Grammar News

Senior School

SHARRON FRAME

Head of Senior School

 

Term 3 is the time for decision; what subjects do I choose for next year, where do I choose to go after Oakleigh Grammar, what career do I want? These are just some of the questions each student will need to find answers for during their three year journey in the Senior School. Each Information Evening and individual discussion that takes place, provides valuable insight into potential directions for the future. Students don’t always know what they want to do after they complete School, and this is perfectly normal. However, they do usually know what they don’t want to do. Sometimes it is not easy to make a decision. It is, however, an essential learning experience. In order to become effective decision makers, they should be informed. They need to know the pros and cons of a choice, the consequences of action or inaction, and most importantly the impact not only on themselves, but also on those around them. We encourage students to ask questions, seek solutions and become independent thinkers. Choices are learning experiences and should be embraced in order to grow.

 

Year 12 Formal

Last term ended with the students accompanied by staff attending the Year 12 Formal at The Gables. It was wonderful to see the elegant transformation of our students, into stunning and sophisticated young adults. Once the music started, the dance floor filled, and all enjoyed the evening. Thank you to the staff who joined the Principal and his wife, Mark and Kerri Robertson, the Deputy Principal - Operations, Peter Dickinson, and myself in attending the evening.

 

 

RoadSmart

Students in Year 10 have commenced their participation in the Road Smart Program. This program, developed to provide students with a broader understanding of the causes of road trauma, how the safe system works, the Towards Zero vision, and the graduated Licencing system, are all important stages in their approach to learning to drive. Our budding learner drivers will then have an opportunity to demonstrate their potential skills, in an in-car session with a driving instructor at Sandown Racecourse later in the term.

 

This is an important initiative, and one that we believe helps students begin their learning journey in a safe and informed manner.

 

VCE Information Evening

On Wednesday July 31st, Year 10 students accompanied by their parents and guardians, attended the VCE Information Evening for 2020. Students were encouraged to ask questions and collect information from the VCE staff in attendance. Each student went home with a show bag brimming with information about their VCE choices, VTAC and ATARs. Probably not as delicious as the chocolate and treats normally found in a show bag, but definitely more important, and necessary to assist them in their choices for a VCE study program in 2020.

 

 

Teen Mental Health First Aid

Teen Mental Health First Aid is a new program offered by Monash Youth Services to equip Year 10 school students with more skills around individual wellbeing, and increasing their knowledge and confidence of how to respond to mental health problems. The program aims to help identify mental health problems early and assist young people to seek help, and increase the outcome of maintaining positive mental health. A number of staff completed the training for Mental Health First Aid at the end of last term, and will be present in each Year 10 group to support and assist students. This is an important and vital initiative given the substantial increase in recent years, in mental health crises in young people. We encourage parents and guardians of Year 10 students to discuss the content of the program with their children.

 

VCE Parent Teacher Interviews

Thank you to the parents and guardians that attended the VCE Parent Teacher Interviews last Wednesday evening. The opportunity to hear feedback on your child’s progress is an important event in the School term. There is not much time left for the Year 12 cohort, but any change that may improve their outcomes is certainly worthwhile being involved in.

 

If you have missed out on this opportunity, please contact your child’s teachers directly via email if you have any concerns or questions. The Parent Teacher Interviews scheduled for September 2nd and 10th will be for Years 6 to 10.

 

Safe Travel for Senior School Students

Senior School students and parents will utilise a range of transport options when travelling to and from School. However, following a recent concerning incident involving a Year 12 student travelling to school in an Uber, it is important that all Senior School students review their transport options, and are informed of all relevant legal obligations and safety options.

 

According to Uber’s terms of service, only adults 18 years or older can have a rider account. Children must be supervised.

 

Uber specifies in their terms of service:

“Only adults can have an Uber rider account. If your child is using your account, a parent or guardian must be with them at all times. We may take action against you for violating these terms, including permanently closing your account. For example… allowing a person who does not meet the minimum age requirement to use your account while unaccompanied, or if you don’t meet that age requirement yourself.”

 

For further information on Uber’s terms of service please follow this link. 

 

Considering that a number of our Senior School students do meet the requirements of using an Uber Rider Account, it is important to take note of their updated safety features when booking and travelling with Uber. Uber provides its riders with 10 very simple and effective safety tips that should be adhered to. Some of the key safety tips here are:

  • Check Your Ride – Number plate/Car make/Driver photo
  • Have the driver confirm your name (before you get in)
  • Sit in the back seat
  • Share your trip details with loved ones

Importantly, if you ever feel in danger riding in an Uber, there is an in-app feature which allows you to call emergency services. Whilst Uber is generally a safe option for adults to use when following the safety tips, and for children when accompanied by an adult, it is not an appropriate form of transport for children to use when not accompanied by an adult.

 

There are a range of other transport options for Senior School students to choose from when travelling to and from School. These include:

  1. All forms of public transport including taxis
  2. Cycling or walking safely to School
  3. Car pooling
  4. School buses
  5. Other rider sharing options including options such as Shebah where the drivers can take children as they have Working with Children Checks

Please note that Uber was contacted prior to writing this article, and provided the information regarding community guidelines and safety features.