Student Voice / Student News
Beginning Of Term 1:
College Captains
2026 Captains
Having now completed the first few weeks of Term 1, we would like to take the time to reflect on the beginning of the 2026 school year.
29 January was the first day back from summer break for students in years 7, 10, 11 & 12. A day full of meeting new teachers and reconnecting with friends, students took the Thursday to ease back into the high school routine. It was the whole school’s pleasure to welcome the new year 7s to the campus, though we know how tough the transition into high school can be, so we hope all year 7s found comfort or camaraderie in their year 10 peer support leaders. Students in years 8 and 9 joined the rest of the school a day later, on 30 January. On the same day, the first whole school assembly of 2026 was held, where new students and teachers were given a formal and warm welcome. Any students who are feeling scared or nervous should know that all staff and students are here to help. Additionally, our Wellbeing sector has been revamped and are ready to provide support to any and all students.
On 6 February, South Oakleigh gathered at Oakleigh Recreation Centre swimming pools for our annual house swimming carnival. The swimming carnival is a wonderful opportunity for all students to show their house spirit and engage in sport with their peers. It was wonderful to see participation from a wide range of students, as that is what school sports events are all about. If you didn’t give it a go this time, there’s another chance at the athletics carnival, and remember that any participation earns house points. It was an emotional day for the year 12 cohort as they reflected on their time at the college. We wish all year 12s the best of luck in their final year of high school and good fortune in their many years to come. Additionally, we congratulate the champion swimmers of each year level and wish them luck in the Monash Division competition.
We hope by now that students of South Oakleigh have settled in and are ready to take on the year ahead. We welcome all new students and teachers to our wonderful college, and are eager to serve you across 2026. That’s all from us for now, but we will be writing again very soon.
River Zielinski
Abigail Avienna
2026 College Captains
2026 SRC Representatives
On behalf of the 2026 SRC, we warmly welcome you all back to another exciting school year! We hope you’re having a great start and settling in well. Whether you’re returning or joining us for the first time, it’s wonderful to see our school community come together once again.
A new year brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and immerse yourself in all that South Oakleigh has to offer. At SOC, our SRC team is an initiative of students across all year levels who assist in organising all sorts of events and opportunities to enhance school life.
The Student Representative Council is structured into various portfolios, responsible for different aspects within the College.
Our Student Experience portfolio hosts bake sales and fundraisers in support of selected causes. This includes the upcoming Random Acts of Kindness and Harmony Week bake sales in Term 1. The Curriculum portfolio is designed to support students in developing a greater agency over their learning in the classroom and their overall experience at school. The Health and Wellbeing portfolio is responsible for facilitating and promoting the health and welfare of the College Community, which can be seen as they help organise activities for Random Acts of Kindness and Harmony Week for Term 1. Lastly, our Breakfast Club portfolio is in charge of running weekly breakfast clubs, including our celebratory breakfast clubs each term and our annual MasterChef competition!
The Student Representative Council is committed to making your time at South Oakleigh College as enriching and enjoyable as possible. If you have any suggestions, concerns, or ideas, please don't hesitate to reach out to Soham Dhital (sdhi15@schools.vic.edu.au). The SRC has a great year planned ahead so please make sure to keep an eye out on compass so you don't miss our big events!
Soham Dhital and Mai Pandjaputra
Year 8 Students' Leaders Report
(SRC, Class Captains, Junior
House Captains)
The 2026 school year is off to a great start with warm weather and new opportunities. For the first time, our school has over 1000 students, making it bigger, better and more exciting than ever. The first whole school assembly for the year took place last Friday, when we welcomed the newest Year 7 students, new staff, and introduced this year's House and School Captains.
School events got off to a rapid start with the Swimming Carnival already taking place in week 2 at the Oakleigh Pool. It was great to see so much enthusiasm on display as students cheered on their Houses in exciting but friendly competition.
In the coming months we will likewise be holding our annual House Cross Country and Athletics competitions, but that is a topic for another time.
And of course, we can't forget our traditional Term 1 Walkathon when students enjoy a full day outdoors while raising money for Monash Childrens Hospital.
Peer Support - Supporting the Year 7 Students
We had a fantastic time supporting the Year 7 students during peer support during the induction weeks. In the first week, we dedicated a full day to the Year 7s, engaging them in activities like meeting their mentor class, connection games, locker allocations, and planner distribution. We also gave them a tour of the school and attended assemblies focused on school values and IT safety. The second week saw us participating in getting to know your class member games, including two truths and a lie, and enjoying outdoor sports like octopus.
As Year 10 peer support leaders, we absolutely loved our time with the Year 7 students. The students were incredibly kind, unique, and funny, making the experience thoroughly enjoyable. We had a blast getting to know them individually. On the first day, we joined 7A throughout their classes, playing games to foster connections. The second day involved activities with the accelerated English class, where Celebrity Heads was a standout moment. Outdoor games on the third day were a bit chaotic but a lot of fun. Overall, being a peer support leader has been a very rewarding experience, and we cherish the opportunity to connect with such an amazing group of students.
7A- Year 10 Peer Support Leaders