Principal's News

Dear Parents

A warm welcome to all students and parents as we commence Term Three.  I trust the recent holiday break was restful and enjoyable for all families.  A new term brings excitement for the many events and activities planned as we embark on the journey for the second half of the year.

At our opening Assembly, I requested both staff and students to reflect on their academic successes of the first half of the year.  During our regular assemblies, we congratulate students via awards and recognition for their endeavours and achievements, and we recently acknowledged Service Awards to the following staff:

Lynette Owen – Early Childhood Educator – 5 years

Maria Katseli – Learning Assistant – 10 years

It is important as a school community that we acknowledge teachers’ dedication and hard work in favour of our students.  We welcomed twelve new students and a number of new staff at the commencement of this term and we wish them well as they join the Oakleigh Grammar family.  In addition, we have a number of short study students joining us from China throughout the term which provides an opportunity for intercultural understanding and new friendships to be formed. 

Early this term, our co-curricular activities commence with Year 5 Camp, Cross Country in Middle and Senior School and the final round of Debating. 

Environment and Sustainability

On Wednesday I had the privilege of joining students and staff at the 3rd Annual Environment & Sustainability luncheon held at the RACV Club.  We heard from Celebrity Chef Adam D’Sylva, and Clive Scott AM, Sofitel Arts Ambassador, who spoke about and provided the sustainable menu for the event.  There were also presentations from Ian Riseley, Past President of Rotary International, Chair of the Rotary International Foundation, and from the 2024 Rotary Melbourne Environment Sustainability Award winning school.  This was an excellent opportunity for our students to be presented with both challenges and solutions for a sustainable future.

Year 11 Formal

I am very much looking forward to joining your Year 11 daughters and sons this evening for the Year 11 Formal where the students will have an opportunity to further forge bonds as they look toward their final year of schooling in 2025

Business Breakfast

Our annual Business Breakfast will be held on Thursday August 22 at 7am.  The guest speakers are:

Danielle Bleazby GAICD, Director of Venues at Melbourne & Olympic Parks, with responsibility for the teams that plan and deliver all the events held at Melbourne & Olympic Parks.  Prior to this she was Executive Director of the South Melbourne Market.  Danielle has over 25 years experience in the events industry, having previously held roles with the AFL, Peter Jones Special Events and Hawthorn Football Club.  Danielle’s goal is to ensure customer experience is at the heart of what she and her team delivers, and that every event exceeds expectations.  She also chairs the Women for Challenge Committee, and sits on the Board of the Sandringham Football Club.

Carl Dilena, Chief Executive Officer of the St Kilda Football Club bringing more than 30 years of professional experience to the role, with a career history spanning across football, corporate and organisational leadership, finance, strategy and major projects.  In addition to 12 years as a Senior Partner at KPMG, Carl served 12 years as a Board Member of the North Melbourne Football Club, and played 33 VFL games between 1989 and 1992 at Fitzroy and North Melbourne Football Clubs and first joined St Kilda as Chief Operating Officer in October 2022.

We are expecting a full house.  I encourage all parents who have a business or professional interest to consider attending our Business Breakfast along with those parents who have an alignment with charitable causes.  Further information will be provided soon.

Hygiene

I wish to remind all parents about the importance of impressing upon your children strong hygiene practices, particularly during the early part of this winter term.  Please do not send children to school who are demonstrating upper respiratory symptoms. 

Round Square

As you are aware our school is very excited about being granted candidacy status with the prestigious Round Square organisation.  The benefits for our school and students include global connections, enriched learning opportunities and greater opportunities in leadership and service. As a Candidate School, we will begin integrating the Round Square IDEALS (Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service) into our curriculum and extra-curricular activities.  Looking ahead, we are committed to fulfilling the requirements of full membership, which will bring even greater benefits to our school community.  We encourage our school community to get involved and learn more about what Round Square offers.  Stay tuned for upcoming events and opportunities related to our candidacy. 

New Staff

As mentioned earlier, at the commencement of term we welcomed a number of new staff to Oakleigh Grammar:  Ms Elaine Brady – Junior School Leave Replacement Teacher; Ms Katie Bull – Middle School Leave Replacement Science Teacher; Mr Brodie Curtis – Junior School Leave Replacement Physical Education Teacher; Ms Jasmine Dhaliwal – Middle School Leave Replacement Science Teacher; Mr Dylan Gegas – Middle School Mathematics / Physical Education Teacher; Ms Scarlett Liu – Senior School Leave Replacement Mathematics Teacher; Ms Ivana Momic – Early Learning Centre Co-Educator; Mr Steven Moresi – Middle and Senior School Leave Replacement Physical Education Teacher; Mr Harry Musson – Middle School Leave Replacement English Teacher; Ms Stephanie Shahbaz – Early Learning Centre Co-Educator, and Mr James Varvakis – Property Officer.

We wish all new staff well as they join the Oakleigh Grammar Family.

Mark Robertson 

Principal