Faculty News
Careers News
MICHELLE MASCARO
Career Advisor
Monash University – Science Precinct Tour
July 3, 5, 10 and 12
If you would like to take a closer look and see where you could be studying next year, this is a great chance to visit our brilliant science facilities and student spaces. Get a feel for campus life and have a chat with some of our science students and staff. Also, if you need some course advice we can help with that as well. Find out more here.
The University of Melbourne - My Melbourne Future’ Series
The University of Melbourne will be hosting a series of free ‘My Melbourne Future’ Information Sessions at the Parkville Campus from 6.30pm – 8.30pm. These sessions are aimed at informing prospective students about the courses on offer including exploring majors, breadth options, and electives, from current students, academic staff and recent graduates about what it is like to study that degree or course at Melbourne, and the career opportunities available.
Registrations are now open and students can register at My Melbourne Future.
La Trobe University Aspire Program 2018
Through the Aspire Early Admissions Program La Trobe University recognizes those secondary students who have made a positive impact on their school or community through leadership or volunteering. As a successful applicant, students receive an offer into their course in September, before they receive their ATAR. This program is open to current Year 12s (domestic and on-shore international students).
Applications open – 1 June 2018
Close – 31 August 2018
Notification of Outcome – from mid-September 2018
Successful Aspire applicants receive an early conditional offer into La Trobe. Most courses have a minimum ATAR of 50, but some professional degree programs have higher requirements. The Minimum ATAR Table shows the minimum ATAR for some professional degree courses for entry through Aspire in 2019. Should an applicant’s preferred course not be listed on this table, then the minimum ATAR is 50.
Career as a Civil Engineer
Civil engineers plan, design, construct, operate and maintain roads, bridges, dams, water supply schemes, sewerage systems, transportation systems, harbours, canals, dockyards, airports, railways, factories and large buildings. To find out more about this career go to Good Universities Guide - Civil Engineering.
OG Senior School Careers Morning Tea
On Tuesday 15th May, I organised and hosted our first Oakleigh Grammar Senior School Careers Morning Tea for 2018. I was thrilled to obtain two Guest Speakers – Channel 9 Sports Presenter, Mr. Nathan Currie, and Real Estate Director/Entrepreneur, Mr. Max Martinucci.
Both men shared their amazing career journeys to date, provided great advice, which in turn inspired our students. I thank them for participating, and give an extended thanks to Mr. Jamie Evans of McDonald’s Clayton, who sponsored the event with some delicious morning tea courtesy of the McCafe menu. Many thanks to all staff who assisted me with the event, and I look forward to announcing our speakers for the second morning tea in August. Watch this space.
Year 10 VET in Schools Presentation from Holmesglen Institute of TAFE
Jenny Anthony, who is the Manager of Youth Sector Relations at Holmesglen, presented our Year 10 students with an array of VET - Vocational Education and Training in schools subject choices. Students are able to select a VET in Schools subject as part of their VCE program at Oakleigh Grammar. To find out more about the options, click here.
Student Representative Council (SRC)
NATASHA SPANOS
SRC Coordinator
Leadership is something that is continuously developed over time, through mentoring and staying curious. The best leaders are always learning, and continue to improve their skills. Earlier this term, two Year 10 SRC members, Anastasia Anastopoulos and Claudia Ciempka attended the day-long Monash Youth Forum. Students had the opportunity to explore the causes and impacts of stress in relation to education and career planning. They also listened to special guests talking about different skills which they will help students to navigate careers in their own life in the future.
From the 30th of April until the 4th of May another two of our Year 10 SRC members, Anastasia Soumplis and Ekaterini Demirgelis, represented our school by participating in the week-long Monash All School Leadership Program. The program, offered by Monash Youth and Family Services, focuses on developing the leadership potential of students. Students who attended both events were very impressed with the information they received, and they are looking forward to using them in their leadership positions as well as in their personal life. Congratulations to all students on participating in such great programs!
For the second year, students of Oakleigh Grammar participated at the Mother’s Day Classic by completing the 4 km walk. The event was organised by Year 11 students. Students and staff members travelled to the city on Sunday May 13, wearing something pink and participated in this worthwhile fundraiser to raise money for the breast cancer research. Well done to the students who took part to this event!
Our annual “Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea” fundraiser was held on Thursday 24th May. SRC members together with our Middle School Leaders prepared delicious strawberry and chocolate milkshakes for our ELC and Junior School students. Staff members from all across the school enjoyed a morning tea during recess. All funds raised from activities were donated to the Cancer Foundation. Well done to all students who were dedicated to their roles and worked so hard!
Hellenic Culture
NATASHA SPANOS
Hellenic Culture Coordinator
The last three weeks students of Oakleigh Grammar have been involved in several different activities related to Hellenic Cultural.
On Tuesday 15th of May, 15 selected Year 8 students took part in our first Culture and Language lesson conducted by Skype, with our sister school in Greece – Second Junior High School of Thessaloniki. Students had the opportunity to meet students from the school, and exchanged information in relation to their hobbies, school life and friendship.
On Sunday 20th May, the Coordinating Committee of Pontian Associations in Melbourne organised a memorial service for the commemoration of the Pontian Greek Genocide at St. Eustathios. Selected SRC members and Middle School Leaders attended the Doxology by holding flags and represented Oakleigh Grammar with pride.
Junior and Middle School students had the opportunity to participate in some special dancing lessons during Greek classes the last three weeks. We were very fortunate to be able to have Mr Christos Tzanidakis and Ms Olga Kostaki, who are dancing instructors from the school “Tzanidaki”, in Crete, visit our school. Students learnt some of the most popular Cretan dances. We would like to thank Ms Kostaki and Mr Tzanidakis for teaching us the beautiful Cretan dances, as well as Mr Antony Tsourdalakis for giving us the opportunity to have the dance teachers for three weeks in our school.
Early this year, some Year 10 and Year 11 students took part in the 2018 Spirit of Hellenism Award competition. The Spirit of Hellenism competition is an annual award open to Victorians aged 15 to 25 where entrants are required to research and tell a story of contribution made by Hellenic migrants to Australian society. Entrants must meet at least one primary source and work to understand their contribution either via interviews with the person, the family or friends, and documents found at local historical societies such as local Greek clubs.
Students can turn their research into entries by presenting it in any format. e.g. essay, poem, audio presentation, video presentation, musical composition, digital presentation or artwork.
From our school we had three winners:
Efthymia Delichristou from Year 10 winning the PANCRETAN Spirit of Hellenism Award
Angeliki Stamatopoulou from Year 11 winning the Olympian Spirit of Hellenism Award
Evan Koukounaras from Year 11 winning the Pammessinian Spirit of Hellenism Award
Congratulations to Efthymia, Angeliki and Evan on their significant achievements.
Congratulations are also extended to the following participants, who made great progress throughout the entire competition.
1. Anastasia Anastopoulos
2. Lia Bauzon
3. Athanasia Lekkas
4. Kostas Pliatsikas
5. Jordan Kollatos
6. Eleni Kourkoutzelos
7. Anastasia Soumplis
Well done to all students who took part to all these events!
Chaplain's Corner
FATHER GEORGE ADAMAKIS
School Chaplain
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Father John and myself, together with the Board of Management would like to thank everyone for their financial donations, towards the refurbishment of our Church.
As a thank you to our parishioners, the Board of Management provided a wonderful sausage sizzle following Sunday Liturgy on 29th April 2018. The ladies of the Philoptohos (Benevolent) also worked tirelessly to raise funds during Great Lent and Holy Week, raising a total of $11,500. We thank the ladies for their wholehearted efforts.
The refurbishment of our church is continuing, and if anyone would like to assist please feel free to contact me, with all contributions greatly appreciated. May God bless everyone for their generosity, love, care, prayers and support. “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”
(1 Corinthians 3:9) May Sts Anargiri always guide and protect you and your families.
Orthodox Christian Catechism
Sunday of Holy Pentecost
This Sunday 27th May we are celebrating the Feast of Holy Pentecost. The Feast of Holy Pentecost is celebrated each year on the 50th day after the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha (Easter) and 10 days after the Feast of the Ascension of Christ. The Feast is always celebrated on a Sunday. The Feast commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, a feast of the Jewish tradition. It also celebrates the establishment of the Church through the preaching of the Apostles and the baptism of the thousands who on that day believed in the Gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The Feast is also seen as the culmination of the revelation of the Holy Trinity.
The story of Pentecost is found in the book of The Acts of the Apostles. In chapter two we are told that the Apostles of our Lord were gathered together in one place. Suddenly, a sound came from heaven like a rushing wind, filling the entire house where they were sitting. Then, tongues of fire appeared, and one sat upon each one of Apostles. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as directed by the Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). More information:
https://www.goarch.org/pentecost
Apolytikion (Plagal Tone Four)
Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who made fisherman all-wise, by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them, drawing all the world into Your net. O Loving One, glory be to You.
Prayer of the Holy Spirit
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: come and abide in us, cleanse us from every impurity and save our souls, O Good One.
Note: The above Prayer of the Holy Spirit is always said in the Orthodox Christian Faith every morning and evening.
The Doctrine of the Holy Trinity
The fullness of God is "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit" (2 Cor. 13:14).
Orthodox Christians worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the Holy Trinity, the one God.
Following the Holy Scriptures and the Church Fathers, the Church believes that the Trinity is three divine persons (hypostasis) who share one essence (ousia). It is paradoxical to believe accordingly, however that is how God has revealed himself. No one can understand how God can be three Persons yet one God It is a great mystery. All three persons are con-substantial with each other, that is, they are of one essence (homoousios) and co-eternal. There never was a time when any of the persons of the Trinity did not exist. God is beyond and before time and yet acts within time, moving and speaking within history.
The doctrine of the Trinity is anchored in Scripture: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19)
St Irenaeus pictures the Trinity as God the Father stretching His two arms out to us in love, one arm is Jesus and the other arm is the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER
My hope is the Father,
My refuge is the Son,
My protection is the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, Glory to Thee.
— An Orthodox Prayer
Events
Saturday 2nd June 2.30pm Bowling Afternoon: Teen Fellowship of Sts Anargiri invites you, for more details see the image below.
GREEK ORTHODOX YOUTH DAY 2018
9:30am - 3:30pm St John's Greek Orthodox College, Preston (enter car park via Blanch St, off Bell St) Melways ref 30 F1
FOR CHILDREN AGED PREP to YEAR 12.
An Archdiocese SCHOOL HOLIDAY event.
Interactive discussions with Bishops and Clergy, their Graces Bishop Ezekiel and Bishop Iakovos will be in attendance.
Sporting activities, social games, craft activities for primary children, morning/afternoon tea and sausage sizzle lunch. Each child takes home a goody bag valued at $15. All discussions and activities will be in English and divided into different age categories.
Cost: $40 per child. Limited places available! REGISTRATION ESSENTIAL BEFORE 15/06/2018. NO REGISTRATIONS ON THE DAY ACCEPTED.
Science
ANGELA KORLOS
Head of Faculty Maths/Science
On Friday the 18th of May, our Science Club was visited by The Managing Director of Textron Systems Australia. Textron systems manufacture drones that are used in weather forecasting, aerial photography and home security.
Mr Kormas spoke to our students about the capabilities of the drones and about their development and manufacture. He then answered the many questions posed by the audience. Finally everybody got to observe a number of drones flying and were photographed by them.
Scienceworks Student Reflections
Scienceworks was a great experience and lots of fun. We did lots of cool activities. My favourite part was the planetarium. It was mind blowing and so much fun, it was like I was floating in space. I’m definitely going to go again. It’s great for all ages and everyone will definitely like it!
Gregory Milonas 7B
Scienceworks was a great way to learn about black holes and to form more friendships with the other Year 7 classes. I learnt that black holes have so much mass that not even light could escape it. The first area we went to was “The Future”. I found it very interesting and there were many fun things to do in that area. My favourite thing in that area was the space tunnel. I found it interesting because while in the tunnel you never knew who was on the other side. Next we went to the “Sports Area”. I found that very interesting. The sports area was right next to the Planetarium. Before the Planetarium we spent our time in the sports section and tried many different activities. Next we went into the Planetarium. The Planetarium was very cool and very relaxing. The people hosting told us about what the night sky would look like at 8.30pm at night. We also watched a movie called “Black Holes”. I really enjoyed Scienceworks and I would go again. It was very cool to learn about science in a fun way, and I hope that we do more things like this again.
Mary Kourkoutzelos 7B
I really did enjoy Scienceworks. The planetarium was really good, and I liked the black holes video. The sport area was one of my favourites because I like sport. I enjoyed the crazy activities and being with my new friends. I really did enjoy Scienceworks and hope to go on another excursion soon.
Ethan Karkanis 7B
It was really fun for my first time ever at Scienceworks. I learnt a lot about black holes.
It inspired me to learn more about space.
Senuka Ranadeera 7B
On the Scienceworks excursion I learnt a lot about black holes in the Planetarium. Did you know we have one right in the middle of our galaxy but we shouldn’t be afraid because we are nowhere near it, so we’re safe! I also learnt that black holes can suck in anything and nothing can escape from it, not even light. The biomimicry area was hilarious because you got recorded and it was a competition to see who was going to break the most blocks. I came second by breaking 16 blocks and Lazar came first by breaking 18 or 19 blocks. I liked the sports room and especially where you raced people. I actually did pretty well by winning 15/25 races, and I just couldn’t leave that place because it was so fun. It was actually a pretty fun excursion and I wouldn’t mind if we go again.
George Maravelias 7B
LOTE
SHARON CHEUNG
Middle School Mandarin Teacher
Chinese Restaurant Experience
The Year 7 and Year 9 Chinese class had an exciting visit to a Chinese Restaurant located in Oakleigh earlier this month. All students had a chance to order food they wanted to eat and drink in Mandarin.
They also had first-hand experience tasting a large variety of Chinese food. Not only did they learn how to order dishes they wanted in Mandarin, but they also learnt how to hold chopsticks and understood basic Chinese dining etiquette.
All students enjoyed their meals and were licking off the plates after the food was finished. The students of Oakleigh Grammar would like to extend their thanks to “All Seasons Dumpling” staff for their warm hospitality, and to the teaching staff who accompanied the students walking to the restaurant.
Maths
ANGELA KORLOS
Head of Faculty Maths/Science
Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO)
On May 23rd, selected students in Year 5-9 were given the opportunity to participate in the first Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiad. The Maths Olympiad is a challenging competition for high-achieving maths students which allows teams and individuals to ‘put their talent to the test’, and compete against other schools and students across Australia and New Zealand.
The competition consists of five separate contests, one per month from May to September, and aims to develop flexibility for problem solving, to foster creativity and ingenuity and strengthen intuition.
Debating
ELISE ZIJAI
Head of Arts/Debating Co-ordinator
Congratulations to our debaters who had another successful evening at Wesley College!
Four out of our five teams won their debates. Amanda Tsiagalos and Irene Pilakis of Year 10 won Best Speakers.
It was quite a significant night, as this was the first evening of the year where secret topics were released- meaning the Year 10 and Year 11 teams only had one hour to prepare their debates.
Out of 14 debates this year, Oakleigh Grammar has won 11 of them- an amazing effort!
Last night marked the last debate that I will attend before I head off on maternity leave. I have really enjoyed this position and I wish this team and our junior teams (that will debate in the latter half of the year) every bit of success.
I would also like to thank and acknowledge the support of Paula who has accompanied myself and the debaters to Wesley over the years. She has taken the time to help these students and show them that they also have her support. Thank you Paula! I really appreciate your help and care!