Faculty News

Careers News

MICHELLE MASCARO

Career Advisor

Career Industry Excursion to Channel 9 Studios

Ms. Kaam along with myself took 14 Middle and Senior School students on a careers excursion to the Nine Network. We were given a behind the scenes look at the career opportunities in the media, which even involved engineering, design, make up artistry, lighting, editing, marketing, and capture, just to name a few. We were introduced to many of the crew, including Peter Hitchener OAM. Best careers advice came from the Floor Manager, “Work as a team it’s not a hierarchy,” and from all the crew, “Grab any opportunities you can get, and TAFE courses are a great start." 

Accessing VCE Results

VCE study scores, ATAR and VTAC Scaled Study Scores will be available to students via the Results and ATAR website, and the Results and ATAR app in December.

Students will receive a statement of VCE study scores from the VCAA, and those who applied for courses through VTAC this year, and have paid their VTAC processing fees, will be sent an ATAR statement in the mail.

Students who wish to receive their results online, will need to register before results are released.

Registrations are already open, and students are encouraged to register soon. To register, students need their VCAA student number, and will be requested to choose a secure password on registering.

Year 12 Change of Preference (COP)  Appointments are available with Mrs. Mascaro in the Careers office:

Friday 13th December: 8.30am - 11.00am

Monday 16th December: 9.00am – 3.30pm 

Tuesday 17th December: 9.00am – 3.30pm

Year 12 E-Counselling COP appointments with Mrs. Mascaro are available:

Wed 18th December: 2.30pm - 5.30pm

Thurs 19th December: 9am – 3.30pm

MMascaro@oakleighgrammar.vic.edu.au

2019 Australian Jobs

In 2019, the Australian labour market is markedly different from that experienced by workers in past decades. The Australian Jobs publication presents an overview of the current labour market and highlights the major changes which have occurred, including for industries and occupations. The report is based largely on the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures, but also uses data from other Government and related agencies. More detailed information is available, and Australian Jobs includes links to help you explore the labour market further. Browse Australian Jobs to find out more.

Chaplains Corner

FATHER GEORGE ADAMAKIS

Parish Priest

Our Junior School students attended church on the 28th of October, at our church at Sts Anargiri for OXI Day, to commemorate the challenging time in our world, and for the people of Greece. The service explained to our students about the Axis forces demanding the surrender of Greece on the 28th of October, 1940. However, the Greek people responded with a loud voice, and with bravery and courage, NO-OXI. Also, we discussed the religious significance of the day, the feast day of the Holy Protection of the Holy Theotokos Virgin Mary. The Holy Virgin Mary was protecting the people in war and performed many miracles, and saved them from the evil power of fascist regimes. We honour the bravery and sacrifice of our fathers and mothers.

We concluded the service with a Doxology with our students, with pride holding National Flags of Greece and Australia, as they together sung the Greek and Australian Anthems that brought our parishioners to tears, and with one voice we said Zito I Ellas Zito I Australia Zito 28 October Zito to Oakleigh Grammar! I would like to thank Fr John Mawal celebrating together the Divine Liturgy. God bless!

On the 1st of November, our Year 6,7 and 9 students attended the Divine Liturgy at our Parish Church, for our Patronal Feast Day of Sts. Anargiri Kosmas and Damianos, and their mother Theodoti. Our Parish and Community would like to thank the students and their teachers for their attendance and participation. Also, I would like to thank our Byzantine Choir from Year 6, who chanted vividly and devoutly during the service

Confession

This week our students from Middle and Senior School attended confession. Students who would still like to attend Confession from all years are welcome to contact me, or see me in the Library on the 25th of November, 11.00am -3.00pm.

Confession Junior/Middle School Years 4,5 and 6 Wednesday 20th of November, or Tuesday 26th of November in the Library.

Byzantine Choir Christmas Carols

Our students have been selected to sing and chant Christmas Carols for the Middle and Senior School Awards Night on the 5th of December at 7.00pm, and also for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Christmas Carols at the Town Hall on Sunday the 22nd of December from 5.00pm-8.00pm. Our Eminence Archbishop Makarios Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia will be attending the Town Hall Christmas Carols. A notice will be handed out to our students for more information.

A bus will be available on the 22nd of December for our students to be picked up from the School and brought back, and parents are more than welcome to meet us at Town Hall. We will be selecting a few students from all year levels to attend, and it would be highly appreciated if our parents supported and allowed our students to attend these auspicious occasions. They will also be in the following weeks’ choir practise on certain days.

Christmas Nativity Orthodox Christian Fast

The Nativity Fast is one of four main fast periods throughout the ecclesiastical year. Beginning on November 15, and concluding on December 24, the Nativity Fast gives individuals the opportunity to prepare for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior in the Flesh on December 25. By abstaining from certain food and drink, particularly from meat, fish, dairy products, olive oil, and wine, as well as focusing more deeply on prayer and alms-giving, we can find that the primary aim of fasting is to make us conscious of our dependence upon God.

Guidelines for the Nativity Fast

The Nativity Fast

(November 15 - December 24)

The Nativity Fast is one of the four Canonical Fasting Seasons in the church year. This is a joyous fast in anticipation of the Nativity of Christ. That is the reason it is less strict than other fasting periods. The fast is divided into two periods. The first period is November 15th through to December 12th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil) is observed. There is dispensation given for wine and oil on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Similarly, fish, wine, and oil are permitted on Saturdays and Sundays. The second period is December 12th through to the 24th, when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil) is observed. There is dispensation given for wine and oil only on Saturday and Sunday during this period. Here are the guidelines:

The Eucharistic Fast means abstaining from at least the previous midnight for communing at a morning Liturgy.

The Purpose of Fasting

The purpose of fasting is to focus on the things that are above, the Kingdom of God. It is a means of putting on virtue in reality, here and now. Through it we are freed from dependence on worldly things. We fast faithfully and in secret, not judging others, and not holding ourselves up as an example.

• Fasting in itself is not a means of pleasing God. Fasting is not a punishment for our sins. Nor is fasting a means of suffering and pain to be undertaken as some kind of atonement. Christ already redeemed us on His Cross. Salvation is a gift from God that is not bought by our hunger or thirst.
• We fast to be delivered from carnal passions so that God’s gift of Salvation may bear fruit in us.
• We fast and turn our eyes toward God in His Holy Church. Fasting and prayer go together.
• Fasting is not irrelevant. Fasting is not obsolete, and it is not something for someone else. Fasting is from God, for us, right here and right now.

Hellenic Culture

NATASHA SPANOS

Hellenic Culture Coordinator 

Our School Community has been very busy from a Hellenic perspective the last three weeks. The month of October is very special to us, as we celebrate the anniversary of the Oxi Day. A number of events were organised in the Greek Community to commemorate the significance of the day, and pay our tribute to those who lost their lives during WWII.

On Sunday October 27, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia’s annual celebration of the 1940 Commemoration Day was held. This event is organised annually by the United Association of Greek Orthodox Parishes and Communities of Melbourne and Victoria. SRC Members and Middle School students accompanied by Mrs Tsiagalos and Mr Panagopoulos, represented our School at the Holy Monastery of "Axion Estin" Doxology Service, followed by a Memorial Service. This year, Katherine Demirgelis recited a poem in Greek for the significance of the day. During the Memorial Service, Efthymia Delichristiou and Floria Takos read The Ode in Greek and English. Victoria Turewicz and Daniel Gilinas laid a wreath on behalf of our School.

On Monday October 28, SRC Members represented the School at St Eustathios Church in South Melbourne. Following the church service, students visited the Australian-Hellenic Memorial and the Shrine of Remembrance, and took part in the wreath laying ceremony. Students from Year 10, Floria Takos and Alexander Logan, laid a wreath on behalf of our School. The students were also invited to the Hellenic RSL venue, where they joined the members there for lunch.

On the same day, Junior School students attended a special church service at our local church, Sts Anargiris, paying tribute to all the heroes of WWII.

On the 1st of November it was the feast day of Sts Anargiri, the Patron Saints of our church. On that day, Year 7 and Year 9 students represented the School at the Divine Liturgy at our parish church. The following Sunday our Drummers and flag bearers participated at the annual Oakleigh Gledi Parade.

On Sunday the 10th of November, the Pancretan Association of Melbourne organised a memorial service to commemorate the 153rd Anniversary of the Holocaust of the Arkadi Monastery. Oakleigh Grammar was invited to attend the service at the Greek Orthodox Parish of Axion Estin, and to be involved. Arthur Millaras and Marialena Loupo read the Ode in English and Greek. Michael Kaniadakis and Toni Stathopoulos laid a wreath on behalf of our School.  

Congratulations to all students for representing our School with pride, and paying respect to the significance of those commemorative days.

Student Representative Council

NATASHA SPANOS

SRC Coordinator

It is really important for young leaders to attend different workshops, conferences and seminars, because they offer opportunities to develop new relationships, meet new friends, gain knowledge and become more successful as leaders.

Every year, 11 selected students from Year 9 have the opportunity to attend the National Young Leaders Day. This is an annual event hosted by the Halogen Foundation, and the goal of this event is to develop strong leadership values in young Australians. The program is designed to benefit any student who shows an interest in developing their leadership potential. On Monday the 11th of November, Year 9 students had the opportunity to listen to some very successful people and be inspired by their journeys. They also listened to some advice on how they can support their School Community, as well as how they can raise awareness for different charities in the future.  Students were very impressed with the conference!

Our students always like to help those who are in need! This year we had two winning groups at the 9th Greek Student Film Festival. Both groups came from Year 6, winning First and Second Prizes in the Primary School category. Students decided to donate their total prize of $500 to the charity “Make a Wish”.  Well done to students for their initiative to support this specific organisation as we are approaching the festive season.

On Sunday the 10th of November, a group of Senior School students attended the Remembrance Day Service in Oakleigh. Students laid a wreath on behalf of our School Community at The Cenotaph.

Counselling

FIONA BAUDINETTE

Student Counsellor

Anger

Anger is a feeling of annoyance, displeasure or hostility. It is referred to as a secondary emotion because we resort to it in order to protect ourselves. The primary emotion is what precipitates the anger eg. fear, pressure, offence etc. Anger is a way to deal with an intense primary emotion. It presents with visible and non-visible feelings.

There are different types of anger; Passive Aggression; Open Aggression and Assertive Anger. Many people don’t like confrontation and suppress their anger by becoming silent, sulking, procrastinating or pretending things are fine. This is called passive aggression. It comes from a need to be in control. The opposite of this is open aggression, where people tend to become physical or verbal. Their anger rises quickly and the person tends to lash out in rage. This presents as fighting, bullying, shouting, bickering or sarcasm. It also, comes from a need to be in control.

The healthy way to deal with anger is by talking and listening, and being open. This is referred to as assertive anger. This type of anger can strengthen relationships with others. It requires patience, understanding, a calm voice, empathy, and listening to the other person’s point of view.

Forgiveness is an important element of assertive anger. Apologsing and accepting an apology helps to calm anger and strengthen relationships. It is human nature to get angry, and we all do, but how can we control it?

1. Become aware of your trigger points.
2. Reflect on how you’ve handled anger in the past and make some changes for the future.
3. Think before you speak.
4. Stick with “I” statements.
5. Identify possible solutions.
6. Don’t hold a grudge.
7. Use humour to release tension.
8. Pre-plan a negative or difficult conversation, giving yourself time to think and reflect beforehand.

Remember, we all get angry at times, but try and develop assertive anger traits as much as possible. In doing so, you will turn a negative into a positive and reap the benefits!

LOTE

Kiki Kousourakis

Head of LOTE

On Friday the 25th of October, students from our Junior School with a selection of Middle School students, prepared a journey through time for all that were present in Oakleigh Grammar’s Commemoration School Celebration, for the 28th of October, 1940.

Our students welcomed everyone with the Grandparent’s High Tea, and then took to the stage to transport everyone through their songs, poems and dancing, in an era of heroes and heroines with a final message of love and peace, of cultural diversity and understanding.

Intensive English Language Program

LOUISE CROSSLEY

ELICOS Course Coordinator

Journey to English Fluency

The Oakleigh Grammar Intensive English Language Program’s maiden voyage has supported 22 students this year in their quest to Reach New Heights, amid homesickness and culture shock. Whilst each Chinese and Greek student has been different, all have been similar in their quiet achievement of the English language. The language barrier can feel restrictive; it has been known to steal personalities and stunt expression, even in adults. Yet these young people have broken that barrier and trusted Oakleigh Grammar with their true selves. In honour of their achievements and perseverance, here is a snapshot of their lives today; in their own words.

Peter Wang

I started translating videos (from English to Chinese) from Term 3. When I was watching some videos, they’re always in English, but no subtitles. I know mostly everything, but I think some others can’t understand. So I started to study translation. I didn’t know how to make subtitles, so I decided to find some other people and work with them. I found another guy, and he is a translator too, and we began to work together. We translated movies to Bili Bili and Youtube. I feel tired every time I translate. In the beginning it took me so long, a few hours. I do it so more people can understand movies that they are interested in. Not just thinking by themselves (without) understanding the meaning.

Yixin Liang

We are painting something about heroes and villains in Art class at Oakleigh Grammar. We decided how to build the characters and we write down how we want to build them. We need to use English to explain why we chose that character, and then we show it to everyone. I chose the Evil Queen, Snow White’s mother, because I think she is a big villain, and she can symbolise jealousy and anger. She teaches me jealousy is not good, and we need to keep calm with everything.

Wen Quan

In my last school during one excursion, one of my classmates said some bad words to me in Chinese and English. Then I got very angry so I grabbed him. And then he told the teacher. After he told the teacher, he still said bad words to me in English and Chinese. Then I can’t control myself and I fight with him. If I controlled myself and was able to talk clearly in English to him or the teacher, it would have been a better result. I think when I have more words it will help somehow, even in bad situations.

Keyi Zhang

I had a casual job as a waitress. Sometimes I worked in a Chinese restaurant, but sometimes had English people come to the restaurant to eat lunch, so I needed to use English to talk with them. And sometimes they asked me, such as: ‘do you have chilli sauce?" and I need to answer them. I think this job can help me to train my English more because my Homestay speak Chinese, and my friends are Chinese. Now I have finished waitressing, but when I want to find a job again, I think I can, easily.

Zhanhua Mai

I feel very excited because I’m ready to go to year 10 next year. I can study more English, make more friends, and have more skills. Now I have more English, I feel I can speak better than before. Now I have Year 10 mainstream friends, and almost everybody knows my name. I talk about ‘same old’. I tell friends, "You look so handsome today."  Usually, I go shopping with my mum. My mum doesn't know English, and now I know, so I can buy food and clothes for her.