Oak News

Year Level Leaders Report

2023 Year 8 Leader Report

The year 8s have had a good start to the year. The efforts shown in house swimming were fantastic and they showed good house spirit.

 

We have a number of things coming up this term including inter-school sports for volleyball, baseball, softball, tennis and cricket. We also have our year 8 camp coming up to Cresswick which will be a great time for all students on March 22nd. This is a great opportunity for students to complete a number of team-building exercises that align with our curriculum. 

 

I want to thank the year 8s for their effort and am confident they will keep it up for the remainder of the term and year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zane Fernandes 

Year Level Leader: 8

2023 Year 9 Leader Report

Dear Parents/Guardians,

 

The Year 9 Cohort of students now forms a large percentage of the overall Middle School group of students. We welcome all Year 9 students and their families to the Middle School College Community for 2023.

 

Our priorities at South Oakleigh College as Educators and as Learners are to live by and uphold the school values to facilitate and enrich the whole school experience. 

  • High Expectations are set daily by students and teachers as a motivational tool to always do our best.
  • Respect in our learning environments extend further to our daily lives outside of our school experience.
  • Responsibility of the individual and school community supports a healthy and functional educational experience and prepares us beyond the school parameters.
  • Resilience is a self-reliance tool that ensures our success in overcoming any challenge as life is always challenging.
  • Teamwork ensures successful personal and educational outcomes

We have established classroom protocols and behaviours. 

 

All students in YR9 are aware of correct processes and aim to exercise them daily. 

South Oakleigh College School Policies ensure equity, equality, and fairness of the rights of all teachers and students. 

At South Oakleigh College we expect students to: 

  • wear our school uniform with pride and the school blazer to and from school
  • attend regularly and avoid lateness to class
  • report absences followed by a medical certificate or parent phone call
  • Inform teachers of any issues and seek support
  • Be mindful and empathetic towards their peers and teachers
  • Work effectively in class and bring the correct equipment
  • Bring and use the school planners

REPORT 

YR 9-10 Student Assembly ‘Celebrating Student Engagement’.

Our combined 9-10 Middle School Students were invited to a mid-Term 1 Assembly to celebrate our student successes and to also start setting career directions and choices. 

  1. YR 10 students received their Duke of Edinburgh Certificates presented by Mr. Ioannidis on behalf of Mr. Blattman.
  2. Aviva Mulloy our Careers Advisor presented slides on career pathways, the YR9 Morrisby career testing and a Q&A by YR 11 students about employment placements from 2022.
  3. The YR9 Accelerated English debating team presented a passionate debate on, “Cultural Appropriation has become too sensitive’.

( YR9 Debaters-Or Ilan, River Zielinski, Jack Wright, Vanessa Sadjoli, Emily Lay, Will Amiatu ) 

Our musicians and Band of Clowns George Shaddick, Gus Witter, Aaron Brooker-Payne and Sam Benson performed "Day Tripper" by the Beatles and "Holiday" by the Clash and brought the assembly to a close.

Overall, the Middle School Assembly provided inspiration and motivation to YR 9-10 students for their future directions.

 

Thank You to:

All teaching staff and students present.

Ms. A. Mulloy for the invaluable career pathways information.

Mr. T. Knox -Director of Students for his support.

Mr. A. Ioannidis-for his collaboration.

Mr. A. Prewett-for setting up the musicians and equipment in the theatre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phyllis Dimakakos

Year Level Leader: 9

2023 Year 10  Leader Report

Welcome to Middle School 2023. After a summer break that had so many wonderful experiences in the world, and with the positive start to the school year so far, we have had an amazing start to 2023. Making the most of 2023 from Day One, even with the heat the students and teachers have experienced, the beginning of the year has come along smoothly!

 

At South Oakleigh College, making the most of 2023 means providing Quality Learning in a Caring Environment. Creating an outstanding school like South Oakleigh College involves our entire community coming together to support our students so that they can thrive. This translates to ensuring that in every lesson, every day, quality learning and teaching is occurring. 

 

Our amazing Middle School Team consisting of Mr Blake Cochrane, Ms Phyllis Dimakakos, Mr Anestis Ioannidis, and our Director of Students Mr Travis Knox, have worked hard to ensure their support for your child’s educational journey is at its best. We’re so grateful and give thanks to the SOC staff who work tirelessly to support our school, in so many ways. As a school we’re incredibly appreciative of those parents In Middle School Years who ensure their children arrive ready to learn and on time.

 

Part of Year 10 this year is a willingness to give every aspect of school our best. This begins with those everyday things like wearing the correct school uniform, being on time for classes and being ready to learn. When this occurs, the big things become easier and take shape automatically. Attendance to every school day is a priority this year. Coming to school and making the best of every lesson, every day adds up to a huge year of fun and achievement. When our students are absent from school, it’s not just the things like wearing their uniform that they miss out on. It’s friends at lunch in the canteen area, a favourite subject, important assessment information or an essential assessment task. Making the most of every lesson, every day is so important for a Year 10 student.

 

Hopefully, one of the best times of your life begins with respecting your fellow peers and teachers and enjoying those special moments at South Oakleigh. Part of our school spirit is ensuring that it’s a productive year for all our Middle school students. 

 

This year, our Year 10 Peer Support leaders, School and House Captains and staff have done a fantastic job of welcoming the new Year 7 students to our school. To see the enthusiasm with which our Leaders welcomed our newest students was heart-warming. Those nervous moments disappeared quickly, and those smiles became more and more ready as the day went on.

 

Our Year 10 Students have settled in well over the past five weeks, thanks in part to the support parents have given us with uniforms and students being at school on time. All our teachers and staff appreciate this effort: when the little things are done right, the big things can take shape more easily. It is a testament to our strong school culture, that we’re able to welcome more students to our school and still maintain the spirit of South Oakleigh, a school that has a steadfast commitment to belonging, respecting and tolerance. Good luck in 2023 Year 10's and thank you to all our parents for their support and cooperation so far this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arnie Ioannidis

Year Leave Leader: 10

2023 Year 11 Leader Report

Good afternoon students, parents and/or guardians,

 

My name is Jessica Ferguson and I am the Year 11 Leader at South Oakleigh College for 2023. I moved from the Western to the Eastern Suburbs, where I had been working at Melton Secondary College for the past three years in a similar leadership role. I have had a very warm welcome from the South Oakleigh College community, which has made the transition to a new school extremely smooth and enjoyable.   It has been lovely getting to know the year 11 cohort this term and I am looking forward to seeing how each student demonstrates success in their studies this year. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jessica Ferguson

Year Level Leader: 11

2023 Year 12  Leader Report

Our senior students should be very proud of the great start to the academic year. The Year 12s have demonstrated our school values:

  • High expectations – being at school all day every day
  • Respect – a positive climate for learning in the VCE Study Centre
  • Responsibility – ensuring their study space is kept clean and tidy at the end of each day.
  • Resilience – commitment to their VCE studies 
  • Teamwork – Year 12 BBQ Fundraiser 

The following are four tips for students to minimise stress and maximise performance:

  1. Use class time and study periods well – if you are inattentive or waste time in class, you will be placing stress on your already crowded study schedule. You also are interfering with the learning of others.
  2. Know due dates for SACS – write them in your planner.
  3. Know exactly what is required for each SAC.
  4. Seek help if you are not coping – subject teacher/Mrs Carmody/Ms Terdich/Student Wellbeing Team. 

“If you do the work you get rewarded. There are no shortcuts in life.” – Michael Jordan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrea Carmody

Year Level Leader: 12