Dear Parents

Welcome to the first edition of Grammar News for the new school year and you will notice that it has now been integrated into our School’s brand new website.  It is hard to believe that four weeks of the term have already passed.  A strong tone has been set which reflects our school theme of ‘Exceed the Expected’ and we now continue to build momentum for the remainder of the year. 

As I reflect on this first month I am filled with a deep sense of pride and gratitude.  As I traverse the campus each day, I see students who are engaged, curious and giving of their best.  I also see teachers who are committed, not just to delivering content, but to shaping character of each student under our care.

Importantly, I see a student community who are genuinely committed to our School’s HARK Values which of course is underpinned by our Orthodox Christian Ethos.  At Oakleigh Grammar we are committed to empowering students to academic aspiration as well as encouraging them to participate and hopefully, thrive, in our broad co-curricular offering.

Scholarship at Oakleigh is not simply about results but rather about striving to improve and be better each day.  It is about resilience when learning feels challenging; it is about kindness, both in and out of the classroom; it is about representing our School with strong connection and pride.

This was clearly evident at our recent Student Leadership Induction Assembly where our 2026 school leaders were recognised in front of their peers and their parents.  These fine ambassadors have been elected to their positions for having a strong sense of integrity, for being of good character and for taking pride in their school and themselves. 

I regularly acknowledge our staff, on your behalf, for the care, professionalism and dedication they demonstrate each day which ensures that every child and student at our School is known and supported.  A strong school is built on partnership and your trust matters deeply to us. 

Our Senior School students recently returned from their respective Camps with a greater sense of each other as they participated in a range of activities where they were challenged, stimulated and learnt from.  I was privileged to spend time at all three camps and was particularly thrilled with the positive and respectful interactions within each cohort of students and importantly, between our students and teachers.  A zest for life was certainly evident in the various exciting and challenging activities afforded to them.  These experiences are brought back into their daily lives on campus which allow them to continue to grow and develop in their learning journey. 

As we move into the second half of the term, I encourage our students to remain focussed, courageous and grateful for the opportunities before them. 

Our Orthodox Christian Ethos and Hellenic Heritage continue to anchor us.  They remind us that education is not only about knowledge but also about forming respectful children and students of integrity and humility. 

As part of our School’s commitment to Hellenism, an important date which has been provided to you is Sunday 22 March where our School will be represented by our students proudly marching in favour of the Greek Independence Day commemoration.  I look forward to seeing you there.

Staff News

We extend a very warm welcome to the following staff who have commenced with us recently:  Mr Nathan Taylor, Head of IT; Ms Rachel McGarrity, Admissions Officer; Ms Ketrina Mawal, Alumni Engagement Officer, Mr Jacob Lever, Sports Administrator; Mr Charlie Nancarrow, Learning Assistant; and Ms Chloe Haris to our Finance Team.

We warmly welcome the following teachers who have commenced with us:  Ms Sally O’Toole, VCE Biology and Science Teacher; Ms Jaimie Raymer, JS Teacher; Ms Yuda Guo, Product Design Teacher and Ms Kate Yang, leave replacement Media and Psychology Teacher.

In our ELC we extend a warm welcome to Ms Bernadette Campbell, and Ms Milly Brodie, ELC Teachers; and to Ms Suzie Berdenis, ELC Co-Educator.

Ms Nitleen Kaur, Student Counsellor left due to personal reasons and we look forward to welcoming Ms Jasmine DeLacy who will be commencing with us later this term.

Mark Robertson 

Principal