We are proud that personal leadership is promoted and fostered at all levels of the School. Character and competency are given equal importance. Listening and responding to student voice is highly valued within Oakleigh Grammar.
Qualities such as integrity, resilience, tolerance, compassion and valuing diversity are developed and nurtured on a continuum from ELC to VCE.
Oakleigh Grammar encourages the development of leadership in all students, who are expected to present themselves and the School to the wider community in the best possible way, and to be role models for younger students.
Aligned with our School Vision and Values, we recognise the importance of students contributing in a positive way to their own and other peoples’ lives within the Oakleigh Grammar community and beyond, and not just whilst they are students at our School. The focus of leadership is on doing rather than being, and the principle of servant leadership.
We believe that leadership is an important area for student learning. All students are encouraged to take on leadership positions within the school and wider community as we believe that every student has leadership potential and can demonstrate leadership in different ways. Leadership is not a responsibility confined to the ‘badge wearers’ and is shared by all students and staff. We believe that the three aspects of leadership for each person to consider are:
Our leaders in the Senior School share responsibilities across the whole School. There are two School Captains and two Vice Captains who are selected by their peers. In addition, there are also a number of portfolio positions including Student Wellbeing roles and House Captains. In response to student led initiatives, other positions are created from time to time.
At a time when Middle School students are seeking to make connections with their peers and to the world around them, our leadership positions support them to achieve this. There are two Middle School Captains, House Captains and leaders of the three portfolios of Middle School Life & Culture, Student Wellbeing and Social Justice. All positions are voted in by their peers.
A special feature of leadership development at Oakleigh Grammar begins in the Early Years. The children follow the program “The Leader in Me” which is based on “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey. “The Leader in Me” program supports student development and facilitates leadership opportunities. In the Junior School, there are two School Captains, two Vice Captains, House Captains, Faith Leaders, and Social Justice Leaders. Throughout the year, there are many other opportunities for students to help lead activities and events.
Chaired by our School Vice Captains, the SRC includes home group and year level representatives from Years 6 to 12. The students work democratically to represent the student body in school decision-making and organise ways for students to participate in school life. Our SRC members are also great ambassadors of our School through their attendance and involvement in many community events. Throughout the year, there are many other opportunities for students to help lead activities and events.
Lead as you would like to be led
Exemplify a passion for excellence
Accountability, commitment and integrity
Dare to be ALL you can be
Serve the needs of others with humility
Mrs Sarah Boardman
Head of Early Learning
As an educational leader, I feel privileged to be able to work alongside children as they build their knowledge and understanding of the world around them at school. Celebrating the diverse range of “Wow” moments that occur with our students each day, brings great joy to me both personally and professionally. I strongly believe in the importance of building solid foundations for children’s ongoing learning, focussing on developing thinking and inquiry skills in partnership with literacy and numeracy skills, in a meaningful, rigorous and authentic way for all children. Furthermore, I value the opportunity to build beneficial, ongoing partnerships with families, working together with them to encourage all children to consistently challenge themselves, as they holistically develop a solid understanding of how they learn best.
I studied a Bachelor of Education at the University of Tasmania, before working in a range of different school settings, both nationally and overseas. This hands-on experience with a range of educational approaches, supported by my ongoing work at the University of Tasmania as a Unit Coordinator as part of the Bachelor of Education degree, has given me the opportunity to continually reflect upon evolving current best practice in education, based upon relevant, research. I have been part of Oakleigh Grammar since 2014, working as the Early Learning Centre Coordinator before becoming the Acting Head of Junior School in 2018. Within these educational leadership roles, I have developed in many ways whilst working within Oakleigh Grammar’s dynamic and collaborative community of learners.
Mr Peter Cummins
Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
Peter Cummins took up his position as Deputy Principal in 2012. Prior to this he was Deputy Principal (Curriculum) at Leibler Yavneh College (2008-12) and Head of Curriculum at Mentone Grammar (2004-08). He began his career at Scotch College Adelaide and later returned as a boarding housemaster after teaching in the UK at Bromsgrove School and Wellington College.
Peter is passionate about developing the learner in every child and giving them a sense of responsibility to play an active part in making the world a better place for all human beings. He believes that the focus must be on our students developing the agility and imagination needed for living productively in a complex world.
Peter is married to Sharon (Kindergarten Director) and has three adult sons: Andrew who is a senior project manager in construction; Tom who works at Michigan State University in communications; and Alex an industrial designer.
Mr Luke Preston
Business Manager
Luke Preston is an experienced business and finance manager with a background in Not for Profit, specifically Education and Sport. Luke has most recently been the Finance manager at Melbourne Grammar School (2016-2019) and prior to that, the Business Operations manager at Tennis Victoria (2012-2016).
Before moving into the education sector in 2016, Luke worked in sport for 7 years – at Tennis Victoria and Cricket Australia – in financial and operational roles.
He worked in the corporate sector for 15 years prior to that, at major organisations across multiple sectors in both Australia and the UK, covering banking, consulting, retail and logistics.
Luke is passionate about the Education sector and the important community role played by schools and not for profit organisations.
Luke is a CPA and a UK ACMA and also holds a BSc (Social Science) from the University of Southampton.
Outside of work, Luke enjoys spending time with family and friends, and is alway kept busy with his two school age children: Alex and Jessica, and his lovely wife Kellie.
