It’s Up to U! By Jeremy Kalbstein – Empowering Children to be Upstanders
I was a happy letter.
I would do art with A and play on the monkey bars with M. But most of the time, I would play alone. One night, N posted an embarrassing image online. I logged out and went to bed not feeling so happy.
Sometimes things happen online that are difficult for young people to cope with.
It’s Up to U! encourages young people to be upstanders and make the online experience a positive one for those around them.
This is the synopsis for our E-Learning Coordinator, Jeremy Kalbstein’s latest book which speak about online safety, the effects of cyberbullying and the merit of being an upstander.
So, What is Cyberbullying? Children are increasingly connecting online, they are playing games, chatting to friends, using social mediaor using it as a learning tool.They are also entering this digital world much younger than ever before. This means the risk of cyberbullying taking place could also escalate. Cyberbullying is using technology to hurt someone intentionally and is usually a repeated behaviour.It can have the same effect as verbal or physical bullying even though the bully is hiding behind a screen, in turn this can often make it easier for them to act in this particular way.
According to Kids Helpline, cyberbullying can include:
Sending/sharing nasty, hurtful or abusive messages or emails
Humiliating others by posting/sharing embarrassing videos or images
Spreading rumours or lies online
Setting up fake online profiles
Excluding others online
Repeated harassment and threatening messages (cyberstalking)
Children who are being bullied can find ways to protect themselves, whether it is telling the bully it’s not okay, blocking them or reporting them. Although this is the ideal approach that we would hope for a child to take, it is also an unlikely one. For someone who is the target of bullying, it is normal for their confidence to drop making it less likely for them to speak up. It is a lot more difficult for a victim to get out of the situation, so this where ‘It’s Up to U’ stand up for them.
Be an Upstander, NOT a Bystander An onlooker or bystander is someone who witnesses the bullying or cyberbullying in action, they either join in, laugh at it or ignore it completely. A bystander is most commonly someone who stands by and watches… and who does and says nothing.If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. It is sending a message to the bully that their behaviour is acceptable.Instead of being a bystander, try to help and support the person being bullied… be an upstander and stand up to the cruelty.
It’s Up to U! Last week our Principal, Mark Robertson had a chance to speak with Jeremy Kalbstein about his upcoming book ‘It’s Up to U!’ whichcaptures the importance of upstanding through a clever play on words and vibrant colourful illustrations.
This story talks about how being in an upstander takes:
Courage
Action
Compassion
Leadership
Someone becomes an upstander by:
Telling the bully to stop
Getting others to stand up to the bully with them
Helping the victim
Reporting on them/Telling an adult
‘It’s Up to U’ encourages children and teens to make positive online experiences for everyone and empowers onlookersto speak up. By being courageous and creating a global community of upstanders, we can take a step towards preventing bullying in the future.
You can watch the interview below, and find out more about why Jeremy chose to write ‘It’s Up to U”, what the purpose the book is and how it can play a vital role in supporting children to be responsibledigital citizens. You will also hear about what Jeremy has planned next for his writing.
It’s Up to U will be available September 1st, yet you can pre-order now through the following websites:
With a strong commitment to community involvement and extensive experience in childcare admissions, Sarah brings a personalised touch to her role at Oakleigh Grammar. Having managed the waitlist for 15 centres and conducted numerous tours, she excels in meeting new families and fostering long-term relationships throughout their time at the school.
Outside of work, Sarah is an active member, maintaining strong connections within her local community. . She lives life to the fullest alongside her husband, three children, and their dog. Sarah’s passions include camping, snowboarding, running, and cooking, particularly with fresh produce from her own garden. Her diverse interests and dedication to family and community make her an invaluable asset to Oakleigh Grammar.
Mr Daniel Ware Marketing Manager
With a passion for customer-centric marketing and extensive agency experience, Mr Daniel Ware brings a multi-faceted approach to his role as Marketing Manager at Oakleigh Grammar, leveraging his expertise across organic and paid advertising, B2B marketing, email outreach, and user experience optimisation.
Daniel firmly believes in the power of data-driven testing to guide marketing strategies continually, but at the core of his work is a love for storytelling that connects with audiences on an emotional level. This blend of analytical and creative thinking allows him to craft compelling narratives that resonate.
Beyond the marketing realm, Daniel is an avid sports enthusiast, regularly hitting the basketball court or golf course during his leisure time. His diverse interests also include a keen fascination with history and psychology, fuelling his curiosity about human behaviour and society.
With his well-rounded skillset and commitment to excellence, Daniel is poised to elevate Oakleigh Grammar’s marketing endeavours, reaching new heights of success through innovative and impactful campaigns.
Jane joined the Oakleigh Grammar team in 2016, having previously worked in the change management space in a variety of industries including education, retail, hospitality, and private enterprise. Her love of business and working with people has also seen her run successful businesses in Australia and overseas. Her appreciation for travel ties in well with her role as Head of Admissions as she regularly attends student recruitment drives throughout Asia including China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Vietnam, Korea and Taiwan, and she has developed a close rapport with Oakleigh Grammar’s international families, students and agents.
With an amazing knowledge of our students, Jane loves meeting them through the enrolment process and getting to know them as progress through the school, ensuring they are settled and happy. Jane has a large extended family which includes her four grown up children, their partners and now her two gorgeous grandsons.
Mrs Shelley Parkes Deputy Principal – Professional Culture & Junior School
Mrs Parkes will bring a wealth of knowledge, that we believe will greatly help further develop and grow our Junior School, drawing on an expansive career in education and executive leadership, with her most recent position being Head of Junior School for Haileybury Rendall School, Darwin.
Added to Mrs Parkes impressive professional career, she is also a busy wife and mother to two wonderful teenage children, who enjoys travel and catching up with friends in her spare time.
Despite Mrs Parkes leadership roles, she always considers herself “A teacher first.”Allowing her to stay grounded and to create an environment of equal opportunity when making executive decisions.
Mr Peter Dickinson Deputy Principal – Student Wellbeing & Operations
Mr Dickinson joined Oakleigh Grammar at the commencement of 2018, after 8 ½ years as Head of Glen Waverley Campus of Wesley College. Peter has achieved considerable success in a variety of other leadership roles at Wesley College and he is keen to make an equally valuable contribution to Oakleigh Grammar. Mr Dickinson oversees the operations of the school and overall student welfare.
Mr Dickinson has a clear passion for education and his values of inclusivity, diversity and holistic development of each child are strongly aligned to the values of Oakleigh Grammar. His strong interest in student well-being and pastoral care is at the heart of his work.
Mr Dickinson has had extensive experiences across the ELC to Year 12 continuum in all areas of school life. He is an experienced International Baccalaureate educator and values the importance of intercultural understanding. He has also become a strong advocate for indigenous education.
Mr Dickinson holds a Bachelor of Education and a Diploma of Teaching and has been involved in a number of educational committees and community Boards across Victoria. He currently serves on the Board of Life Education (Victoria). Mr Dickinson thoroughly enjoys his teaching, especially History and Geography, no doubt born from his extensive international travels across more than 55 countries.
Mr Tim Grandy Business Manager
Mr Tim Grandy has been an educational executive for over 15 years, holding senior leadership roles as a CFO and Business Manager in schools in Victoria and interstate. He is dedicated to providing effective and sustainable financial management and administrative services which support a thriving school community.
Tim brings a future-focus to his role at Oakleigh Grammar, with a commitment to the ongoing enhancement of facilities where child-friendly design, innovation and technology support 21st century learning and aesthetics now and in the future.
With earlier experience as an industry CFO at public and national companies across financial, retail and manufacturing sectors, Tim brings extensive and diverse executive leadership experience focused on supporting parents/carers, families, staff and the broader community.
Tim is married, has three sons and enjoys planning family adventures such as a trek to Mount Everest Base Camp. He is an active church member and has volunteered for working teams at the Nine Mile Clinic in PNG.
Ms Nadia Feletti Head of Marketing
Ms Feletti joined Oakleigh Grammar in January 2022, bringing a wealth of experience gained in the corporate, government and education sectors (Trinity Grammar School in Sydney). Her analytical and strategic approach to marketing and communications, together with an MBA, ensures she delivers to Oakleigh Grammar’s strategic intent.
With two teenage children of her own, Ms Feletti understands the important relationship between a school and its community, and is passionate about ensuring marketing is customer-focused. Working closely with the Principal and Senior Leadership team, Ms Feletti develops strategic marketing initiatives to increase brand awareness and reputation, foster strong community connections and develop enrolment strategies nationally and internationally.
Ms Feletti considers herself a lifelong learner and believes that strategy is key, but the devil is in the detail. When she’s not cooking up big ideas at work, Ms Feletti loves nothing more than cooking up a feast for family and friends.
Mrs Sarah Boardman Head of Early Learning
As an educational leader, I feel privileged to be able to work alongside children as they build their knowledge and understanding of the world around them at school.Celebrating the diverse range of “Wow” moments that occur with our students each day, brings great joy to me both personally and professionally. I strongly believe in the importance of building solid foundations for children’s ongoing learning, focussing on developing thinking and inquiry skills in partnership with literacy and numeracy skills, in a meaningful, rigorous and authentic way for all children. Furthermore, I value the opportunity to build beneficial, ongoing partnerships with families, working together with them to encourage all children to consistently challenge themselves, as they holistically develop a solid understanding of how they learn best.
I studied a Bachelor of Education at the University of Tasmania, before working in a range of different school settings, both nationally and overseas.This hands-on experience with a range of educational approaches, supported by my ongoing work at the University of Tasmania as a Unit Coordinator as part of the Bachelor of Education degree, has given me the opportunity to continually reflect upon evolving current best practice in education, based upon relevant, research.I have been part of Oakleigh Grammar since 2014, working as the Early Learning Centre Coordinator before becoming the Acting Head of Junior School in 2018. Within these educational leadership roles, I have developed in many ways whilst working within Oakleigh Grammar’s dynamic and collaborative community of learners.
Mr Peter Cummins Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
Peter Cummins took up his position as Deputy Principal in 2012. Prior to this he was Deputy Principal (Curriculum) at Leibler Yavneh College (2008-12) and Head of Curriculum at Mentone Grammar (2004-08). He began his career at Scotch College Adelaide and later returned as a boarding housemaster after teaching in the UK at Bromsgrove School and Wellington College.
Peter is passionate about developing the learner in every child and giving them a sense of responsibility to play an active part in making the world a better place for all human beings. He believes that the focus must be on our students developing the agility and imagination needed for living productively in a complex world.
Peter is married to Sharon (Kindergarten Director) and has three adult sons: Andrew who is a senior project manager in construction; Tom who works at Michigan State University in communications; and Alex an industrial designer.
Mrs Sharron Frame Head of Senior School & Head of Middle School.
Mrs Frame is a passionate educator who views every child as an individual with a right to obtain an education that provides a pathway to a successful future.
As the Head of Senior School & Head of Middle School, she believes that education programs require a degree of flexibility to ensure weaker students are supported, stronger students are challenged and extended and each cohort that finishes in Year 12, exits school as responsible, prepared and capable young adults.
Mrs Frame leads a team of dedicated and equally passionate teachers who have worked together over a number of years to develop and improve education standards and outcomes for students within the Senior School.
Because of her real life experience in industry, as a Research and Development Chemist, she is aware of the necessity for preparing young adults for the choices and challenges they will face when they exit formal Secondary education.
She has established strong working relationships within the school community and believes that education is a three way partnership between home, school and student.
Mrs Tania Watson EA to the Principal
Mrs Watson is an experienced Executive Assistant who has worked in administrative roles in schools for 15 years, including 10 years as Executive Assistant to the Principal at Presbyterian Ladies’ College.
She enjoys being a part of the ‘behind the scenes team’ who help provide support to the education of young people. She values the importance of education within a stimulating, nurturing and safe environment, where children are valued and diversity is celebrated. Mrs Watson is delighted to be a part of the Oakleigh Grammar Community.
Ms Anna Lewis Finance Manager
Ms Lewis is a Chartered Accountant with over 13 years experience as a Financial Manager in a variety of industries.
Commencing her professional career in Western Australia, she transferred to the Melbourne office of Ernst & Young in the Corporate Tax Division. She found her passion in working with smaller businesses, and moved into private client services where she gained extensive experience in Taxation, Financial Accounting and Corporate Secretarial and Governance work.
Ms Lewis has also worked within the not-for-profit sector, where she enjoyed working in a team with a community focus. In her most recent engagement, she worked within a public body of the Victorian Government, where she gained valuable firsthand experience in engaging stakeholders and fulfilling statutory reporting requirements.
Ms Lewis is the Honorary Club Secretary for a sailing club on the Mornington Peninsula, and a Director of the Fundraising Foundation for the school that her daughters attend.
Mr Lance Ryan Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
Mr Ryan is a passionate and innovative educational leader, with a drive to enhance every student’s growth and academic achievement across the Junior, Middle and Senior Years. With extensive school leadership experience in a number of Independent schools, and most recently as the Principal of St John’s College, Mr Ryan has a clear vision for transforming teaching and learning to meet the needs of every student, both now and into the future.
Mr Ryan is committed to developing a trusting and dynamic learning culture that is informed and supported by parents, families and a caring and inclusive community. At the heart of his continued focus upon excellence, growth and achievement for all, Mr Ryan has a deep love and commitment to his own learning, having Degrees in Counselling, Philosophy and Education along with a love for history, both ancient and modern. Mr Ryan is married to a supporting and wonderful wife, has two older teenage children, and an affectionate but rambunctious dog.
Mr Mark Robertson Principal
Mr Robertson is a highly respected, experienced Educational Leader with vast experience in the Independent School Sector. His experience includes leading multi – campus and single campus schools, predominantly in faith-based communities which reflect his strong values and beliefs.
Mr Robertson joined Oakleigh Grammar as Principal in 2011 and has been instrumental in driving the School Improvement agenda which has resulted in record enrolments and a revival of academic outcomes. Additionally, his new and unique educational and character development initiatives have been wholly embraced by the School Community. Mr Robertson has devoted his career to inspiring and developing young people. He has proudly built on the legacy of those before him to ensure Oakleigh Grammar lives up to its reputation of providing a stimulating learning environment which values diversity and inclusivity in a loving and caring multicultural setting.
Mr Robertson is passionate about educating young people and leads the Oakleigh Grammar Community with a respectful and positive approach in all that he does.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a specific learning difference that is neurobiological in origin. Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness affecting accurate and/or fluent single word decoding and word recognition. Difficulties with spelling may also be evident with secondary challenges in reading comprehension.
Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia is a term referring to a wide range of difficulties with mathematics, including weaknesses in understanding the meaning of numbers, and difficulty applying mathematical principals to solve problems.
Auditory Processing Disorder
APD also known as Central Processing Disorder is a difficulty with verbal language. Children with normal hearing may have difficulty processing what they hear and expressing themselves clearly and succinctly. It is sometimes referred to as a receptive/expressive language disorder. APD is caused by a lack of coordination between the brain and ears. This interferes with the way the brain recognises and interprets sounds, especially speech. The child may also have difficulty remembering what is said.
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a specific learning difficulty relating to written expression. Children with Dysgraphia have extreme difficulty getting thoughts in order and written on paper. It often coexists with Dyslexia.
Short/Long Term Visual Memory
Visual memory is the ability to recall visual information e.g. pictures and words. A student with poor short-term visual memory may have difficulty copying notes from the board, as they cannot store what was seen long enough in memory, to transfer to the page. A student with poor long-term visual memory will have difficulty recalling images seen in the past.
Neuroscience Research
Neuroscientists focus on the brain and its impact on behaviour and cognitive functions.
Mr Luke Preston Business Manager
Luke Preston is an experienced business and finance manager with a background in Not for Profit, specifically Education and Sport. Luke has most recently been the Finance manager at Melbourne Grammar School (2016-2019) and prior to that, the Business Operations manager at Tennis Victoria (2012-2016).
Before moving into the education sector in 2016, Luke worked in sport for 7 years – at Tennis Victoria and Cricket Australia – in financial and operational roles.
He worked in the corporate sector for 15 years prior to that, at major organisations across multiple sectors in both Australia and the UK, covering banking, consulting, retail and logistics.
Luke is passionate about the Education sector and the important community role played by schools and not for profit organisations.
Luke is a CPA and a UK ACMA and also holds a BSc (Social Science) from the University of Southampton.
Outside of work, Luke enjoys spending time with family and friends, and is alway kept busy with his two school age children: Alex and Jessica, and his lovely wife Kellie.
