Middle School
This week, we recognised student initiative and effort at the Middle and Senior Schools Assembly. From sport to academics, the students of the Middle School have continued to strive for personal growth and success. Part of their journey is developing the necessary life skills to work and play with others. Respect and Kindness are integral to positive interactions with others. Understanding that we are not all the same, do not think alike, or even share the same interests, means we have opportunities to appreciate each other’s differences and to learn from each other.
This term, we focus on Service as Action and giving back to those in need. The pastoral teams of the Middle School have produced good programs to help students work through their chosen projects.
This semester, we welcome Ms. Inneke Smit to the role of Year 6 & 7 Coordinator. She has moved from Home Group teacher to her new role seamlessly. We wish Ms. Smit all the best as she makes the role her own.
Sharron Frame
Head of Middle and Senior School
Years 8 and 9
In Years 8 & 9, our aim in Pastoral during Term 3 so far, has been to take into consideration student voice, provided through the Monash Resilient Youth Survey, to continue championing the positive and tackling those areas that need some work. For instance, feedback of late has indicated that manners and mindfulness need to be considered. This led to holding a great incursion last week by Backflips Against Bullying.
In Year 8, we continue to focus on improving sustainability across the School. Through collaboration and individual effort, the Year 8s will have the opportunity to address, based on their own findings, a key sustainability outcome. While many ideas have already come our way, it will be interesting to see which area of focus the Year 8s will soon choose to work on.
The Year 9s are looking outward this term, with guest speakers from the community coming to speak to our students about the future. Advocating for change, our Year 9s will be looking to provide a service to the wider community and aim to assist those most in need. Incorporated into this service will be a greater element of mindfulness, with reflection and consideration of self still being core features of our pastoral program.
Michael Pegiou
Years 8 & 9 Coordinator
Years 6 and 7
Welcome to Term 3. What a vibrant start to this semester and an energised introduction to my new role as Years 6 and 7 Coordinator. Students of Years 6 and 7 have shown their talents in Sports, Art, and their general subject areas already within the past 4 weeks. There is amazing potential to come!
Our students have shined bright to continue their journey in Middle School, despite the change in coordinator and the impact that COVID-19 continues to have in our community.
A few of our students have provided their reflections on the term so far;
“It is our last semester for this year as a Year 7 student. I have enjoyed growing my friendships and have bonded more since camp. I am looking forward to the future as an Oakleigh Grammar Student” Katerina Pinderi (7A)
“The term has been great so far, I have enjoyed playing with my friends. My Favourite subject is Science. I am looking forward to our Science Prac on Fungai” Ellie Tourogionis (6A).
We have been visited by the traveling production company Backflips Against Bullying, which has reinforced our school values of respect and kindness. Our School will take a strong stance against bullying and will enforce respectful relationships both inside and outside the classroom. One Year 6 student reflected on this program, “I liked the flips as it made the subject fun”, Simeon Draganic (6A) who learnt some strategies to use if he ever needed them.
My goal as your Years 6 and 7 Coordinator is to help our students to be ‘the best versions of themselves’ for success. Together, along with our Home Groups teachers, we are working to establish and prioritise consistency in terms of school work, behaviour, and respect towards others. This includes the welcomed addition to our Home Group team. Welcome, Mr. Jones….
Please see a little welcome note from a student from 6B “Welcome Mr. Jones to 6B! He has been absolutely loved; having you as a Home Group teacher so far, your riddles bring a happy light to our day!” Angelos Tochovitis (6B).
Lastly, I am excited to launch the Community Service Project in Year 7 and Service as Action for Year 6. This will be part of our curriculum in Pastoral, but more importantly, will require students to actively and practically demonstrate care for others within our community. Service as Action is a foundational part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP). “It seeks to develop caring members of the community who act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and their environment”.
Along with exciting guest speakers from the Centre for Multicultural Youth and a few more incursions, Semester 2 should be fun and engaging. Our activities aim to provide students with the opportunities for gratitude, to demonstrate care for others, and learn to form respectful friendships, developing their ability to self-reflect, forgive and move forward.
We will be looking forward to showcasing our students’ amazing community work in an exhibition in Term 4.
Have a Blessed, Safe, and Healthy Semester 2!
Celebrating our school activities such as Our Year 6 and 7 CAMP
Link to year 6 camp - Year 6 Camp Video.mp4
Inneke Smit
Years 6 & 7 Coordinator