Student Voice
End Of Term 2:
College Captains
Hello South Oakleigh College community.
On behalf of the College Captains, we would like to reflect on and celebrate everyone for yet another fantastic school term. We can all agree this term was jam-packed with a variety of different events, exams, and assessments all throughout Term 2.
We are all really proud of the hard effort and HRRRT values the students displayed throughout this busy time period. Being a really filled term, there were many highlights that came with it.
First off, we would like to recognise all the Year 12 students, as well as Year 11s undertaking a Unit 3/4 subject this year for completing the GAT. It was a long day of completing two sections, but all students persevered and put in their best effort to do the best of their ability. Additionally, the Year 12 Valedictory Committee granted students partaking in the GAT with a sausage sizzle between the first and second section. During this time, students were able to reward themselves and use this time to connect with other fellow students.
Moreover, students in Years 8–11 recently engaged in their Semester 1 exams. We would like to honour these students for displaying high levels of resilience and a great work ethic, where they were able to balance all of their subjects. We are pleased to have a community of students that apply our HRRRT values into their academics. Whatever the outcome may be, students should be proud of the effort and dedication they displayed during this exam period.
We also had our annual Cross Country event held on May 1st, where the majority of students headed to Karkarook Park for the day to compete in the races. Whether you ran your best or walked with your peers, we loved the level of participation and energy the students brought into the day, winning their own house colours, points.
Additionally, on the 23rd of May, the Monash Division Cross Country took place, where students who placed highly in their age group races progressed and competed with other schools in the district. Congratulations to all the students who reached that stage, especially the ones who will be going to Regionals in the near future.
A special moment for our Year 12s this term was finally getting our jackets! Putting them on for the first time really hit us differently, giving us a reminder that we’re in our final year and showing how far we’ve come as a group since Year 7. It was one of those moments that made everything feel real, both exciting and a little emotional. The design created by the House Captain team also looks great on the Year 12 jacket, and it’s something we’ll be proud to wear for the rest of the year until we graduate.
To conclude the second term, the Year 12 students participated in the Students vs Staff basketball tournament. In this tournament, students across the school had the opportunity to cheer their Year 12s on as they battled against the staff members, an amazing opportunity to bring the school together.
In addition, the Year 12 students also had the chance to compete against Melbourne High School in a friendly soccer match. In this match, students displayed teamwork as well as sportsmanship and were able to create new memories as a team.
Apart from our Melbourne High match and Staff vs Students basketball tournament, this term there were a large engagement in interschool sport. These sports included badminton, soccer, and basketball. We acknowledge all the students across year levels for participating in a sport and giving their best efforts.
Furthermore, the Performing Arts Carnival brought so much talent to the stage. From acting to dancing to singing, every performance had full engagement and energy from their audiences. It’s always so powerful seeing students express themselves and support each other with such genuine applause and love. It’s amazing to see students placing their names down and having the courage and bravery to display their talents in front of our community.
And finally, for those of you who were lucky enough to go on the Queensland trip last week, some of the Year 10s and 11s had the opportunity to spend a week on Fitzroy Island, where students strengthened bonds, connected with each other, and made new friends while having an absolute blast. Photos of their experience are posted on the school’s Instagram and Facebook pages, highlighting the wide range of activities they got to try.
This included heaps of aquatic and wildlife activities, which was an awesome way to break out of the usual school routine, have some fun, and try something new.
As we head into another well-deserved break, make sure to use this opportunity to rest up, re-energise, and use this time off school to catch up on any uncompleted work. Term 3 is around the corner, and with everything we’ve already achieved, we know it’s going to be just as amazing as the first semester of school.
Enjoy the holidays, and we will see you all back soon!
Kristina Andreev
Stefan Krozian
2025 College Captains
College Vice Captains
Dear South Oakleigh College community,As we close out another wonderful term, we would like to take a moment to recognise theincredible efforts of our students, teachers and staff. It has been an eventful 11 weeks, and wewould like to acknowledge some Term 2 highlights and accomplishments in celebration of theefforts of our school community.
On 1 May, students across the whole school gathered in Karkarook park to participate in ourHouse Cross Country event. It was lovely to see participation from so many students of all yearlevels, and we congratulate the winners of each division.
Additionally, throughout this term, ourstudent body represented the school in a range of interschool sporting events. Through successand hardship, students displayed their utmost strength and sportsmanship towards theirrespective games, embodying all our HRRRT values.
As Victoria neared exam season, students completing Units 3&4 across the state completed theGeneral Achievement Test. A gruelling four hours for many, this assessment is good practice forthe VCAA exams at the end of the year. We’re incredibly proud of the positive attitude anddedication all students had when partaking in the GAT. In conjunction, the year levelscompleted end-of-semester exams.
While some dread this week, we see it as a chance toimprove study habits and show off what you have learned throughout the year. It was wonderfulto see all students put in the effort that they didPart of our responsibilities as Vice College Captains was organising and leading the Year 11Formal Committee.
Once we selected our committee members, we had our inaugural meeting,discussing fundraisers, decorations and venues. What followed was regular meetings toorganise the logistics – big and small – of the Year 11 Formal. Our committee has held multiple fundraisers to make our dream formal a reality, and will remain hard at work to bring and enjoyable and relaxing night to all our peers.
To our entire school community, we wish you well on your studies, hobbies and endeavours. Wewould like to thank everyone for making Term 2 and all of Semester 1 a time full of success andjoy.
Lastly, remember to continue upholding our HRRRT values of High Expectations, Respect,Responsibility, Resilience and Teamwork, and our school motto, ‘Knowledge Conquers All’.
Thank you for your time and the friendly environment you all have harboured.
River Zielinski
Emily Lay
2025 College Vice Captains
S.R.C. Newsletter Article
The student representative council has had a fantastic Term 2.
The focus of this term was to uplift and encourage all students with their exam study. Our portfolios worked tirelessly to bring the community initiatives that improved overall wellbeing through the stressful time of exams.
Our health and wellbeing portfolio ran our annual IDAHOBIT day which celebrates inclusivity and community as well as celebrating all who are apart of the LGBTQIA+ community. Activities were held as well as a sale that sold LGBTQIA+ badges, flags and baked goods. All profit was donated to the Minus18 charity. Many staff, teachers, and students showed up to participate and support in this event which inspires and encourages the council to enhance this event every year.
Additionally, our Student Experience portfolio organised our annual Biggest morning tea which was held in the middle of the term. Items such as hot chocolate, tea, cookies, and cupcakes were all sold to students, staff, and teachers. All profit was donated to the Cancer Council charity which supports cancer research and treatments.
Our teams have also had a mid year shuffle with new individuals in new portfolios. This leads to fresh ideas and outcomes that we hope to introduce later this year.
Planning has begun for our term 3 events and we are eager to show the community what we can do. Have a relaxed and safe holiday and see you in term 3!
Jack Wright
Yohanb Soju
Abigail Avienna
SRC Presidents
A Message From Our Year Level Leaders
Year 7
This term has been very exciting for us in year 7, I can hardly believe it’s over. Even though we haven’t had exams to sit like the older students, we’ve been hard at work all term long with CATs and other things so I know we all are looking forward to the holidays. I can’t wait to come back to school next term to start semester 2, and I know the rest of us feel the same way.
Year 8
I still can’t believe this term is over, it felt like it went through in a flash! It feels like just last week we were being taught about knights and the world of medieval Europe, and then all of a sudden, we’re taking our exams! It’s been so much fun working and learning through all of this though, and I’m sure next term will be just as fun and exciting for us!
Year 9
This term has been one of great change for us, from exams to working with Monash Tech school, I can say we have all been kept very busy. Alongside all our standard activities at school, I also know we have a lot of students taking part in extra-curricular activities like production rehearsals which have been progressing well this term. I look forward to whatever next term has to bring, and I’m sure there will be many more opportunities to look forward to for us.
Year 10
Term 2 has been a blast so far for us year 10’s in 2025. From sports to exams, we’ve definitely had our hands full with keeping on top of our commitments, but I can say with confidence that we all value the opportunities that have been given to us this term. With classes changing next semester, I know a lot of us are excited to come back after the holidays and continue with the rest of the year, and I can't wait to get more opportunities to take part in school activities like house athletics.
Year 11
What a term it’s been for us in year 11. From working on planning and fundraising for our formal to completing unit 3 of our ¾ subjects, I know we all deserve this upcoming break. Exams gave us an opportunity to showcase our hard work and I’m confident that no matter how any of us performed, we all tried our best to fulfill the high expectations that both our teachers have of us, and we have of ourselves. With term 3 fast approaching, we have a long way to go before the year is up, but we’ll be working our hardest to make sure we are prepared for next year.
Year 10 and 11 - North Queensland Expedition
Seventeen students and three teachers embarked on our schools far north Queensland expedition on Friday June 20th. The trip began in Cairns with an immersive lesson on traditional aboriginal painting lead by talented artist Sue.
The next days were filled with adventure the group hiked Mt Whitfield, visited a local gallery, assembled hygiene bags for the homeless, shopped at the night markets, students where even lucky enough to have indigenous Kuku Yalanji guides run them through the process of crab hunting and gathering, they learned about the rich history while walking at Mossman gorge.
Spending a night at cape tribulation beach house drifting to sleep emersed in the sounds of the jungle.
Before heading back to Cairns they made stops at a rainforest swimming hole, Daintree discovery center and Port Douglas.
The year 10s and 11s spent the final days of the journey learning and exploring marine biodiversity on Fitzroy island starting at the turtle rehabilitation center, followed by snorkeling and conducting coral data collection of their own, they visited famous Nudey beach (not a nude beach!)
The we spent the afternoon participating in fun team building challenges followed by a night of camping. The trip ended with the Great Barrier Reef where students had the opportunity to explore a wide variety activites. After a busy day at sea they came back to Cairns filled with mixed emotions for their final night of the once in lifetime experience.
Amber Harris – Year 11