PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

End of year exams

The last week of Term 3 is a busy time, particularly for senior students

preparing for their forthcoming VCAA examinations.

For many students, exams are simply another form of assessment and

they take them in their stride as part of the learning cycle. However,

some students find the exam period a daunting experience, believing

their performance at school is measured only by exam results.

Although the formal exam period for Year 12 is the contributor to a student’s overall

ATAR mark, this is not the only measure of student success. College staff and the

wellbeing team aim to assist and support students during this time. If families notice

any changes in their child’s behaviour or personality leading into the examinations,

contact the College to enable us to offer the appropriate encouragement and advice.

One of our school values is High Expectations. Regardless of ability, we expect and

encourage all pupils to achieve their best. Why? To ensure each student has the

greatest opportunity and choice as they commence the next stage of their educational

journey.

We wish all students, particularly VCE participants, the best with their studies and

remind them to balance study time with rest and a healthy eating plan.

VTAC applications: Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS)

Year 12 students who are eligible to complete their VCE this year should be in the

process of registering with VTAC and lodging course applications. Mr Ian Denver, Ms

Kalouda Pelitidis and Ms Bronwyn Cullinan (Career Pathway Coordinator) have been

working with Year 12s to achieve this.

Once a student has applied for courses they are able to complete a Special Entry

Access Scheme (SEAS) application. The SEAS allows tertiary institutions to grant

special consideration for course entry, but does not exempt applicants from meeting

the institutional and entry requirements. This information is considered in addition to

the student’s subjects and ATAR when places are offered.

There are four categories for SEAS applications:

Category 1: Personal information and location

Category 2: Disadvantaged financial background

Category 3: Disability or medical condition

Category 4: Difficult circumstances

All students are encouraged to submit a SEAS application for category 1. Students will

be assessed on their age, school, address, gender, indigenous status, first in family to

attend university, and non-English speaking background. This is based on information

provided through their VTAC account and course application.

Newsletter Issue 6

September 2017

IMPORTANT DATES

September

22 Last Day of Term 3 Early Dismissal 2:30pm finish

25 Year 12 School Based Exams

26 Year 12 School Based Exams

27 Year 12 School Based Exams

October

9 Term 4 commences

9 VCE Stagecraft External Exam Performance

11 Access Education Revision Psychology Lectures 6:00pm

12 Early Dismissal 2:30pm finish

12 Access Education Revision HHD Lectures 6:15pm

13 EMR athletics finals

15 Year 7 2018 Testing Day 9:00am

23 Early Dismissal 2:30pm finish

25 Superhuman Science Program, Day One

25 State athletics finals

26 Superhuman Science Program, Day Two

26 Years 9B, 9C City Experience

27 Superhuman Science Program, Day Three

27 Years 9B, 9C City Experience

November 1 VCAA Units 3 and 4 Exams

begin

7 Cup Day – Students not required at school

13 Middle School Exams begin

14 Middle School Exams

15 Middle School Exams

16 Middle School Exams

16 Early Dismissal 2:30pm finish

17 Middle School Exams

18 Trivia Night Fundraiser 7:00pm Oakleigh South Primary School

The deadline for SEAS applications is 5:00pm, 10

October; however, students are encouraged to submit

their applications prior to Term 3 holidays.

Applications are submitted online with supporting

statements obtained from professionals. For further

information regarding SEAS visit the VTAC website

http://www.vtac.edu.au/applying/seas.html

Students are encouraged to speak to Ms Kalouda Pelitidis

(Middle School Leader) or Mr Ian Denver (Senior School

Leader) if they need assistance.

Student accident insurance/ambulance cover

arrangements and private property at school.

Parents/guardians of students who do not have student

accident insurance are responsible for paying the cost of

medical treatment for injured students, including the cost

of ambulance attendance/transport and any other

transport costs. Insurance can be purchased through a

commercial insurer.

The Department of Education and Training does not have

insurance for personal property brought to school and has

no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property.

Mr Tony Katsianos

Acting Principal

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Avenue Q

Congratulations to Mr Platenkamp, Ms

Close, Mr Curtis and the Production team,

cast, crew and puppets who presented

three outstanding shows, including a

fantastic matinee for our local community.

The show was funny, enjoyable and educational and a

tribute to the many hours of hard work and dedication

shown by all members of the Avenue Q team. We are

particularly appreciative of Mr Platenkamp, Mr Curtis and

Ms Close’s passion, creativity, and the many hours of

effort they contributed, thereby guaranteeing the dazzling

success of this production.

We look forward with anticipation to what Mr Platenkamp

and his team are planning for the College’s 2018

Production.

SOC 1:1 Learning Technologies Program

We are proud to introduce to SOC families our new 1:1

Learning Technologies Program, designed to prepare your

child for a successful 21st century career. From 2018, all

Year 7 and 10 students will use a College recommended

Learning Technology Device. This device is supported by

both the school and the supplier if purchased through the

College website. South Oakleigh College anticipates that

all students will use this technology by 2020.

The program will promote:

• Anytime, anywhere collaborative learning

• In-depth critical thinking

• Immediate, effective and timely feedback

• Real world problem solving

• Effective use of ICT for ongoing learning

The Right Device for Learning

After much consideration, SOC recommends a stylus-

enabled device to ensure students can access a digital

pen for learning. Research demonstrates that the use of a

digital pen, rather than a keyboard, enables students to

freely express their thinking and both hand write and

annotate when note taking. As a result, cognitive overload

reduces, deeper connections between key concepts are

drawn, and more ideas generated.

Source: Professor Sharon Oviatt ‘The Design of Future

Educational Interfaces

’Mr Mark Picone

Assistant Principal

MIDDLE SCHOOL REPORT

Study techniques for exams

The end of Term 3 is approaching so it is

time for students to prepare for final

assessments.

Many students fail exams because they do

not know how to study effectively. It is not

enough to learn material; students need to understand

what they read to ensure information is stored within their

long-term memory.

The following two study techniques will help students deal

with challenging material.

Tip 1: Try and fully understand material

When reading material for the first time, identify meanings

you do not understand. Undertake research: ask a friend,

search the Internet, or check another book. Do whatever it

takes to comprehend what you read.

Tip 2: Create situational questions and answer them

Identify the important meanings and concepts in what you

have read then create questions about the material. To be

effective, these should involve emotions and feelings.

Middle School Assembly

On 21 August we held a Middle School Assembly hosted

by Andrew Leap and fellow students. Andrew began with

a Welcome to Country, followed by a rendition of our

National Anthem. The music department regaled us with

several musical items including:

- Sax Quartet with La Bamba

- Drum Solo

- Flute Ensemble playing Hello by Adele

- Classical guitar piece

- The newly formed SOC Concert Band playing

Let’s Rock, Mickey Mouse March and Power

Rock.

During the assembly awards were presented to students

in Middle School for house points gained due to excellence

in History, Science and Geography.

The Assembly concluded with a motivational video about

stereotypes.

Ms Kalouda Pelitidis

Head of Middle School

KLA ENGLISH

Year 8 English

Recently, Year 8 English students learnt

how to express themselves in a writing

format other than prose and discovered

how different poetry is to their usual style

of writing.

This rap, relating to the novel Holes, is the work of

Ezekiel Buckland, Michael Andrianopoulos and Chun

Keat Ong.

HOLES RAP

That boy over there, his name is Stanley,

Straight outta luck but deep down he is manly,

He has a hard life both at school and home

So they sent him to the desert so he could roam

Him and the boys have it bad at camp,

The land is so dry that their sweat makes it damp,

The warden is like the po-po; she rules the land,

You feelin rebellious? Then you'll face her back hand,

Ms Walker has the gang wrapped around her finger,

Mr Sir? Mr P? Who cares, no one's a winner,

The boys at camp know it's all a scam,

You could say that her personality is a hologram,

The kids at the camp work from dusk' till dawn,

They slave so much that they can barely hang on,

Stanley and his gang face the journey of a lifetime,

The journey’s so long, they were up past their

bedtime

Stanley's no good dirty rotten pig stealing great great

grandfather,

Broke his promise, gained a curse, so you could say

he's the founding father

Kissin Kate Barlow brought the truth to the land,

But Sam's skin was dark, so their love was forever

banned,

The rage and the hate overtook Kate's loving heart,

So she made poisoned peaches to make everyone

fall apart,

The past and the present is what created Camp

Greenlake,

The outside world was fooled, but the gang knew it

was fake,

Zero the hero and the boy called caveman,

Helped the boys escape; as that was always the

game plan.

Mr Paul Stewart

English Teacher

Year 9 English

Students in the Year 9 English class wrote a letter to their unborn child.

The following is one response. Ms Kalouda Pelitidis

English teacher

Dear future son/daughter,

Today I woke up feeling down. Not just down, it goes far

deeper than that. It is something I cannot explain but you

will understand this once you feel it. When I wake like this,

I know it is not going to go away for a long time. This will

most likely happen to you, and if not you, then perhaps

your children are at risk. I could not live (or die) with myself

if I was not honest with you about this. Listen carefully; I

am about to tell you the most important thing I could

possibly tell you, other than how much I love you. Never

live a day on this earth where you do not remind someone

how much you love them, even if that someone is yourself.

When you feel empty, down, angry, or any other negative

feeling, no matter how light or intense, remember that life

is all about equal exchange. For every action, there is an

equal and opposite reaction. This means that all this pain

is here so positive feelings will be the greatest thing you

will ever experience. The pain will not leave or stop, but as

you allow it to pass, you must remember how good things

will be once it is over. It may take hours, days, months and

at the very worst years to get by all your hardships, and

although it is a cliché, it will be okay.

As you grow up, you are often told things will be better

when you are older, that all your pain will go, and that you

will be living happily ever after for eternity. That is not how

life works. It’s one awful slap in the face once you realise

it was all a lie. I don’t think it is wrong or damaging to break

the news to a child about harsh reality, so long as you tell

them the right way. I hope you educate your children as I

will educate you; on how to cope. Life is tough, but the

glorious moments you will experience will make it equally

amazing and terrifying.

Humans are complex creatures. You think you can

read them like a book; then they suddenly turn around

and do something unpredictable. Many people will hurt

you and a lot will be those closest to you. No matter how

people kick you down, you must remember they are

human like you. You will hurt people too, intentionally or

not, but owning up to it is what will make you a good

person. Try your hardest to move on or fix things in a

positive way, as this will help you through the hurt.

Always love and care for the people that are close to you.

Blood related or not, these people are your family and will

be those you can trust the most. If someone breaks your

trust, you can forgive. Just don’t allow anyone to walk over

you. Do not be afraid to leave someone if you cannot trust

them, as this is the most important quality those closest to

you should have.

Lastly, never forget to love and do what you love. Whether

it be music, art, sport, a certain someone, or anything else,

do what you love. When you are job searching, look for

work relating to your interests and hobbies. Keep your

options open, and always get out into the world and

explore. The world is wonderful, even when it may seem

like a dark and cold place. Always look for the beauty in it.

Never lose sight of what you love, and do not avoid your

pain, but learn to be content with it. Life will have an equal

number of ups and downs and no matter how many times

you hear it, it is true. Life is what you make of it.

Kayla Fraser

KLA MATHS

Recently, Year 7 Accelerated Maths participated in a three-day pilot workshop on Super Humans organised

by Monash Tech School on behalf of the Department of Education and Monash University. SOC was one of

the trial schools selected for the program.

Students discussed the concept of Design Thinking, and were required to develop prototype solutions for

medical problems using innovative technologies: smart electronics, 3D printing, laser cutting and thermal

imaging.

Students divided into four groups: Heart, Hand, Kidney and Eye, with each group presented with a problem. All students

presented their projects to visitors and teachers from schools within the region.

The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and embraced the new challenges and technologies. They also positively

contributed to shaping this innovative program by providing valuable feedback throughout the process.

Mr Terry Thilakarathne

Maths Teacher

Team Heart developed the Clot-bot to locate blood clots within the heart, then notify relevant personnel.

Team Kidney developed a novel solution to filter fluids inspired by plumbing techniques.

Team Eye developed a solution for Glaucoma named Humorous Removerous.

Team Hand proposed a sensory hand to replicate the function of a real hand.

KLA GREEK

Year 8 Greek Cultural Activity - How to

make PASTITSIO?

Year 8 students studying Greek Language

and Culture recently watched the film

Pilala that explores themes of: growing up,

chasing your dreams, never giving up, and

admiring famous role models such as athlete Kostas

Kenteris, who came first in the 200 metres at the Sydney

2000 Olympic Games.

Pilala means to run in Greek and the young boy Adipas,

who does not want to miss the live telecast of the race, is

forever running to his grandfather’s café on messages.

One of those errands is to take the pastitsio his

grandmother has baked to his parent’s house. The young

Adipas meets several challenges along the way and as he

runs to escape them, the tray of pastitsio drops several

times.

Pupils thoroughly enjoyed the short film study and

completion of the Learning Task. Additionally, as students

from non-Greek backgrounds were curious about the taste

of pastitsio a further activity, a pastitsio cooking day was

organised. Students learnt how to bake the dish then

enjoyed it during lunchtime.

Ms Phyllis Dimakakos

Ms Dimitra Maniatis

Greek teachers

KLA ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY

6th Urban International Film Festival,

Tehran

During July, I was invited to attend the 6th

Urban International Film Festival in Tehran,

to screen a music documentary I had

directed in 2014. I was thrilled to be invited,

and even more delighted that the festival

offered to cover my airfare, accommodation and meals!

The festival took place in the first week of August and

included screenings of a variety of arthouse films from

around the world. During the six days of the festival, there

were seminars on several topics involving cinema and film

education. I was delighted to spend time with the Director

of Photography responsible for Driving Miss Daisy, Mao’s

Last Dancer, Double Jeopardy and Meet the Parents -

Peter James. Peter is one of a handful of individuals

officially credited with honours from both the Australian

Cinematographers Society and the American Society of

Cinematographers. He had some great stories to tell about

working with Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro and Cate

Blanchett! Peter, who works in Sydney, has provided

cinematography classes to a number of high schools and

is currently working with Ray Martin to deliver curriculum

in filmmaking and journalism.

Peter was thrilled to hear about our wonderful resources,

including the TV Studio at South Oakleigh. Our facilities

are among the best in Australia, and the world, as I

discovered. I am now working to arrange for our school to

welcome Peter at some point next year.

Tehran itself was one of the friendliest cities I have ever

visited. Eight international guests were welcomed to the

festival and treated as royalty – given a guide, a driver, a

mini bus and chauffeured around the city to see some of

Tehran’s spectacular sights. It is a modern city, boasting

excellent museums, markets, cuisine and incredible views

of the surrounding mountain range. I was also delighted to

see how safe Tehran is. The local pastime is picnicking in

the many parks and generally celebrating life with large

groups of family and friends. The environment feels both

welcoming and safe.

We were lucky to visit the set of an Iranian action film,

which included the filming of a car crash in the mountains.

A surreal moment! Then it was back to the festival hub -

the Iranian Centre for Cinematic Arts. I gave a talk on

documentary filmmaking which was translated, real-time,

into Farsi. There was also a press conference held for

international guests and we featured on the Iranian

National news.

It was a privilege to experience the beautiful film festival in

this sublime city, and the entire experience was one of awe

and wonder. I would like to thank our Principal, Ms Helen

Koziaris, for allowing my participation and I’m thrilled to

bring back new learning and networking connections to

share at South Oakleigh College.

Mr Aiden Prewett

Arts and Technology Teacher

CHAPLAIN REPORT

Integr8 Program with Empire Student Network

During Term 3 the wellbeing team partnered with a youth

organisation, Empire Student Network, to participate in

Integr8, a health promotion program taking a holistic

approach to wellbeing by focussing on physical and

emotional health.

The program aims to:

- Foster teamwork

- Promote goal setting and personal achievement

- Build self-awareness

- Promote positive health behaviour and mental health

The course buddies Year 7 and 8 boys with volunteer

mentors who explore a series of exercises and activities

with them. Through these pursuits, the participants

develop teamwork and leadership skills as well as a

positive self-awareness.

‘We’ve been able to make new friends and we can share

our experiences and troubles with them. It’s an exciting

community and we can have a bit of fun while learning new

skills’, said a Year 8 participant.

We are grateful for the contribution made by the volunteers

involved with the program.

The program will continue until the end of the Term 3 and,

ideally, extend to other students in the future.

Mr Alex Flavel

Chaplain

BOOKWEEK 2017

Escape to Everywhere was the theme

chosen by the Children’s Book Council of

Australia to celebrate this year’s Book

Week, from 21 - 25 August.

The Library and English department

collaborated on a week of activities

revolving around books and reading for Year 7 and 8

students.

Students dressed as book characters using props in the

photo booth, wrote never-ending stories, and created

poems and stories with fridge poetry.

The highlight of each session was the House Point Quiz.

With a lot of laughter, noise and great team spirit each

house was challenged to identify the missing word on a

book cover. Points were given for either the correct or

most creative answer. The next part of the quiz was

charades; a team member drew a selected book title for

the rest of the group to guess.

The following are student responses to Book Week

activities:

‘Book Week was a great experience because we got a

chance to participate in fun activities with our friends. The

fridge poetry was hilarious and so was the quiz. All the

teams worked well together.’

‘The poem was the one I spent time mostly on and it was

an excellent experience.’

‘Loved the quiz! I would recommend it.’

Points earned through Book Week activities resulted in the

following House tallies:

Acacia: 82

Banksia: 118

Grevillea: 64

Waratah: 75

Ms Kay Wilson

Librarian

PRIMARY SCHOOL SCIENCE PROGRAM

South Oakleigh College provides an after-school Science program for any interested Year 5 and 6 students. Running for

six weeks, it offers primary students a taste of secondary school Science and covers the basics of laboratory safety,

equipment, chemistry and physics. Students are taught how to light a Bunsen burner and then use it for heating during

simple experiments. They learn about atoms and the difference between static and current electricity.

Recently, students were introduced to static electricity using a Van De Graaff Generator.

They made a human circuit and were able to light up a fluorescent tube whilst connected to the VDG. Many loved the tingles

associated with static charge coursing through their bodies; others felt some sharp zaps that surprised them.

Students also enjoyed creating static charge using a balloon and friction. With their balloons, many collected pieces of

paper off tables and were amazed that they remained attached for minutes.

Next lesson we are investigating the properties of Dry Ice.

This hugely successful program hosts around 25 attendees each week. For more details regarding this course, contact the

school.

Mr Steve Kuruc

Transition Coordinator

KLA SPORT

Monash Division Interschool Athletics

Competition

The South Oakleigh athletics team

gathered on a lovely winter’s August day at

the Knox Athletics Track to compete in the

2017 Monash Division Interschool Athletics

Competition. South Oakleigh students upheld their school

values of High Expectations and Teamwork as they

competed in a range of track and field events.

The results demonstrate the outstanding athletic ability of

SOC students. A highlight of the day was Samantha Miller,

who broke the individual record in the Javelin events by

throwing an amazing 30.8m.

Another climax was the thirteen-year age group

champions - two South Oakleigh College students; Raviha

Rehman, who completed in three events and earnt a total

of 24 points towards our school’s total and Andre De Vries,

who competed in five events and contributed 44 points to

the overall tally. A fantastic effort by both students!

The following students have been promoted to the regional

championships in October and we wish them the best of

luck in the next round of athletic competition.

Zion Nelthropp - Javelin

Samantha Miller - Javelin, Discus and Triple Jump

Andre De Vries - 90m Hurdles, 100m and 400m

Teagan Laurenson - Shotput

Megan Robinson - 800m, 400m and 1500m

Arte Trepca - Shotput

Paskali Tsoukalas - 1500m

Raviha Rehman - Discus

Ms Noor Asyo

Sport Coordinator

Years 9 and 10 Boys Basketball

Playing against other schools is such an honour,

especially when representing South Oakleigh College!

Even though we only won two out of eight games, the

boys played with a fiercely competitive intensity and

respect for the other teams. Three games were decided

by less than five points; with one game being lost by a

ridiculous shot from behind the three-point line!

The boys showed great determination and resilience by

never giving up. Even when the chips were down, they

refused to let losses on the day dampen team spirit.

Thank you to the following boys who represented South

Oakleigh College: Josh Bedirian, Naum Coelho, Peter

Li, , Jaikishun Parekh, Dhruv Parikh, Shivang Patel, Evan

Pavlis, Lincoln Siu, Kenny Wang, and Brian Wang.

A huge thank you to our support team Mr. Pereira and

Mr. Columbus and coach Teagan Laurenson.

John Ramento Year 11 Coach

Years 7 and 8 Girls basketball

The girls basketball side showed tremendous teamwork

and ability against the Monash Division schools at the

Dandenong Basketball Centre on September 12. The girls

persisted despite injury to win two of their four games.

A special mention must go to Tahlyia Everett Waldin who

was the lead scorer of the day. Monique Guillemain and

Raviha Rehman showed good zone defense and some

impressive lay ups and rebounds.

The girls displayed good sportsmanship, cheering loudly

for their teammates throughout the day. Despite a big day,

the girls left with smiles on their faces and only one

sprained ankle!

Ruth Banak and Caitlin MacDonald

Year 11 Coaches

Please Note: South Oakleigh College and DET do not endorse or accept responsibility for any products or

services of any private advertisements.

FREE Meningococcal W vaccine Monash Council is holding special vaccination sessions for a free Meningococcal W vaccine for young people aged between 15 and 19 years.

The sessions are available to all 15 and 19 years who would like to access the Meningococcal Wvaccine. This includes any eligible students who missed their vaccine at this year’s school visit.

Date

Time

Wednesday 27 September

10am–12noon

Thurs 5 October

1pm–3pm

Wed 25 October

5pm–7pm

Wed 29 November

5pm-7pm

Thurs 7 December

3pm-5pm

Appointments not necessary

Location

Monash Council, Civic Centre – Function Room 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley. Please note

It is recommended not to drive for 30 minutes after vaccination

Students under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by a parent/guardian

For further info: 9518 3534