Principal's news
Dear Parents
Formal schooling for our 2022 Year 12 Graduates has come to a conclusion, and we celebrated this milestone as a School community at their Graduation Assembly - thirteen years of learning and connection with their peers and teachers.
As part of established tradition at this Assembly our Prep students present our Graduates with a flower which is a touching and special moment for students and parents alike. Our Graduation Dinner held last week was a memorable occasion as each student was presented with their Graduation Certificate with some poignant speeches and lots of fun on the dance floor. I take this opportunity to wish all of our Graduates every success for the VCE Examinations and of course for life beyond Oakleigh Grammar’s gates.
The Greek Orthodox Community 5 Loaves Fundraiser in favour of the homeless held last week was a great success with the Oakleigh Grammar community being recognised for establishing a record of making the most number of sandwiches for the homeless in the shortest period of time. My gratitude is extended to Father Stavros, Mr Dean Damatopoulos and staff of Oakleigh Grammar and the record number of volunteers who turned out to support this worthy cause.
My congratulations and gratitude is extended to our Parents’ Association for the recent successful Tavern Night which brought together three generations within families in a fun-filled community environment. It was even more special given our School has been unable to host gatherings of this nature due to the restrictions of the pandemic. Over $11,000 was raised in favour of supporting our students with the following resources: two new basketball/netball towers; two sets of goals for our futsal court with padding; several sets of new outdoor table settings and two House honour boards. The above items will be purchased forthwith, and we look forward to all these items being utilised next year.
The official opening of the N P Nikolakakis Centre for Academic Excellence will be held on Sunday 12 February 2023 at 12.00 pm following the Liturgy at Sts Anargiri Church.
A number of VIPs have been invited including former Board Members and leaders of our School and Community. It will be the first public event celebrating our School’s fortieth anniversary coinciding with the sixtieth anniversary of the Greek Orthodox Community of Oakleigh and District. We hope you can join us for this important celebratory occasion. Also, to note in your diaries is the celebratory 40th and 60th Anniversary Gala Ball for the School and Community, respectively to be held on the evening of Saturday 27 May 2023 at Vogue Receptions in Burwood East.
In below section, I wish to share a poem written by Mr John Atkin our Crossing Supervisor, who in a short period of time has established a true connection with our School. I am grateful to John for his understanding and alignment with the Christian faith and the essence of our community. Importantly, I extend my gratitude to John for ensuring that our students and parents are safe as they cross Willesden Road at the start and end of each school day.
Staff News
I wish to advise of the following staff who have recently notified us that they will be leaving us at the end of this year: Mrs Jacqui Thomas, English Teacher has accepted an offer of employment with the Department of Defence; Mrs Ambre Borneman, Junior School Teacher will be taking time off to travel with her family; Ms Stephanie Horan, Marketing Assistant who assumes an Internship with Deloitte; Mr Michael Pegiou, Humanities Teacher has been appointed Head of Humanities at Beaconhills College; Ms Trina Angelatos, Arrowsmith Aide will be returning to full-time study to become a Teacher, Ms Chloe Mickelson, Learning Assistant has graduated as a Teacher and has been appointed to Clyde Creek Primary School; and Mrs Marni Ball, Junior School Teacher who will not be returning from Maternity Leave. I thank these staff for their contribution to our School and wish them all the best for the future.
I wish to advise of the recent following staff appointments for the 2023 school year: Mrs Leanne Giaimo and Dr James Kalfas as Mathematics Teachers and Mrs Helena Scarlata as Art / VCD and Ms Denicka Bocquet, Commerce Teacher in the Middle and Senior Schools; Mrs Tracey Davey, Head of the Early Learning Centre
I wish to advise that I will be on Long Service Leave from Monday 7 November 2022 and returning mid-January, 2023. Deputy Principals Mr Peter Dickinson and Mr Lance Ryan will capably assume responsibilities as acting Co-Principals during my absence.
As part of my leave, I will be attending the World Cup in Qatar with my two sons, which we are very excited about.
I take this opportunity to wish all students a productive and successful end to the School year.
Although it is relatively early, I wish all families a safe and Blessed Christmas and New Year and look forward to greeting you all at the start of February for what will be a year of celebration and positive impact for all.
Mark Robertson
Principal
Oakleigh Grammar
by John Atkin
Oakleigh Grammar, OG to me, means ongoing goodness.
Where I think they have seemed to have taken a pledge.
To do all the good they can, by all the means they can.
In all the ways that they can, in all the places that they can.
At all the times that they can to all the school community.
As long as ever they can.
This is a place where fortitude and courage abound,
of the virtues they withhold within the Bible can be found.
This is a place where the students learn the morals of life,
and as they adhere to them, they’ll live through their lives with no Moral strife.
God gave all folks the earth to love, But since our hearts are small, ordained for each one of us a place in his care we are beloved and shall not fall.
As our God watched creation’s birth, we in Godlike mood,
we with all our love care for the earth and see that it is good.
Keeping our faith will keep us safe, knowing that man who died on calvary, had died for us all no matter who we may be.
God gave all folks the earth to love, but since our hearts are small, Each to their choice and I rejoice that God’s lot has fallen to me, I will stand my ground God’s given ground as God so speaks to me.
And am I wrong to worship where faith cannot doubt or hope despair, since my soul should grant my prayer? Speak God of goodness, I plead with thee, and tell why you have chosen me to serve thee.
The lives of all sorts and kinds, as many tempers, moods and minds as leaves grow on a tree, as many faiths and castes and creeds, as many human bloods and breeds as in this world may be, God has given all this thus which includes you and me.
As my life began to be, those holy hymns that came to me, came long ago, from God’s heart, for me in my faithful worship to others I impart.
The tears of our lives like water which have fallen on the ground, God gave us all no quarter, Yet he will find a means, when our faith and hope have vanished and our love for him grew dim, we are not expelled by Him.