Faculty news
Counselling
Is your child not wanting to come to school?
It is common for all children to be reluctant to come to school at times – this is normal. However, if school refusal is ongoing, this is not normal and can have a cumulative impact on academic achievement, school engagement and mental health. Ongoing school refusal is complex and often accompanied by anxiety/depression and social isolation.
Significant events such as COVID lockdowns and extended remote learning have contributed to a rise in school refusal, especially in Victorian schools. Students have displayed a range of emotions as they settle back into their school routine. Many have also experienced mild forms of arrested development, due to a lack of regular interaction with others. As such, some children are finding it difficult to interact with peers in an age-appropriate manner, which can cause difficulty with friendships.
For many students, their last concrete memory of school was in 2019. They now suddenly find themselves with higher work demands and expectations and feel overwhelmed by the sudden jump. One student recently articulated this beautifully to me, explaining that he “felt like he hadn’t had school for two years and now suddenly I do.” Even though he had attended remote learning, it felt so different to an actual school that he felt it hadn’t happened. Clearly, there have been the usual factors relating to school refusal and then some COVID factors, which have led to greater school refusal than normal. Statistics are showing the increase in school refusal post lockdowns in Melbourne is approximately 15%.
Some early signs of school refusal to watch out for are;
- regularly late to school,
- a pattern of absence on significant days,
- tiredness, complaints about students and teachers,
- being disinterested in school life in general,
- loneliness at school,
- having difficulty with school work,
- failing to meet school work deadlines,
- mood swings,
- excessive worry about a parent while at school,
- exhibiting strong emotion if forced to go to school and
- having trouble sleeping
These behaviours may be normal however, it is the increase in these that we should take note of.
School refusal, like all behaviours, is successfully treated if addressed early. The longer a child is away from school the greater their anxiety becomes around returning to school and how they will resume friendships and school work. Therefore, if you are concerned that your child may be exhibiting early signs of school refusal it is imperative to act swiftly and engage assistance, initially from the school and then a professional if the problem is not resolved. Without support and treatment, there is an increased risk of escalating mental health issues and significant problems with social skills and increased difficulties in adolescence and adulthood.
I hope you all have a restful and enjoyable school break and your children return to school, eager for Term Two to commence.
Fiona Baudinette
Student Counsellor
Careers
SENIOR SCHOOL CAREERS EVENT – 'Monash at Our School'
On Thursday 17th March, The Tertiary Talks at Our School careers series commenced with Monash at Our School.
This event involved Anthony Harvey from Monash University Student Recruitment speaking to our Year 12 students about University life at Monash, the Faculties and Undergraduate Degree course options available to them in 2023, Pathway options to a Monash degree, and Year 12 specific resources to plan one’s journey to Destination Monash. At the end of presentation, Year 12’s participated in a Monash Q & A session with Anthony. It was a very informative and interesting session for our students, who now have a taste of the exciting pathway opportunities that await them.
Career News
Term 1
CAREERS SCHOOL HOLIDAY EVENTS ARE HERE
Students of all year levels are encouraged to attend one or more of the events below in the April school holidays. The earlier you get to know tertiary institutions all the better for your future choices.
Monash University Campus Tours – April Holidays
Students keen on studying at Monash should attend one or more of these campus tours.
Clayton Campus: April 11th, 12th, 21st and 22nd
Peninsula Campus: 21st April
Caulfield Campus: 22nd April
Registration is essential. Students can register here at Campus Experience.
Deakin Campus Tours 2022
Deakin University would like to invite students and their families to participate in its campus tours these upcoming school holidays. Tours will depart daily from 9.00am until 3.00pm, and will run according to University and Government COVID Safe guidelines.
Melbourne Burwood Campus: Monday 11 April or Wednesday 13 April OR Thursday 21 April
Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus: Thursday 14 April or Wednesday 20 April
Geelong Waterfront Campus: Tuesday 12 April
Warrnambool Campus: Wednesday 13 April
Registrations are essential. Please visit Deakin Campus Tours 2022.
Holmesglen Virtual Open Day
Holmesglen Open Days are perfect for students wanting to find out about their study options and campus life. The next Virtual Open Day will take place on Thursday 14 April 2022.
Find out more at Holmesglen Virtual Open Days.
Photography Studies College (Melbourne) FREE SCHOOL HOLIDAY WORKSHOP!
This event is catered for Year 11 and 12 students interested in studying a creative course or considering a creative career in photography. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a live studio shoot, and discuss tips on how to put together a photography folio. Lunch will be provided.
Where: PSC South Melbourne Campus
When: Tuesday 12 April 2022, 11am - 2pm
Who: Year 11 and 12 Secondary Students
What: Bring your digital camera or smartphone
Michelle Mascaro
Careers Advisor
Student Representative Council
Student Leaders have been very busy the last few weeks of Term 1!
Year 7 and 8 SRC members, together with selected Middle School Leaders, had the opportunity to attend the National Young Leaders Day, held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on March 23rd. The students participated in a daylong program, where they engaged with keynote speakers, contributed to a discussion and applied their learning through interactive activities and reflection. The National Young Leaders Day is an annual event hosted by the Halogen Foundation for young people and gives to students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills further and inspire them to support their school community and their fellow students in different ways.
On 4 April SRC members organised a casual dress day - “HoodieUp”, celebrating World Autism Awareness Day which is celebrated annually on April 2nd. Students supported the event by coming to school in casual clothes and wearing their favourite hoodies. But why a hoodie? Some people with Autism Spectrum Disorder experience sensory sensitivities and can become overloaded by stimuli in their environment; wearing their hoodie up means they can block out bright lights and busy environments which helps calm them. It was very encouraging to see so many students supporting this worthwhile fundraiser.
After two years, students of Oakleigh Grammar had the opportunity to attend an ANZAC Day Event. Year 10 and 11 SRC members attended the Melbourne Legacy's 90th Annual ANZAC Commemoration for Students at the Shrine of Remembrance on April 6th. Our students joined other Secondary and Primary school students from Victoria in keeping the ANZAC Spirit alive by commemorating ANZAC Day and the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who have served our country. The Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria addressed the students. After this special Legacy service, students were invited inside the Shrine of Remembrance to view the Shrine Crypt and Galleries of Remembrance and to lay a poppy at the Stone of Remembrance in the Sanctuary.
Natasha Spanos
SRC Coordinator
LOTE
On Friday 1 April, our Chinese teacher Ms Liu was invited to attend an Education Perfect (EP) workshop regarding how to use EP for assessments.
During the workshop, attendees learnt how to make quick tests and interpret data. The EP presenter Paige demonstrated how to incorporate different question types to the test, including multi-choice, annotated questions, fill in the gaps, highlight answers, scratchpad, and audio recorder. This not only helps teachers make more effective assessments but also makes it so much easier to collect evidence and analyse results.
On Tuesday 5 April, middle school students received their EP Languages Championship certificates at the school assembly. Our principal Mr Robertson presented the certificates to students and congratulated them for their hard work and achievement.
What a great way to finish the term and we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday!
Lydia Liu
Middle School Academic Learning Leader (LOTE)
Orthodox Studies
Term 1 in Middle School Orthodox Studies has been focused on our journey through Lent towards Pascha as a process of change and renewal.
Whilst each year level has looked at different parts of the Lenten Cycle and Holy Week the message has been the same. How do we invest in eternity?
In Year 6, students explored the Sundays of Pre-Lent the Triodion and focused on the theme of forgiveness and repentance and humility and how God’s love for us is boundless especially when we make an effort to change and learn from our mistakes. The real challenge has been applying this to our everyday life.
In year 7, students have learnt about the pillars of Lent being, Fasting, Prayer, Almsgiving, Forgiveness and Confession; and the Lenten Sundays. We explored the notion that fasting is not merely the act of abstaining from food but from what we see, hear, think and speak and that most importantly it is coupled with prayer and under guidance. Our students have been role models in assisting in collecting alms for the needy. We thank the whole school community for their support.
The transformative and eternal nature of words has been explored in Year 8. Christs' final words from the Cross have echoed through time and provided a salvific and redemptive force. Year 8 practically tested the impact that words and thoughts can have on jars of rice. Please read the student recount as it has certainly had a profound impact on our learning.
In Year 9 we journey in-depth into Holy Week looking at the biblical references of Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem to His Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection.
Our students have also had the opportunity to participate in the solemn Pre-Sanctified Liturgy where many of our students, chanted with great reverence creating a prayerful atmosphere as well as some serving at the altar.
In the last week of this term, students have had the opportunity to learn to weave Palm Crosses and encourage students to help make these at our Church or their local parishes on Lazarus Saturday.
We invite all our students and their families to be active participants in the beauty of the Holy Week and Pascha both at our Church or at your local parish.
Wishing you all a most blessed Pascha. Καλή Ανάσταση!
Dean Damatopoulos
Middle School Orthodox Studies
Debating
Congratulations to our 2022 Debating squad! A few weeks ago our 5 teams all competed in Round 1 of the debating season. It was a welcome return to the excitement of face-to-face debating and a fantastic atmosphere at Wesley College’s Glen Waverley campus.
We had 3 teams win out of 5, highlighted by our Year 11s beating Avila College by a huge margin on the topic: “That artists should be held legally accountable for deaths and injuries that occur at their concerts”. Noah Peoples was awarded Best Speaker on the night in the rebuttal-heavy “3rd Negative” role.
Our Year 10s competed against Caulfield Grammar and Sacred Heart, arguing against the premise: “That we should boycott major sporting events held in countries with poor human rights records”, while our Year 9s also debated Caulfield Grammar and Avila College, also arguing against the premise: “That sporting bodies should not accept sponsorship from gambling companies”.
While it was our Senior School teams who got the wins on the board, much praise should go to our newest debaters (all first-timers at an inter-school level) who lost their debates by only one and two points respectively; a fantastic effort indeed. The adjudicators were very complimentary and provided some useful notes for minor improvements to strategy.
Thank you to Mr Robertson for joining us on the night, and for the support of our growing, passionate team of coaches including Mr Pegiou and Mr Karakottas. We were also thrilled to welcome for the first time our Alumni Coach, 2021 school captain Alexander Logan. Most importantly, thank you to our debaters, who headed home at 9.30 pm after a big day of school followed by further preparation and teamwork to represent Oakleigh Grammar with skill and class.
Year 11: Georgianna Petridis, Chloe Sheer, Noah Peoples, Mary Kourkoutzelos (research), Aimar Peoples (research)
Year 10: Catherine Giannaros, Gerry Angelatos, Sotiris Bakalis, Rahnia Siachos, Olivia McLeod, Max Ward, Camryn Stubbs (research), Jake Thompson (research)
Year 9: Alexander Korlos, Daniel Karimi, Nikki Ballis, Manni Talias, Ketrina Mawal, Nasios Papageorgiou, Mary Alexopoulos (research)
Round 2 is only 2 weeks away (Thursday April 7) – so we are already looking forward to these topics:
Year 11: That only citizens and permanent residents should be able to own property in Australia
Year 10: That parliamentarians should be allowed to hold citizenship other than Australian citizenship
Year 9: That we should abolish the Australian citizenship test
Leigh Gridley
Debating Cordinator