Principal's news

A message from the Board Chair

Dear Oakleigh Grammar Parents

Following the recent AGM, I am pleased to advise of the Board of Management representatives who will serve on the Board of Oakleigh Grammar for the next two years:

Chairman                         Chris Damatopoulos

Deputy Chairman          George Giannaros

Treasurer                         Sam Vassos

Secretary                         Christos Kontos 

Member                           Jim Samarniotis

Member                           Bill Petridis

Member                           Stacey Kalafatis

Member                           Jim Goutoglou

Consultant                      Angela Stathopoulos

Consultant                      Nicholas Stavrinidis

Consultant                      George Carydias 

I take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the previous Board, most of whom are still serving for their dedication and commitment as Governors to our beloved school. In particular, I extend on behalf of the Board and Principal, our wholehearted gratitude to Mrs Xanthi Dellis, former long serving Board Secretary for her impeccable service and support to me as the Board Chair and the Board and community as a whole. Similarly, I thank Mrs Mary Moutafis for her dedication to both the school and community during her tenure.

I wish both Mrs Dellis and Mrs Moutafis good health and happiness as they step down from Board duties and know they will still be connected to us and our beloved community.

Chris Damatopoulos

Board Chair

Dear Parents

Our ongoing fortieth anniversary celebrations have continued this term with two highly successful key events taking place over the past fortnight – our 40th Anniversary Founders’ Day Assembly and Business Breakfast. Our Founders’ Day Assembly showcased our students in Greek Dancing, Singing, Poetry and a stunning Bouzouki Performance. The Honourable David Davis MP who is a strong supporter of our school was our special Guest Speaker. This opportunity to reflect on the contribution not only of our founders, but past Principals and Board Members, staff, parents and students was poignant and humbling for all who were assembled. 

I wish to acknowledge the attendance of many dignitaries and supporters of our school including the Greek Consul General, Mr Kakavelakis; Presvytera Moutafis; former Board President, Mr John Anikitou; Honorary Principal, Mr Constantine Papadopoulos; the Greek Independence Day Parade Committee Chairman, Mr Tony Tsourdalakis; and Mr Theo Zographos, Monash City Councillor and Alumni. 

Our students’ response to this Assembly was exemplary both in behaviour and participation.

Our Business Breakfast was a huge success with a packed Conference Centre and a sumptuous breakfast sponsored by Ms Hari Tsivoglou (Oakleigh Grammar Canteen). Our guest speakers included Ms Sarah Davies AM, CEO of Alannah & Madeline Foundation, and Mr Andrew Cornwall, CEO of Ventura Buses. 

Both speakers were inspirational and strongly connected with the audience. I extend my gratitude to the Business Breakfast Organising Committee chaired by Mr Vic Rajah. I am delighted to advise funds raised totalled $18,000, which will be used for furniture for our new Cafeteria, benefiting all students and staff. 

Mr Rajah announced a new initiative fully endorsed and embraced by our School, which is the establishment of an Academic Hall of Fame for our Alumni. The purpose of this is to honour past students who have achieved exceptional HSC/VCE results and who have been recognised for making a positive impact in their chosen vocation. It is expected this project will commence early next year. 

New Facility Project Announcement

At the Business Breakfast, I had the pleasure of announcing that Oakleigh Grammar has been granted a Planning Permit for the development of an indoor 25m swimming pool complex which will be located on the corner of Willesden and Paddington Roads, adjacent to Sts Anargiri Church. The pool will be used for swimming lessons to benefit both students at Oakleigh Grammar and the local community.

Curriculum Restructure Announcement – MYP and VCE

As you are aware, Oakleigh Grammar is a proud International Baccalaureate World School offering the Middle Years Programme (MYP) from Years 6 to 10. Our School has been authorised and re-evaluated on two occasions and continues to improve in our curriculum delivery. Following a review of our Senior School Years 10 to 12, we have determined that it would be in our students’ best interests to change to a four year MYP Programme (Years 6 to 9) which would result in Years 10 to 12 being solely dedicated to VCE preparation and focus. 

This restructure will benefit both Middle and Senior School students as there will be more clearly defined curriculum intentions for each phase of their schooling. The Middle Years will continue to be a vibrant and internationally recognised curriculum culminating in an exciting Community Project at Year 9 whilst our Senior School will be fully focussed on VCE preparation for their final external assessments. 

Our academic ethos will be driven through all sections of our school – Junior, Middle and Senior. We are excited to further ignite teacher and student passion in all phases of our students’ learning journey, fulfilling our commitment to ‘Empower Young Minds’.

Staff News

I am delighted to convey that both Ms Lydia Liu and Ms Natasha Zurcas have recently announced the safe arrival of their baby daughters Xiao Tuzi and Amelia, respectively. We look forward to both Lydia and Natasha visiting our school with their babies in the near future.

Mark Robertson

Principal