Faculty News
Careers News
MICHELLE MASCARO
Career Advisor
ATTENTION: YEAR 9 STUDENTS RE: WORK EXPERIENCE WEEK 2019
As discussed in Senior School Transition, you will be participating in the OG Work Experience Week as part of the Senior School Careers Program next year. If you have not already done so, it is time to start looking for a placement NOW. The Work Experience Week is from Monday 16th - Friday 20th September, 2019. For assistance please see Mrs. Mascaro, and refer to the Work Experience Handbook which you were given and/or can be found here: https://www.oakleighgrammarcareers.com/?page=work-experience
FOR ALL STUDENTS
US & UK Uni Basics - Applying, Funding and Academic Benchmarks Webinar
Saturday 8 December | Online Dreaming of studying overseas?
Join this interactive webinar to learn how you could be studying on the world stage at top US and UK Universities! Experts from Crimson Education will provide you with information such as the key differences between the US and UK Universities, the benefits of studying on the world stage, the application process and timeline, a guide to the academic requirements and financial costs, and more. During this webinar, you will have the awesome opportunity to: Ask questions to US and UK experts, Download additional application tips and case studies and more. This webinar is ideal for Year 9-12 students, and parents. Register here
A day in the life of a Harvard student
Who actually gets into a university like Harvard? Check out this 'Day In The Life' video of Harvard sophomore, Calvin Duran, who is also taking advantage of Harvard's generous financial aid program, which is also available to Australian students. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQfZ3gpV-2I
MedView– Uncovering the UCAT
Monday 7 January | Melbourne
Wednesday 23 January | Geelong
Unsure about changes in medical school admissions testing? Come decipher the shift from UMAT to UCAT for Australian med school admissions. Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/MedView/events/?ref=page_internal
University of Melbourne – Melbourne Computing Summer Camp
Sunday 20 – Wednesday 23 January | University of Melbourne
A free, three-night camp, designed to inspire year 10 and 11 students about the exciting possibilities of computing, artificial intelligence, robotics and VR. Teachers should complete the registrations form. Students who wish to participate are encouraged to contact their careers, maths, or science teacher to nominate them on the registration form. Find out more here: https://events.unimelb.edu.au/events/11670-melbourne-computing-summer-camp
For Current Year 12 Students
Exams are over. In addition to Change of Preference Appts with Mrs. Mascaro 17th-18th December 9am-3pm, below are a list of some Change of Preference Information Sessions at a few tertiary providers for your reference:
Victoria University Polytechnic – Change of Preference Expo
Monday 17 December | Melbourne
Find all the information you need to make a great choice for your future. Speak to current VU and VUP students and staff to learn about how revolutionising uni with our First Year Model is and what to expect when you begin studying: https://www.facebook.com/events/482013295625361/
Swinburne University – Change of Preference Expo
Monday 17 December | Hawthorn
Concerned or having second thoughts about your preferences? There is no need. You have time to ask questions and change things up if necessary. We will help you put together your best ‘plan of VTAC’ (see what we did there?). Chat one-on-one with academics, teaching staff and course advisers Find out more here:
https://www.swinburne.edu.au/choose/?siid=el|cop|eve|cal|0223
Monash University – Change of Preference Drop in Session
Tuesday 18 December | Peninsula Campus
You may have done better than expected, be right on track, or your results may not be quite what you hoped for. Come and see us at Peninsula and find out everything you need to know before you take the next big step to tertiary study at Monash University. We can talk with you about study options at Peninsula and our other campuses, and help answer your questions about courses, entry schemes, scholarships, pathways and much more. Find out more here: https://www.monash.edu/news/events/change-of-preference-drop-in-session
TAFE Victoria – How You Can Study Free in 2019 If you have been trying to decide whether you are ready to jump into a new course or career, here is some news you need to know. FREE TAFE…for lots of jobs. Find out more here:
https://www.vic.gov.au/freetafe.html
A.G. Coombs – Apprenticeship Program
The Apprenticeship Program is built on the philosophy of structured learning, providing support, direction, guidance and mentorship to each apprentice. With apprenticeship opportunities available across Victoria, NSW and QLD, we are actively recruiting in Mechanical Plumbing, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Electrical, Sprinkler Fitting and Drafting. Find out more here:
https://www.agcoombs.com.au/people-careers/apprenticeship-program/
ON A FINAL NOTE
Wishing you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A SAFE, HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! I look forward to bringing you all the latest Careers News in 2019 and beyond!
Watch this space, and for more information over the break, follow us @ https://www.facebook.com/Oakleigh-Grammar-Careers-257091244628685/ or refer to our website: www.oakleighgrammarcareers.com
Student Representative Council (SRC)
NATASHA SPANOS
SRC Coordinator
Engaging in community service provides students with the opportunity to become active members of their community, and has a lasting, positive impact on society at large. Community service or volunteerism enables students to acquire life skills and knowledge, as well as provide a service to those who need it most.
Students in Year 9 who did not attend the Wilson’s Promontory Bushwalk had the opportunity to give back to the community, by participating in a three day community service program.
On Monday 26th November, Year 9 students spent the day at our Early Learning Centre (ELC). Students invested their time by helping the ELC staff and playing with their new friends, who especially loved the reading session and requested more books when the students had finished reading!
On Tuesday 27th November, students visited Fronditha Care in Clayton. They met with the residents of the aged care facility, and spent some quality time with them. Students showed a big interest in hearing the elderly people’s stories! Students and residents connected so well that they had the opportunity to play bingo together!
On Wednesday 28th November, students visited Wesley St Mark’s Respite Cottage, and spent their gardening. They had a nice BBQ lunch provided by the staff of the club. Students finished off their day by playing piano for the residents of the club.
Well done to our Year 9s who participated in this worthwhile activity.
Hellenic Culture
NATASHA SPANOS
Hellenic Culture Coordinator
As we are getting closer to the Festive Season, students and staff of Oakleigh Grammar wanted to make a difference by visiting Aged Care Facilities, and spending some quality time with the people who are living there.
On Friday the 30th of November, Year 6 students visited Freedom Aged Care in Burwood. Students sang beautifully, including some Greek songs and Christmas carols. They also did some dancing and some of the residents joined in. Students had an afternoon tea with the residents, and shared some of their school stories with them.
The students of Year 4 had a small tour visiting four different Aged Care Facilities in the Eastern Suburbs on Thursday 6th December. Their tour started at Brimlea Aged Care in Murrumbeena, followed by Estia Health Aged Care in Oakleigh East, St Mark's Planned Activity Group and Respite Cottage in Chadstone, and finished at Fronditha Care in Clayton.
Students performed some traditional Greek songs as well as some Christmas carols, and they danced some traditional Greek dances. At the end of each performance, students spent some time with the elderly people, taking photos, listening to their stories and extending wishes for a joyful 2019!
Well done to Year 6 and Year 4 students for their outstanding performances.
Chaplain's Corner
FATHER GEORGE ADAMAKIS
School Chaplain
Christ is Born!
It has been a spiritually fruitful year for our students of Oakleigh Grammar. Reflecting as part of our Orthodox Christian Ethos, our students participated in many services and sacraments during the year, including: Holy Communion, Holy Confession and the Small Supplicatory Service of the Holy Virgin Mary, and other major festivities. Our students also attended many interrelated Orthodox and Hellenic Cultural commemorations and excursions, such as the Holy Monastery of Panagia Georgoepikous and Doxologies of commemorative days such as 25th March and 28th October.
Now we are approaching the end of our School year, which we celebrated as a whole School on the 4th of December, a Pre-Christmas Divine Liturgy service, which most of our students from Junior and Middle School participated and took Holy Communion.
The beautiful hymn Kontakion of Christmas:
“On this day the Virgin Maid * goes to the cave to give birth * to the pre-eternal Word * in an ineffable manner. * Dance for joy, all the inhabited earth, on hearing. * Glorify along with Angels and with the shepherds * Him who willed that He appear as * a newborn Child, * the pre-eternal God.”
God set the time for the sending of His Son into the world. Christmas did not happen by chance. Christ’s birth was no climatic evolutionary event. Rather it was God invading history at His right time. God took long years to get ready for it, and it happened when He wanted it to happen. When God’s hour struck, Christ was born. That was “then the time had fully come,” (Galatians 4:1) the right time, God’s time.
Christ came at the end of a long period of prophetic preparation. His coming had been foretold by the prophets “in Bethlehem of Judea”. God sent forth His Son. Not prophets anymore. Not patriarchs any more. Not priests. Not angels from heaven. Not kings. But His own Son.
St Gregory of Nyssa put it this way:
“Do you ask why God was born among man?” “Here is the reason for God’s presence among man. Our nature was sick and needed a doctor. Man had fallen and needed someone to raise him up. He who had ceased to participate in the good needed someone to bring him back to it. He who was shut up in darkness needed the presence of life. The prisoner was looking for someone to ransom him, the captive for someone to take his part. He who was under the yoke of slavery was looking for someone to set him free. Were these trifling and unworthy reasons to impel God to come down and visit human nature…?” “God became man, so man can become God by grace.” (St Athanasios)
“Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, and among men good will.” (Luke 2:14) What does the hymn of the angels reveal? It shows thanksgiving and joy of the heavenly hosts that God has done good things for us on Earth. Glory to God, they say, for now there is peace on Earth, where before human nature was hostile to God. Now there is such reconciliation that our human nature has been intertwined with God, and united to Him who took human flesh. The Son of God Himself is Peace. For He says, “I am Peace”. Know then the Peace Itself, the Son of God, has come on Earth. And Good Will is among men, that is, God in His good pleasure has chosen to abide among us.
The Spirit of Love, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Forgiveness, the blessings of Peace, the beauty of Hope, and the comfort of Faith, may these be your gifts for Christmas!
Christ is born!
Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year 2019!
LOTE
KIKI KOUSOURAKIS
Head of LOTE
This term was a term full of activities for Oakleigh Grammar’s LOTE Department. Students who participated in the Certificate of Attainment in Greek this year in May received their certificates. This year our participation extended up to C1 level, which is the second last level of the group of Certificates offered by the Centre of Greek Language. A big thank you is extended to the Greek Orthodox Community of Oakleigh and District, who always supports this event and sponsors students to participate.
This year Oakleigh Grammar achieved once more, 100% success in their participation in the Certificate of Attainment in Greek. Students in Year 5, Year 6 and Year 10 also received their ACER Language Test Certificates. Language certification examinations form a platform that provides both the School and the students with valuable information, and is helpful in a practical way, as students are able to submit their certificates along their CVs in the future.
In October, students in the Junior School with a selection of Middle School students, prepared a journey through time for all that were present in Oakleigh Grammar’s Commemoration School Celebration for the 28th October 1940.
Our students welcomed everyone with the Grandparent’s High Tea, and then took to the stage to transport everyone through their songs, poems and dancing in an era of heroes and heroines, with a final message of love and peace, of cultural diversity and understanding.
Our Junior School students also had a great time participating in the ANT1 Pacific “Draw Christmas” competition, with students creating beautiful Christmas drawings, and talking about Christmas traditions and celebrations. A wonderful way to end the year.
From all of us in the LOTE Department, we wish you all the best for the New Year, and we are looking forward to a fantastic 2019!
