Principal's Report
Term 3: Principal Report
Acknowledgement of Country
South Oakleigh College acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which our school is situated, the Bunurong and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to any and all Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.
Continued Lockdown
Following advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer, all Victorian schools will continue with remote and flexible learning for a further 7 days - with an anticipated return to onsite learning from Friday 20 August.
As previously indicated this is the day we will have as a Pupil Free Day to allow staff to come together for Professional Learning and looking at how the school has progressed over the last four years as Part of our Review which is to be held in October/November 2021.
Therefore, if we are to return to school it will be on Monday 23 August 2021.
I am acutely aware that these are challenging times for many people for a range of reasons. Every class and Mentor Group is an opportunity for students and teachers to connect via Teams and know that they are not alone. We also understand that some students may have difficulty accessing classes through Microsoft Teams or have connectivity issues. Students can still follow the lesson at a later time by following the Compass lesson plan.
To support our students and staff, lessons have been reduced from 70 minutes to 60 minutes, in order to reduce screen time, increase movement and transition effectively to the next class. As always, if something isn’t working for your student or your family, please reach out to us.
For our senior students,
the GAT, which had been re-scheduled, has now been postponed and a new date will be announced shortly. Any SACs scheduled during lockdown may still run online; teachers will be doing them during class-time and will inform students when these are to take place. Mathematics subjects will need to be held as soon as we return. Please keep in contact with your teacher and they will provide you with additional information about this. If you require support, please arrange a meeting with your teacher through MS Teams or contact Ms Terdich (who has provided a range of DET resources to support our senior students in the Director of Students section of this newsletter).
For parents please watch this short video developed by ‘headspace’ to support families during restrictions with Tips and strategies for Victorian parents and carers during lockdown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw3LzWe-93U
Students who cannot be supervised at home and for whom no other arrangements can be made due to parents being permitted workers, can email the college (our email @SOC) to make an application to attend on site. If your child is vulnerable or has a disability and your family is experiencing severe stress, you may also apply for your child to attend the College on site. Please note that our teachers are not on site. All students who are attend classes are doing so remotely from the College using their device.
As Principal, I am confident that we, as a school community, have this lockdown covered; and by working together we will once again get through it. I encourage you all to keep in touch with family and friends via digital devices and telephone.
Please take care of yourself and others.
Our Architects and our Building Project
Our building project for the refurbishment of our Gymnasium and the construction of our new Science Centre continues to develop as we move to the schematic design of the works.
It has been an exciting process to watch an idea transform into what we see as a cutting-edge facility where our students can explore the sciences. Our staff have been involved in the conversation and have provided some insight into what is required to deliver a learning program which will benefit all and pivot our students into the science world with endless possibilities.
Thank you to the team at Architecture Architecture for all their hard work!
Architecture, Architecture Update:
Architecture architecture has been busy working on the future campus masterplan and Priority Project 1 with the VSBA and the school’s leadership team.
Nick James, design director; Phil Burns, senior project architect; and Xeyiing Ng, project manager, have been getting to know the school's leadership team as well as science and physical education staff, as we work towards designing positive, meaningful spaces that match the school's values and needs.
Priority Project 1 comprises of 3 parts: the new Science building - the first of three buildings that will form the new STEAM precinct; the expansion of the school’s gymnasium into a contemporary, competition-grade facility for use by the school and broader local community; and the first steps in forming a community ‘Agora’ courtyard at the school’s heart. The completed works will present a new face to the community, one that more accurately demonstrates the spirit of the school.
We’ve been enjoying a fruitful, open, and supportive process so far, learning about the school community, and we’re excited to show you more as we progress closer to breaking ground on-site next year.
Phil Burns
Senior project Architect
Helen Koziaris
College Principal
