Middle School
HAYDN FLANAGAN
Head of Middle School
Middle School Elections
Over the last two weeks our current Year 8 students, and soon to be Year 9 students and leaders of the Middle School, have been involved in the election process to choose the Middle School Captain, Arts and House Captains for 2018.
The election process for the Middle School leaders is a rigourous process, asking students to consider carefully what they can bring to each role.
Our Middle School Captains are chosen from students who have been nominated as suitable candidates by members of staff. Students wishing to accept the nomination, are then required to present a speech to the Middle School student cohort. The Middle School students then vote for their choice of male and female captain.
Arts and house Captains are chosen through a slightly different process. Students can nominate, or be nominated by staff or their peers for these positions. Students who choose to accept the nomination and run for a position are then required to attend an interview conducted by key staff members. Students are chosen on the strength of their interview and what they can bring to the position.
On Tuesday 28th November, Year 6, 7 & 8 students had the pleasure of hearing from the 7 Candidates for the 2018 Middle School Captain positions, who spoke on the topic “What Oakleigh grammar needs in students leaders”.
The quality of the speeches was fantastic, giving students and staff confidence that no matter the outcome, the position will be filled by two very capable students.
I congratulate all students who nominated, or were nominated for a position, and remind them that leadership does not requires a title and failing to secure a position should not stop them from contributing to the student voice and leadership of our school.
From the process outlined above, it is with great pleasure that I announce our Middle School leadership team for 2018.
2018 Middle School Captains
Alex Logan
Victoria Turuwicz
Arts Captains:
Evangelia Starakis
Angelica Athanasakis
House Captains
Bradman:
Arthur Millaras
Floria Takos
Rose:
Jonathan Sarris
Stavroula Spiropoulos
Fraser:
Jordan Karavendzas
Anna Palaskas
Personal Project (2017) working day
Looking ahead to 2018, our current Year 9 students participated in their Personal project launch, on Monday 4 December, as part of their transition week. The Personal Project is the culmination of the Middle Years Programme and gives students the opportunity to demonstrate the Approaches to Learning Skills they have developed in the 5 year Middle Years Programme, through an independently driven investigation into an area of interest or passion for the student.
The Personal project launch gave student the chance to focus intently upon setting themselves an exciting, challenging and achievable goal for their 2018 project. This process is a vitally important as the goal needs to give the student the chance to meet all criteria, and setting this now allows students ideas to develop and evolve over the Christmas break.
The buzz of energy and enthusiasm in the 9Ways centre during the morning was contagious and I look forward to some amazing projects to develop over the course of next year.
Special Programmes Week
To celebrate the last week of the school year, our Year 6, 7 and 8 students were involved in a range of exciting learning activities during “special programmes week”, designed to excite, entertain and engage them in the special programmes week.
Year 6 students visited the Royal Melbourne Zoo on Monday 4 December and were involved in a SOS10 activity. This activity challenged them to learn more about 10 endangered Australian species and what they personally could do to help their survival.
Year 7 students travelled to Studley Park in Kew to be challenged by a series of team-building and initiative activities. The inclement wether added to the challenge of the day but, from all reports, our students came through shining.
Year 8 students participated in a time-management seminar run by Elevate Education on Monday 4 December, to start the off on the right foot for the rigour’s of Year 9. On Tuesday 5 December, they then had the opportunity to unwind a little at the IMAX cinema where they learnt about the wonders of the Egyptian pyramids.
Additional to that, all Middle school students also undertook a session in the Arrowsmith room to learn more about the challenging programs and activities that are utilised in this program.
Merry Christmas
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Middle School staff, students and parents for their contribution to a wonderful year in the Middle School. I wish staff, students and families a festive, restful and safe Christmas Break and look forward to an exciting 2018.
[Click gallery to view all photos]
The Year that was 6 & 7 2017
DEAN DAMATOPOULOS
Years 6 & 7 Coordinator
It certainly has been an amazing journey this year for our students in Years 6 & 7.
Reflecting on the year 2017, it has been an honour and privilege to serve and lead these years.
Together with my outstanding pastoral team consisting of; Mrs Kiki Kousourakis, Miss Dianne Nash, Mr Christopher Sexton, Ms Stamata Sideris, Mrs Hannah Peace, Mr Paul Kiley, Mrs Inna Reznikov and Mr Andrew Harbis; we have watched our students challenge themselves, make mistakes, learn and develop into kind and principled individuals.
A highlight for me has been the team ethic that has been fostered through various initiatives in Year 7. Although Year 7 leave my immediate care, I would like them to remember that we are always here for them and importantly my door is always open.
I wish you all a blessed Christmas break and New Year. May you enjoy the time you have with your family and loved ones. Take time to disconnect from technology and to connect with nature and friends.
I look forward to greeting all of you in 2018.