Senior School

Head of Senior School

SHARRON FRAME

Head of Senior School

The most often used word when complaints about student interactions are made is bullying. My child is suffering because X is talking about them, excluding them, putting stuff online etc. It is true bullying exists, but it exists everywhere, and anyone who says it doesn’t is simply not being truthful.

Bullying is not when someone is aggressive or mean on one occasion. It is the repeated actions of an individual or group designed to hurt, humiliate or upset someone. It can be online or in person, subtle or overt. Bullying is NOT OK and everyone has the right to feel safe.

However, schools are not solely responsible for resolving the issues when it comes to bullying. We have students for around 7 to 8 hours of the day depending on the age and involvement in co-curriculum. Where are they the other 16 hours?

Bullying is the responsibility of everyone and we all need to recognise the signs and say something, do something.

Friday March 16 was the National Day Against Bullying and Violence. The night before, the Channel 10 program, The Project, aired a segment involving a powerful presentation called “Speak, Even If Your Voice Shakes”. We showed the segment during the pastoral session to our Year 10 students. After watching it they were stunned, shocked and silent. Their teachers had never seen such a response. It generated conversation amongst the students and inspired them to, not only reflect on the message of the presentation, but to go further and create a display in the corridor on which to post their thoughts.

Thank you to Pili Varsos for preparing the space and the Year 10 Pastoral team for overseeing the student work. The result is brilliant, but only the start of the conversation.

It is important that you as parents and guardians take a moment to be involved in the conversation. Although we as a School have zero tolerance for bullying, and strive to provide the educational opportunities to develop student understanding of the critical issues surrounding the ever increasing occurrence of cyberbullying, the truth is, in the majority of cases it doesn’t occur during school hours. It happens outside, at home when they are in your care.

The link to the segment can be found here and I strongly encourage everyone to find time to view it, and then talk about it with your family.

All You Can Be

The 2018 School theme can mean different things to different individuals. We asked the students of Year 10 to put into a few words what this means to them. They then prepared a display that highlighted all their ideas and interpretations about what our School theme for 2018 meant to them. Their one or two word thoughts make for an interesting read, and more importantly a brilliant and colourful display.

Student Action

The School theme in action can be seen around the Senior School in the quiet but effectual actions of some of our students. I would like to point out three examples:

1. The Year 11 debaters are experienced competitors. In our first competition for the year, they not only demonstrated their own outstanding ability and skills as debaters, but also as role models when they provided mentorship and guidance to younger first time participants in the first debate. They helped with preparation and gave support where needed. Well done on an impressive start to the debating season.
2. Participating in our drumming band can be a demanding yet rewarding experience. This year, four of our International students joined the band. Their inclusion in the band meant that we had a truly international representation of the School at two events. Each student participant demonstrated they prepared not only to be extended and challenged to learn something new outside the curriculum, but also to be a proud member of a group representing Oakleigh Grammar on the public stage. Well done to all.
3. My last example was only witnessed by me. Last week there was a noise and then the cries that accompany a fall. I looked outside my office to see a Junior School student in tears after obviously tripping over. Before I could move to help, I watched a Year 12 student quickly come to their side to comfort them and ensure they were not seriously hurt. She sat beside the Junior School student and cared for the little girl for about 10 minutes, giving freely of her study time to help. She doesn’t know I saw her kind and compassionate act. Thank you Ilaria Henein.

Lastly it is not just students who are being all they can be. Two weeks ago I asked if the notice board in my office could be painted. I actually meant just a single block colour, but the talented and very generous act that followed must be seen in person as the photo does not do it justice. My noticeboard now resembles a beautiful Monet painting, and I am very humbled by the creative work of Rosa Avzangelis who definitely showed she is all that she could be when she gave this wonderful gift.

I wish everyone a happy, safe and blessed Easter.