EISM Champions 2023
I commence the final edition of the Grammar News for the term with a poem from the School Crossing Supervisor, Mr John Atkin.
Time is Eternity – For Students of Oakleigh Grammar, By John Atkin
Remember these words and you will follow your dreams
Each day for you is a new adventure
You never know what it may hold?
A voyage of discovery with stories to unfold
You never know how many people and places you may see?
You will learn how many new imaginings will help to set you free.
Each day will bring you opportunities for you to journey far and wide, sometimes without a single step beyond your teacher’s side
So I advise you always travel through life cheerfully,
Enjoying them with a smile, with the thought of adventure in your heart and soul,
the journey will be worthwhile!
ATAR
For more than a decade there has been an ongoing debate around ATAR suitability and future and in particular its role in university admissions criteria. This debate is especially relevant today when more school leaders are failing to finish their university degree on time or are dropping out of university entirely.
ATAR remains the dominant pathway to university or school leavers. Non ATAR based admissions are almost twice as likely as ATAR based admissions yo drop out of university in their first year. Despite rhetoric about non ATAR pathway being ‘fairer' or 'more equitable’, in practice, Universities appear to be using this method as an opaque way to admit low ATAR students with commensurate increases in support needed to complete their degrees. I encourage all of our senior students, particular those in Year 11 and 12, to have a serious discussion about their pathways and opportunities for them which will be relevant to their life after Grammar.
Greek Independence Day Parade
Congratulations are extended to all of our students, staff and parents who witnessed the wonderful spectacle of Oakleigh Grammar community in the parade celebrating the National Day of Greece at Lakeside Stadium last Sunday.
Our flag bearers, drummers and students in uniform and traditional Greek costume certainly made a positive impact on everyone in attendance.
Senior Boys Basketball team
A hearty congratulations to our Senior Boys Basketball team on their stellar performance this year culminating in an exciting Grand Final victory over the Knox School this week.
Our students, coached by the highly experienced and passionate basketball coach and teacher, Mr James Kalfas, followed the game plan impeccably and defeated the reigning champions in a closely contested match.
Notably, our Senior Boys Basketball team have not been crowned champions since the year 2000. Congratulations to every member of the squad:
Duncan Bain, Team Captain
Vassos Charalambous
Vasileios Delichristos, Grand Final MVP
George Dimitropoulos
Nicholas Dayle
Xavier Harpur
Alexander Korlos
Elias Koskiniotis
George Maravelias
CJ Rocks
James Soundy
Oakleigh Grammar makes a Positive Impact in NAPLAN
Testament to the positive impact our School makes on the learning journey of our students is a good news Herald Sun story about Oakleigh Grammar’s improvement in NAPLAN results since 2017 – our School and students are at the very top end of NAPLAN improvement since 2017.
Congratulations to all of our staff for their contribution and focus on the life of each and every student under our care and for the importance they place on the academic learning journey of our students. Importantly, a hearty congratulations to all students for their hard work and effort which is being recognised in this article written by Sarah Perillo in the Herald Sun.
NAPLAN scores at some of Melbourne’s most expensive private schools are slipping, with some dropping by up to 14 points.
The Herald Sun has compiled a list of NAPLAN results from 2017 and 2022 from Victoria’s most exclusive high schools. The figures were taken from the federal government’s MySchool website and are based on average Year 9 results.
Caulfield Grammar dropped by 14 points from 627 in 2017 to 613 in 2022 – one of the biggest decreases for a top private school in Victoria. The school charges more than $35,000 in fees for a Year 9 student.
Elite private girl schools Lauriston, Mentone Girls’ Grammar and Loreto Mandeville Hall all dropped by around 10 points.
Independent boys’ schools Brighton Grammar, St Kevin’s College, Xavier College and Scotch College also decreased by 10, 9, 6 and 3 points respectively.
Brighton Grammar and Xavier charge just under $35,000 in tuition for a Year 9 student, Scotch charges $38,280 and St Kevin’s charges $22,300.
Oakleigh Grammar made one of the biggest improvements on NAPLAN results, jumping 27 points over the six years. The school charges less than half of other private schools in the area – $11,580 in fees for a Year 9 student.
Tintern Grammar in Ringwood East also increased by 22 points and Camberwell Grammar School by 16.
The two top secondary school 2022 NAPLAN scorers Fintona Girls’ School and Presbyterian Ladies’ College made significant improvements, increasing by 17 and 15 points respectively.
In regional Victoria, Goulburn Valley Grammar in Shepparton declined by 13 points while Geelong Grammar School increased by 5 points.
Oakleigh Grammar principal Mark Robertson said he was “immensely proud” of the academic progress at the school.
Oakleigh Grammar made one of the biggest improvements on NAPLAN results.
“Analysing assessment data and developing strategies which promote growth in student academic performance has been crucial to our success,” Mr Robertson said.
“We have exceptional educators who are dedicated not only to their students, but also their profession.”
Official Opening of the New Centre for Academic Excellence
Our School is very excited to announce the opening of our new NP Nikolakakis Centre for Academic Excellence which will be held on Sunday 7 May 2023. On this day, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios will conduct a morning service at Sts Anargiri Church, followed by the official opening at 12pm. Clapham Road will be closed to allow for rides, eatery vans and lots of fun activities for our school community. Amongst the various VIP’s attending on this day will be the Victorian Premier Mr Daniel Andrews.
Staff News
Best wishes to Ms Kiki Patsaris and Mrs Elena Alexopoulos who will be on Long Service Leave next term and to Mr. Leigh Gridley who will be on Long service leave for the first 4 weeks of next term.
We welcome Ms Kate Hughes as a Junior School teacher replacing Mrs Alexopoulos;
Ms Maria Varsamis as a Greek (LOTE) teacher replacing Ms Patsaris and Ms Kristen Keating who joins us as a Learning Assistant.
End of Term
The final day of term 1 for all students will be Thursday 6 April 2023. During the term break both the Western and Orthodox Easter periods will be observed and is a very important time for all Christians. Early next term Oakleigh Grammar will be hosting the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese National Schools Event which involves all 7 Greek Orthodox Schools throughout Australia. The essence of this event is healthy sports competition, and a spoken arts festival culminating in a joyous dinner dance where culture, faith and friendships are celebrated.
I look forward to welcoming Students to Term 2 on Wednesday 26 April 2023.
I wish to conclude with an Easter Poem by our School Crossing Supervisor Mr John Atkin and take this opportunity to wish all families a Happy and Blessed Easter.
Easter Poems, By John Atkin
The countryside air rings with hope; as Easter, Autumn
raindrops fall through the trees and down the slopes
From the churches all over the world comes the sound of east hymns, to thank
the Lord Jesus for his sacrifice on the cross at Calvary.
The magpies chatter until night; as the moon begins to shine on us to give us light.
Around the world the Christians worship in the north, south, east and west; as they celebrate the Easter-fest.
As the Easter time passes through; God blesses us and thanks us with skys full of sunshine and brilliant blue
With daisies of yellow and white and violets of blue
These Easter colours of the countryside are created by God to be enjoyed by me and you.
Easter is a reminder from God, to count your blessings instead of being cross; count your gains instead of your loss.
Count your joys instead of your woes; count your friends instead of your foes
Count your smiles instead of your tears; count your courage instead of your fears
Count your good years instead of your lean; count your kind deeds instead of you being mean.
Mark Robertson
Principal
Draft term dates 2023
