Middle School

SHARRON FRAME 

Head of Middle School

Students in the Middle School have engaged with their learning and their teachers to produce some truly outstanding ideas and products. Their creativity and different perspectives show unique individualism alongside cooperative group collaboration.

However, for me, what typifies the character of the Middle School is the response of the students onsite during remote learning. They care about each other and have shown their capacity to be inclusive and think about others.  Sharing the opportunity to cook a meal with these students this week has been wonderful. The group has grown close and, like a family, if you cook for one, you cook for all. Watching them all demolish a second breakfast at school that they cooked in the kitchen has been my highlight of the term.

The term finishes in Middle School with special programs to hopefully replace some of the experiences they may have missed by not going to camp. Each session has been carefully thought out and planned by Year Level Coordinators Dean Damatopoulos and Michael Pegiou. Projects for community service have allowed them opportunities to move outside of our school community to consider the wellbeing of others. They may not be physically at school but the educational buzz we miss within our classrooms has certainly been present online this week.

We look forward to seeing our students in person sometime in Term 4. Enjoy the break and as much sunshine as possible.

MICHAEL PEGIOU

Year 8 and 9 Coordinator 

Year 8 and 9

Despite all the challenges that have come their way, the students of Years 8 and 9 ended this term on a strong note. They continued to work to the best of their abilities in lessons, were actively engaged in their pastoral sessions, and participated well during the theme days throughout the final few weeks of Term.

To wrap up the term Year 8 and 9 participated in a special program that has a range of activities, experiences, and guest speakers. One activity organised was to allow students some time away from the screen and to get creative. Here are just some of the great artistic and abstract pieces created while offscreen:

Although we were offsite most of the term, it has not stopped our students from expressing themselves and connecting with their peers. They were posting photos, music, videos, and their thoughts daily in their Pastoral Pages and in doing so kept the community spirit of this school alive and well. Moreover, they were thoughtful toward their teachers, sending them messages and thanking them for their hard work. I wish to extend my own thanks to not only the students but the staff, as their hard work is what ensured our students still received both the care and education necessary to develop into fine members of our community.

DEAN DAMATOPOULOS

Year 6 and 7 Coordinator

Year 6 and 7

What a term it has been!

Balance and reflection have been key attributes that we have cultivated and developed this term. Our theme weeks have helped to provide balance with a bit of fun and an opportunity to share gratitude and kindness with others. The contributions of our students were great. 

As we conclude Term 3, it is important to celebrate the great success of our Year 6 and 7 cohorts. This has been marked by this week. Various activities have allowed our students to really shine and share their talents with their peers and teachers. We have aimed to build further on our students’ sense of community and provide them with a less formal setting in which to learn and express themselves. 

Year 6 students kicked off Monday with a Big Breaky and it was great to see all cameras on and students sharing their creations. I know I am certainly looking forward to a Master Chef Challenge when we are back. They also enjoyed a Secrets of the Sky Session and had a go at painting their own nebula. 

Year 7 Students presented their Interdisciplinary Unit on Water and did magnificently. They had a virtual tour of the Western Sewage Treatment Plant and the Australian Sports Museum. 

Both year levels enjoyed a virtual camp out where we shared stories and each other’s company, were challenged by trivia, and let their talent shine in the virtual talent quest.

An important part of who we are at Oakleigh Grammar is Service. This is embedded in our Pastoral Program and allows our students to learn the true meaning of serving others. As part of this last week of term, there has been a special emphasis placed on this. 

Please remember to have a screen-free break and I leave you with the following challenge;

Day 1: Live with more patience and humility, replacing “me” with allowing for “we.” 

Day 2: Live with tolerance and compassion. Learn about someone different than yourself, listen to their story, hear their plight. 

Day 3: Practice being helpful in some way to others. Ask your neighbours or those in your community how you can help with something they are doing. 

Day 4: Practice a random act of kindness. Pay for someone’s coffee, leave an anonymous positive note for someone. 

Day 5: Live with more gratitude and appreciation. Thank those you might usually overlook and choose not to complain about anything for an entire day. Don’t let another opportunity pass you by to pour goodness into this world. 

The world is yearning for us to make the choice, see the need and be the change we hope to see. Let’s get started!