Faculty News

Careers News

MICHELLE MASCARO

Career Advisor

Year 12 VTAC

Timely applications, 5th August- 16th September. Book your appointment with Mrs. Mascaro online if you haven’t done so already: https://oakleighgrammarcareers.com/?page=appointment-booking. 

VTAC SEAS and Scholarship

Applications close soon! See Mrs. Frame ASAP.

Full List University/TAFE Open Days 2019

https://www.vtac.edu.au/opendays.html

OG Careers News Weekly Edition

For the extensive version of this publication that contains further events and the latest careers and course information, please visit the OG Careers website: https://oakleighgrammarcareers.com/?page=newsletter.

Swinburne University Advice Nights

Take an opportunity to find out everything you need to know about courses, careers and what university life, and the juggle, is really like.  

Students will have the opportunity to chat with current students, academics and specialist staff.  Register for one of the nights below:

Wantirna

When: Tuesday 17th September 

Time: 4.00pm – 6.00pm

Hawthorn

When: Wednesday 18th September

Time: 4.00pm – 6.00pm

Aviation Advice Night (Hawthorn Campus)

When: Wednesday 18th September

Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm

Register at Swinburne University Advice Nights.

Career as a Paramedic

The Good Universities Guide states that paramedics provide pre-hospital emergency care, treatment and specialised transport for patients - Good Universities Guide - Paramedic.

Working as an ambulance paramedic means that no two days are ever the same. What a paramedic does can be as varied as restarting a patient’s heart, down to helping solve social welfare issues. Ambulance paramedics are called when people feel they have no other options, and are suffering what feels like an emergency to them.

An interesting fact to remember when applying to become a paramedic, is that the majority of the workload is not lights and sirens driving to save a patient's life; this job is more about helping people in their time of need, as opposed to being a hero. Visit Ambulance Victoria - Types of Paramedics to find out more. 

Chaplains Corner

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FATHER GEROGE ADAMAKIS

Parish Preist

On Tuesday, August 13th 2019, our School and Community welcomed our Primate and Archbishop Makarios to our blessed school.

His Eminence was greeted by our Principal, members of the School Board, our flag bearers, drummers and students with flower petals, and small flags. Our Byzantine Choir chanted beautiful hymns in Greek and English as His Eminence entered the gym.

Archbishop Makarios greeted our students as his friends. In his address, he focused on our motto ‘Faith and Wisdom’. The Archbishop stressed the significance of Faith in our student’s lives, emphasising that faith gives us strength, purpose and meaning and will assist our students not to deviate. Furthermore, he made a distinction between knowledge and wisdom highlighting that in today’s age wisdom is in great need.

Following the special assembly, His Eminence visited the ELC where he and the children planted an Olive tree in honour of his visit and promised to visit often and watch, as it bears its fruit. His Eminence also visited many classrooms across the school where he engaged with our students and was well received.

After lunch, His Eminence visited our Parish Church where he was given an ecclesiastical welcome and presented with gifts on behalf of the Community and School. He received an Epigonation embroidered with our patron Sts. Anargiri – Cosmas and Damian and a traditional Cretan knife engraved with a traditional mandinada (poem).

We look forward to sharing many more moments together with his Eminence in the future.

Orthodox Day

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentlenesses and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.(Galatians 5:22-23)

With the theme, the Fruit of the Spirit our students celebrated our second annual Orthodox Day. 

Each year level took part in pastoral activities which focused on cultivating a particular fruit. 

ELC – JOY      

Prep – LOVE

Year 1 - Kindness

Year 2 - Peace

Year 3 – Faithfulness

Year 4 – Patience

Year 5 – Self Control

Year 6 - Goodness

Year 7- Faithfulness

Year 8-9 - Self Control/forbearance

Our Year 9 students had Fr Jean Mawal present of the fruit of Self a restraint.  While staff shared a wonderful morning tea kindly prepared by our beloved friends of our school Mrs Kathy Haramis and Mrs Sophie Angelis.

The day culminated with and icon parade and church tour led by our School Chaplain Fr George Adamakis.

May we all as a community continue to cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit in ourselves and our students.

Hellenic Culture

NATASHA SPANOS

Hellenic Culture Coordinator

August has been an exciting month in relation to Hellenic Culture. On Saturday 10th August a number of people gathered at Melbourne’s very own “Lemnos Square” in Albert Park, with its unique Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial, for the fourth annual commemoration of Lemnos’ role in Australia’s Gallipoli story. 

This commemoration event recognises the important role of the Greek island of Lemnos in Australia's ANZAC story, and is dedicated to the Australian nurses and soldiers who served there during the Gallipoli campaign in 1915, to the 148 Australian soldiers who remain buried there, and to the local community who supported them. 

Oakleigh Grammar attended the event, and staff members laid a wreath on behalf of our School Community.

On Tuesday 13th of August, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, visited Oakleigh Grammar for the first time. His Eminence was elected the new Archbishop of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, on the 9th of May. Around 10:30 a.m.  His Eminence arrived at our School gate. Students from Year 1 and 2, and the Early Learning Centre, welcomed His Eminence before following the flag bearers and Oakleigh Grammar drummers into a formal assembly, held in his honour.

The day proceeded with classrooms visits and a lunch alongside some invited dignitaries. His Eminence also attended a special church service at the School Parish, St Anargiri.

On Thursday 15th August, Orthodox Church commemorated the Dormition of the Theotokos (The Falling Asleep of the Mother of God). In celebration of this special day, our Middle School students were invited to join other nearby Greek Orthodox Churches as well as Sts Anargiri Church in Oakleigh, during the morning. This excursion provided all Middle School students the opportunity to experience the celebrations they had learnt about during Orthodox Studies classes, and an opportunity to represent our School in the wider Greek Community. 

Students in Year 6, 7 and 8 visited the Greek Orthodox Churches of St Panteleimon in Dandenong, St. Andrew in Forest Hill and St Catherine, Malvern. Year 9 students, selected Senior School students, and members of the Byzantine Choir joined the celebrations at Sts Anargiri Church in Oakleigh. Well done to those students who attended the excursion. Special thanks to all staff members who supervised the students.

Student Representative Council

NATASHA SPANOS

SRC Coordinator

Oakleigh Grammar students love organising different fundraisers and supporting different organisations.

On Friday 10th of August, our annual show “Oakleigh Grammar's Got Talent” took place. This year’s show included performances from music, dance, comedy, science and baking. Students who came to watch the show donated a gold coin. This year, the funds were donated to Cancer Council's Daffodil Day.

On Thursday 29th August 2019, Oakleigh Grammar became colourful with students and staff wearing their favourite football colours to raise money for the “Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision”.  “Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision” aims to raise funds to #FightLikeMaddie, and find new treatments for Bone Marrow Failure. The Vision aims to ultimately find a cure for the syndromes that affect younger Australians each year.  

Maddie Riewoldt, well-known football player Nick Riewoldt’s sister, lived with Aplastic Anaemia for only five years. Maddie fought her battle with inspiring determination and courage. Well done to students from ELC up to Year 12, and all staff who worked together. We hope all these funds will help find a cure for all adolescents and young adults who suffer from Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes through research, as well as providing support into treatments.

Counselling

FIONA BAUDINETTE

Student Counsellor

Bullying

‘Bullying is when someone repeatedly uses their power to hurt or scare others. It can be done by an individual or by a group. It can be carried out physically, emotionally or verbally. People often bully because they feel bad about themselves or to gain popularity.’ Ref: Department of Education and Training Victoria.

It is important to remember that bullying differs from being ‘mean or unkind,’ due to its repeated and more severe nature. Bullying can be viewed as a ‘game.’ Not the friendly, let’s have fun type of game, but a game because it has ‘players’ – the bully and the one being bullied. Whilst each experience is different, it usually follows a similar play:

1. Find someone who is vulnerable (often a sensitive, compassionate child).

2. Say or do something hurtful (usually it’s not true).

3. The student being bullied becomes upset or is hurt.

4. The bully has succeeded and repeats again and again.

There are many reasons people bully others; however, it is often derived from an insecurity in the bully themselves, and therefore a need to have power - to ‘survive in the jungle.’ Survival of the fittest has been the basis of animal existence forever, humans included. So what can we do?

Firstly, it is imperative to remember that the comments are nearly always unfounded – they are not true, so try and de-personalise what has been said. You, your friends and family know you are a wonderful person – trust in this!

Secondly, walking away does not always work. If you have tried this to no avail, it may be time to develop some deflection techniques. In doing so, it is vital that you are not overly reactive or sensitive, and remain neutral in your response. Think of a neutral comment. For example; “I don’t care” or “Whatever.” It is important to never say anything mean or derogatory, and not react physically, as this will escalate the problem. Visualize a Teflon coating all over you, and let the comment slide off. You may be hurt or upset, but don’t show it to the bully, instead show that it doesn’t affect you. Tell an adult and talk it through, remembering to also discuss all your strengths and qualities. Surround yourself with friends and keep busy after School.

Remember, you are not what the bully is saying, you are amazing; and this will not last forever. It may get worse once you use your deflection technique, but it will soon reduce and end!

Intensive English Language Program

LOUISE CROSSLEY

ELICOS Course Coordinator

A re-imagined Pied Piper with mesmerized, not hypnotized children, will honour Literacy Week on Tuesday the 3rd of September, between 12:40pm and 1:30pm.

Intensive English Language students from both Oakleigh Grammar and Alphington Grammar will perform storytelling heats, while roaming the School grounds, accompanied by the talented Adrienne Bay and her tranquil hulusi (Chinese flute like instrument) playing.

The event will showcase the storytelling talents of the Intensive English Language students, and the judging skills of Oakleigh Grammar’s own: Jane Tepper and Hui Lee-Harvey. The prestigious title of Storytelling Enchanter will be announced on the day, with second and third place prizes too. All students will certainly make both schools proud with their structured stories, courage and clear pronunciation.

In the spirit of everything warm and fuzzy about stories, delicious cupcakes and Milo drinks will be served on the day! Please come and support students who have been brave enough to take part in this event, despite their English limitations.

Science

MANOJ PATEL

Acting Head of Science

Science Week 2019

During Week 5, 12–16th August 2019, Oakleigh Grammar celebrated National Science Week. This year the theme of Science Week was Destination Moon: More Science, More Missions. The focus was on how science has improved our ability to get to the moon and explore.

Our students were involved in a variety of educational activities, including building shock absorbers that would have mimicked the Apollo space craft when it landed on the moon, learning how to use a telescope, and getting to know the different parts, daily quizzes, and the highlight of meeting some drone specialists with their drones.

This year’s theme was especially exciting as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. The hope is that more students will get excited about science, and perhaps be part of some of these new and improved innovations that may help us discover more about our Solar System.

LOTE

Sharon Cheung

Mandarin Teacher

On Thursday the 8th of August, the Year 10 Second-Language Chinese students went on a trip to the National Gallery of Victoria, to see the Terracotta Warriors exhibition. On arrival, the students were given a warm welcome and an introduction to the exhibit, where they were given an insight into the Terracotta Warriors, and how they originated and were eventually discovered. They were also shown a new collection of Terracotta Warriors-inspired works by Cao Guo Qiang, a modern artist who specializes in using gun powder.

After the introductions, the students were given a tour around the exhibition, where they were able to see authentic Terracotta Warriors. This experience allowed them to appreciate the true size and magnificence of the statues in real life. The day ended with a lion dance performance, accompanied by a brief description outlining the significance of the lion dance to Chinese culture. Some of our students even learnt basic Kungfu and steps to the lion dance!

All in all, the students not only learnt about one of the most important moments in Chinese history, but gained insight into Chinese culture as well.