Year Level Leaders Report
Term 3:
Year 7 and 8 Leader Report
YEAR 7
Welcome back for Term 3.
We have had a productive start to the term in Year 7, with students throwing themselves into a wide range of school activities with infectious enthusiasm.
It has been great to see our Year 7s become more connected to the South Oakleigh College community through their involvement in areas such as sport, SRC, languages and performing arts.
I enjoyed watching our budding mathematicians during our annual “Pi Day” competition. After a day of fun and engaging numeracy related activities organised by Mr. Fernandes and his Year 8 helpers, many Year 7 students took to the stage to see who could recite the most digits of Pi. Our reigning champion is now Liyah Soju who impressively recited 123 decimal places!
Personally, working alongside three of our Year 7 students in the rehearsals for our upcoming production of ‘Newsies Jr.’ has been most rewarding... Be sure to come along and support Rafael Coleman, Millie Mitchell and Kyryl Yermak as they make their South Oakleigh performance debut!
It has also been a pleasure seeing our Year 7s work together in the classroom, strengthening their communication and collaboration skills. Whether choreographing group dances for P.E., creating engaging group presentations for English, or working on design thinking tasks in STEM subjects - our youngest students are working well in groups, building new relationships in the classroom.
We look forward to a busy but rewarding Term 3.
YEAR 8
Pi Day
Year 7 students were involved with Pi Day on the 22nd of July.
Students engaged in a range of activities such as Amazing Race, Trivia, Relays and Taskmaster challenges, all targeted at maths. The aim was working on both team building skills, as well as building a positive mindset toward maths.
There was a Pi recital competition after, with the top 3 all able to recite over 100 digits of Pi off by heart, very impressive!!
Well done to the students and winners on the day, and thanks to all who helped in such a successful day.
Kerryn Hoernel
Year Level Leader: 7
Zane Fernandes
Year Level Leader: 8
Year 9 and 10 Leader Report
YEAR 9
The Year 9 cohort has enjoyed an excellent start to Term 3, highlighted so far by the Reach incursion and the Athletics Carnival on Monday and Tuesday the 22nd and 23rd of July.
The Reach incursion provided important learning on gender stereotypes and mental health, with students enthralled in the discussion and activities expertly facilitated.
Our Athletics carnival was great fun, with nice weather and strong House spirit encouraging students to participate and support their peers in a diverse range of track and field events.
Looking forward, we have Student Led Conferences fast approaching on Thursday, 8th August. These conferences provide a great opportunity for students and parents/carers to communicate with their teachers about academic progress, and collaborate on strategies to support each student’s success.
As pitched in our assembly on the first day back, this term our focus is to ‘be kind’, encompassing our College values of respect, responsibility and teamwork. This involves students demonstrating kindness to themselves, their peers, their teachers, their families and anyone else they interact with. It has been fantastic to see many students embodying this throughout the beginning of this term, and I look forward to it continuing moving forward.
YEAR 10
Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
As we approach our upcoming Parent/Teacher/Student conferences on 8th August, we encourage you to take some time to reflect on your academic progress and prepare for meaningful conversations with your teachers and parents.
This is an excellent opportunity for you to take an active role in your education, set goals, and identify areas for improvement.
Ensuring All Work is Completed:
Review Your Work - Go through your classwork and homework. Make sure all tasks are completed and submitted.
Use Your School Planner - Keep track of due dates and upcoming CAT dates. A planner can help you stay organised.
Set Priorities - Identify which tasks are most important and tackle those first. Breaking down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps can make them less overwhelming.
Seek Help - If you're struggling with any subject, don't hesitate to ask for help from your teachers. Being Effective in Class:
Active Participation - Engage in class discussions, ask questions, and contribute your thoughts. Active participation helps reinforce learning.
Stay Focused - Minimise distractions by sitting near the front of the class and use your computer for educational purposes only. Pay attention to the teacher and actively listen.
Practice Regularly - Consistent practice, especially in subjects like math and science, can solidify your understanding and improve performance. Questions to Ask on Parent/Student/Teacher Conference Night:
Clarifications – Clarify with your teachers on concepts or work that is not fully understood. Ask questions such as "Can you explain this concept again?" or "Could you give me an example of this?"
Improvements - "What areas should I focus on to improve my work?" or "What can I do differently to understand this topic better?"
Feedback - "How did I do on this task, and how can I improve?" or "What strengths and weaknesses do you see in my work?"
Resources - "Are there any additional resources or materials that could help me with this assessment?" Come prepared with thoughtful questions for your teachers. Whether you need clarification on complex concepts, guidance on areas of improvement, feedback on your work, or additional resources. Asking the right questions can provide you with valuable insights and direction.
We hope you make the most of this opportunity to connect with your teachers and parents, and to lay a strong foundation for the upcoming term. Your proactive approach and commitment to your education will not only help you achieve your academic goals but also foster a lifelong love for learning.
Best of luck, and we look forward to seeing you at the conferences.
Blake Cochrane
Year Level Leader: 9
Andrea Carmody
Year Level Leader: 10
Year 11 and 12 Leader Report
Year 11 Semester 1 Success Assembly – 1st August 2024
On Thursday, 1st August 2024, Year 11 students were celebrated at the Semester 1 "Success Assembly". The event recognised their exceptional academic efforts and achievements over the first half of the year. Congratulations to all students for their dedication and hard work.
Year 11 Formal
This is a friendly reminder for all Year 11 students to ensure that they purchase their tickets for the Year 11 formal taking place on Thursday 19th of September. Tickets can be purchased online via the following link - https://www.trybooking.com/CRYRS
YEAR 12
Year 12 Valedictory
Parents, carers and families of our Year 12 cohort, join us in celebrating our Year 12 cohort's achievements as they conclude their secondary schooling journey. The Valedictory Night promises to be a memorable occasion, honouring the hard work and dedication of our graduating students.
Ticket sales will be opening soon, so stay tuned for more details. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this special event.
South Oakleigh College Mobile Phone Policy
In line with Victorian regulations, South Oakleigh College enforces a strict no-phone policy during school hours. Students are not permitted to use their phones on campus. Any phone seen in use will be confiscated, and parents/carers will need to collect it from the front office.
For detailed information, please refer to our Mobile Phone Policy - Microsoft Word - Mobile Phones Policy.docx (sosc.vic.edu.au)
Kasey Boxell
Year Level Leader: 11
Jessica Ferguson
Year Level Leader: 12