Middle School
SHARRON FRAME
Acting Head of Middle School
Remote learning has offered the staff and students of the Middle School opportunities to be challenged and grow in so many ways. Staff have upskilled in a very short period of time to become very comfortable and confident with their use of the new teaching platform, Teams and to develop lessons that prompt open mindedness, applaud risk taking and most importantly, spaces where students are safe and able to participate. It is inspiring to watch how our Middle School students have very quickly adapted to the change and in many cases, blossomed as they work to become independent and extremely capable learners.
As you can see in the accompanying pieces written by the Middle School Coordinators, just how far our students have come. Students have extended themselves outside of the classroom, demonstrating a keen interest in surprising areas. Apart from a few teething issues, classes are settled and students are making the most of the time spent with their teachers online. School is only a building when there are no students or staff present, but I can safely say that the spirit and commitment to learning is alive and thriving in our online classrooms. While, we all look forward to returning to school in the future, the Middle School community is certainly showing that this is their Time to Shine.
As teachers work to engage students they have come up with ingenious, fun and entertaining ways to maintain their interest. The Year 8 & 9 Coordinator, Michael Pegiou has decided this week’s challenge is to find and wear interesting head coverings. During one of the meetings this week he shared his first choice.
MICHAEL PEGIOU
Year 8 and 9 Coordinator
The past four weeks of Term 2 have been quite busy for our students with remote learning, a new and exciting challenge, that they have come to embrace with great zeal. Our students have used this experience to demonstrate the key Learner Profile attributes. They have maintained strong, open communication and cooperation with all members of the Oakleigh Grammar Community, to show open-mindedness and care for those around them during these challenging circumstances.
Although the daily interactions in class and the school yard are missed, our Pastoral sessions every Tuesday serve to provide students with a time to share their experiences and feel supported. Pastoral staff, including the Home Group Teachers, Fiona (our School Councillor) and myself, have continued to support our students in our weekly sessions, concentrating on wellbeing and providing an opportunity to reflect and encourage students to continue to focus on the positive learning experiences around them.
As we continue into the term, it is important to maintain a hopeful outlook. Although we are experiencing unprecedented changes, our
students are continuing to develop and shine. By placing more responsibility on our students, they have been provided with an opportunity to take ownership over their own learning, creating independence and fostering resilience. Furthermore, online learning has the capacity to aid students in developing new skills which will prove beneficial for their future endeavours. While this experience has placed everyone outside of their comfort zone, it is important to remember that this is where the most meaningful learning takes place.
DEAN DAMATOPOULOS
Year 6 and 7 Coordinator
Xristos Anesti – Christ is Risen!
A lot has occurred since I last communicated with you through Grammar News. Our lives are somewhat different and we are all (students, families and teachers), coming to terms with our new way of living and learning. It certainly has been a change that I feel our Year 6 and 7 students have embraced in a positive way. As we navigate these new waters, we still have the wellbeing of our students and their families at the forefront of all we do. Over the last two weeks, our Home Group teachers have touched base with their students and will continue to do so.
We are running a Pastoral session each week and checking in on our students. Although we are away from each other, we still have some great initiatives happening. In Year 6, students have a particular focus on gratitude and have been challenged to create a visual representation of what they are grateful for. This task is to be continued throughout Term 2. In Year 7, students have begun preparing for their Service as Action. We have looked at the importance of journaling and students have been encouraged to keep a daily journal, which will help them with identifying an area they would like to work on during their Service as Action. In light of the current events, we have explored the nature of service, using the new movement of the ‘Kindness Pandemic’ as an example. Our students are encouraged to think about kindness and the ways they can offer their talents to serve the needs of others.
There certainly has been a buzz of learning happening in the online world. Students have engaged in many tasks, they are taking their own initiative and are extending their learning. This has been particularly evident in Year 6 Science.
