Middle School
HAYDN FLANAGAN
Head of Middle School
A hearty welcome back to our Middle School students and families and an especially warm welcome to our new Middle School students, families and guardians.
This term we have welcomed 11 new students to the Middle School, including 9 international students. I know everyone in the community will join me in welcoming our new families to our great school. It is fantastic to see our school continue to grow in diversity in a true reflection of the multicultural melting pot that is Melbourne.
A core aim of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years programme is to help the students develop the skills they need to participate actively and responsibly, with heightened intercultural awareness, in an increasingly interconnected global society. It pleases me to know that we are both; providing our students the opportunity to develop these skills, and being recognised for this, through increasingly diverse student enrolments.
Intercultural Awareness
Last term finished in a whirlwind of cultural activities for our Middle School students, with the Northern Queensland Blackheath and Thornburgh exchange and the Year 9 Cultural Diversity Week both taking place in the last week of term.
The theme of intercultural awareness continues this term at Oakleigh Grammar with the School hosting several Short Term International students and Study Tours. Over the course of this term we will host over 30 Chinese students on short and mid-term placements, giving students in all home groups the opportunity to meet and learn with international students.
These international programmes offer our Middle School students an invaluable opportunity to meet, work and develop friendships with students from China and to enhance their level of intercultural awareness. In changing times, such as these, it is so important that our students are given this opportunity to develop these personal links and experiences, to avoid developing prejudices, built on ignorance and fear of different races and cultures, such that we see causing so much pain in the world of late.
When you see the international students make sure to say hello, give them a smile and make them feel welcome.
International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) Science Competition
Congratulations go to the selected Year 4 - 9 students who participated in the 2018 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) Science Competition. Over one million students sit for ICAS from all around Australia, New Zealand and 20 other countries including Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and the USA. Our results were extremely pleasing with many of our students ranked in the top percentiles of Australasia.
A list of students who achieved recognition for high achievement can be seen on the Mathematics subject page of the Grammar News. These students have been recognised by their peers in assembly for their outstanding efforts. I would also like to congratulate the Mathematics staff for their knowledge and skill in supporting all our students in their mathematical growth.
This week students are participating in the ICAS English Competition and we look forward to further great results as they come in later in the term.
Blackheath and Thornburgh Exchange
The Blackheath and Thornburgh Exchange to Northern Queensland, that took place in the last week of Term 2 under the direction of Mrs Spanos and Mr Gridley, was a huge success. The annual trip to visit our sister school in Charters Towers has become a highlight for our Year 8 and 9 students and, for those who are able to attend, it is one not to be missed.
During the trip the 16 lucky students got to visit an outback cattle property, participate in an Indigenous Australian cultural experience and visit Townsville and Magnetic Island for some sun and snorkelling. They also had the chance to meet and get to know students from the College.
On Thursday last week, Oakleigh Grammar had the chance to return the hospitality shown to our students when in Charters Towers, by welcoming the Blackheath and Thornburgh staff and students when they visited our School during their own “culture shock” excursion, visiting the Big City (and little house blocks – one BTC student came from a 650,000 acre property!) and experiencing life in Melbourne.
Whilst in Melbourne, the BTC students undertook a street art tour of Melbourne, attended the Richmond versus Collingwood game at the MCG, followed by watching Melbourne Storm play the Canberra Raiders at AAMI Park, rode the Melbourne star and visiting the sky deck amongst other tourist highlights. At Oakleigh Grammar, the students reacquainted themselves with our students and were taken on a tour of Oakleigh, enjoyed a souvlaki lunch at Eaton Mall and stumbled and laughed their way through a Greek dancing lesson conducted by Mr Karakotis.
The connection between the schools is as valuable as ever and both Schools students benefit a great deal from the exchanges. We hope to see them continue well into the future.
All staff and students involved had a wonderful time and you can read all about it and see the photos in Mrs Spanos’ report in this edition of the Grammar News.
Jeans for Genes Day
On Friday 27th July, students and staff throughout the school could be seen strutting about in their jeans in support of the SRC organised Jeans for Genes Day. The day, celebrated throughout Australia, raises important funds for the Children’s Medical Research Institute. This year, through the efforts and generosity of our students and their families, the SRC raised over $1300 for the Children’s Medical Institute. Thanks go to the SRC and Mrs Spanos for their organisation and effort of the day.
Year 9 Visual Arts Excursion
On Tuesday 31st August the Year 9 Visual Arts class visited the National Gallery Victoria International to view the MoMA exhibition, which is presenting 130 years of modern and contemporary art. During the excursion, the student’s also attended an informative lecture conducted by the gallery’s Education staff and also had the opportunity to tour the permanent collection, expanding art and antiquities from ancient civilizations to the current day, from across all corners of the globe.
Visiting art galleries on such excursions is an important component of the Visual Arts curriculum, and enriches students’ understanding of course content alongside the wider value of arts and culture throughout societies. This opportunity to view work from iconic artists such as Andy Warhol is an invaluable experience for students and we thank Ms Sarroff for organising this for students.
Coming Up this term;
- Year 9 Health and Well-Being Day, Self-defence and 1000 Steps excursion – 3rd August
- Oakleigh Grammar’s Got Talent Show, Casual Dress Day – Friday 10th August
- Paraklesis Service - Friday 10th August
- Parents association 35th Anniversary Gala Ball - Saturday 17th August
- Year 9 City Experience, Tune-In days – 5th – 6th September
- Parent Teacher Interviews 3rd and 11th September
- Year 7 Camp Merricks – Tuesday 18th – 21st September
- Year 8 Snowy River Camp – Monday 17th – 21st September
- Year 9 City Experience – Monday 17th – 21st September