Wednesday, November 22 saw Oakleigh Grammar stage its very special 40th Anniversary Awards Evening at Monash University’s Robert Blackwood Hall, marking the final whole-school celebratory event in this anniversary year.
The Oakleigh Grammar drummers led a raucous processional to open the evening which was attended by students, staff, School board, VIPs and families.
The Junior School and Byzantine Choirs started official proceedings with the singing of the Australian and Greek National Anthems, which was followed with an Opening Prayer by Father Stavros Kakavas. The Byzantine Choir concluded the section with the Sts Anargiri hymn and other chants.
Renowned for his passion for the School and Greek Orthodox Community, Oakleigh Grammar Chairman, Chris Damatopoulos made an emotional speech, thanking the community and students for a successful year.
The night also featured a Greek Dance performed by Middle School students, addresses by the School Captains – their last official school duty – and a Drama presentation by Year 5 students.
Principal Mark Robertson spoke about the School’s theme for the year, “make a positive impact,” detailing the ways in which students and staff have wholeheartedly embraced and enacted the theme. He recapped several highlights of the School’s anniversary year before praising staff and students, commenting that Oakleigh Grammar students inspire him daily.
The main purpose of the night was to recognise the efforts of Oakleigh Grammar students. Over 100 awards were distributed to deserving students, ahead of the announcement of 2024 student leaders.
Oakleigh Grammar thanked award sponsors: The Greek Orthodox Community of Oakleigh & District; The Hon Clare O’Neil MP, Federal Member for Hotham; The Hon Steven Dimopoulos MP, State Member for Oakleigh; Ross Alatsas, General Manager of the Greek Media Group; Arrowsmith Program; Australian Defence Force; Bank of Sydney; Campion Education; Centorrino Technologies; TSSM VCE Excellence; Franklin Covey; Peter Dickinson; Dobson’s Uniforms; Russell Kennedy Lawyers; Lazogas Real Estate; Morea Architects; Stephanie Moutafis, Nafsika Stamoulis Foundation; Shelley Parkes; and George Theodore.
