Student Voice
S.R.C. Presidents’ Update
The Student Representative Council has had a wonderful Term 3 hosting events and organizing all dimensions of the school community’s Health and Wellbeing, Curriculum, Campaigns, Enrichment, Outreach and more.
Wellfest Week emphasized the importance of all students' and staffs’ physical, social and mental health and wellbeing, which was an enjoyable and successful week of events for all of South Oakleigh College. Our Campaigns Portfolio raised money through the Krispy Kreme doughnuts fundraiser, as well as more events such as the Biggest Morning Tea, Cosy Day and Historical Fashion Day.
Our Health and Wellbeing Portfolio has focused on ‘Acts of Kindness’ throughout our school community by showing our school values of High Expectations, Respect, Responsibility, Resilience and Teamwork. The Acts of Kindness is a lovely opportunity for students and staff to show gratitude for each other for HRRRT points in the Library.
Our Curriculum Portfolio has designed a new Learning and Education ‘LADDER’ initiative for students and teachers to review as a part of Student Voice and Agency. Curriculum has collected data to support the student voice initiative through unique focus groups of junior and senior levels.
Our Enrichment Portfolio has supported a variety of school-based clubs such as the Girls in STEM Club, Debating Club, Chess Club and more, seeing the ongoing growth in student engagement across all year levels.
Our Outreach Portfolio has supported the Curriculum portfolio in their work within classroom learning and many school events by designing unique surveys to support insight into students' wants and needs.
We would like to thank our school community for this term and look forward to a successful Term 4 ahead. We hope all students and staff have an enjoyable break.
Esther Walker and Sylvia Krozian
Your Student Representative Council Presidents
S.R.C. Campaigns Update
This term, the S.R.C.'s Campaigns Portfolio has been very busy reviewing previous events, as well as hosting more and preparing for future events this year. Following the success of the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea last term, we set out to improve and create even more fun events this term.
We were able to wrap up Wellfest Week with a bang on Cosy Day. Students and staff alike came in wearing cosy and warm clothes, including pyjamas! We also sold Krispy Kreme doughnuts which sold out incredibly fast. It was great to see everyone's support for our event!
We also held Historical Fashion Day on Tuesday the 30th of August. Students and staff dressed up in the theme of historical fashion! All proceeds went to Down Syndrome Australia, which provides support and services for people with Down syndrome, their families and supporters. It was great to see everyone around the school getting involved to support a great cause.
Next term, we have a few events ready to launch, including Cupcake Day, and our yearly favourite, Welcome to Summer Day!
Thank you for all of your support this term, and we look forward to running more events next term!
Genna Windsor
Your General Secretary & Leading Campaigns Representative
Student Representative Council
S.R.C. Curriculum Update
What a busy and productive term we have had with S.R.C. Curriculum! We haven’t stopped working hard since Day 1 of this term! Our number 1 priority is ensuring through our initiatives that we have student voice and agency in our classrooms as well as contributing ways that shape planning in the curriculum. We have progressed further since our last update.
On the 15th of August, we released our LADDER Model form. A big thank you to everyone who provided feedback! This was a big help and it was our building block for our year-long professional development program – VicSRC’s Teach the Teacher Workshop.
Last Thursday the 8th of September, we hosted our student-led focus groups. We had three sessions run with our Years 7 & 8, Years 9 & 10, and Years 11&12, working through our 3 topics:
- LADDER,
- Differentiation in Learning and
- Student-Teacher Relationships
It was a hands-on session, with everyone writing down their ideas on butcher’s paper as well as having a discussion with their peers. Everyone had a great time during these sessions which were reflected in feedback at the end of the sessions. A huge thank you to the students who participated in the sessions as well as our student facilitators, S.R.C. Co-Presidents, our S.R.C. and staff for making these sessions happen. With these major steps now complete, we can move on to our next step which is presenting our findings to our teachers next term. We are looking forward to working with our staff to keep student voice and agency a key part in our classrooms!
Greg Acciarito
Your Leading Curriculum Representative
Student Representative Council
S.R.C Health and Wellbeing Update
This term, the S.R.C. Health and Wellbeing Portfolio focused on kindness throughout the school and the wider community. We aimed to work on how students can show the different school values through acts of kindness.
The Act of Kindness board is still placed in front of the library. Students, feel free to pick up a card, submit your act (https://forms.office.com/r/WndKb7BjTQ) and earn HRRRT points! Next term, Health and Wellbeing will focus on positive energy throughout the school and giving back to the community.
Thank you for all your support this term, and we look forward to what we can bring to the College Community.
Meghal Patel
Your General Secretary & Leading Health and Wellbeing Representative
Student Representative Council
2023 Senior Student Leadership Elections
Thank you to all the Year 10 and 11 students who submitted a nomination for College Captain, S.R.C. President & Vice President and/or House Captain. The College Community are extremely proud of all these students who participated in the live Q & A debate, convincing their peers and staff on why they should be voted into the respective roles.
We’d like to thank the 2022 Student Leadership Team for supporting our voting centre, including setting up, checking in voters and ensuring all voters could make a proper and informed decision at the ballot box as well as for their work throughout the year. Additionally, thank you to all the students and staff who also took the time to listen to the live Q & A debate and casted an informed vote.
The results of the election will be announced in early Term 4.
Additionally, applications for 2023 Sports Prefect, Performing Arts Prefect, Global Prefect, Peer Support Prefect, the Student Representative Council, and the Peer Support Program will also open throughout Term 4.
Please contact the Returning Officer – Andrew Leap (andrew.leap@education.vic.gov.au) if you have any questions, concerns, or feedback.
Andrew Leap
Student Leadership Facilitator
On Tuesday the 6th of September, we had our 2023 Senior Student Leadership Elections. All students and staff came to vote in our voting centre for their 2023 senior leaders. The process of the voting went quite well and was efficient. When we were helping at the voting centre, everything went smoothly, and we were not overloaded with tasks. I personally enjoyed how well the day went and how all votes were cast by the end of the day.
Soham Dhital
Your Year 7 Leader and Campaigns Representative
Student Representative Council
Ballots, speeches and votes! On Tuesday the 5th of September, South Oakleigh held their 2022 election for 2023 College Captains, S.R.C Presidents and House Captains. All candidates did an exceptional job with their speeches and Q&A. The event couldn’t have run without the help of the S.R.C. team, who set up the voting area, registered everyone’s vote and helped count the ballots. I was fortunate enough to be able to help with each of these jobs, getting time throughout the day to help the election run smoothly. I enjoyed being able to count the ballots because it was interesting to see the contrasting votes that were taking place. Overall, I would say the experience was worthwhile to help with and ran smoothly throughout the day. Well done to all the candidates!
Mackenzie Dickson
Your Enrichment Secretary
Student Representative Council
School Captains Report
With the conclusion of Term 3 and the end of the school year fast approaching, we would like to take the opportunity to reflect upon the events that occurred this term at South Oakleigh. The Class of 2022 has been working to complete the requirements outlined in the outcomes of our study designs. Just a couple of weeks ago, we completed the General Achievement Test (GAT), which went very well for all of us. Now we turn our attention to our final exams and our Valedictory dinner to be held on the 13th of October.
As School Captains, we facilitated the Q&A session for our 2023 Student Leadership Elections, where many Year 10s and 11s stepped up to present their case as to why they are deserving of a role. We were very impressed and pleased with the answers we received from the candidates and know that regardless of who receives what role, they will do us and the wider school community proud next year. After Round 1 of elections and the next rounds fast approaching, we encourage anyone who has an interest in being a part of the leadership team in some way next year to apply for a position.
Overall, we’ve enjoyed our time as School Captains and Year 12s here at South Oakleigh College and are excited to see what our future holds!
Kyriakos Emmanouilidis and Maple La
Your 2022 College Captains
Breakfast Club Update
Throughout this term student leadership across the college has continued to organise a weekly Breakfast Club every Thursday, cooking a nutritious breakfast for all students and staff. Last Thursday the 15th of September, the entire Student Leadership team hosted a Celebratory Breakfast Club, cooking bacon, eggs, cheese toasties and milkshakes!
The S.R.C team would like to thank all the Student Leaders, fellow students and staff who volunteered to come and help.
Every Thursday at 8:00 am in the Canteen, Breakfast Club will continue for Term 4. We welcome everyone to stop by, say hi, and grab a bite to eat.
If you have any questions, concerns, feedback or would like to volunteer, please reach out to myself (mpat1p@schools.vic.edu.au) or Genna Windsor (gmwin1@schools.vic.edu.au) via email or Microsoft teams.
Meghal Patel
Your General Secretary & Leading Health and Wellbeing Representative
Student Representative Council
Peer Support: Update
Term 3 has been an amazing time for the Peer Support Program! Although we had some interruptions, our Peer Support Leaders showed such resilience and put their best efforts forward. This term, our Year 7 students learnt about what ‘Teamwork’ means and have continued to do so until the last day of Term 3 when our Peer Support leaders guided them through ‘Peer Support Fest’.
‘Peer Support Fest’ on the 16th of September was a day for the Year 7 students and the Peer Support Leaders to spend some time together playing games and bonding over what ‘Teamwork’ means. The Peer Support Leaders and some of SOC’s senior students ran a fantastic BBQ and activities.
Although this term has come to an end, there are new beginnings that will commence in term 4. Our Peer Support Leaders will transition the Year 7 students into the new outline of the program where the Year 7 students will learn about study skills and how to balance their school and social life, which will hopefully help them with their upcoming exams. These skills will benefit the Year 7 students in their VCE studies as well!
I am so proud of all the Peer Support Leaders' efforts, despite all the challenges this program faced. Also, a huge thank you to Ms. Marlborough for her hard dedication and time spent ensuring this program is running smoothly! Congratulations to everyone on finishing yet another term of 2022!
Iliana Derzotis
Your Peer Support Mentor
Waratah House Captain Report
As we close the end of Term 3, we have both looked back upon it as a learning and growing experience for everyone, particularly for senior students in the preparation for exams. We are looking forward to six years of hard work finally paying off, and we wish the best for everyone studying for their exams.
Elections for 2023 Student Leadership Positions were held last week, and although results haven't been announced, all candidates for Waratah House Captain are very promising, and we hope to have inspired & encouraged them to lead on the legacy of being a Waratah House Captain.
Annabelle Windsor and Eleni Stamatiou
Your 2022 Waratah House Captains
Acacia House Captain Report
During Term 3, we had the opportunity to host the 2023 Acacia House Captain elections! We had many great candidates, and we wish them all the best of luck!
Within the house assemblies, Acacia has run many games of trivia with multiple mentors winning! Also thank you to Mr Cochrane who took over as Acacia House Leader after Mr Wilson left, making it an easy transition between terms! Despite the quiet term, all the houses contributed to a feather mural during Wellfest Week to represent the harmony and inclusivity of our school; a wonderful activity to remind the students of Acacia of the values of our school.
We look forward to everything Term 4 brings to Acacia given the departure of the Year 12s after the first two weeks!
Kaitlyn Steel and Cayla Kingsley
Your 2022 Acacia House Captains
Banksia House Captain Report
During Term 3, we Banksia Captains – Mollie and Jason – have engaged and encouraged all students to participate in numerous events hosted. During this hectic term, there were a lot of activities going around both during assemblies and in every Mentor Group. One of the earliest events was Wellfest Week, in which we had a lot of joy hosting Mindfulness Monday as well as the Self-Care Workshops.
Moving on to Weeks 5 to 7, there was a lot of work revolving around the Matilda Production, in which a lot of Banksia students gave a helping hand in creating the props that could support the show to go smooth and radiant. There was something that felt so vibrant about the support our students gave to improve the school, each with a touch of their creativity. In the end, the show went amazingly, and we thank all students and teachers who gave their best effort in making Matilda such a wonderful experience.
Week 9 is when the Student Leadership Election occurred for College Captains, Student Representative Council President & Vice President and House Captains. Us Banksia Captains were overjoyed by the number of participants who signed up for the 2023 Banksia Leadership team. We had a lot of fun being in this position over the past year, and we can't wait to see who our next year’s Banksia House Captains will be. Shoutout to all 6 candidates who had brought forth their fantastic speeches during the Banksia Q & A.
In the upcoming weeks, the VCE unit 3 and 4 students will have our exams. As both Banksia Captains are Year 11s that's finishing a VCE subject, we are both excited and terrified of ending this long 2-year journey in learning this subject. To do a Year 12 exam, we think, is an experience that one can’t forget. In all regards, as the exam season is approaching, we encourage all our students to seek assistance from teachers and leaders in achieving their goals, since this will be a great opportunity in rendering their skills along with establishing more communication with the SOC community.
We wish everyone luck during the upcoming weeks and hope all students and teachers will have a relaxing holiday.
Mollie Pham and Jason Pouliezos
Your 2022 Banksia House Captains
Performing Arts Reports
Hello to everyone in the South Oakleigh College Community!
Our Lunch Time Concerts this term have been a huge success, and we would like to thank everyone who performed, including the VCE music class, Mr Prewett, Phil and all of you who came to watch.
The term ended with the Spring Concert and SOC's Got Talent, both of which featured exciting performances from the performing arts and the entire school community.
Lastly, we would like to thank everyone for this incredible term and year so far, and we look forward to seeing what Term 4 will bring.
Sophia Donnellon and Julia Creeley
Your Performing Arts Prefects
Year 10 Research Skills Workshop & City Discovery Experience:
On Tuesday the 2nd of August, the Year 10s took part in a Research Skills Workshop and City Discovery Experience. The first part of the excursion was a workshop at the State Library where we learnt valuable tips and tricks for research and looking for information when doing assignments and research tasks. While at the State Library, we also took a self-guided tour of the library seeing all the books and artefacts on display, as well as the areas in the library where people study in. After lunch, we took a guided city tour of Melbourne’s CBD and some of its famous and historic places, like Flinders Street Station, Hosier Lane, and the Royal Arcade. This was really cool, and our tour guides provided some great historical insights about these places. Overall, this excursion was super fascinating with what we learnt and just an awesome experience.
William D’Costa
Year 10 Student
On Tuesday the 2nd of August, the Year 10s went on an excursion to the city for a research workshop and city tour. First, we went to the beautiful State Library, where there was a short workshop on research skills, tips and tricks. Surprisingly, all the information was really helpful and specific. This trip was one of the first where we were allowed to independently explore the area. I really enjoyed wandering the rows of the gallery, admiring the millions of books and detailed architecture of the dome. After this, we had some time to explore Melbourne Central and get some lunch for ourselves.
Gathered back together we continued the day on a tour of the city. Walking towards Flinders St station, the guide told stories about the history of Melbourne and how the area looked before it was built up. We learnt little-known facts about St. Paul's Cathedral, The Block Arcade, the famous alleyways of Melbourne, and the development of the music and food culture of the city. Feeling like tourists, we all took a million pictures of the amazing artwork in the lanes and the bustling city life, seeing it from a whole new angle. The experience was eye-opening for me, and it was great to really get to know the city I live in a little more.
Lucien Tarjan
Year 10 Student
The city experience trip was a great excursion for us Year 10’s to be able to participate in. We started our morning at the State Library, learning about studying and research skills, which was interesting and helpful. We also got to explore the library and see many historical books and iconic Australian artefacts such as Ned Kelly’s armour. We were able to stop at Melbourne Central along the way and get food and walk around. Through to the end of the day, we went on an amazing tour of the city with great tour guides, as well as learned more about famous hotspots such as Flinders Street Station, St Paul's cathedral and Hosier Lane. It truly was a great experience.
Stacey Maskas
Year 10 Student
Students vs. Teaching Debating
It once again arrived time for our annual Students vs. Teachers Debates.
There was a good turnout to watch both the year 9s and the 10s/11s verbally take on the teachers in the theatre over two lunchtimes, with over 40 student spectators at each session.
We sourced two student adjudicators and one teacher adjudicator for each debate, to ensure impartiality, and the debate was scored using a rubric that judged the debaters’ manner, matter and method.
Year 9s vs Teachers:
The topic: “That we regret the rise of social media in fighting crime”.
Ana Donnellon, Isavella Dimopoulos and Thomas McRae in Year 9 argued affirmative.
Ms Marlborough, Ms Matheson and Mr Wong argued negative.
The whole Year 9 teams’ rebuttals were outstanding, and it was a pretty close debate, but the teachers won by a handful of points.
‘Best speaker’ was awarded to Ana Donnellon for her calm delivery of her third speaker speech.
Well done to Isavella, who spoke really well and did a lot of research for the team, which helped the Year 9 team’s score for ‘matter’ a lot; Thank you to Anna Alexopoulou, for writing the Speaker 1 speech; A big shout out to Thomas, who debated at short notice due to circumstances out of our control, and still did a good job.
Year 11s/10s vs Teachers:
The topic was: “That influencers with problematic views should be de-platformed”.
Jason Pouliezos, Sophia Donnellon (Yr 11) and Saamyaar Sattar-Bagloo (Yr 10) argued affirmative.
Ms Crespo, Ms Hoernel and Ms Terdich argued negative.
This debate was also very close, but ended up being awarded to the teachers by 1-2 points.
‘Best speaker’ was awarded to Sophia Donnellon for her very logical rebuttals in her third speaker speech.
Well done to Saamyaar for his solid ethical points. Well done to Jason for his valid rebuttals.
Thank you Charli Donaldson, Curtis Du Buisson-Fraser and Eli Storey for adjudicating the debates.
Sarah Crespo-Liu
Debating & Public Speaking Coordinator