The Arts and Design

A Celebration of Creativity in Arts and Design

This term, Arts and Design at Oakleigh Grammar has been a vibrant celebration of creativity, innovation, and inquiry. Students have explored a diverse range of artistic and design disciplines, engaging in portraiture, sustainable car design, cultural cuisine, printmaking, and various styles of theatre to create meaningful and expressive work.

Throughout their learning, students have embraced the MYP inquiry cycle, using research and analysis to deepen their understanding, develop new skills, and bring their creative ideas to life. Reflection has played a key role in their journey, with students critically evaluating their work in both informal and formal settings.

We are also excited to announce our Middle School Production: Pirates! by David Dunn and Mary Robbie, which will take place in late August. Students have now received their roles and will commence the rehearsal process next term. We can’t wait to see their hard work and enthusiasm come to life on stage!

It has been an inspiring term filled with imagination, problem-solving, and artistic expression, highlighting the importance of creativity across disciplines at Oakleigh Grammar.

Rebecca Bettiol

Learning Leader - Arts

The Year 12 Visual Communication Design students are practicing their manual and digital drawing skills in preparation for their School Assessed Task as part of their Outcome 1 SAC. Students explored prototyping with different media, materials and methods and documented their research, generation of ideas and their process in their folios.

The Year 9 2D Art Students are exploring developing their skills in portraiture drawing. This Term, we practiced rendering through different facial features of the eyes, lips, nose and mouth.

Inspiring Creativity: Guest Speaker Siena Scarlata

Our Year 12 VCE Art and VCD students had the privilege of hearing from Siena Scarlata, who completed Year 12 last year. Siena achieved an outstanding raw score of 50 and was selected for Top Designs at the NGV. Students were truly inspired by her journey, engaged in meaningful discussions, and left feeling excited and encouraged about their own creative paths.

Innovative Futures: Product Design in Years 6-9

Students in Years 6, 7, and 8 are actively engaging with the MYP Design Cycle this term, developing essential problem-solving skills and creative thinking. Through research, ideation, and prototyping, they are learning to refine their designs with a focus on functionality and sustainability.

In Year 9, students take this a step further in their Design for the Futures unit. They explore innovative ways to create a more sustainable and technology-efficient future, considering real-world challenges such as energy efficiency, material sustainability, and user-centred design. By integrating emerging technologies and eco-friendly solutions, they are developing products that balance creativity with environmental responsibility.

Across all year levels, students are encouraged to generate, test, and refine their ideas, ensuring their final designs are both practical and forward-thinking. The program nurtures future designers, equipping them with the skills to contribute meaningfully to a rapidly evolving world.

Bringing Stories to Life: Performing Arts at Oakleigh Grammar

This term, our Performing Arts students have embraced creativity, collaboration, and storytelling through a range of engaging and dynamic drama units:

Year 6 explored Pantomime, learning how to collaboratively devise performances that incorporate the skills and conventions of this traditional theatrical style.

Year 7 developed their acting techniques and performance processes, culminating in rehearsals and performances of non-naturalistic plays based on a common folk tale.

Year 8 investigated the concept of Identity, using their own devised stimuli as a foundation to create original and meaningful dramatic works.

Year 9 delved into Conflict and Status, crafting powerful drama that emerged from both verbal and non-verbal expression. Their work was inspired by Physical Theatre Companies, deepening their understanding of movement-based storytelling.

Year 10 Drama has been rehearsing scenes from DNA by Dennis Kelly, exploring ensemble theatre and production design. This unit also focused on strengthening performance skills, including expression, voice projection, and movement.

Across all year levels, students have demonstrated incredible creativity, collaboration, and confidence, bringing stories to life in thought-provoking and impactful ways.

Year 10, 11 and 12 VCE Visual Communication Design

Students went to Heide Museum of Modern Art in Templestowe on Friday the 14th of March, 2025. We took a half hour bus trip from Oakleigh to the Eastern suburbs, and when we arrived, we walked through the grounds and sculpture park to the museum, after getting slightly lost along the way. We then broke into two groups; the first group explored the Molto Bello: Icons of Modern Italian Design exhibition whilst the other group went on a guided tour through Heide Modern House.

In the Molto Bello exhibition it showcased some of the most significant achievements in the history of twentieth-century Italian design spanning the sixty-year period from the first Milan Design Triennale in the 1930s to the Memphis Group of the 1980s. The exhibition tells the remarkable story of how, through the marriage of Italy’s rich craft tradition, technological and industrial advances and a capacity for creativity, experimentation and invention, Italian design became admired throughout the world. The students were inspired and were provided insight with how much design has changed over time whilst viewing the different rooms from the 1930s to the 1980s. Students were to draw through observing different lighting, furniture and technology from these different eras and analyse the design of their choice as part of their assessment and in preparation for their upcoming SAC.

In this program Visual Communication and Design students reflect on the architectural design process, learning how the firm McGlashan Everist worked with clients John and Sunday Reed to create Heide Modern, ‘the gallery to be lived in’. This tour enhances students’ understanding of modern and contemporary Australian architecture, and environmental, industrial and communication design. It includes a tour of the current site-responsive exhibition in Heide Modern that references the history, architecture and atmosphere of the iconic building. When we were given a tour of their house, we learnt about how the house was only made from four materials of wood, limestone, glass and marble and how it changed from a house into a gallery space. Students were fascinated with the different furniture and design of the architecture of the house that was build in the 1960s, yet it appeared to be so modern for its time.

Between both the Molto Bello exhibition and the Heide Modern House tour, students had a break for lunch at the Heide café where we ate Italian cuisine as part of the exhibition that was on at the time and explored the gift shop, tasting treats from Italy. Overall, we had a fun day out and learnt how to analyse different products and architectural designs. Below are some images of the excursion:

As Term 1 comes to an end, it’s been fantastic to see students across all year levels engaging in practical, skills-based learning in Food Design and Technology. From food safety fundamentals to advanced cooking techniques, students have developed confidence in the kitchen while also gaining insight into food science, sustainability, and nutrition.

Building Strong Foundations

A major focus this term was ensuring all students completed the Victorian Government’s Do Food Safely course, equipping them with a solid understanding of hygiene, food storage, and safe handling practices. This knowledge has been applied in every practical session, reinforcing the importance of safe and responsible food preparation.

Across all grades, students also participated in a whole chicken breakdown, learning how to portion poultry, vacuum seal cuts for freezing, and create stock from the bones. Alongside this, they explored vegetable stock preparation, ensuring that nothing in the kitchen went to waste—a key sustainability principle that we’ll continue to develop throughout the year.

Exploring Food Science & Practical Cooking

This term, students have had the opportunity to explore a variety of cooking techniques and food science concepts through hands-on activities, including:

Year 6: Students put their baking skills to the test by making red velvet muffins, developing an understanding of ingredient ratios, emulsification, and leavening agents. They also had a great time making butter from cream, witnessing firsthand the transformation from liquid to solid.
Year 7 & 8: Students tackled a chicken and mushroom risotto, focusing on knife skills, sautéing, and achieving the perfect creamy texture through correct rice cooking methods. Year 7 students also incorporated house-made mayonnaise (made by Year 10s) into a Caesar salad, reinforcing the importance of cross-grade collaboration in the kitchen.
Year 8 & 10: A major highlight for these students was their focus on coffee making, using a full café machine setup to practice extraction, milk texturing, and latte art. This experience is setting the foundation for future barista training, equipping students with valuable industry skills.
Year 9: This group has been exploring dietary requirements and nutritional information, delving into ingredient substitutions and food adaptations. They also experimented with preserve-making, successfully creating jams, and tested their baking skills by combining plain flour and baking powder to make self-raising flour—which they then used to make pancakes.
Year 10: These students focused on emulsification in food science by making mayonnaise from scratch, understanding the role of egg yolks and oils in creating stable emulsions. Their mayonnaise was then used in dishes prepared by the younger students, highlighting how different grades can contribute to the broader learning experience.

Year 10’s Leadership in the Kitchen & Garden Program

A key development this term has been Year 10 students taking on a leadership role in shaping both the kitchen and garden program. They have conducted research into:

Which produce we will grow throughout the year, ensuring a balance of seasonal and sustainable crops.
Sustainable practices, including composting and worm farming, to enrich soil health and minimise food waste.
Seasonality of produce and how to create recipes using ingredients from our garden, aligning with our sustainability goals.

Their research and planning are being applied across all year levels, helping to guide how we integrate fresh, homegrown ingredients into our kitchen curriculum. This initiative is giving Year 10 students real-world experience in food system management and sustainable agriculture, skills that are invaluable beyond the classroom.

Sustainability & Kitchen Garden Program

Sustainability has been a strong theme this term, with all grades participating in our kitchen garden program. Students have planted and sowed a variety of herbs and vegetables that will be used in the kitchen throughout the year. Alongside this, they have explored composting and have successfully started a compost system for the garden, putting their new knowledge of food waste reduction and soil health into action.

Looking Ahead

Term 2 will see students continuing to develop their skills with more complex food preparation techniques, further exploration of food sustainability, and new recipe challenges. As their confidence grows, we will introduce more advanced methods in food science, preservation, and industry-based practices to further build their capabilities.

It’s been an excellent start to the year, and I look forward to seeing how students continue to develop their skills, creativity, and knowledge in the kitchen. If you have any questions about the program or what we’re working on in class, feel free to reach out.

Here’s to another term of great learning, hands-on experiences, and, of course, delicious food!

Dylan Smith

Food Design and Technology & Food Science Teacher

Junior School

Unveiling the Artistic Expressions of Our Young Creatives

As we delve into the realm of primary visual art, our students have been embarking on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery and artistic exploration. This semester, our young creatives have been immersed in a diverse array of projects, each designed to stimulate their imagination, foster creativity, and develop their technical skills.

Portraits and Masks: A Window to Identity

Our Prep students commenced their artistic odyssey with an in-depth exploration of portraits and masks. Through a combination of drawing, painting, and collage, they crafted vibrant self-portraits, experimenting with colour, texture, and symbolism. This project not only honed their technical abilities but also encouraged them to contemplate their own identities and the role of masks in various cultures.

Dream Houses: Architectural Fantasies

Imagination played a vital role as our year 1 students designed and created their own dream houses. This project seamlessly integrated elements of mathematics, science, and art, as students experimented with perspective, proportion, and spatial reasoning.

Still Life: A Celebration of Toy Story by year 2

Our young artists in year 2 turned their attention to the timeless art of still life, carefully arranging and rendering a selection of toys. This exercise not only refined their observational skills but also invited them to explore the emotional resonance of everyday objects.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Inspirations

In a series of projects, our year 2 and 3 students delved into the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. They explored the intricate patterns, symbols, and storytelling techniques that underpin these traditional art forms, producing an array of stunning works inspired by the likes of Bronwyn Bancroft and Tatipai Barsa.

Students were also introduced to the Spanish artist, Salvador Dali and Surrealism. The surreal art activity gave them freedom to speculate and think out of the box.

Birds in Habitat: A Tribute to Margaret Preston

Our year 4 students' collage project, inspired by the celebrated Australian artist Margaret Preston, showcased their burgeoning understanding of composition, colour, and texture. By combining natural materials and pigments, they crafted captivating depictions of birds in their habitats, echoing Preston's innovative spirit.

Acrylic Painting: Karntawarra's Legacy

Our year 5 students channelled the artistic vision of Walangari Karntawarra, a revered Aboriginal artist, to create vibrant acrylic paintings on canvas board on the theme ‘A Rainbow Serpent’. This immersive experience allowed them to tap into the dynamic energy of Karntawarra's work, experimenting with bold colours, imagination and abstract forms.

Throughout these projects, our students have demonstrated an unwavering enthusiasm for artistic exploration, collaborating, experimenting, and creating with unbridled passion. As their teacher, it has been an absolute privilege to witness their growth, creativity, and imagination flourish.