Student Voice / Student News
End Of Term 4:
College Captains
2025 Captains
We would like to celebrate and congratulate the class of 2025 for officially completing our final year of secondary school and to our VCE students for persevering through with their mental strength and completing their final set of exams. Having had the valedictory a few weeks ago, the class of 2025 emotionally said their final goodbyes as they collected their certificates and shared their final moments together as a whole cohort, as well as with their close family who attended.
This year was filled with amazing highs and tremendous milestones that showcased the strength of our schools community. From first having access to our year 12 room and having the privilege to utilise our personal space for studies and our own bonding during recess and lunch, to our final day of schooling being a costume parade followed by a last celebration event at Luna park. To our teachers, friends and overall community, we thank you as the class of 2025 for making this school our second home.
And although this was an emotional goodbye with many tears shed, we’re excited for which directions each of our lives go in the coming years. And as your 2025 College Captains, we thank our entire school community for trusting us in this past year with this massive opportunity of representing our community and for making this environment a space of growth and connection. As we sadly say goodbye and write our final newsletter, we would like to proudly introduce and pass on the torch our 2026 college captains. River Zielinski and Abigail Avienna, followed by our 2026 vice college captains Abigail Raymer and Aryan Bhasin. Thankyou once again to our community for making this a year of unforgettable memories and although this is goodbye, we will forever miss our school. A final newsletter from your 2025 College Captains
Your College Captains
Kristina Andreev
Stefan Krozian
2025 College Captains
2026 Captains
We, the College Captains for 2026, are excited to take on this wonderful opportunity next year. We are experienced leaders with each of us having leadership roles at this school in the past, and we have a fiery passion for making SOC a happy and healthier place.
We take immense pride in our school and will dedicate ourselves to making you feel a similar way. We know this school isn’t perfect, but nothing is. With time, effort and collaboration, we can transform our college into and safe and productive environment for all.
Across the year, you’ll be hearing from us in the start and end of term newsletters. It is in this space where you will hear about school events, success stories, star students and everything in between. To the students, if you see us around the school grounds, don’t hesitate to come up and talk to us about anything you want. We will listen. To parents, we can assure you that we are deserving of this leadership opportunity, and we pledge to uphold our school values of High Expectations, Respect, Responsibility and Resilience to the best of our abilities as we believe that the HRRRT mantra is the backbone of a thriving community.
That’s all from us for now. We’re looking forward to an amazing 2026, and we hope you have a great holiday!
River Zielinski
Abigail Avienna
2026 College Captains
Peer Support Leaders Shine at Year 7 Orientation Day
Our Year 11 Peer Support Captains proudly partnered with our newly selected Year 10 Peer Support Mentors to welcome the 2026 Year 7 cohort at Orientation Day. Their teamwork, positivity, and strong leadership helped create a warm and supportive environment for our incoming students and their families.
The Year 11 Captains modelled the HRRRT values beautifully—guiding, encouraging, and empowering the Year 10 mentors as they stepped into their new roles. Together, the group ensured the day ran smoothly, with students feeling excited and confident about joining the South Oakleigh College community next year.
Year 11 Peer Support Captains
Agam Bhatia Atsuya Kawasaki Ahraz Khan Xander Tate Aditi Jaswal Alex Robertson Fern Doyle Sophie Volpert Abigail Raymer Soham Dhital Mai Pandjaputra Jonno Jaslowitz Leyansh Kamra Elaine Elizabeth Joby Arsh Singh Hannah Jones Aryan Bhasin Aditya Kovvuru
Introducing Our 2025 Year 10 Peer Support Mentors
Farheen Razzak Utano Danckert Kristina Williams Inara Linehan Grace Tomlinson Denise Criticos Beatrice Avionna Hanadi Talya Shor Gabrielle De Castro Asha Dusic Liam Frisch Minee Bernshaw Niharika Iver Zahra Ligina Anita Basile Aiden Robey Michaela Psomadeli Peter Ziannas Ayesha Azimi Sakura Hajinikitas Deni Goumas Kirrily Renehan Aarav Chaudhary Rishi Kandeepan Cate Benson Konstance Tsekas Tamsyn Higgins Mix Jandausch Hazel Doyle Zalia Wright Luka Pruscino Georgie Holden Alexis McManus Mika Noyman Owen Maisey Caelan Vekas Kathir Elango Srilatha
The Year 10 Peer Support Mentors will continue their leadership by assisting and guiding the new Year 7 students on their first day of 2026, ensuring they feel welcome, supported, and confident as they begin their journey at South Oakleigh College.
We congratulate all of our Peer Support Leaders and thank them for representing the college with pride and dedication. Their support helps make the transition for our new students smooth, positive, and full of excitement.
Year 8 Leaders Report
With this year coming to an end, we would like to express our gratitude towards our fellow Year 8 students. We are proud of you all for giving your best efforts during the last term of school and overall, the whole year. Whether it was during our exam season, or just everyday in class.
Thank you for showing what it's like to be a true SOC student. We also had students that expressed their feelings before and after the exams with one student saying that they felt nervous before their exams, but once they got into the exam room they felt much better and ended up having a more positive experience. After talking to other students, we saw a little bit of a pattern, feeling nervous beforehand, but feeling more positive after.
Towards the end of this term, the year 8 - 11 students had our yearly step up program, where they participated in classroom activities with their 2026 teachers and classmates, engaging in sessions run by the Victoria police, the Courage to care program and the Wellbeing team. We also had activity week, where students participated in one of 4 activities: festive baking, cable park, mini golfing or activities run by our school. It's safe to say the students had a blast!! We would also like to say a huge congratulations to our year 8 students who received an award at presentation night.
Congratulations, and thank you for your dedication to our school and your learning.
Lastly, we would finally like to say a massive thank you to all the teachers, staff and students who made this year one to remember. From our 3-day knowledge conquers all program, sporting events, step-up and everything in between, we all have bonded as a cohort and are looking forward to another year together. We wish luck for all the students moving on to select entry schools and more!
Your Year 8 Leaders (Ellie, Liyah, Millie and Michelle)
International Student Excursion to Chinese Museum
On Wednesday the 26th of November, our international students had a successful city excursion to Melbourne's vibrant Chinatown!
From visiting the Chinese Museum, viewing the Myer Christmas windows on Bourke Street, to enjoying a succulent Chinese meal, the international students had a blast.
To begin, we were guided through the Chinese museum, where students learned about the history of Chinese Australians and look at the history items.
We were amazed to learn the deep history of Chinese immigrants in Australia, where their roots trace back to even before the gold rush.
We enjoyed a leisurely walk through the historic precinct before sharing a delicious, authentic meal at a Chinese restaurant, where the honey chicken stole the show.
With our bellies packed, we waddled our way into Bourke Street, where we found the Myer Windows with quite a short queue, a pleasant surprise. The theme of the Myer Windows this year is LEGO.
Students had a chance to visit shops that they though looked interesting, and some of us went to Pop Mart.
For some newer students, it was a happy and exciting time - their first excursion with teachers and friends, and for one student, it was even their first visit to Melbourne CBD.
We then made our way home with shared memories and laughs, the weather cold, but with warmth in our hearts. The happy faces some may call a sign, a sign that we all had a mighty good time.
By your Global Prefects for 2026,
Hiro Hajinikitas and Susan Leav
Super Speak Achievement Award
A big congratulations to Eugenia (Jessie) Pavlovic on receiving their Super Speak Achievement Award.
This award is presented to students who have completed 2.5 years of Public Speaking & Communication Skills training at Super Speak (equivalent to 100 hours) and presented 15 formal solo speeches.
