Teaching & Learning
2024 Production Cast List: Newsies Jnr
Congratulations to this year's 2024 Production Cast we cannot wait to see the show!
Kerryn Hoernel
Production Director
Welcome back to the workshop!
It's been a few years since the school has offered woodwork in the curriculum, but we're back! The workshop has been dusted and sorted and the testing of skills has started. Year 9 have had the opportunity to explore safety in the workshop, experiment with hand tools and are beginning to explore the design thinking and construction of a box.
It is incredible how much we take for granted processes that are used to create products we use everyday. From a 'hako' in Japan to 'sanduq' in Morocco, where intricately carved wooden chests are both used by artisans to store valuable items like jewellery or textiles. Here in Australia, indigenous artists use woven baskets "dilly bags" to store materials and tools for their artwork.
Looking into the uses and the user creates a richer understanding, even though at this stage we are all excited to wack some nails into some wood - it is not always as simple as that. We are all very keen and know we have to protect our eyes, ears and each other as we go!
Watch this space!
Renee Gross
Classroom Teacher
The 2024 Year Book
This year student experience has been tasked with working on the school year book, a great initiative for us to remember this great year. If you have any ideas of what to include, please let us know! On top of that we will be conducting surveys and polling throughout the school community to hear your opinion on how our school should run and your issues. If you have any ideas for us, contact Jack Wright on Teams.
Phil Carmody
Student Voice
VCE-VM WRS Excursion to Trades Hall
On Tuesday 27 February 2024, the Year 12 VCE-VM Work Related Skills (WRS) class made their own way to Trades Hall Council in Carlton for an excursion. We learnt a great deal relating to our Unit 3 Outcome 1: Workplace Investigation, which is due this week.
First, we had a presentation with Maddie, who taught us all about workers’ rights. We learnt about the Young Workers Centre (YWC), which is a community legal centre offering free information and legal advice for workers under 30. The YWC has assisted many young workers who have suffered wage theft and other poor working conditions. We were particularly interested in hearing about staff protests and walk-outs which have gained the attention of the media and upheld workers’ rights. Many of us have casual jobs outside school already and Maddie gave us the opportunity to assess our own payslips to ensure they were legit and contained all the correct information and pay rates and did not include things that should not be there, like certain deductions that some employers try to make. We are also now all registering for the Sick Pay Guarantee for casual workers, which will provide us with pay from the government if we are sick or injured and have to miss a shift at work.
Next, we had a tour of the Trades Hall building with James. We started by sitting around the bronze statue of Zelda D’Aprano and having a short history lesson about workers’ rights in Victoria. We then learnt all about the history of the union movement. Some students are now keen to start their own union! We enjoyed the architecture, flags, artefacts and other quirky features of the building and the stories behind them.
The students proudly demonstrated our College Values, showing respect for our hosts and the building, being responsible for making their own way to and from the venue, high expectations by asking lots of relevant questions to enhance their learning, and teamwork by sharing information and helping each other learn from the experience.
This teacher is already looking forward to returning next year…
Jacinta Marlborough
WRS Teacher
Middle School Mentor Group
We're thrilled to announce that the Resilience Project is back in action, and we're excited to have full participation from South Oakleigh College through our Mentor Group Program. Our first initiative, the annual Walk-a-thon, has already kicked off with a fantastic response from students who have signed up and created their accounts. Now, it's up to them to start raising funds for the Monash Children’s Hospital School.
We are also excited to introduce the Mentor Program, providing students with a vital first point of contact within the school community. Our dedicated Mentor Teachers are here to support students' learning progress, engagement, and overall well-being.
Through regular check-ins during morning mentor group sessions on Mondays and Thursdays, as well as during their 1-hour Resilience Project lessons, students will have the opportunity to connect with their mentors. These sessions are designed to foster a supportive environment where students can discuss any challenges they may be facing, seek guidance, and receive assistance in navigating their educational journey.
Our Mentor Teachers are committed to ensuring that every student feels supported, valued, and empowered to succeed. Together, we will work towards building a positive and inclusive school community where every student can thrive.
Monash Children’s Hospital School:
The Monash Children's Hospital School was established to provide education to students who are undergoing or have undergone treatment, which has kept them away from the traditional classroom setting. This initiative ensures that children have the opportunity to learn and continue their educational journey without the worry of falling behind. The funds raised by the SOC Walk-a-thon play a crucial role in supporting these students and facilitating their access to education at the hospital school.
All students are currently raising money for the SOC Walk-a-thon. Participation in the Walk-a-thon not only promotes physical activity and community engagement but also directly contributes to providing educational opportunities for students facing health challenges.
The Resilience Project:
We're proud to announce the continuation of the Resilience Project at our school, spanning from Year 7 to Year 10. This initiative is designed to empower students to cultivate positive mental health strategies, ultimately aiming to prevent mental health issues and enhance young people's ability to navigate adversity.
At the core of the Resilience Project are practical strategies that students can implement in various aspects of their lives. Whether in the classroom, at home, during extracurricular activities, or in future work environments, these strategies equip students with the tools they need to face challenges head-on and overcome them.
Our goal is to foster a resilient mindset among our students, enabling them to thrive in the face of adversity and uncertainty. By instilling these essential skills early on, we are not only promoting mental well-being but also empowering our students to lead fulfilling and successful lives.
Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm.
Ashley Aylen
Year 9/10 Level Leader Assistant
Until The Boys Come Home- A History Lesson
On 19th Feb, all Year 10 history classes were treated to a lecture by our own Jessie Matherson. Based on her own published work, the presentation was titled ‘until the boys return’ – women on the Homefront. Students explored the role of women placed in Australia during World War II, looking at micro-history examples of specific case studies. They also were introduced to the role of a real historian and what is involved in research and punishing an article. Students came out of the lecture knowing some interesting incites on the Australian Homefront.
Adam Plantenkamp
Humanities