Strategic Intent Towards 2030
“We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love… and then we return home.” - Australian Aboriginal Proverb
Wominjeka … … is ‘hello/welcome’ in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were our land’s first educators, and as such, Oakleigh Grammar acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation who are the traditional custodians of the land on which our school stands. We pay respect to Elders, past and present, and we extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from other communities.
Our vision … A leading co-educational school that provides quality education at an international standard.
Our mission … Empower our students with a commitment to academic excellence and a zest for life so that they can contribute meaningfully to our community and society.
Our values … Humility Aspiration Respect Kindness
Oakleigh Grammar Values HARK, put simply, means to listen and pay attention. Oakleigh Grammar’s guiding values for lifelong learning and respectful behaviour, are a friendly reminder encouraging us to listen closely and pay attention to Humility, Aspiration, Respect, and Kindness (HARK). We inspire our community to weave these values into their learning and everyday interactions as they journey through life.
Humility
We embrace humility, fostering a sense of modesty and open-mindedness in our students and wider community, guiding them to recognise that learning is a journey without end, where every step is an opportunity to grow and gain wisdom.
Aspiration
We ignite the flames of aspiration in our staff and students, setting ambitious goals and equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and determination to achieve them, empowering them to dream big, plan strategically, and work diligently to transform their aspirations into tangible achievements. Ultimately, we aspire for all of our students to have a ‘zest for life’.
Respect
We recognise and appreciate the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of differences, and we foster an environment of inclusion, consideration, and understanding, to honour both people, and the world we inhabit.
Kindness
We cultivate kindness as a fundamental principle, teaching our students that simple acts of compassion and empathy can create a ripple effect of positivity, transforming the world one heart at a time.
With HARK as our compass, we guide and encourage members of our community to be compassionate, confident, and capable individuals, who embrace the world with open hearts and open minds.
Our ethos … … is inspired by:
Values that are founded in our Orthodox Christianity, and Hellenic language and heritage. Innovation that emerges from future-focused thinking about education and the world.
Scholarship that is demonstrated through excellence and effort.
Citizenship that is responsible and respectful.
… and we express our ethos through:
Venture Embracing opportunity and striving for the best.
Identity Recognising where we come from and knowing that we belong.
Courage Standing up for what matters to us and our school.
Service Giving generously and passionately to others and our community.
Our unwavering commitment to our students … Our International Baccalaureate Commitment In line with the International Baccalaureate Mission Statement, Oakleigh Grammar values education that goes beyond academic development. The School encourages students to develop awareness beyond the individual and his or her immediate community. The International Baccalaureate Learner Profile is used as an aspirational guide for every student at Oakleigh Grammar.
Learner Profile attributes include: Balanced Caring Communicators Inquirers Knowledgeable Open-minded Principled Reflective Risk-takers Thinkers
Our Round Square Commitment Oakleigh Grammar is committed to reflecting the Round Square IDEALS to ensure the character of each student enables them to contribute to our world as responsible global citizens in adulthood.
Round Square IDEALS which enhance our students’ overall character development include: Internationalism Democracy Environmentalism Adventure Leadership Service
Our Child Safety Commitment Oakleigh Grammar is committed to the protection and safety of all students under our care.
Our leadership aspiration … … is to foster a school culture where staff and students adopt a growth mindset in their approach to school and life beyond our school gates.
Mark Robertson Principal The way we fulfil our mission and work towards our vision is by implementing our Strategic Plan which sets out our intentions for 2023 and beyond. Our strategy outlines our goals, how we endeavour to achieve them, and how we measure our success. We have developed three key strategic intentions; Aspiration, Honour, and Connection. These direct our focus to ensure we deliver the best possible learning environment for our staff and students to excel. The Strategic Plan also allows our students, parents, and other community members to support our intentions and the steps we are taking to achieve them. This ensures we remain focused, allocate resources appropriately, and ultimately deliver the best possible education for our most important people … our students.
Mark Robertson Principal
From the moment a student joins the Oakleigh Grammar family, he or she is encouraged to be humble, kind, respectful and aspirational, and to retain their curiosity as committed life-long learners.
Teaching and Learning @ Oakleigh Grammar
Oakleigh Grammar Values Humility We promote the quality of having a modest or low view of one’s importance.
Aspiration We promote the notion of hope and ambition in all that we and others do.
Respect We promote due regard for the feelings, wishes and rights of others.
Kindness We promote the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate.
Underpinned by our Orthodox Christian ethos.
Round Square IDEALS Internationalism Democracy Environmentalism Adventure Leadership Service
Teaching and Learning Model
e n c n t o c
p
Senior School
Year 11
Victorian Certificate of Education
Year 10
Victorian Certificate of Education
Year 9
Middle School
IB MYP
Middle Years Programme
Year 8
Middle Years Programme
Year 7
Middle Years Programme
Year 6
Middle Years Programme
Leader in Me (LIM)
Balanced Caring Communicators Inquirers Knowledgeable
Year 3
Open-minded
Put first things first
Quartet
Year 2
Principled
Think win-win
Explore Engage Explain Elaborate
Year 1
Reflective
Prep
Risk-takers
Early Learning Centre (ELC)
Thinkers
Begin with the end in mind
Engage
Engage
Engage
Explore
Sharpen the saw
le
arn
ing
g
tiv
Synergise
Explain
in
ac
Seek first to understand, then be understood
Elaborate
c h
Year 4
Junior School
Be proactive
e
Learner Profile
Year 5
Elaborate
7 Habits
International Baccalaurate (IB)
s e f u l te a
refle
Year 12
Victorian Certificate of Education
po
VCE
ur
ct
Year Level Focus
Our approach … … is to empower the young minds of our students with the following three key strategic intentions.
Aspiration Honour Connection
Intent one
Aspiration Strengthening academic culture We are focused on: Fostering an academic culture that aligns with our vision of providing exceptional education at an international standard. Recognising the significant impact culture has on shaping the minds of our students and staff. Nurturing an environment in which excellence is actively sought and aspired. Promoting the genuine pursuit of knowledge and associated critical thinking. Equipping our students and staff with the skills and knowledge necessary to make meaningful contributions to our community and society. Embracing the pursuit of educational excellence to ensure a future filled with possibility.
Fostering a zest for life
...fostering an academic culture...
Goal 1
Develop high impact strategies to further strengthen student academic achievement. To strengthen our students’ academic achievements we encourage a ‘growth mindset’.
Our approach We are committed to improving our students’ academic performance. To achieve this, we have developed a clear and effective Teaching and Learning Model that focuses on high impact strategies. Robust academic targets are set for every student, providing challenge and incentive for student improvement in all subjects. We start by assessing each student’s current academic level to understand their strengths and areas for improvement. Based on this assessment, we set targets tailored to each student’s abilities. We adopt effective academic tracking processes to closely monitor each child’s development and ensure they have the best opportunity to reach their full potential. These processes provide us with valuable insights to guide each child’s learning journey and provide timely adjustments and interventions if necessary. At Oakleigh Grammar, our focus is on consistently improving student academic performance. By implementing high impact teaching and learning strategies, setting academic targets, and establishing regular monitoring processes, we are dedicated to helping each child succeed.
Oakleigh Grammar aims to … … show marked improvements in academic results, and achieve academic growth as measured against school-agreed benchmarks together with internal and external assessments.
Goal 2
Cultivating, promoting and harnessing an academic culture which encourages students to excel in their learning. At Oakleigh Grammar, we are dedicated to creating an academic environment that fosters growth, achievement, and a love for learning. We believe that a positive and supportive environment is key to unlocking our students’ full potential. With a focus on academic excellence, we provide a wide range of opportunities and resources for each child to succeed, fostering a learning culture where success is acknowledged and celebrated.
Our approach We actively engage our school community in building a strong academic culture. We value the active participation of parents and encourage their involvement in shaping our academic aspirations for each student. Through this collaborative effort, we aim to constantly develop, promote and support a learning environment which focuses on academic achievement for all students. We implement effective processes and protocols that promote and celebrate success. These measures are designed to foster a positive and supportive environment where academic achievements are valued and encouraged. By implementing these strategies, we can significantly improve academic outcomes for our students. We are committed to promoting, recognising, and celebrating our academic culture. We understand the importance of building a compelling story about academic excellence, and we continuously strive to share the stories of student and staff successes. By targeting authentic opportunities for recognition and celebration, we aim to inspire and motivate our school community to excel academically. Together, we can ensure that our students receive the best possible education and reach their full potential.
Oakleigh Grammar students … … will receive school and public recognition for their individual and collective academic successes. They are encouraged to keep improving, and appreciate being involved in recognising others’ achievements.
Goal 3
Developing a dynamic and inspiring learning model for staff professional development by encouraging staff to ‘fly and thrive’. Our school recognises that our teachers have the biggest influence on our students’ learning journey. Innovation is encouraged in all spheres of learning. Our major goal is for all teachers to work towards a transformative approach in student learning.
Our approach Staff professional learning at Oakleigh Grammar significantly impacts our school’s culture as it enhances the opportunity for our students to flourish in their academic pursuits. Professional learning is aligned to our school’s key academic priorities and the future growth of our students. Additionally, we have cultivated an authentic and meaningful staff development and appraisal model to further empower, excite, and energise our staff. We believe that by empowering our staff in their professional passions, our students will be the primary beneficiaries of this approach. These models will greatly benefit our school community and support the ongoing development of our professional and dedicated educators.
Oakleigh Grammar staff … … ensure professional development and meetings are always collaborative, purposeful and engaging.
Intent two
Honour Developing students’ sense of belonging By cultivating a sense of belonging, we lay the foundation for an environment where students can thrive academically, socially and personally, and feel proud of their achievements. When students are strong ambassadors of their school with well developed student agency, a positive learning environment is created, which nurtures intellectual growth and character development. It is recognised that students who possess high self-esteem, resilience and empowerment also have a strong sense of belonging within their school. Ultimately, by prioritising student honour, we are equipping our learners with an ethical framework necessary for success not only in the classroom, but also in their endeavours beyond the school gate.
...cultivating a sense of belonging...
Goal 1
Develop high impact age-appropriate pastoral programs that focus on • affirmation • self esteem • positive mindset. Oakleigh Grammar aims to create a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for each child’s holistic growth and wellbeing throughout their educational journey. We design pastoral programs tailored to a child’s age and stage of development in order to cultivate a positive and nurturing learning environment. Our programs prioritise positive affirmation, self-esteem, and a positive growth mindset. We empower our students, equipping them with the essential tools for personal growth and resilience to prosper academically and emotionally.
Our approach An effective and comprehensive pastrol care model has been developed which aligns with our core values and aspirations. In order to provide continuous support and guidance, we have established longitudinal pastoral profiles for each student and cohort, starting from the Early Learning Centre (ELC). Pastrol profiles enable us to track and monitor the wellbeing of each student and allows us to implement intervention strategies as required.
Oakleigh Grammar students … are part of a culture which prioritises nurture and care as it is recognised that the wellbeing of students must be at the highest level in order for them to reach their full potential.
Goal 2
Empower student agency which enhances a strong sense of belonging with their school. We empower our students to take ownership of their learning, build their confidence, and develop a lifelong love for education. We ensure each child’s voice is heard and support student agency in all appropriate areas which impact school life.
Our approach We prioritise deliberate engagement opportunities for student-led initiatives. It’s important for students to have a voice and actively contribute to the school community. By ensuring students are at the centre of all we do, we not only ensure each child’s voice is heard, we ensure their ideas are valued and their potential is unleashed. Whether they hold formal leadership roles or not, we facilitate avenues for all students to develop their leadership skills and take part in shaping their school experience. We recognise that when students advocate for themselves, their educational outcomes improve. This empowers students to express their needs, seek help when required, and take responsibility for their own educational growth.
Oakleigh Grammar students … … look forward to the opportunities ahead of them, with increased participation and involvement. They provide constructive feedback, demonstrating a strong connection to our school. Students are celebrated for their contributions, ensuring they feel part of an inclusive school culture. This affirms their effort and achievement.
Goal 3
Develop a meaningful co-curricular offering, which reflects Oakleigh Grammar’s strengths. We believe in providing a well-rounded education that goes beyond the classroom. Our co-curricular program is designed to introduce new experiences and strengthen students’ talents and interests, fostering their holistic development. With diverse activities in sports, outdoor education, arts, community service, and leadership, we instill in students essential life skills such as teamwork and problem-solving. Often this will enable students to unlock a God-given talent that will become a lifelong passion.
Our approach To ensure we achieve positive engagement with our students, we develop robust co-curricular offerings that cultivate a supportive and inclusive environment where every student feels a strong sense of belonging. We believe it’s essential to seek input from our students, as they are the ones who will benefit from these activities. By involving them in the decision-making process, we can tailor programs to their preferences and ensure they align with their interests.
Oakleigh Grammar students … … feel encouraged and supported to pursue their life-long passions and interests and are aware of the wide range of programs available to them. They are filled with excitement and anticipation as they look forward to the numerous opportunities that await them.
Intent three
Connection Building community Delivering exeptional outcomes is enhanced through fostering a community that values and appreciates dedication and effort. This creates a positive connection to school, building a sense of belonging and strengthening bonds among students, parents, staff and alumni. A true community is one characterised by harmony, support and mutual respect. Ultimately, this engenders a supportive and enriching educational experience for our students.
...building a harmonious community...
Goal 1
Ensure the school narrative is compelling and resonates with all Oakleigh Grammar stakeholders. A clear and consistent understanding of what Oakleigh Grammar represents, and what sets it apart is vital for staff, students, parents, alumni and the wider community. The narrative fosters unity and a shared sense of purpose. It ensures a cohesive educational experience, strengthens student belonging, and enhances parent engagement. By articulating our school’s narrative and brand identity collectively, we cultivate trust, cohesion, and shared ownership for the success of our community.
Our approach We advocate effective communication with all stakeholders which reflects our school’s vision, mission, values and ethos. This encompasses our key messages, aimed at resonating with staff, parents, students, alumni, prospective families and the community. We value our school’s historical context and continue to embrace the multicultural strength of our school. Orthodox Christian values shape, mould and support our students’ moral compass.
The Oakleigh Grammar Community … ... actively engages with, and embodies the values, principles, and goals that define Oakleigh Grammar’s vision, mission and ethos. It shares a sense of common purpose and is connected and invested in the success of the school, while actively promoting the school to others, encouraging others to join and become part of our extended family.
Goal 2
Maintain and develop effective communication strategies to enhance the reputation of Oakleigh Grammar. By employing communication strategies that align with our high-quality branding, we ensure clarity, consistency, and authenticity in our messaging. This, in turn, helps us to foster a strong identity, communicate our unique strengths, and further strengthen a sense of community, all of which contributes to enhance our school’s reputation as a leading educational institution.
Our approach We prioritise effective and targeted communication to meet the needs of our community. We continually assess our communication strategy which includes a comprehensive language style guide that promotes consistency throughout our messaging. Our communication plan is carefully crafted in alignment with our strategic intent, ensuring that our brand’s voice and values shine through.
Oakleigh Grammar community … … is honoured to be associated with our school, strengthened by effective communication strategies which build and solidify the reputation of Oakleigh Grammar’s unique story.
Goal 3
Focusing on engagement strategies with the aim of developing a strong connection within the community and the school. We aim to create a supportive and inclusive community by fostering open communication, active involvement, empathy, and recognition of achievements.
Our approach We actively aim to embed a common purpose based on unity and shared alignment within our community. To achieve this, we establish clear processes, protocols, and expectations for all stakeholders which creates a cohesive and engaging environment that embodies our school’s ethos.
The Oakleigh Grammar community … … feels a sense of belonging and each member has an emotional connection to our school, evoking positive associations about Oakleigh Grammar and its facilities and community. The community embraces opportunities to celebrate achievements, strengthening its sense of honour and allowing all stakeholders to be proud of their connection with Oakleigh Grammar.
Supporting our Strategic Intent
Building a sustainable future Our Strategic Intent builds on the 40 year history of the School with a continued focus on delivering optimal learning and teaching environments for students and staff. Our focus on leading with fresh, innovative classroom and facility design will ensure the delivery of a well-rounded, value-based education. Ensuring progressive management of the School’s resources, we aim to support an outstanding educational offering through the sustainable delivery of School infrastructure. This will be achieved through vigilant oversight of our financial resources, reputation and aspiring philanthropic culture. The recent opening of the N P Nikolakakis Centre for Academic Excellence illustrates the School’s commitment to providing quality facilities for all current and future students.
The Oakleigh Grammar community … ... Oakleigh Grammar students love their school and are very excited by the prospect of enhanced state-of-the-art facilities.
77–81 Willesden Road, Oakleigh Victoria 3166 Australia 202312