take the winter break as an opportunity to rest, recharge, and enjoy quality time together as a family. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for the start of Term 3 on Monday 13 July.
Helen Koziaris
College Principal