Grammar News

Middle School

HAYDN FLANAGAN

Head of Middle School

 

Welcome back to Term 2 and a warm welcome to our new Middle School students and families. This term we welcome six new students to the Middle School, I am sure they will enjoy being part of our school community.

 

The great thing about returning to school after holidays is the opportunity for fresh beginning each term. Our Middle School students have returned with renewed vigor, looking splendid in their winter uniforms and feeling ready to tackle the educational demands and challenges to be faced this term.

 

A thought for the term…

 “Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more listening than talking.” Bernard M. Baruch

 

Athletics Carnival

On the last Tuesday of Term 1 our Middle and Senior students participated in the House Athletics Sports. The event took place under a beautiful blue sky providing optimal conditions for students to put in personal best performances on both the track and in the field. It was great to see the level of participation, particularly from the lower years, and the friendly, but spirited competition between the houses. In the end, however, there can be only one winner and on this occasion the victorious house was Fraser.

 

Congratulations to all who competed and thanks to the staff for their organisation and running of the successful event.

 

ANZAC Day

This week the School celebrated ANZAC Day with a moving assembly where students had the opportunity to learn more about the origins and significance of the day. Students also heard about the life and accomplishments, both in War and in civilian life, of Sir John Monash, for whom the City of Monash is named. In relation to our School motto for 2018, Sir John Monash was an excellent example of someone who successfully tried to be “all he could be”, regardless of his situation, and is an excellent role model for all students.

 

Our thanks also go to the Year 6 – 9 SRC members who, along with the Senior School leaders, represented the School at the ANZAC Service for schools held on Tuesday 19th April at the Cenotaph of the Central Reserve in Glen Waverley. 

 

Our student leaders were also invited to march on behalf of the school with the Hellenic RSL during the official ANZAC Day parade to the Shrine of Remembrance on Wednesday 25th April. This was a great honour for both the students and the school to be participating in such an important event. Our thanks also go to Mrs Spanos who has organised and accompanied students to both events.

 

Mobile Phones

The introduction of a more stringent Mobile Phone Policy in Term 1 this year has proven to be a highly beneficial strategy, with positive feedback from both students and staff on the improving student engagement in class, and increased feelings of safety and wellbeing in the playground. I would like to thank everyone involved and to thank parents for the ongoing support of the policy. A reminder of the policy can be seen below;

 

Mobile Phones use in the Secondary School

Oakleigh Grammar Secondary School students are permitted to carry mobile phones to school but these must be switched off and put away as soon as they enter the school grounds.

 

Procedure for misuse of a Mobile Phone or other electronic devices

 

Oakleigh Grammar students are not permitted to have a mobile phone in use at any stage during school hours. Once they enter the school gates their phone must be switched off and they must not use their phones at all on school grounds. Oakleigh Grammar staff reserve the right to confiscate phones or devices used improperly according to this policy.

 

Procedures

  1. If an Oakleigh Grammar School student is found to be using their phone during school hours it will be confiscated immediately by a staff member and handed to the relevant Year Co-ordinator. A letter is to be sent home informing parents of the misuse of the phone and its confiscation. The letter will explain that further misuse of the phone will result in the parents being required to pick the phone up from school reception.
  2. In this instance, the device will be securely held at reception and the student’s parent’s informed of its confiscation.
  3. The phone will be held at reception until collected by a parent / guardian of the child.

 

Winter Uniform

A reminder to students and parents that as of Monday 30th May, full winter uniform is required for all students. Your assistance in this is appreciated.

 

Term 2 promises to be an exciting and busy term for the students, with a number of valuable learning opportunities on offer.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Thursday 3rd May – EISM Athletics carnival
  • Tuesday 8th May – Year 6 District Cross country
  • Wednesday May 9th – Friday May 11th - National Schools Event
  • Tuesday 15th – Thursday 17th May – NAPLAN Testing
  • Wednesday 23rd May – Year 6 Family Life lessons
  • Friday 25th May – Walk to School Day
  • Tuesday 29th May – Year 7 immunisations
  • Wednesday 30th May – Year 6 Family Life lessons
  • Wednesday 30th May – A Night at the Theatre
  • Tuesday 5th June – Year 8 Science excursion
  • Friday 8th June – Report Writing Day - SCHOOL CLOSED