Oakleigh Grammar presented a special 40th Anniversary Awards Night last week at Monash University’s Robert Blackwood Hall, marking the final celebratory event of the year for the school.

The night opened with a procession led by Oakleigh Grammar’s Drum Corps and saw pupils, staff, the school board, official guests and families all in attendance.

The Primary School and the Byzantine Choirs sand the National Anthems of Australia and Greece, which was then followed by a plea from his Eminence Father Stavros Kakavas.

The Byzantine Choir then completed the set with the psalms of the Saints Anargyri and other hymns.

Oakleigh Grammar President, Chris Damatopoulos, gave a moving speech where he thanked the community and students for a successful year.

Speeches were also delivered by the Schools’ Principals with the evening also featuring a Greek dance by the High School students and a theatre play from its year 5 students.

All photos: Con Deves

Principal Mark Robertson spoke about the School’s theme for the year, “make a positive impact”, detailing the ways in which the pupils and staff embraced and implemented this message this year.

He recapped many of the highlights of the school’s anniversary year, adding that “the students of Oakleigh Grammar inspire me every day”.

While the anniversary was a major theme, the main purpose of the evening was to recognise the efforts of the school.

Over 100 awards were presented to its pupils before the announcement of the new student leaders for 2024.

Oakleigh Grammar thanked the following people and sponsors for their attendance and support of the event: Greek Orthodox Community of Oakleigh and District Inc, the Hon. Clare O’Neil MP, Federal Member for Hotham, the Hon. Steven Dimopoulos MP, State Member for Oakleigh, τον Ross Alatsas, General Manager of Greek Media Group, Arrowsmith Program, Australian Defence Force, Bank of Sydney, Campion Education, Centorrino Technologies, TSSM VCE Excellence, Franklin Covey, Peter Dickinson, Dobson Uniforms, Russell Kennedy Lawyers, Lazogas Real Estate, Morea Architects, Stephanie Moutafis, Nafsika Stamoulis Foundation, Shelley Parkes and George Theodore.

Oakleigh Grammar offers collaborative learning from ELC to Year 12, committed to teaching and empowering young minds and focusing on their development.

Grounded in Christian Orthodox values and Greek traditions, Oakleigh Grammar boasts a multicultural environment where the appetite for life and good citizenship and academic scholarship are encouraged.