Principal's Report

Semester I: Principal Report

On reflection, the past term has highlighted again our strength as a community in working together as we navigate the challenges of our ‘new normal’ in a COVID world.

I take this opportunity to thank our staff, who have all contributed so much to the school over the past ten weeks; and I thank our parent community for their strong and ongoing support of our work. South Oakleigh College is at its best when we are busy and connecting with peers and colleagues in a range of engaging classroom activities and co-curricular programs. I sincerely acknowledge and applaud the staff who empower and enable students to seize opportunities and develop and contribute to the school and wider communities. These teachers are splendid examples of confident, respectful and compassionate citizens.

At this time, I would also like to recognise all members of our school’s Leadership Team, Student Services and Wellbeing Team, Curriculum and Faculty Heads and other staff who assume significant responsibilities to support students and staff every day as part of their responsibilities. It is through their collective efforts that we have continued to shape and raise the bar at South Oakleigh College for our students and ourselves. Each challenge presented continues to prove how incredibly dedicated our staff have been, working tirelessly to support students in need, as well as organising inclusive and inspiring programs for students across all year levels.

I am also exceedingly proud of the work of our Peer Support and other Student Leaders, who have continued to engage and support student wellbeing and development through a variety of activities. Led by Ms Kantzas, the student leaders have undertaken several leadership opportunities through external programs and have taken part on the international stage through the Global Youth Advocacy Forums through the Asia Education Foundation – a recognition that we are truly part of a global community.

School Review 2021

The Department of Education (DET) conducts reviews of schools every four years. For South Oakleigh this will occur this year, in Term 4. This is a rigorous process conducted by the Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority (VRQA) and the evaluation is supported by a DET-appointed external reviewer. The school review helps each school to deeply engage with its improvement journey—and to build on current strengths and respond to challenges with confidence and discrimination. It emphasises continuous improvement and asserts that every student, no matter their background or circumstances, has a right to learn in a school committed to improvement. Further, the process of the school review affirms that every school can improve.

The review:

welcomes school-community participation.
embraces the input of experts both from within and beyond the school.
forges links between evidence, school review and strategic and annual planning processes.
seeks multiple perspectives, engagement with the whole school community and openness to challenge for improvement.
celebrates strengths and achievements.

The results of the review will support the development of the School Strategic Plan (SRP).

Next term, we will be conducting several forums, surveys and other data gathering to inform us of our progress over the past 4 years. These will include reviews of:

academic reports related to the school’s academic progress.
reports detailing the results of surveys of key stakeholders including students, parents/carers and staff.
school policy documents.

I look forward to the review and our discussions celebrating our highlights; but I also look forward to tackling our challenges and barriers and finding innovative solutions as we continue to improve as a school.

I wish all staff, students and their families, a safe, relaxing and enjoyable holiday break—hopefully within and beyond Victoria—so that we will all return refreshed and ready for Semester Two. It will, undoubtedly, again, be full of opportunities, great interactions and tremendous achievements.

Helen Koziaris

College Principal