Middle School

It is wonderful to see how much our students have grown as individuals, and how willingly they accept new responsibilities when asked to participate in or represent the School or their peers at events. Moving them out of their comfort zones to present and answer questions at Open Days has seen such maturity and genuine honesty in their approach, and is truly special to witness. 

I would like to acknowledge and thank the wonderful group who assisted me yesterday at Open Day: Connie Lekkas and Thomas Priftis for their brilliant presentation and joining Elly Alexopoulos, Ellie Woodhams, Elias Vlahandonis, Irene Koutsovasilis and George Apostolopoulos to accompany staff on the school tour and answering questions from potential families about the school and their experience.

Sharron Frame

Head of Middle and Senior School

Years 8 and 9

With the Wilson’s Promontory Hike complete, many of our Year 9 students should feel a great sense of accomplishment, having traversed great distances to set up their camps at some beautifully remote campsites. They learned many different life skills, such as how to utilise a Trangia stove to boil drinkable water, cook their food and sometimes even set the ground on fire… no specific student will be mentioned here. Moreover, our students were able to create many great memories together as they explored different beaches around Tidal River, even setting up a competitive Uno match at Squeaky Beach. 

With our Year 9s completing their hike at Wilson’s Prom and all of our students enjoying their House Athletics Carnival this week, things sure have been eventful here at Oakleigh Grammar. From an academic perspective, student assessment is ramping up and students have been encouraged to utilise the routines they have set up for study in their pastoral sessions as they work toward the S.M.A.R.T goals they set at the beginning of the term.

Michael Pegiou

Years 8 & 9 Coordinator

Years 6 and 7

Mother Teresa’s quote really sets a great tone for our reflection of the last few weeks. Students in Years 6 and 7 have now well and truly settled into life in the Middle School. This is often accompanied by ‘growing’ pains that may be reflected in changing social groups or fatigue because of upcoming assessments.

Often, we focus on the big picture – the end in mind - but do not celebrate the small successes along the way. Too often we neglect the small acts of kindness and care that help to build people up. 

In our pastoral teams we have discussed this need to not only celebrate the small victories, but rather to shift our mindset and practise the core values of our School on a daily basis. 

Our Year 7 students have looked at the power of journaling and how this can help in mapping out their progress and as a means of expression. Further to this, they are having robust and insightful discussions about how they learn, trying to unpack the best ways they learn and finding ways to apply this to their classroom. 

In Year 6 we are working on empathy. We are not merely looking at the word but how we can bring this to life in our everyday interactions. Our particular focus are the actions of kindness, compassion and respect and how we can bring these to life in our classrooms, corridors, lockers, school yard, home and online. 

As the period of Lent is upon us, this is the perfect opportunity for our school community to come together and give to the Greek Welfare Centre Easter Appeal which is run by our Years 6 and 7 students. Please share and support our students and those in need because together we can make a difference.

Dean Damatopoulos

Years 6 & 7 Coordinator