A Term to Celebrate

As Term 3 draws to a close, it is hard to believe just how much we have managed to fit into ten weeks, and how quickly they have passed!

Science Week, Book Week and Numeracy Week brought plenty of excitement, creativity and rich learning across the Junior School. Our Whole School Church Service, Father’s Day celebrations, sporting opportunities and the many experiences taking place within our classrooms have all contributed to another full and rewarding term.

The Let’s Talk sessions have been a particular highlight for me. These sessions have provided families with an opportunity to meet directly with me, ask questions, share their perspectives and talk openly about Junior School life. I have greatly valued these conversations and the chance to strengthen our partnership with families. The positive response to the sessions has been encouraging, and I look forward to continuing them.

Of course, not every achievement appears on a calendar. Some of the most important moments are found in the everyday: a student persisting when learning feels challenging, including someone who needs a friend, taking greater responsibility or finding the confidence to share an idea. These moments reflect our HARK values of Humility, Aspiration, Respect and Kindness and show the many ways our students continue to exceed the expected.

My sincere thanks go to our Junior School staff for the care, energy and professionalism they bring each day, and to our families for their continued partnership and support. Most importantly, congratulations to our students, who have worked hard, embraced opportunities and kept us smiling, usually while also asking how many days remain until the holidays!

I hope the term break provides everyone with an opportunity to slow down, enjoy time together and perhaps rediscover the bottom of a school bag before Term 4 begins.

Wishing all our Junior School families a safe, happy and restful break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for an exciting final term.

Shelley Parkes 

Assistant Principal ‑ Head of Junior School

Chaplain's Corner

As I write these words from Greece, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude. There is something truly special about experiencing this beautiful country alongside our students walking through places filled with history, encountering our Hellenic heritage, and, most importantly, experiencing the living faith that has shaped this land for centuries.

Greece has a beauty that is difficult to capture in words. From its landscapes and villages to its churches, monasteries and sacred places, there is a constant reminder that faith is woven into the life and history of its people. For our students, this journey is more than a school trip. It is an opportunity to connect with their heritage, deepen friendships and encounter the Orthodox faith beyond the classroom.

One of the great blessings still ahead of us is our pilgrimage to Mount Athos. As we prepare to enter this ancient centre of Orthodox monastic life, we look forward to a time of prayer, reflection and encounter a reminder that pilgrimage is not simply about where we travel, but about how the journey can change our hearts.

Being away also provides an opportunity to reflect upon the term that has passed. I am grateful for the many blessings we have shared at Oakleigh Grammar and for the dedication of our students, families and staff who continue to make our community one grounded in Faith and Wisdom.

As Term 3 comes to an end, I wish all our families a peaceful and well-earned break. May these holidays provide time to rest, reconnect with family and give thanks for the blessings in our lives.

I look forward to returning in Term 4, renewed by this pilgrimage and ready to share in the final chapter of another wonderful school year.

May God bless you and your families, and grant you a safe, restful and blessed holiday.

Rev. Fr. Stavros Kakavas
School Chaplain

Message from the Director of Early Learning Centre

Term Three has been a wonderful term of growth, confidence and discovery at the ELC. It has been particularly rewarding to see our children develop as increasingly confident, capable and independent learners. Across our classrooms, children have approached new experiences with curiosity, embraced challenges with growing resilience and demonstrated an increasing confidence to share their ideas, ask questions and contribute to their learning community. These moments of growth, both big and small, are an important part of each child’s journey.

Farm Week was a wonderful highlight of the term, providing children with authentic opportunities to connect with animals and nature. Beyond the excitement of encountering and caring for the animals, Farm Week created a meaningful context for our children to live our HARK values of Humility, Aspiration, Respect and Kindness. Children were encouraged to approach the animals gently and respectfully, consider the needs of living things, work collaboratively and support one another throughout their experiences. These authentic opportunities are central to our approach, as they enable children to understand that our values are not simply words, but are reflected in the choices we make and the way we care for ourselves, others and the world around us.

Our K2 and K3 learners have continued to thrive through our Expressive Arts Specialist Program. This term, children have explored a rich range of materials and creative processes, with charcoal, plasticine and wire among the many mediums they have investigated. These open-ended experiences have encouraged children to experiment, revisit ideas, problem-solve and develop their own ways of expressing their thinking. It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they engage deeply with the creative process, discovering that there is not always one way, or one answer, when communicating an idea.

For our Pre-Prep children, Community Walks have provided a valuable opportunity to observe the changing seasons within their local environment. As winter transitioned into spring, children noticed changes in the trees, plants, weather, light and sounds around them. These regular experiences have encouraged children to slow down, observe closely, ask thoughtful questions and make connections between their experiences and the natural world. In doing so, children are developing a growing sense of belonging and connection to the community in which they learn and live.

As we reflect on Term Three, we are incredibly proud of the growth, confidence and curiosity demonstrated by our children. We look forward to building upon this strong foundation and continuing to create meaningful opportunities for learning, connection and discovery throughout Term Four.

Katarina Hills

Director of Early Learning Centre

Fathers Morning

What a wonderful morning we had in the Banksia Room as we welcomed our dads and special family members to celebrate Father’s Day together! The morning was filled with laughter, creativity and lots of special moments. The children and their dads enjoyed creating their very own colourful ties at the drawing table, which they proudly wore throughout the morning. We then moved to the handprint table, where the children created a beautiful keepsake to take home and treasure.

The fun continued with a lively music session, where the children and their dads enjoyed singing, moving and sharing a little dance together (Rock Around The Clock). It was lovely to see the children proudly showing their dads around the room and including them in their morning experiences. A very special thank you to our lovely dad, Robert, Leonardo’s dad, who generously shared one of Leonardo’s favourite stories from home with the group. The children listened with great interest and enjoyed being part of this special shared reading experience.

Our robot construction experience was full of creativity, laughter and teamwork! The children worked alongside their dads, grandparents and special people, sharing ideas and helping bring their robot designs to life. It was wonderful to see the children compare their original blueprints with the robot as it was created, noticing what was the same, what had changed and what they could add along the way. Everyone had a chance to contribute, and the room was filled with plenty of fun, jokes and creative thinking! The children and parents absolutely loved watching their ideas come together to create one very special robot.

It was such a joyful morning filled with connection, creativity, music and plenty of smiles. Thank you to all our wonderful dads for joining us and making our Father’s Day celebration so memorable!

Melissa Manaras

Early Childhood Teacher

Farm Fun

The Lilly Pilly's were very lucky to welcome the Farm to our Early Learning Centre for a wonderful farm animal experience! The children were so excited to meet and interact with a variety of animals, including little bunnies hopping around, a turtle swimming, chickens digging, sheep, and guinea pigs running around. The children had so much fun exploring the different textures of fur and feathers, gently patting and feeding the animals, and even having the opportunity to brush them. We talked about the different sounds animals make, what different animals eat, and how we can care for and safely pat animals.

Our Lilly Pilly's were full of excitement and curiosity throughout the experience.

Sophia: “Look, so big!”
Anton: “Chicken.”
Antonio: “Wow, a duck!”
William: “Baa.”
Sophia: “I want to pat it.”
Cleo: “Can I brush?”

We are so proud of our Lilly Pilly's for their curiosity, confidence, kindness, and enthusiasm for learning today. What a wonderful day of learning and discovery!

Melissa Manaras

Early Childhood Teacher

The Faraway Tree

Literacy has such a beautiful way of opening the door to a child’s imagination. Through stories, children are invited to dream, wonder, laugh and explore ideas that can take them far beyond the pages of a book. In a Reggio Emilia environment, we can nurture this imagination by noticing what captures the children’s interest and giving them opportunities to explore these ideas in their own creative ways.

Our interest in The Faraway Tree has provided a wonderful starting point for artistic expression and imaginative thinking. Children can create their own magical lands, characters and adventures through drawing, painting, clay, collage, construction and dramatic play.

Our visits to the library has assisted this exploration as our time there is greatly valued by the children and where our first book in the series was borrowed.
A much-loved story can then grow into something truly special, a shared journey filled with creativity, friendship, wonder and endless possibilities.

Our Faraway tree creations are truly taking shape in the Bluebell classroom!

Bernadette Campbell

Early Childhood Teacher

Learning, Creating and Exploring in Greek

This term in the Banksia Room, we have been exploring the solar system through the Greek language, with the children enthusiastically participating in group discussions and sharing their ideas and knowledge.

We have also been learning new Greek songs with actions, which the children have particularly enjoyed joining in with. Alongside our space learning, we have been developing our Greek language and literacy skills by recognising and exploring our Greek names through a range of creative experiences. The children participated in dot painting their names, created bracelets using Greek name and alphabet beads, and designed their own planet lights.

It has been wonderful to see the children’s enthusiasm, creativity and growing confidence as they continue to explore Greek language and culture through play, music and hands-on experiences.

Patricia Keramidas

Early Childhood Language Teacher

R U OK?

Grevillea - R U OK Day?

We recently explored R U OK? Day, with the Grevillea class. We talked about what “R U OK?” means, why it is important, and how we can check in on our friends and show kindness and support. The children shared their ideas about the many different ways we can help someone who may be feeling sad, worried or upset.

We then shared ‘The Colour Monster’ storybook and explored different emotions, such as happy, sad, angry, worried and surprise. The children had lots of fun acting out different feelings using their facial expressions and body language, with their peers guessing the emotion they were portraying. The children then created their own colour monsters using straws to blow watercolours into abstract shapes, with each colour they chose representing an emotion. Once dried, using their creativity and imagination the children added details to their watercolour shapes, turning them into colour monsters. Throughout the day, we continued to provide a range of experiences to support the children’s knowledge and understanding of their own emotions, the emotions of others and the ways we can support and care for each other.

Jackie Walker

Early Childhood Teacher

Celebrating Learning, Thinking and Achievement

What a wonderful and inspiring term it has been in the Junior School! Our classrooms have been filled with curiosity, creativity, collaboration and a genuine love of learning as our students have embraced a wide range of rich learning experiences.

A few standout moments this term include the Years 3–5 History Exhibition, which showcased the incredible critical and creative thinking of our students. It was wonderful to see students make meaningful connections between their learning, develop their understanding of the past and communicate their ideas with confidence. The exhibition highlighted the progression of curriculum learning across the year levels, while also demonstrating our students’ remarkable ability to lead, articulate and take ownership of their learning. Their enthusiasm, knowledge and confidence were truly impressive.

Our Education Weeks have also provided wonderful opportunities to celebrate learning across the Junior School. From the excitement and imagination of Book Week, to the curiosity and investigation sparked during Science Week, and the focus on developing strong foundations during Literacy and Numeracy Weeks, students have been encouraged to explore, question, create and connect. These experiences have helped bring learning to life and demonstrated the power of making meaningful connections across the curriculum.

Another exciting highlight was the Premier’s Spelling Bee, which was a tremendous success. More than 70 Junior School students elected to participate, demonstrating their enthusiasm, determination and love of words. We are incredibly proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of two State Champions. What an extraordinary accomplishment!

Across the term, we have continued to see our students grow not only in their knowledge and skills, but also in their confidence, independence and ability to communicate their thinking. These moments remind us that learning is so much more than what happens within individual lessons, it is about making connections, asking questions, sharing ideas and developing a lifelong love of learning.

As we reach the end of another busy and rewarding term, we hope our students and families enjoy a well-deserved break filled with rest and recuperation. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for our concluding term, which is already shaping up to be a full, exciting and rewarding one.
Well done, Junior School, on a fantastic term of learning, growth and achievement!

Sarah Caffrey

Head of Junior School Curriculum

Student Spotlight: Leon Foukis

My name is Leon Foukis and I am in Year 8.

I enjoy drawing and making art and have been attending art classes on and off since I was in Year 6.

One of the teachers at Oakleigh Grammar, asked me to make her an artwork for her wall. As she is Welsh, I thought to draw the capital city in Wales - Cardiff. I enjoy drawing in an abstract style and using colour for effect. I also enjoy drawing portraits and sketching figures.

I have my drawings on display in cafés in Blackburn and Doncaster. I have enjoyed connecting with the social media managers of these businesses to discuss displaying my artwork.

I look forward to making more art and seeing my work hanging up at Oakleigh Grammar.

PISA 2025: What Can Families Take Away?

Some of you may have read recent news reports highlighting concerns about Australia’s performance in PISA 2025.

PISA, the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment, is a major international study that assesses the knowledge, skills and attitudes of 15-year-old students, including how well they can apply what they have learned to complex problems. In 2025, more than 760,000 students across 91 countries and economies participated, including 14,658 Australian students from 766 schools.

There are certainly challenges. Australia’s reading and mathematics performance has continued a longer-term decline.

However, there is also some good news.

Australian students remain above the OECD average in science, reading and mathematics. Australian students showed some positive attitudes towards learning as well: 69.8% said they like learning new things at school, and 79.5% said they like to know how things work.

Another encouraging finding is the support students report receiving from teachers. In Australia, 79% said their science teachers show an interest in every student’s learning, 73% said teachers continue teaching until students understand, and 80% said teachers provide extra help when needed, all above OECD averages.

But PISA also highlights something particularly relevant to us as parents: day-to-day family support. Importantly, this is different from formal parent involvement in school.

PISA’s family-support measure looks at everyday actions such as taking an interest in what children are learning, asking what they did at school, discussing how well they are doing, talking about problems at school, and discussing their future education.

Across countries, stronger family support was associated with better science performance and more positive attitudes towards learning. Particularly interesting was the importance of parents showing an interest in their children’s day-to-day learning.

In Australia, however, some of these everyday conversations are becoming less common. In 2022, 81% of Australian students said a parent or guardian asked what they had done at school at least once a week; by 2025, this had fallen to 75%. Weekly conversations about problems at school fell from 54% to 44%.

The message for families is simple: supporting learning does not mean becoming your child’s teacher.

Regularly asking “What did you learn today?”, “What was challenging?” or “How did you work through it?” can communicate a powerful message: Your learning matters to us.

Guang Wu

MYP Coordinator

Year 12

As Term 3 draws to a close, our Year 12 students are entering one of the most important stages of their final year at Oakleigh Grammar. Our recent Year 12 Lunch was a wonderful opportunity to come together, enjoy one another’s company and celebrate the friendships and sense of community that have shaped this year. These moments remind us that, while Year 12 requires individual commitment, no student runs the journey alone.

The upcoming holidays provide an important opportunity for students to rest, but also to refocus, revise and prepare. With final examinations approaching, these weeks should be used wisely to establish a structured study routine, consolidate learning and address areas requiring further attention.

During the second week of the holidays, our Year 12 Trial Examinations will take place, providing students with valuable preparation under examination conditions. In addition, the Centre for Academic Excellence will be open on Wednesday 30 September and Thursday 1 October from 10.00am, supervised by Ms Hallam and myself. I strongly encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity for focused and supported study.

As St Paul reminds us, the Christian life is like running a race: “Let us run with perseverance the race that lies before us” (Hebrews 12:1). The same principle applies to these final weeks. Success requires perseverance, discipline and keeping our eyes firmly on the goal. The finish line is now in sight, but there is still important work to be done.

We also congratulate Bruce An on an outstanding achievement in EISM Cross Country, finishing in first place. Bruce’s success is a wonderful example of commitment, perseverance and striving for excellence.

Finally, students are reminded that summer uniform is required upon our return for Term 4. Please use the holidays to ensure all uniform items are ready and meet the School’s expectations.

I wish all our Year 12 students and families a restful and productive break. Return refreshed, focused and ready to finish the race strongly. Faith and Wisdom have guided the journey thus far; may they continue to guide our students through these final weeks.

Dean Damatopoulos

Acting Year Level Leader - Year 12

Year 11 Formal -  Student Reflections

The night of our Year 11 Formal was definitely one to remember, filled with great music, plenty of dancing and an amazing atmosphere shared with friends. Everyone came together to celebrate and enjoy the night, creating plenty of memorable moments.

We began the evening by gathering together, meeting new people and greeting our friends. After compliments were shared and photos were taken, we sat down and enjoyed a musical performance by one of our very talented peers, followed by a lovely meal and plenty of dancing.

One of the biggest highlights of the night was the completely unexpected dance battle between a few students, which quickly became the centre of attention and had everyone cheering and laughing. It was an unforgettable moment that perfectly captured the fun and energy of the night.

Overall, our Year 11 Formal was an incredible evening filled with laughter, joy and memories that I am sure we will all continue to reminisce about. – Connie

I cherished being a part of the Year 11 Formal Committee this year. It was a great and extremely valuable experience, and I really enjoyed having the opportunity to work alongside other lovely people in my year level.

My role involved sharing ideas, creating an invitation and helping set up the tables with cutlery. One of the things I enjoyed most was the teamwork and seeing how much effort every member put in to make it an unforgettable day for all of us. 

Working alongside them made me realise how important communication and teamwork are. It was not just about focusing on what each of us wanted to accomplish, but about listening to one another and working together to decide what we believed was best as a team.

Sometimes it took longer to make decisions than expected. Some people were quiet, while others were more outspoken, but this experience taught me how important it is to listen, compromise and work together towards a shared goal. – Amelia 

New Accelerated Subject 2027: General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Year 10 students. 

We are delighted to announce an exciting new opportunity for our students in 2027. 

Due to the high level of student interest, Oakleigh Grammar is proud to introduce General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 as an accelerated subject for Year 10 students. 

This is a fantastic opportunity for students to experience a VCE Mathematics subject while still in Year 10, allowing them to develop their mathematical knowledge, skills and confidence at an earlier stage of their secondary education. Students who successfully complete General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 will also have the opportunity to continue with General Mathematics Units 3 & 4 studies in the following year. 

The Senior Mathematics team is extremely excited about this initiative and is committed to providing our students with the guidance, encouragement and academic support they need to succeed. With this new class, we will have three General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 classes running in 2027, reflecting the strong interest and growing participation in senior mathematics at Oakleigh Grammar. 

Our experienced Senior Mathematics teachers are ready to support students throughout their VCE journey, both in the classroom and beyond. Students will also have access to after-school tutoring and mathematics support each weeknight, providing additional opportunities to consolidate their learning, ask questions and build confidence. 

We are very proud to be able to offer this accelerated pathway and look forward to seeing our students embrace this exciting opportunity in 2027. 

Leanne Giaimo

Academic Leader - Mathematics

Oakleigh Grammar Spaghetti Bridge Record Smashed

Students in Years 6–8 Digital Technologies have put their engineering skills to the test through the Single-Span Bridge Engineering Design Challenge.

Students began by researching real-world bridges and investigating structural features, materials and engineering principles. They then used Artificial Intelligence responsibly to extend their research before creating 3D digital prototypes in Minecraft Education. These prototypes allowed students to visualise, refine and improve their designs before beginning physical construction.

Digital Technologies play an increasingly important role in modern civil engineering. Engineers use digital modelling, simulations, data and computational tools to investigate ideas, predict performance and refine solutions before physical construction begins. Through this project, students experienced this connection firsthand by moving from research and digital technologies to prototyping, construction, testing and evaluation.

Working within strict material and design constraints, students constructed single-span road bridges using spaghetti and hot glue before progressing to the highly anticipated structural load testing.

This year produced exceptional results. Year 7 students Mengxi-Mancy and Yijun-Candice established a new Oakleigh Grammar record, with their bridge supporting an outstanding 16 kg! Fellow Year 7 student Teoni achieved an equally impressive 15.5 kg.
These achievements smashed the previous school record of 8 kg, established in 2024.

With the new benchmark set at an incredible 16 kg, students are already discussing how it might be broken and are eagerly looking forward to the next Engineering Design Challenge in 2027.

Peter Akbiyik

Teacher, VCE Applied Computing & Data Analytics

Oakleigh Grammar SRC Making a Difference in Our Community

The Oakleigh Grammar Student Representative Council (SRC) continues to demonstrate the power of student leadership, compassion and community spirit through its commitment to supporting a range of charitable organisations and important causes.

As part of our annual Ronald McDonald House initiative, our Year 10 students have once again shown incredible dedication and generosity. Over the past two months, our school community has come together to collect non-perishable food items and new toys to support children and families staying at Ronald McDonald House during challenging times.

Our Year 10 students also took the initiative to organise fundraising activities across the school. A Cake Stall held for the Middle and Senior School raised an impressive $570, while a Jelly Bean Guessing Competition with the Junior School raised a further $80.

With the money raised, students purchased Father’s Day gift vouchers to give to fathers staying at Ronald McDonald House, adding a thoughtful and personal touch to their fundraising efforts.

On Friday 4 September, a selected group of Year 10 students had the opportunity to visit Ronald McDonald House and personally deliver the generous donations collected by our school community. The students presented the non-perishable food items, gift vouchers and new toys that had been donated by Oakleigh Grammar students and families.

During their visit, students also had the opportunity to take a tour of the Ronald McDonald House and learn more about how the facility operates and supports families during challenging times. This provided students with a valuable insight into the important services provided by the organisation and the many people who work behind the scenes to create a welcoming and supportive environment for families.

The visit was a meaningful experience for our students, allowing them to see firsthand how the generosity of our school community can make a positive difference to families going through difficult circumstances. It was also a wonderful opportunity for students to reflect on the importance of kindness, empathy and giving back to the wider community.

We are incredibly proud of our Year 10 students for their initiative, commitment and leadership throughout this annual appeal. Their hard work, together with the generosity of our students, families and staff, has once again made this initiative a great success.

Together, we can help more children and families facing serious illness to lead healthier, happier lives.

A huge congratulations and thank you to our Year 10 students and the entire Oakleigh Grammar community for supporting this important cause. Your generosity truly makes a difference!

Natasha Spanos 

SRC Coordinator

Hellenic Culture

Celebrating Faith and Culture:

Oakleigh Grammar Students Attend the Dormition of the Theotokos

At Oakleigh Grammar, faith and culture go hand in hand, providing our students with opportunities to connect with their heritage, traditions and spiritual identity. Through participation in important religious and cultural celebrations, our students develop a deeper appreciation of the traditions that have shaped our community and continue to bring generations together.

15 August is one of the most significant days in the Greek Orthodox calendar, when the Orthodox Church commemorates the Dormition of the Theotokos, meaning the Falling Asleep of the Mother of God. This special feast is celebrated throughout Greece and across Orthodox communities around the world, bringing families and communities together in prayer and celebration.

In honour of this important occasion, Oakleigh Grammar students were invited to attend the Divine Liturgy at the Parish of Saints Anargiri in Oakleigh on Saturday 15 August 2026. It was wonderful to see students from across the Junior, Middle and Senior Schools come together to represent Oakleigh Grammar and participate respectfully in this significant celebration of faith.

The presence of our students across all year levels was a wonderful reflection of the strong connection between our School and the wider Greek Orthodox community. Their participation demonstrated not only their respect for an important religious tradition, but also their pride in being part of a community that values faith, culture and belonging.

Adding to the beauty and solemnity of the occasion was the Byzantine Choir, whose traditional hymns and chants contributed to the spiritual atmosphere of the Divine Liturgy.

We congratulate all the Oakleigh Grammar students who attended and represented our School with such pride, respect and enthusiasm. Their participation is a wonderful example of how faith, culture and community continue to come together at Oakleigh Grammar.

Natasha Spanos 

Hellenic Culture Coordinator

Orthodoxy at OG

Term 3 has provided our students with many opportunities to discover that Orthodox Christian Studies is not simply about acquiring knowledge about our Faith, but about encountering Christ and learning to put faith into practice in everyday life.

A particular blessing was our whole-school celebration of the Divine Liturgy for the Ecclesiastical New Year and the Day for the Care of Creation, presided over by His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne. Gathering as one school community in prayer reminded us that worship lies at the heart of our Orthodox Christian identity and that our care for God’s creation flows from gratitude, responsibility and love.

Across the Junior School, regular church visits with our Chaplain, Rev Fr Stavros Kakavas, have continued to give students the opportunity to enter the sacred space of the Church, ask questions and deepen their understanding of Orthodox worship and tradition.

In Prep, students explored Bible stories including Creation, Jonah and the Whale and the Parable of the Lost Sheep, discovering God’s loving care for creation and every person. Year 1 students considered the importance of making good choices through stories such as Daniel in the Lions’ Den and the Parable of the Two Sons, reflecting on faith, courage, obedience and love.

Year 2 students deepened their understanding of Orthodox beliefs and practices while recognising similarities and differences between religious traditions, developing respect for others alongside a stronger understanding of their own Orthodox Christian identity.

Year 3 students explored Brave Like the Saints, discovering how the saints inspire courage, faith and trust in God. Their study of the Armour of God highlighted how prayer, faith, truth and righteousness strengthen us in daily life. Parents were also welcomed into the classroom through the Behind the Classroom Door session, sharing in their children’s OCS learning.

Year 4 students explored the miracles of Christ, considering what they reveal about His compassion, authority and love and how His example can be lived through gratitude, kindness and care for others. Year 5 students experienced faith through practical activities, including making Fanouropites in honour of St Fanourios and creating Holy Crosses while reflecting on the power and centrality of the Cross in Christian life.

Our Middle School students continued to explore the Faith through age-appropriate inquiry and reflection. Year 6 students journeyed from I-Ville to You-Ville, discovering the Christian call to move beyond self-centredness towards humility, love and service. Year 7 students explored the beauty of Orthodox worship, unpacking the Divine Liturgy and discovering the meaning behind its prayers, symbols and actions.

Year 8 students investigated our calling to be Caretakers of Creation, recognising that meaningful environmental change begins with a change of heart, metanoia. Year 9 students explored the Ten Commandments, considering their continuing relevance and applying Orthodox moral teaching to contemporary ethical scenarios and everyday choices.

These experiences reflect an important principle at the heart of Orthodox Christian Studies: faith is not simply something we know; it is something we live. Knowledge finds its fulfilment in praxis, in prayer, worship, service, ethical choices, care for creation and love for one another. Through these experiences, we hope our students continue to grow not only in their understanding of the Orthodox Faith, but in their personal and communal encounter with Christ, who calls each of us to live The Way, the Truth and the Life.
 

Dean Damatopoulos

Orthodox Christian Studies Leader

LOTE

Building Connections Through Greek:
Norwood International High School Visits Oakleigh Grammar

Oakleigh Grammar was delighted to welcome students and staff from Norwood International High School in Adelaide on Wednesday 2 September for a special Greek Immersion Program. The visit brought together students from Years 7–12 who study Greek at Norwood International High School with Oakleigh Grammar students, creating a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Greek language, culture and the connections that unite us.

The visit was a meaningful opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the two schools and connect students who share a passion for learning Greek. The visiting students were accompanied by the Deputy Principal Mr Matthew Maciunas and their Greek teacher, Mrs Maria Batzavalis.

The morning commenced with a warm welcome from Oakleigh Grammar Principal, Mr Mark Robertson, who welcomed the students and staff to our School. The program was organised by Hellenic Culture Coordinator, Mrs Natasha Spanos, and was carefully designed to provide students with a combination of cultural, educational and interactive experiences.

Students from both schools began by introducing their schools and sharing information about student life and their Greek language programs. They then participated in an engaging activity comparing the two schools, discussing areas such as school history, uniforms, subjects, timetables, sporting programs, camps and excursions, extracurricular activities, school traditions and opportunities to participate in Greece Study Tours. Students discovered a number of similarities while also enjoying learning about the differences between their school experiences.

Our visitors were then given a tour of Oakleigh Grammar, visiting the Junior School, Sports Complex, Library and Early Learning Centre. This provided the Norwood students with an opportunity to experience our School environment and learn more about the facilities and programs available to Oakleigh Grammar students.

Following morning tea, students participated in a fun and interactive Greek language activity, where they moved around the room asking and answering questions in Greek to discover things they had in common with one another. The activity encouraged students to use their Greek in an authentic social setting while making new connections and friendships.

The excitement continued with a Greek Quiz, with students working collaboratively in teams to test their knowledge of Greek language and culture. The morning concluded with Greek dancing, bringing students from both schools together to enjoy traditional Greek music and dance.

The final part of the program included the exchange of small gifts between the students and a group photograph, providing a lasting memory of the special day.

The Immersion Program was a wonderful example of how language learning can create meaningful connections beyond the classroom. Students had the opportunity to communicate in Greek, share their experiences, learn about another school and build friendships through their shared interest in Greek language and culture.

The successful visit has also opened the door for further collaboration between the two schools, with Norwood International High School extending an official invitation for Oakleigh Grammar to visit Adelaide in 2027.

It was a memorable morning filled with learning, laughter, cultural exchange and new friendships, highlighting the important role that Greek language and culture continue to play in connecting young people and communities across Australia.

Natasha Spanos

Hellenic Culture/SRC Coordinator Academic Leader LOTE

Welcome to our final Grammar News for Term 3.

It has been a long and eventful term, with teachers going on leave, new staff joining Arrowsmith and new students entering our program. I would like to thank Mrs Kyritsis for replacing Mrs Papadakis during her leave. I would also like to thank Mrs Trina Angelatos and Mr Wayne Stagg for stepping in to support our students while Mrs Katseli has been on leave.

Our Arrowsmith students deserve to be commended for the way they have adapted to the changes this term. They have remained focused, continued working towards their goals and demonstrated resilience as they adjusted to new routines and circumstances.

I would also like to acknowledge Toby for becoming the youngest student in Arrowsmith to reach 10 Handed Clocks. Toby began the Arrowsmith Program online while studying full-time at school. Each evening, Toby dedicated time to completing his Arrowsmith exercises before transferring from Sydney to Melbourne to participate in the Arrowsmith Program during the day.

I would like to wish everyone a restful and enjoyable term break. I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday 6 October.

Helen Gilinas

Arrowsmith Coordinator

Readers are Leaders – Round Square Postcard 

For the first time, Oakleigh Grammar had the privilege of hosting and leading a Round Square Postcard, titled “Readers are Leaders.” The online session brought together students from Round Square schools across the world to explore the connection between reading and leadership.

Our student hosts demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout the session, displaying empathy, inclusivity and confidence as they facilitated conversations and embraced a multitude of perspectives from participating schools. Through breakout discussions and collaborative activities, students explored how reading can develop important leadership qualities such as courage, resilience, curiosity and integrity.

Round Square Postcards provide students with a unique opportunity to connect and collaborate with their peers across countries and continents, encountering perspectives, experiences and ideas beyond their own. These authentic global interactions help students develop global competence, intercultural understanding, communication skills and an appreciation of diverse perspectives.

It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to lead on a global platform, strengthen their connections with the international Round Square community and put the Round Square IDEALS into action.

Rebecca Bettiol

Round Square Coordinator

Celebrating 60 Years of Round Square Through Service
 

As part of our celebration of Round Square’s 60th anniversary, students across multiple year levels in Food Design contributed to the creation of more than 200 cupcakes, each inspired by the Round Square Heroes of Discovery.

The cupcakes were sold at lunchtime by our Middle School students, with a goal of selling at least 60 cupcakes as part of Round Square’s 60 for 60 Challenge, recognising 60 years of Round Square. Our school community enthusiastically supported the initiative, helping students turn their creativity into meaningful action.
Funds raised will support Round Square International Service Projects and Round Square Programmes, contributing to opportunities that connect and empower young people around the world.

The experience was a wonderful demonstration of the Round Square Discoveries of Service and Leadership in action. From creating the cupcakes to promoting and running the sale, students worked collaboratively towards a shared purpose and saw how even a simple idea can make a positive contribution to a wider global community.

Rebecca Bettiol

Round Square Coordinator

Tickets are now available for the Oakleigh Grammar Combined Alumni Reunion.

This November, we look forward to welcoming alumni from the Classes of 1996, 2001, 2006, 2016 and 2021, along with past and current teachers, for an afternoon of connection, celebration and shared memories.

Whether it has been five years or thirty, Oakleigh Grammar remains an important part of your story. This special gathering is an opportunity to reconnect with former classmates and teachers, reminisce about your school days and celebrate the lasting connections formed along the way.

We encourage all members of our Oakleigh Grammar community to help spread the word. If you know a graduate from one of these reunion year levels or a teacher who was part of their journey, please share the event with them.

Secure your ticket and join us as we reconnect and celebrate our alumni community.
Alumni Reunion Tickets
 

In 2026 we are excited to be sharing more of our Alumni’s stories and journeys that have shaped them since their time at Oakleigh Grammar.

Alumni Spotlight - Dimitri Damianos (Class of 2011)

In this edition of Grammar News, we are excited to feature alumnus Dimitri Damianos, from the Class of 2011!

Following school, Dimitri tinkered around with Sports Management/Business before developing his skills and passion for auctioning and customer service after spending some time at a Peugeot car dealership.

Throughout this journey, he discovered his aptitude and passion for Real Estate, and ten years later is still exceeding the expected working in Sales at Buxton Oakleigh. Outside of real estate, Dimitri shares that he also inspires and empowers the local Greek community with his Instagram page, ‘Greeks of Melbourne’, where he engages with a multitude of Greek Australians and showcase them, their companies and their products or services. 

On the flipside, Dimitri values spending time with his family and friends, exploring new restaurants around Melbourne, and always finding himself stopping off in Eaton Mall for a ‘Freddo Espresso Sketo’. He also enjoys travelling and exploring Greece and all the wonders it has to offer.

Reflecting on his time at Oakleigh Grammar, something Dimitri has kept with him was his experience with the faith and community that the school provided, particularly with the church of Sts Anargiri next door. He believes that the values he developed with these beliefs from a young age has helped guide him and lead him to who he is today. One of the most valuable lessons he continues to carry with him is being proud of one’s faith, culture and heritage!

Ultimately, one piece of advice that Dimitri leaves with the Oakleigh Grammar students of today is to enjoy your time in school, surrounded by a community that uplifts you and builds you up, and peers who can be the reason you look back on your time here and smile.

Dimitri’s determination, strength and ability to take initiative as established throughout his journey are highly admirable, and we are proud to have him as one of our valued alumni!

SEPTEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAY EVENTS 2026

ACU – Guided Tours

La Trobe Bundoora (Melbourne) Campus – Talk & Tours

Dates: 22 - 23 September 2026 Times: 10am - 1pm each day  Location: La Trobe Bundoora Campus

Book a tour at Bundoora Campus Talk & Tours.

Melbourne Zoo: Voice for Wildlife Program

This program will explore animal welfare, community campaigns, and behaviour change—all through the lens of Zoos Victoria’s Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife campaign. Open to students 14-18 years and limited to thirty participants, so students should act quickly!

Dates: Monday 21 September & Tuesday 24 September 2026 Times: 9.30am – 3.30pm

Cost: Zoo Member: $495 Non-Zoo Member: $55 Book Voice for Wildlife Program | Melbourne Zoo.

Monash University: School Holiday Campus Tours

Register at Events - Discover Monash.

Monash University: Experience Day Workshops

Register at Experience day workshops - Art, Design and Architecture

Monash University: Health Student Experience Day

Open to all Year 10 to 12 students interested in a career in health. Explore occupational therapy, physiotherapy, paramedicine, speech pathology, and nursing and midwifery through interactive workshops.  Date: Tuesday 22 September 2026Time: 10am – 2pmLocation: Monash Peninsula 

Register at Health Student Experience Day at Peninsula Campus

CDW Studios Digital Art and Design Workshop

Join a free holiday workshop from artists as they introduce you to entertainment design!

Date: Fri 2 October 2026Time: 10am - 4pmLocation: Level 2 120 Clarendon Street, Southbank

Register a spot at Holiday Workshops | CDW Studios

RMIT Student for a Day

Students in Years 10 – 12 are invited to get some hands-on time with a study area they are interested in, explore something entirely new, and experience their future Uni campus.

Date: Wednesday 30 September 2026 Time: 10am – 3.30pm Location: RMIT City Campus 

Register:  RMIT Student for a Day.

SAE Institute – Create for a Day

Choose from a range of hands-on creative workshops led by SAE mentors 

Date: Sat 3 October 2026 Time: 10am – 3pm Location: 235 Normanby Rd South Melbourne

Cost: $25 (including lunch)   

Register:  SAE Institute – Create for a Day Melbourne.

Swinburne University Fashion Portfolio Workshop

Year 12 students can build their confidence at Swinburne’s free Fashion Portfolio Workshop.

Date: Tuesday 22 September 2026Time: 10am – 12pm (check in at 9.30am) 

Location: Swinburne University, Hawthorn Campus 

Register: Fashion Portfolio Workshop | Swinburne.

Whitehouse Institute of Design Workshops

STUDIO LIGHTING AND FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY

Date: Mon 21 September 2026Time: 10am – 4pm Venue: Whitehouse Institute of Design Melbourne

Book a spot here for the workshop. 

FASHION ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOP 

Date: Sat 19 September 2026 Time: 10am – 3pm Venue: Whitehouse Institute of Design Melbourne

Book a spot here for the workshop.

William Angliss Institute Patisserie Experience Day

Year 10 – 12 students will create delicious treats, enjoy lunch at one of the student-run venues, and discover the sweet side of culinary arts.

Date: Tuesday 22 September 2026Time: 9.00am – 1.00pm OR 12.00pm – 4.00pm (pick a session) Location: William Angliss Institute, 555 La Trobe St, Melbourne Cost: $45

Find out more and/or register at Patisserie Experience Day.

Michelle Mascaro

Careers Advisor

Oakleigh Glendi 2026

Oakleigh Glendi returns to Warrawee Park on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, bringing the community together for a two-day celebration of Hellenic culture, heritage and multiculturalism.

Hosted by the Greek Orthodox Community of Oakleigh and District, the free, family-friendly festival will feature multicultural performances, live music, rides, Greek food, a cooking stage with celebrity chefs and an international headline act on Saturday evening. The festival will run from 11.00am to 9.00pm on Saturday and 11.00am to 6.00pm on Sunday.

Oakleigh Grammar is proud to support this much-loved community event. Our students will take part in performances throughout the festival, while staff and students will also join the Sunday morning march. Families are invited to visit the Oakleigh Grammar marquee across the weekend and say hello to our team.

Support the Glendi Raffle

Raffle ticket bundles will be sent home with students through their Home Group teachers, with additional bundles available from Reception. Tickets start from $5, with bundle discounts available.

This year’s raffle features some fantastic prizes:

1st Prize: $6,000 travel voucher and an Oakleigh Glendi artisan market stall prize pack valued at $1,000, for a total value of $7,000

2nd Prize: Blaupunkt Builders Black Appliance Prize Pack valued at $6,500

3rd Prize: $2,000 Oakleigh Central gift voucher, plus a Frappe Mixer and one-year coffee subscription from Melvourni

4th Prize: Oakleigh Glendi artisan market stall prize pack valued at $1,000

Funds raised through the raffle help support the delivery of Oakleigh Glendi, while giving families the opportunity to win some fantastic prizes.

Student Raffle Challenge

Students can also help their class compete in the Student Raffle Challenge, with every ticket sold contributing to their class total.

The Top-Selling Class will receive unlimited free rides at Oakleigh Glendi for every student, as well as a pizza lunch at school. The winning teacher will also receive dinner for two at Melissa Restaurant, valued at approximately $150.

We encourage our students and families to get behind the raffle by sharing tickets with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues and helping support this important community celebration.

For the latest updates follow Oakleigh Glendi on Facebook and the official website.

Annual Report

2026 Term Dates

Please find the 2026 School Year term dates on our Term Dates page here.

School Crossing Reminder 

Oakleigh Grammar would like to remind families to be safe around School crossings. 

Financial assistance information for parents

Camps, sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)

CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to help cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. 

The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

The annual CSEF amount per student is:

• Payments for 2026 are $400 per year for all eligible Victorian school students.

How to apply

New applicants should contact the school office to  obtain a CSEF application form or download from the website below. 

If you applied for CSEF at your child's school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year unless there has been a change in your family circumstances. 

You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:

• new student enrolments; your child has started or changed schools this year.
• changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing this year.

Check with the school office if you are unsure.

For more information, visit: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund/resources

2026 CSEF Application Form

2026 CSEF Financial Assistance Information - Parents