Student Voice & Agency Term II

South Oakleigh College has continually expanded the opportunities for students to collaborate and make decisions affecting their school life through student-led initiatives with a strong focus on citizenship. Student voice provides opportunities for students to make decisions about events and programs in school after collaboration with fellow students and staff. Students acquire important skills, like teamwork and critical thinking. They also develop values that will make them good citizens in the future. Here at South Oakleigh College, we empower students to become involved in programs that are multiculturally inclusive and through student agency deliver curricula activities for all to participate in within their school environment.

Part of our commitment to our students is to offer professional development leadership training at school and through attendance at Leadership Conferences.

On Tuesday 27th of March our students attended the Secondary Youth Leadership Conference by the Youth Leadership Academy Australia. This event bought together influential young leaders. The State Youth Leadership Conference equipped our students with skills and confidence to become change makers in our school community. It also prepared them in their quest for a future in leadership.

Our S.R.C. has developed to operate as a student–led model. It focuses on the importance of student voice and agency directly from students. The S.R.C. is facilitated by Student Leaders in partnership with staff. Different portfolios have been developed that are functioning well to deliver events and activities for the school community.

Fundraising is involved and students decide which organisations will be the focus for their activity. Our S.R.C. has developed and initiated programs such as the Goal Setting Sheets, Ride to School Day and Cultural Diversity Week.

Other student leaders such as the Prefects have been actively developing and promoting school activities. Sports Prefects have been working with the Health and PE Key Learning Area Team to promote physical activity within the College Community. The Performing Arts Prefects are working with the Arts Key Learning Area Team to promote music and theatre within the College Community.

This year the Year 7 Leadership Program has expanded to include four young leaders. We congratulate our Year 7 students on their successful appointment and welcome them into the program.

Congratulations to: Hue Fithie, Paz Hidas, Emily Lay and Yohan Soju. They have each selected the S.R.C. portfolio they will be working on and are establishing their leadership skills while they work with the school community.

Stav Kantzas

Student Leadership Coordinator

Melbourne Youth Leaders Conference

On Tuesday 27 April, a number of leaders from our 2021 Leadership Team, supervised by Ms. Kantzas and Ms. Han, travelled to the Melbourne City Conference Centre to participate in the Youth Leadership Conference organized by YLAAUS (Youth Leadership Academy Australia).

The YLAAUS, founded by 18-year-old Wil Massara, had empowering sessions planned for the day, which will help us grow as influential young leaders in our growing community.

The conference started off with Heather Miller, founder of The Kindness Hub, who talked about the power of kindness and the ripple effect which can be caused from it; the small kindness cards taught a simple way of spreading kindness.

In the second session, Wil talked about his journey as a young entrepreneur as well as the lessons he learnt from the highs and lows – one of them being able to own our differences because they are our greatest assets.

Our third session was by Jess whose inspiring story and positivity during hardships encouraged leaders to face their fears by understanding that it will be temporary. The Changemakers panel concluded the action-packed day, allowing all the young future leaders in the audience to ask any further questions.

The Leadership Conference not only taught lessons to enhance our leadership style, communication, and teamwork but it also allowed an opportunity to build connections with young leaders from other schools in Melbourne.

It was a memorable experience that helped us, as young leaders, to bring further developed ways to contribute to our school and broader South Oakleigh community.

Stav Kantzas

Student Leadership Coordinator

On Tuesday 27 April, we attended the Secondary Youth Leadership Conference in the city. This was a great opportunity for us student leaders to get some inspiration in developing new strategies and ideas to promote student leadership across our school community. When we arrived, the first thing we were asked to do was to write down our own definition of what leadership meant to us and we placed it together on a wall with every other student leader from other schools. Throughout the day we heard from 3 different speakers who spoke to us about their journey and gave us valuable tips to use in our roles. We learnt that our mindset is everything and that we have to be in it to win it. We also learnt 7 key lessons about leadership:

Lesson 1: “Own your story”

Lesson 2: “Our Differences are our Greatest Asset”

Lesson 3: “Your Age does not Determine your Ability to Achieve Extraordinary Things”

Lesson 4: “Sometimes in Order to say Yes we must say No”

Lesson 5: “You can Only Truly Grow when you are Living in Alignment”

Lesson 6: “United Individuals Create Change” and

Lesson 7: “Numbers do not Define your Value”.

I found this conference very inspirational, as it has given me a lot of tips on how to continue growing as a leader. Overall, I had a fantastic day with all my peers; it was a great experience!

Greg Acciarito

Year 9 Student

The Melbourne Youth Leadership Conference 2021 was a fantastic experience for all students who had the opportunity to attend. Various guest speakers empowered all students with their individual life journeys of how to have a positive approach to leadership and how students can best communicate with others, participate in teamwork and be successful throughout their lives. All students left the conference feeling strengthened and inspired towards their future aspirations.

Sylvia Krozian

Year 10 Student

Peer Support

Recently, the 2021 Peer Support Leaders ran their first fully-equipped session, that included a scavenger hunt, which was a session conducted by all Peer Support Leaders for their Year 7 peers.

The scavenger hunt involved a series of puzzles and brain teasers that lead the groups around different areas of the school. The hunt was specifically designed towards the Year 7 students, with their Peer Support Leaders guiding them and helping them solve the various riddles and puzzles. The scavenger hunt was an excellent way for all Peer Support groups to relate with each other by participating in the same activity at the same time. This allows Peer Support Leaders and their Year 7 peers to get to know one another better, by assisting one another to solve the hunt. Peer Support Leaders will be meeting in a workshop soon to reflect on their sessions and experiences.

House Captains

As House Captains, we are involved in many programs within the school community. We run our House Assemblies each week, where we discuss what we would like to present to our Houses. We go through the student bulletin for the week, we mention reminders such as being in correct uniform, sports news and shout-outs to certain students for academic achievements or sports achievements. We also mention any upcoming events.

The House Captains collaborate to create a presentation and, with the assistance of the Heads of House, we develop our work and improve our presentation skills.

Other ways we have assisted within our role include: helping with the school’s open night, assisting Mr Knee with sports signups for house athletics and the swimming carnival. We have helped with the organisation of these events ensuring maximum student participation.

The House Captains encourage any ideas students may have such as to run something in their mentor group or an idea of how something can be improved around the school to be passed onto them. As House Captains, we oversee our house and we assist with many different school events.

Year 7 Leadership Team

We thank everyone for choosing the Year 7 representatives to represent them as leaders in Year 7.

Within the S.R.C role we would like to make the transition from Primary School to High School a smoother and happier experience for everyone. We would also like to represent and support our peers as best as we can. We also aim to improve our leadership abilities and skills that include courage, teamwork and public speaking skills.

To make the transition for Year 7s smoother, we created a study group so that students can discuss their assigned work with other students. We, as representatives, organise, run and help students in study group.

We hope to do the best that we can within our leadership role, keeping our promise to always communicate with and incorporate our fellow students.

Hue Fithie, Paz Hidas, Yohan Soju & Emily Lay

Year 7 Leaders

Sustainability Club

The Sustainability Club meets in A2 each Friday lunchtime to discuss environmental issues at the College and plan events and initiatives to tackle these issues.

This term the Sustainability Club is launching a House competition to collect bread tags! The tags will be donated to the “Bread Tags for Wheelchairs” charity – not only helping the environment but doing something to help those in need! Students are encouraged to ask their family, friends and neighbours to collect tags too – all tags must be brought to the Student Services Office and deposited into the relevant jar for their House. The tags will be counted at the end of each term and House points awarded accordingly.

Important Dates

Dates to Remember