The year 2015 was full of exciting announcements and milestones for Oakleigh Grammar. International Baccalaureate accreditation, exceeding standards in the Early Learning Centre and the implementation of the Arrowsmith Program are among the proudest achievements of the school.
On Wednesday 29 July 2015, Oakleigh Grammar was officially accredited as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, offering the Middle Years Programme (MYP). As an IB World School, now the school has access to the best educational resources internationally to further enhance and support our student learning. The IBO has a focus on the ‘learner’ and the development of ‘learning skills’. This, coupled with high international assessment standards, encourages students to reflect on their learning and performance, and provides great preparation for VCE.
Authorisation as an IB World School ensures strong accountability to best practice teaching and learning within this framework. Students learn best when their lessons have context and are connected to their lives and experience of the world.
The IB MYP encourages both personal and academic achievement. This challenges students to excel in both their studies and personal development.
In June, Oakleigh Grammar had the privilege of hosting the inaugural Leader in Me Symposium. Each year educators from across the world have the unique opportunity to gather at The Leader in Me Symposium Series to connect as a community of innovators, celebrate the advancements schools are making using The Leader in Me, and create new paths that will bring leadership and 21st-century life skills to the classroom.
“We are so privileged and grateful to have been a part of the Australian Symposium, where our students hosted more than 170 guests and performed for them,” says Zoe Taylor on behalf of the school.
Oakleigh Grammar also received news that the Early Learning Centre achieved an overall rating of the highest level of ‘Exceeding’ after being formally assessed. This is a rating that was awarded after two years of hard work and dedication.
Oakleigh Grammar also announced the attainment of a CRICOS registration, allowing the school to enrol international students.
“This achievement complements our dedication to diversity and inclusivity, and will further increase our school’s multiculturalism. Our first international students will commence schooling in Term 1 this year,” adds Ms Taylor.
Ending 2015 on a high note, Oakleigh Grammar announced that it would be introducing the Arrowsmith Program in 2016, with the aim of helping students strengthen the weak cognitive capacities underlying their learning dysfunctions and to enable them to become effective, confident and self-directed learners for life.
The three to four year program is available to students in years three to 10 who are having difficulty with reading, writing and mathematics, comprehension, logical reasoning, problem solving, visual and auditory memory, non-verbal learning, attention, processing speed and dyslexia.
For the third year in a row, our Year 12 Class of 2015 produced a strong median standard of results, and the dux Dimitrios Gotsis received an ATAR of 95.8.