Beginning Of Term 2 : Community News

CSEF

Applications are open for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF). The CSEF helps eligible families cover the cost of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

Payment amounts for eligible families this year have increased to $400 for primary and secondary school students. This is up from $154 and $256 respectively.

An information flyer about the CSEF is available for you to share with parents and carers through your school communication channels. The information sheet is available in 16 languages other than English.

Action required

Return completed CSEF application forms to your school by Friday 26 June 2026.

Eligibility

Families are eligible to apply for the CSEF if they have a valid means-tested concession card.

Foster parents and students aged 16 years and over who are considered mature minors and hold a valid concession card are also eligible to apply.

There is also a special consideration category for recently arrived asylum seeker and refugee families.

Policy, guidance and resources

Our Policy and Advisory Library includes all related policy information, guidance and resources under the relevant menu tab:

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF).

STAY WELL THIS WINTER

How to reduce the spread of respiratory illness

Encourage your staff and students to:

wash or sanitise their hands thoroughly and regularly, particularly before and after touching their face
cough or sneeze into their elbow
use air purifiers
maximise external ventilation
stay home if unwell and consult their GP or Nurse-on-Call as needed
stay up to date with their influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations.

Please make face masks available to staff, students and visitors if they want to wear them.

Flu and RSV vaccinations

The flu can be serious, especially for children. Everyone aged 6 months and older should get the annual flu vaccine.

RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalisation in Australia. Vaccination during pregnancy helps protect newborns by passing on antibodies. This reduces the risk of severe RSV illness in infants aged under 6 months by about 70%.

The vaccine can safely be given at the same time as other vaccines recommended in pregnancy. These include flu, whooping cough, and COVID-19 vaccines.

School community members can speak with their usual healthcare provider to see if this is right for them.

Template content

Template content is available to help you share this information with parents and carers through your school communication channels.

Policy, guidance and resources

Our Policy and Advisory Library includes all related policy information, guidance and resources under the relevant menu tabs:

Find out more

For more information, refer to the Better Health Channel:

Don’t risk the flu campaign, including information about flu and other vaccines. This information is available in different languages
Be a Soapy Hero! – resources to help teach children about how to wash their hands properly.

If anyone in your school community has concerns about their health, they can:

speak to their GP or pharmacist
phone Nurse-on-Call: 1800 60 60 24.

For further enquiries, contact the Wellbeing, Health and Engagement Division by email: health.advice@education.vic.gov.au

Combatting Vaping

ROTARY OAKLEIGH CLAYTON HUNTINGDALE (RotaryOCH)

SUPPORTING OUR COLLEGE COMMUNITY

A MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP

The College has a longstanding and strong relationship with RotaryOCH.

We have just finalised a new two-year agreement for Rotary to fund student programs to the extent of $7,500 per annum, including.

Funding Student Development Programs & Scholarships
Sponsoring an expanded Student Breakfast Club Program
Providing Annual Citizenship Awards

In addition, our students can participate in numerous Rotary sponsored youth development programs including.

A college team participation in the Model United Nations Assembly
The National Youth Science Forum
The Rotary Youth Leadership Academy
The Rotary Art Competition
Development of a College Interact Club

And Rotary does the the BBQ cooking for the students Annual Walkathon.

Each year RotaryOCH donates in excess of $100,000 supporting more than 30 local community & youth organizations / projects.

The College acknowledges RotaryOCH contribution & encourages our school community to support Rotary and its fundraising, including the Oakleigh Rotary Sunday Market http://rotaryoch.org.au/

ROTARY SUNDAY MARKET

EVERY SUNDAY 8AM to 1PM

Atherton Rd-Hanover St Car Park, Oakleigh

Plants, Food, Farm Produce- fruit, vegetables and fresh flowers

Clothing, Books, Tools, Pre-owned & loved Treasures and MUCH more!!

VISIT & SHOP

SUPPORT ROTARY IN OUR

COMMUNITY

South Oakleigh College (e-scooter & e-bike) Policy Announcement

At South Oakleigh College, we are committed to ensuring the safe use of e-bikes and e-scooters in line with Victorian legislation, while maintaining a safe and orderly College environment.

Students and families are expected to comply with all legal requirements, including age restrictions, helmet use, speed limits, and permitted riding locations.

Under current Victorian law, students under the age of 16 are not permitted to ride e-scooters or e-bikes.

In addition, e-bikes and e-scooters must not be ridden within College grounds at any time (before, during, or after school hours). Students are required to dismount and walk these devices while on school property.

Students who intend to ride an e-bike or e-scooter to and from school will be required to complete a consent form, signed by a parent/carer. Further details of the College’s policy will be communicated by the end of the week and will be made available on the College website.

Contributing to your childs education experience

We are committed to providing the best educational experience for your children, and part of that commitment involves requesting school contributions. Contributions payments can be made via Compass Payment Centre. We understand that this is a financial decision for your family, and we want to explain why these contributions are crucial and how they directly benefit your child's education. We would also like to thank families that have made contributions this year.

Enhancing Educational Resources

Your contributions help us purchase essential learning materials and resources that go beyond the basics provided by standard funding. These include:

Essential Learning Materials for All Subjects: Purchase essential learning materials and resources for the range of subjects and special curriculum experiences for our students across all year levels.
Technology Upgrades: Improve WIFI and internet.
Library Resources: Expanding our library with a wide range of books and digital resources to encourage reading and research skills.

Improving School Facilities

A comfortable and safe learning environment is essential. Contributions help us maintain and improve our facilities:

Classroom Enhancements: Upgrading furniture, improving lighting, and ensuring that classrooms are conducive to learning.
Safety and Security: Implementing necessary safety measures and maintaining a secure environment for all students.
Outdoor Spaces: Upgrade our buildings and grounds including gym change rooms and toilets, locker bay project, synthetic grass, DLC agora/meeting space that provide spaces for physical activity and relaxation.

Making a Difference Together

Your support, whether through contributions or active participation, is vital for creating an enriching educational environment. We are grateful for your commitment to your child’s education and our school community. Together, we can ensure that our students receive the best possible opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed.

Thank you for your continued support.

Cara Ludbrook

Business Manager

Encourage sun protection at school

To promote UV protection, school staff can:

check daily sun protection times on the SunSmart and Bureau of Meteorology websites, or free SunSmart app and widget
remind students to apply or reapply sunscreen before going outdoors, through visual reminder notices, sunscreen monitors, sunscreen buddies or sunscreen stations near exit points. SunSmart has free resources and materials for primary schools (including a new hat and sunscreen reminder poster) and secondary schools
role-model sun protection measures, including applying sunscreen before going outside
include skin cancer prevention education at all year levels. SunSmart provides free curriculum resources for primary and secondary schools
encourage and remind students to wear sun-protective clothing, hats and close-fitting wrap-around sunglasses
provide sunscreen or encourage students to bring it from home.

SunSmart online courses for staff and students

SunSmart Victoria has free online courses for students, teachers and staff in Victorian primary and secondary schools. They include teacher guidance to support students’ learning and align with the Victorian Curriculum F–10.

For more information, refer to SunSmart online learning courses.

SunSmart at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image

Students can now learn about the history of SunSmart campaigns in ACMI’s free centrepiece exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image.

From the first Slip! Slop! Slap! campaigns in the 1980s with Sid the Seagull, students can investigate how media can promote healthy sun behaviours, influence attitudes and create positive change in the community.

For more information and bookings, refer to ACMI From sunburn to SunSmart and school exhibition visits.

Policy, guidance and resources

Our Policy and Advisory Library includes all related policy information, guidance and resources under the relevant menu tabs:

Find out more

For more information, refer to:

For further enquiries, contact the Wellbeing, Health and Engagement Division by email: health.advice@education.vic.gov.au

Policy, guidance and resources

Our Policy and Advisory Library includes all related policy information, guidance and resources under the relevant menu tab:

Financial Help for Families.

Find out more

For more information on scholarships and how to apply, refer to Student scholarships.

For further enquiries about scholarships for Grade 4 to Year 12 students, contact the Student Scholarships team by email: studentscholarships@education.vic.gov.au

Homestays for International Students Needed

We are seeking homestay families living in our local school community for students traveling here from overseas in 2026. These home-stays would be long-term, with homestay providers receiving a weekly payment of $400.

Homestays are more than just a room to sleep, they offer the safety, security and welcoming environment of a real family.

Homestay families go through strict screening and monitoring processes by the Department of Education. New homestay providers would participate in an interview with school representatives, as well as home visits by a school representative.

Every member of a homestay household over the age of 18 years of age would also need to obtain a Working with Children’s Check card.

If you would be interested in becoming a homestay provider for our school, please send your expression of interest to sarah.crespo-liu@education.vic.gov.au

Calling all Former SOC Students!

Interested in joining our alumni Community? We would love to hear what our former SOC students are up to! Fill out the following online form: https://forms.office.com/r/JakrRiSTFm if you are interested in sharing!

Brick-by-Brick Fundraiser

Be a part of SOC history and help pave the way for future students to come.

We invite our community members to purchase a commemorative brick engraved with your name, family name or your business and become immortalised at our College.

Payment and name submissions can be made at the general office.

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Sustainable Bookshop

A second-hand textbook trading system

List Wanted & For Sale Ads
The school’s booklists are loaded into the system to make the Ad listing process easy, fast and accurate
Assistance is provided to accurately price items
Our ad-matching service shows you
- Exactly the right items to buy
- Who has the most items you need
- The cheapest items
Buyers contact Sellers and arrange where and when to trade
Excellent email and telephone helplines are provided: 1300 683 337

www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au

Sports Report

Beginning Of Term 2 :