Principal's Report 

End Of Term 3: Principal's Report 

As we approach the end of another successful term, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to our dedicated staff, supportive parents, and hardworking students. 

Your contributions are what make our school a vibrant and thriving community.

Oakleigh Education Plan Update

The work to deliver on the goals and objectives of the Oakleigh Education Plan (OEP) continues. The connections and collaboration between the leaders and teachers at our three schools are the hallmark of our shared mission to embed and sustain a connected learning precinct comprising South Oakleigh College, Oakleigh South Primary School and Huntingdale Primary School, to provide the best possible learning opportunities for our students through their primary and secondary schooling and beyond.

As has been the case since its inception, the three key pillars of the OEP are STEM learning through Design Thinking, Japanese learning and pathways and Transition.

Teachers at all three schools are continuing to build their understanding and capabilities in design thinking which in is turn leading to more innovative, student centred and engaging classroom practice, not only in STEM but more broadly across the curriculum.

This includes key capabilities and competencies such as critical and creative thinking, collaboration, innovation and problem solving and student voice and agency. This also helps students to develop key dispositions such as belief in their abilities as learners, self-confidence, trying new ideas and being comfortable giving and receiving feedback to name a few.

Our Japanese teachers Community of Practice, which includes teachers from each of our three schools, have invested a lot of time and effort in refining the Y7 Japanese placement test, which helps identify the learning needs of students in Japanese as they transition from primary to secondary school. With SOSC offering a number of Japanese learning pathways as students enter year 7, the placement test provides key information to ensure students have the most appropriate supports and learning opportunities in their Japanese learning. Once again, very close and structured collaboration between our teachers is the key to the success of this initiative.

Learning walks, providing teachers an opportunity to visit one another’s classrooms and learn more about the different strategies, resources and approaches teachers are using is one approach to help ensure that as a learning precinct, we provide the best opportunities for our students. The next series of learning walks is being planned for Term 4.

Similarly, our Transition working group meets regularly and is currently focussed on the 2024-2025 years 6-7 transition program. Like all other groups within the OEP, the Transition working group brings together leaders and teachers from all three schools working together on transition as a shared priority and initiative. Whilst all schools will connect on some level as part of their normal transition activities, as members of the Oakleigh Education Plan, our school collaborates closely with our partner schools to ensure not only are the individual needs of students identified but the appropriate supports, strategies and resources are in place for students as they transition to secondary schooling. Intentional collaboration among teachers is essential in realising this aim.

Through our close collaborative practices and our connected learning precinct, our focus remains on sustaining and strengthening our connections as a learning precinct to benefit our students, teachers and community.

While the Oakleigh Education Plan officially concludes at the end of this year, all three schools are committed to sustaining our collaborative practices as a connected learning precinct into the future with a continued focus on Transition, STEM learning and design thinking and Japanese learning pathways. The OEP will continue be a priority into the future so that the work continues to be sustained as part of improvement priorities of each of our schools.

Reminder: Pupil Free Day- Monday November 4

In accordance with the Victorian Government Schools Agreement (VGSA), staff will access their professional practice day on November 4. This pupil-free day is dedicated to planning, preparing, assessing student learning, collaborating, developing the curriculum, engaging in relevant professional development.

Thank you for your continued support and collaboration. Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable break. 

We look forward to an exciting new term ahead.

Mark Picone

Acting College Principal