Teaching & Learning
Calling all Former SOC Students!
Interested in joining our Alumni Community? We would love to hear what our former SOC students are up to! Fill out the following online form: https://forms.office.com/r/JakrRiSTFm if you are interested in sharing!
WE WANT OUR PARENTS / CAREGIVERS / GUARDIANS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK!
Our school is surveying to determine what parents/caregivers/guardians think of our school. The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education that is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. The survey is optional, but we encourage all families to participate. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.
A random sample of approximately 30 per cent of parents/caregivers/guardians has been selected to participate in this year’s survey
The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey will be open from Monday 7 August to Friday 8 September 2023.
The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the survey period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. The online survey will be available in English and 10 other languages including Arabic, Greek, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Japanese, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Turkish, and Vietnamese. The survey results will be communicated to parents/caregivers/guardians through annual reporting. Last year we used the survey results for planning and improvements.
Year 9 Food Tech: Cupcakes!
During term two, the year 9 students worked on designing a batch of cupcakes to give as a thank-you gift.
This was their common assessment task and students really enjoyed every process of this task. Firstly, students had to investigate the functional properties of the ingredients used to make the cupcakes as well as the decorating designs and methods. Students then had to create a production plan detailing how they would use their time to create their respective cupcakes. After making their cupcakes, students had to evaluate them based on their prior knowledge of sensory evaluation. Most students commented on their satisfaction with their cupcakes whilst others were disappointed with their decorating abilities and the overall appearance.
A very engaging common assessment task that all students enjoyed taking part in.
Noor Jenkins
Food Tech Teacher
VCE-VM Police Recruitment Incursion
In Week 2 of Term 3, the VCE-VM Work Related Skills (WRS) class were treated to a visit from Victoria Police, as part of their learning relating to Unit 2 Area of Study 1 Skills and capabilities for employment and further education.
We were joined by an additional 23 Year 10, 11 and 12 students who have expressed an interest in policing as a future career, as well as 2 pre-service teachers, who got to observe our students as they demonstrated our College Values for our guest speaker.
Senior Constable Jac Mahood described the police recruitment process, from the online application, checks conducted, fitness tests, interviews and tests required to be taken. She provided us with illustrative insights and helpful hints for each process.
Many students were brave enough to ask questions, with several staying behind into lunchtime to discuss issues further and gain as much advice and information as possible. The Senior Constable was very generous with her time and advice and we thanked her with a small token of appreciation, which was graciously received.
Jacinta Marlborough
WRS Teacher
OSPS Grade 6 Business Expo
Last Friday, a group of experienced staff made their way down to OSPS to support and give feedback to the Grade 6 business Expo.
Students had stalls, websites, signage and activities ready to go. The community present was encouraged to dig deep and engage (* all proceeds going to their valedictory dinner).
Activities ranged from tarot card reading, stare-down competitions, tossing water onto students, kicking balls at targets, and guessing the number of lollies in a jar… the ideas were creative and plentiful.
Grade 6 students were challenged to apply design thinking to their business model. They provided ventures that made money and engaged the community.
Overall, the event was amazing. The level of creativity, engagement and entertainment on offer was outstanding. I walked away suitably impressed!
Looking forward to the next one in 2024!
Steve Kuruc
Learning Specialist: STEM
Year 10 Alternative Sport
During the first semester, the Year 10 cohort involved themselves in the activities of the Alternative Sports Program. The sessions attended were Martial Arts, Fencing and Bounce trampolining. The sessions form part of the year-long Year 10 Alternative Sports Program, designed to connect students with a variety of physical activity providers in our community.
Part of the program encourages students to plan their own way to venues using public transport to help students develop their independence and confidence. Semester 2 will bring more opportunities for the students to undertake new activities in their community which the students are very excited about.
Noor Jenkins
Food Tech Teacher
Legal Studies - Voice Referendum in SMALLab
The Year 12 Legal Studies class are getting to the pointy end of the Study Design, already more than halfway through the Unit 4 content – on the way to their exam on 8 November.
As part of their exploration of the Australian Constitution and the referendum process, the “Legal Eagles” participated in a simulation of the upcoming Voice Referendum in our fabulous SMALLab.
Not only are the students now well-armed for their SAC and Exam, but they are motivated to be well-informed when they go to vote later in the year!
The Voice is an explicit addition to the new Study Design, to be implemented next year, so next year’s students can enjoy the SMALLab resources created.
Jacinta Marlborough
Legal Studies Teacher
Japanese Q & A Session
On Monday, 17th July, an enlightening Q & A Session was held in SOC’s Theatre, featuring Yohan Soju as the host and interviewer, as well as guest speaker Liam Perera.
Liam works in Kumamoto prefecture in Japan as an English Assistant Language Teacher, helping children in Japan learn English as part of the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme. In this session, Liam discussed his experiences with learning Japanese, coping with the culture shocks of Japanese society and conducted a mukbang, showing students samples of Japanese snacks.
The session aimed to open up conversations regarding the possibilities and opportunities that come with furthering one’s studies in a language. Yohan stepped up in his role as host, conducting his interview with confidence and showing off his progress with the Japanese language.
Bonnie Tynan
LOTE: Japanese Head of Learning
Sustainability Club
Schools National Tree Day
28 July was Schools National Tree Day and SOC students, with thousands of other students around Australia, participated in plantings at our school.
During sustainability meetings, we discuss why it is important to plant trees and shrubs, and regular plantings are held throughout the year.
Why is it important to plant trees?
To tackle climate change: Trees remove carbon from the atmosphere and are important carbon sinks.
To clean the air: Trees clean the air we breathe by absorbing harmful pollutants that have negative impacts on humans, animals and plants.
To prevent soil erosion and improve water quality: Intricate tree root systems hold soil in place encouraging water to seep into soil, rather than running off into nearby water sources where it can collect pollutants and impact wildlife.
To create and restore habitats: A single tree can provide a home to many living things including mammals, reptiles, birds and smaller organisms such as insects, fungi and other plants.
To improve mental and physical health: Being in nature reduces stress and anxiety as well as other health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zarll9bx6FI
All students are invited to attend our meetings on Fridays at 1.15 pm in A2.
Alison Jones
Sustainability Co-ordinator
Spring Concert – Thursday, September 7, 7 pm
Hot on the heels of our Performing Arts Carnival and Wellfest Week concerts, tickets are now available for our annual Spring Concert - our Music Department’s Night of Nights. The Music Department has spent Term Three gearing up for what promises to be a spectacular event, featuring performances from our Concert Band, Chamber Ensemble, Choir, Pop Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, VCE Ensemble and Rock Band, along with some spectacular solo items from our wonderful Instrumental Music students. We’d love for you to join us!
Our Ensembles will also be attending a full-day incursion on the day of the Spring Concert, which will allow students to immerse themselves in professional music practice and rehearsals on the day of their big concert.
SOC’s Got Talent will also take place for students on the final day of Term Three, featuring a host of performances from students across the school. From music to acrobatics, tap dancing and magic, this will be a fantastic variety show for the whole school.
Please check Compass for ticket links for the Spring Concert – our Music Department’s Night of Nights.
Aidan Prewett
Director of Music
Roadsmart interactive incursion
The Road smart interactive incursion utilises the latest immersive technology to guide students through a series of experiences that will engage them in thinking about how they can be part of the solution to eliminating road trauma.
In the hour session, students of Year 10 and VM were given the opportunity to consider the following virtual reality and iPad sessions;
Virtual Reality – safer to zero, a look at safety through the ages
Designing a safer environment -Students were asked to make safer choices for roads depending on locations.
Safer behaviours- A look at road statistics around the world and asked students to guess where Australia was.
Vehicle design crash lab- Students were given options for their cars such as automatic braking system (ABS), or convertible to see which one was safer.
Bodies built for crashes - Students took a photo of their face and were given an artificial body that showed what it would need to be, to survive the crash at certain speeds.
Global road safety - Doing your part.
Ashley Aylen
Classroom Teacher
Unit 1 & 2 Biology Excursion
Year 12 Biology students attended the School of Biosciences at The University of Melbourne and participated in laboratory workshops. The workshops enabled students to complete practical activities to support Outcomes 1 and 2 of Unit 4. One of the activities analysed the evidence for evolution in the model organism, the fruit fly and the second activity looked at a Case study, immunity and influenza.
Lily Vrettos
Biology Teacher
New Basketball Courts!
Our College resources continue to be improved with the two outdoor courts being resurfaced and now accessible to our teachers and students.
The new work will provide a more cushioned surface for students playing basketball, netball or other sports and will not require any work for 15-plus years!
John Roodenburg
Facilities Manager
College Production: Seussical Musical
South Oakleigh College presents the Seussical Musical!
Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat (Maya Noyman) narrates the story of Horton the Elephant (Harvey Hamilton), who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must also guard an abandoned egg that's been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird (Genna Windsor).
Although Horton faces ridicule, danger and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz (Sophie Volpert) never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant!
Come support our cast and crew by seeing our production. Two nights only.
Thursday 24 August 2023 6.30pm - Friday 25 August 2023 6.30pm.
Student/Concession $5, Adults $10
Book you tickets online at https://www.trybooking.com/CJIMT
