Faculty News

Careers News

MICHELLE MASCARO

Career Advisor

Accessing VCE Results

VCE study scores, ATAR and VTAC Scaled Study Scores will be available to students here. Students must register and will need their VCAA student number. They will then be requested to choose a secure password upon registering. NOTE: Students who applied for courses through VTAC this year and have paid their VTAC processing fees, will also be sent an ATAR statement in the mail. 

Year 12 Change of Preference (COP) Appointments  

Careers Office Availability:

Friday 13th December: 8.30am - 11.00am

Monday 16th December: 9.00am – 3.30pm 

Tuesday 17th December: 9.00am – 3.30pm

Year 12 E-Counselling COP Appointments 

Careers Office Availability:

Wed 18th December, Email, 2.30pm-5.30pm

Thurs 19th December, Email, 9am – 3.30pm

MMascaro@oakleighgrammar.vic.edu.au

Tertiary Institution COP Sessions

In addition to COP appointments with Mrs Mascaro, tertiary institutions also provide a range of seminars, workshops and hotlines to assist applicants with changing their preferences. Follow this link for further information.

2020 VCE Summer School Programs

Access Education Summer School

Prepares students for the demands of the VCE year ahead. The format of the program is an extensive and detailed 3 ¼ hour VCE preparation lecture and notes.

Dates: 14th-17th January 2020

Venue: Deakin Uni – Burwood Campus

Visit Access Education Summer School

The School for Excellence (TSFX) Summer School

Offers a comprehensive program preparation, each lecture will thoroughly address Unit 1 or 3 materials in advance of school, and expose students to critical analytical/problem solving strategies and skills, so as to maximise Unit 1 or 3 scores. Students attending the programs receive detailed notes, fully worked examples and exercises to complete at home.

Dates: 7th-24th January 2020

Venue: The University of Melbourne

Visit TSFX Summer School to find out more about the 2020 program.

On A Final Note

I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe, relaxing holiday break. I look forward to working with you all again next year in 2020. Cheers from Careers!

Chaplains Corner

FATHER GEORGE ADAMAKIS

Parish Priest

This year 2019 at Oakleigh Grammar has been a spiritual fruitful experience for our students. Reflecting as part of the Orthodox Christian Ethos of our School, our students had the opportunity to explore the Orthodox Christian Faith, its values, and how it can be applied to their everyday life in order to become better human beings.

Our students have had the opportunity to participate in many aspects of Church life including; Divine Liturgies, confession and prayer services. Students also had the opportunity to be Myrrh bearers on Holy and Great Friday, chant in our Byzantine Choir in our major festivities and celebrations, and also represent our School across Melbourne’s South East for the Feat of the Dormition of the Mother of God.

This year marked the passing of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, and as a School we prayed for the repose of his soul. With sorrow comes great joy, as we also had the opportunity to welcome His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, both at our School, Parish, and Community of Sts Anargiri, and be part of the official delegation to greet him at Melbourne Airport.

Orthodox Day this year gave our students the opportunity to ‘Reach New Heights’ by learning about how to apply the fruit of the spirit in our everyday life. 22 But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

We said farewell to our beloved Bishop Iakovos of Melitoulpolis who served as our School Chaplain and Parish Priest for a decade, wishing the Lord to give him strength in his exciting role in Queensland.

Now we are heading towards Christmas, and often we hear the question, “What did you get for Christmas?" It is a good question, however the emphasis is on getting. A more positive and encouraging question would be, “What did you give for Christmas?” Especially to the poor, the starving, the deprived.

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 “when the time had fully come” (Galatians 4:4) the right time, God’s time. As heirs we inherit the riches of God’s grace. We inherit God’s love. We inherit the joy of salvation. We inherit peace of mind as a gift from God. We share in His great triumph and the victory over death. We have the mercy of God in terms of forgiveness.

Eternity is ours. Heaven is ours. The blessings are ours, not because by His grace we have become sons and heirs of the Father. It is through this inheritance that we have become unbelievably rich. “Though He was rich, yet for our sake He became poor so that by His poverty we might become rich,” said St Paul. This means not about wealth, but something beyond what we call love.

According to St Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Our prayers and thoughts in this challenging time are with our brothers and sisters in Christ, to the victims of the bush fires in NSW and Queensland. We did a blessing with our students and staff at assembly, asking the Lord to cease the fires and assist with the drought. I am also forwarding a prayer that you could read.

PRAYER IN THE TIME OF FIRE 

0 Gracious God Who created the earth and all that is in it, Who gave us so many blessings; 

Indeed, You have filled the world with so much beauty, bounty and no end of wonders! 

We ask You now to save Your people from nature's fury, from storm and flood and raging fire. 

Save those whose homes and families are in the path of the wild fires that are consuming the land. 

And watch over the lives of the firemen who with courage fight fires out of control. 

Comfort the families who have laboured hard for their homes, and keep everyone safe with your blessings. 

We have sinned against the earth which You fashioned, 0 Lord. 

We have not been the good stewards You commissioned us to be. 

Yet have mercy on us for You are a merciful God. 

Do not allow the forces of nature to carry out a sentence upon us, even though we are deserving of it. Save us, 0 Lord, from the destructive power of fires. 

Again give courage to the firemen who fight fires, who clean up and help others to rebuild after disasters strike. 

Give strength to all survivors and peace to those whose lives are lost because of natural disasters. 

Send down gentle rain to quench the flames of fires that are rapidly moving towards homes and cities. 

Steady the sun to radiate its drying warmth over the flooded lands in our nation. And let the flowers bloom unruffled by strong winds across the plains. 

As You sent to Noah of old, send also to us a rainbow of hope. 

Nature may rage but You, 0 Lord, we know are a Loving God Who ever hold 

in Your hand all You have created. 

Unto You do we give thanks for all things. 

Grant us the humility to repent of our negligence in tending Your creation and give us henceforth the will to serve You more faithfully. 

All the days of our lives may we remember to honour and worship You as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

Amen. 

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 this Christmas!

Christ is Born!

Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year 2020!

Christmas Carols Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

When: 22 December

Where: Town Hall

Time: 5.00pm-8.00pm

Our students have been selected to sing and chant Christmas carols for the Middle and Senior School Awards night on the 5th of December at 7.00pm, and also for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Christmas Carols, performing at the Town Hall on Sunday the 22nd of December from 5.00pm-8.00pm.

Our Eminence Archbishop Makarios Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia will be attending the Town Hall Christmas Carols. A notice has been handed out to our students from JS, MS and SS for more information. A bus will be available on the 22nd of December for our students to be picked up from the School and brought back, or if parents would like to meet us at Town Hall. We have selected a few students from all year levels to attend, and would be highly appreciative of the support of our parents/guardians to allow our students to attend these auspicious occasions. Please feel free to contact me on 0425 746 684 or father.georgea@gmail.com for more information.

Hellenic Culture

NATASHA SPANOS

Hellenic Culture Coordinator 

We are getting closer to the Festive Season for 2019. Students and staff are getting excited as the school year is coming to an end! This is a very special time of the year, spending time with family and friends and having the opportunity to chat, relax and reduce stress. For that reason, for the last three years Oakleigh Grammar students and staff have visited Aged Care Facilities, to spend some quality time with the residents living there.

On Friday the 29th of November, selected students from Year 6, 7 and 8 visited the Freedom Aged Care in Burwood. Students sang some Greek songs beautifully, also including some Christmas carols. Isabella Anastopoulos also sang two songs in English. Students finished off their visit by performing some traditional Greek dances. They had the opportunity to have afternoon tea with the residents, talked with them, and listened to some interesting stories. 

On Monday the 2nd of December, our Year 4 students visited the Brimlea Aged Care in Murrumbeena, and on Tuesday the 3rd of December Oakleigh Grammar Year 5 students had a small tour visiting three different Aged Care Facilities in the Eastern Suburbs. Their tour started by visiting Estia Health Aged Care in Oakleigh East, followed by 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; they also danced some traditional 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 2020! 

Well done to all Oakleigh Grammar students for their outstanding performances. 

Student Representative Council

NATASHA SPANOS

SRC Coordinator

School community work (volunteering work) is work undertaken by students which supports students' learning and career development, as well as directly benefits the community. 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 three days of community service.

On Monday the 25th of November, Year 9 students spent the day at our Early Learning Centre (ELC).  Students helped the ELC staff get organised for their Christmas Concert, and played with their new friends. 

On Tuesday the 26th of November, the Year 9s visited Wesley St Mark’s Respite Cottage. Students spent their day there doing some gardening. They had a nice lunch provided by the staff of the club.  Students finished off their day by playing bowls with the residents.

On Wednesday the 27th of 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 when listening to the elderly people’s stories! Students and residents connected so well that they had the opportunity to play bingo all together. Well done to our Year 9 students who participated in these worthwhile activities.

Cultures Without Borders

On Sunday the 1st of December, selected Year 10 students took part in a multicultural incentive for the youth of Melbourne called, “Cultures Without Borders.” This included a workshop to create a mural graffiti wall.

“Cultures Without Borders” is an educational initiative designed to encourage religious harmony and social cohesion, through the creation of a graffiti wall by young students including Indigenous Australians and the Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths.

This initiative was organised by “Courage to Care”, a not for profit travelling educational program which inspires students to be upstanders, rather than bystanders, when they are witness to any acts of discrimination, bullying, racism or prejudice anywhere, from the school yard to the workplace.

Students had the opportunity to work as a team in a fun activity, breaking down cultural barriers and stereotypes in our society. During the workshop, students spent time with people from other cultures, enhanced tolerance, and created understanding of who people are and where they come from. In the afternoon, students worked on the mural, giving them the opportunity to express themselves.

Oakleigh Grammar students really enjoyed spending the day at this worthwhile educational initiative. They met new friends and helped them to break the cycle of stereotyping and cultural intolerance, leading to harmonious relationships without prejudice between cultures.

Counselling

FIONA BAUDINETTE

Student Counsellor

Building Resilience in Our Children

Resilience is the ability to ‘bounce back’ and cope with the challenges of life. It is an important factor in managing stress and mental health. So where does resilience come from? It is shaped by our genetic disposition and environment. We are unable to change our inherent biological make up, but we can change and develop the way in which we respond to challenges.

How can we build resilience in our children?

1. Build good relationships with others. Teach them how to be a good friend in order to make friends, including the skills of empathy and perspective. Strong bonds with others strengthens our resilience.
2. Give them opportunities to help others, as this fosters a sense of empowerment. E.g. Ask them to help you with tasks that are appropriate.
3. Develop routines. Routines create a sense of security.
4. Have some down time/teach self-care. Ensure that your child has some free time in the week without activities. It’s important for all of us to just relax and unwind in amongst all that we do.
5. Set reasonable goals. Set things to work towards, and praise small achievements along the path to reaching their goal. Help them to work for something and look forward.
6. Nurture positive self-perception. Remind your child of challenges they have overcome in the past which gave them the skills to deal with current challenges.
7. Teach perspective. Help your child to see the broader picture in order to gain perspective on the problem. Help them to see past the problem to the future, and that it will not last forever.
8. Through challenge we grow. Teach your child that it is by facing challenges that we learn more about our own strengths and abilities.
9. Accept that things change. Teach your child that change is a good and important part of life. 
10. Teach your child to express and manage their emotions.

We can all learn how to be resilient. It is normal to feel stressed at times, and learning how to deal with it so that we can ‘re-set’ after a difficult challenge is what’s important. Regardless of our inherent personality, we can all build resilience as we face and overcome each challenge in life.

“This too shall pass” and “there is positive in all negatives” are two good resilience building mantras to remember.              

LOTE

Kiki Kousourakis

Head of LOTE

Certificate for Attainment in Greek 2019 - LOTE

On Friday the 15th of November, we were happy to take part in the awards ceremony hosted by the Greek Consulate in Melbourne, and the Greek Education Office in Melbourne. Our students were very excited to receive their certificates after lots of hard work.

The Certificate of Attainment in Greek is a national title that is granted after a student successfully completes all parts of the examination that takes place at the same time, all over the world.

Language learning is the key to both personal and professional advancement in a global environment, and to hold a certificate such as the Certificate of Attainment in Greek, is of great advantage. The LOTE department would like to congratulate all the students that took part in this year’s examinations, and wish them all the best.

Learning Enhancement

JOANNE ZACHAROPOULOS

Head of Learning Enhancement 

Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment Program

A hearty congratulation to Tom Langley from 8B, who recently completed Standard 1 of the Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment (FIE) Program, which is our cognitive enrichment program in mediating cognitive strategies for LIFE. The Standard 1 Program consists of the following four instruments: Organisation of Dots, Orientation in Space, Comparisons and Analytical Perception.

I was so proud of Tom when he completed the last page of the very challenging Organisation of Dots, that I took a photo of him and sent it to Dr Jeanne Zehr, one of the FIE Trainers who is based in the US. Below is her reply:

Dear Tom,

I am so proud of your work on Organization of Dots! Page 13 is so incredibly challenging, and there you are holding it completed, and you are smiling! You look proud and should be! What was your favorite strategy? I’d love to hear!

Congratulations!

Dr. Jeanne Zehr

International Feuerstein Trainer

Tom’s favourite strategies were to visualise by moving away from the concrete and applying abstract thinking, and visual transporting by visually carry and copy.

Other students participating in the FIE program have reflected upon their favourite strategy:

• Zane 3P – Focus and self-control.
• Staci 3B – Just a moment … Let me think!
• George 4M – Gather data carefully and persevere.

Culture Club

During Tuesday and Wednesday Junior School lunchtimes this term, Cecilia and Sherly, our social work placement students, have been organising cultural activities for students to experience other cultures, and to appreciate the similarities and differences among cultures. The photos illustrate a collection of the activities celebrating the cultures of France, China and Thailand.

Social Club

Junior School Monday Lunchtime Social Club aims to empower students to hone in on their friendship and personal development skills, to forge positive relationships in a respectful and cooperative manner. In the photo, Cecilia is holding her Cats Around the World activity demonstrating that, ‘No matter where you are from, no matter what is your background; there is the same love and the same respect.’