Assistant Principals Report
Beginning Of Term 1:
Assistant Principal's Report
Welcome back to 2026
We are delighted to welcome students and families back for the 2026 school year. It has been fantastic to see the positive energy around the school, with students making a strong start in their classes and settling quickly into learning routines.
To best support learning, students are reminded that they are expected to bring all required materials to every class. This includes a charged laptop, textbooks, planner, exercise book, and a pencil case. Being organised and prepared sets students up for success each day.
Our teaching staff have also had a strong start to the year. During the first few days of the academic year, teachers participated in professional learning—an invaluable opportunity to prepare for the year ahead and strengthen our collective practice.
A key highlight of this professional learning was a leadership presentation from Mark Carter, who engaged staff in thoughtful discussion and reflection. This was followed by a hands-on culture workshop, where staff worked on developing a shared culture canvas for both students and staff.
In 2026, teachers will also have a strong focus on developing their understanding of the updated Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0). This professional learning started with a workshop that deepened their understanding of the Science of Learning, with a particular focus on strategies to support student attention, focus, and engagement in the classroom.
We look forward to a productive and successful year ahead, working together to support every student to thrive.
Important Dates
Year 7 Meet and Greet BBQ – Thursday, February 19th
We're looking forward to welcoming our new Year 7 families to the South Oakleigh College community. This is a wonderful opportunity for students and parents to connect with each other, meet staff, and begin building relationships that will support your child throughout their secondary school journey.
Open Night – Wednesday, April 1st
Our Open Night is an opportunity to showcase the amazing work our students are doing and the quality of learning happening across all subject areas. We encourage our current families to inform friends and relatives who might be considering South Oakleigh College for their children.
Annual Walkathon – Thursday, April 2nd
We'll be wrapping up the term with our annual walkathon in support of the Monash Children's Hospital. This is always a highlight of Term 1, bringing our school community together for a great cause. More details about sponsorship and logistics will be shared shortly.
Ready to Learn
As we settle into the new school year, we're continuing our focus on ensuring all students arrive to class on time and ready to learn. This means having all necessary learning materials, including their student planner. Being punctual and prepared are essential skills that support academic success and set positive habits for life beyond school. We appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations at home.
Policies and Procedures
Mobile Phone Ministerial Policy - Ministerial Order No. 1125
The State government's mobile telephone policy is entering its seventh year in 2026. On behalf of our College, I ask that you continue to support us to implement this Ministerial Order in regard to use of mobile telephones, particularly ‘students who choose to bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off and securely stored during school hours’ and ‘where students bring a mobile phone to school, the school must provide secure storage’. Our secure storage is our student lockers so please support your child to always use their combination lock.
Parent Parking and Student Drop-Off
For the safety of all students, please be reminded that when dropping your children at school in the morning, or collecting them in the afternoon, enter via Gate 3 and turn right into the designated Parent Carpark/ Student Drop Off and Pick Up zone. It is important that all parents and carers follow this to allow for traffic flow and to minimise the risk of accident. Disabled parking is located close to the main building entry.
Bicycle and Scooter Helmets
All students who ride a bicycle to school must wear a helmet. Parents will be contacted immediately if a student is riding a bicycle without a helmet. For the safety of all students, parental support of this policy is essential.
While the school provides bike racks for students to store their bikes, students are responsible for securing their bike with their own lock.
Sun Smart, Hay Fever and Asthma
UV radiation is at its highest in Victoria from mid-August to April, peaking during school hours. Students should always wear their College cap and sunscreen when participating in outdoor activities - including PE classes - to minimize the risk of skin cancer.
Students need to be in the right headspace to focus on their studies—itchy eyes, constant sneezing and a dry throat makes it difficult for students to work to the best of their ability and maximise their learning. If your child suffers from hay fever, please help them by providing an antihistamine.
During grass pollen season there is an increase in asthma and hay-fever symptoms and the chance of an epidemic thunderstorm asthma event. Those at increased risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma include people with: Asthma, a past history of asthma, undiagnosed asthma (those who have asthma symptoms but have not yet been diagnosed) and people with hay fever who may or may not have asthma. Having both asthma and hay fever, as well as poor control and self-management of asthma, increases the risk.
If your child suffers from asthma, it is important that a current asthma action-plan be developed with your medical team and that this information is forwarded to the College.
Student Accident Insurance, Ambulance Cover Arrangements and Private Property brought to schools
Parents and guardians of students who do not have student accident insurance/ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance/transport and any other transport costs.
In occasional circumstances, medical or other expenses will be paid by the Department where it is assessed to be likely that the Department is liable for negligent (careless) acts or omissions of its staff/volunteers.
Student accident insurance/ambulance cover policies are available from commercial insurers and can be obtained by parents/guardians for individual students.
This a reminder to all parents/guardians and staff that the Department does not hold insurance for personal property brought to school and it cannot pay for any loss or damage to such property.
South Oakleigh College Student Dress Code
Following consultation with parents, students and teachers in 2025, College Council passed the following amendments to the Student Dress Code Policy:
· students may wear plain black non branded shorts and track pants for PE classes and interschool sport. Students may continue to wear SOC branded items of clothing.
· students may choose to wear a plain black scarf or SOC logo scarf with their uniform.
The College uniform is supplied by Primary School Wear (PSW) who carry a list detailing all aspects of the uniform requirements. Alternatively, families may choose to purchase non-branded items of clothing at a retailer of their choice.
The Student Dress Code Policy is public on our College Website and can be accessed via this link: Student-Dress-Code-Policy.pdf
The policy outlines expectations around grooming and jewellery as well as outlining possible summer, winter and PE uniform combinations.
School Council asks that you support the school uniform policy from the time your child leaves home to their return.
Schools’ Privacy Policy
Our school values the privacy of every person. When collecting and managing personal and health information, all school staff must comply with Victorian privacy law. For more information about privacy including how to access personal and health information held by the school about you or your child, see our school’s privacy policy.
SCHOOLS' PRIVACY POLICY Schools' privacy policy | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au)
Anthony Katsianos
Assistant Principal
Mark Picone
Assistant Principal
George Tzimourtas
Assistant Principal
Louise O'Neill
Assistant Principal