Looking Back, Moving On

It is a fascinating paradox of school life. Schools are naturally future-focussed – always looking ahead to the next unit or term or preparing students for a world that is maybe still years away. Because of that constant momentum, it is incredibly easy to get swept up in the “what’s next” and completely miss the “what just happened”.

Looking back on a terrific term, our students and staff can be proud of their incredible achievements. Recent highlights include the wonderful Junior School Production, where we witnessed some incredible talent come to life, the Year 6 Camp, the Year 7 Water Expo, and World Cultural Day activities. Events like the interschool and House cross country and EISM Division Athletics, ‘Behind The Classroom Door’, the Alumni Hall of Fame, and the youngest students' Learning Journeys in the ELC truly showcase our vibrant school life. Additionally, our older students approached their semester exams with commendable focus, and we were honoured to welcome Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne and Bishop Chrysostomos of Tanzania to our Junior School Liturgy. Thursday’s Year 12 Formal, is sure to be a major highlight of the year.

Looking forward gives our school its direction, but looking back and celebrating these recent achievements gives us our heart. I hope that it can transform the exhaustion of a busy term into a collective sense of pride.

I would like to take this opportunity to also farewell the following staff and acknowledge them for their contributions to Oakleigh Grammar - Mr Leigh Gridley, Years 8 and 9 Year Level Leader, Debating Coordinator and Senior School Psychology and Media Teacher; Mrs Elaine Brady, Junior School Teacher and Academic Leader; Dr Alexander Haines, Learning Assistant; Ms Joanne Gerard, ELC Co-Educator, and Mr James Varvakis, Maintenance Officer.

Several staff will also be undertaking deserved Long Service for term three: Mr Greg Joyce – Health and Physical Education Teacher; Mr Steve Zafiropoulos, Mathematics Teacher; Mrs Paras Papasotirou, Junior School Teacher; Mrs Lydia Liu, Chinese Language Teacher; and Mrs Maria Katseli, Learning Assistant.

We congratulate Elena Alexopoulos (Year 4 teacher) and her husband Nathan on the birth of Anastasia last week.

As we head into a well-deserved break, on behalf of our Principal Mr Robertson, I would like to thank every member of our community for your ongoing support and enthusiasm. Whether you are staying local or traveling, I wish you all a safe and restful holiday. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for all the adventures the next term has in store.

Warm best wishes,

Peter Dickinson

Deputy Principal