Every December, a heartfelt tradition comes alive at Oakleigh Grammar as Primary School students don their brightest smiles and visit aged-care facilities across Melbourne to share Christmas carols.
With their pure, joyful voices, they bring warmth, hope, and festive cheer to grandparents and elderly residents—offering moments of companionship that touch the heart and remind everyone of the true spirit of Christmas.
This year’s visits unfolded over three days and involved the Year 5 cohort. On Monday, December 1, students visited Baptcare Southaven Day Centre in Bentleigh. The following day, Tuesday, December 2, they continued spreading joy at Brimlea Aged Care in Murrumbeena and Fronditha Care in Clayton South. Their final visits took place on Thursday, December 4, at Estia Health in Oakleigh East and Oak Towers Aged Care in Oakleigh.
At each venue, students opened their program with a musical tribute to Greece.
The Greek songs stirred vivid memories for many residents, transporting them back to childhood moments filled with tradition, family, and community. In the children’s voices, they recognised echoes of their own stories.
The program then shifted to Christmas and New Year’s carols, along with a selection of festive favourites that filled each room with joy. The melodies rekindled cherished memories, and for a few moments, the elderly residents seemed to become children once again, singing along with the students.
Each visit concluded with warm wishes for the New Year and a heartfelt commitment to continue this meaningful tradition.
For the Oakleigh Grammar students, the experience was deeply rewarding. It gave them the opportunity to connect with elderly members of the community through music, kindness, and shared smiles.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, December 2, members of the Oakleigh Grammar Byzantine Choir visited the offices of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Melbourne in South Melbourne. There, they chanted traditional Christmas and New Year’s carols, along with a selection of festive hymns.
Singing with reverence and enthusiasm before His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, the students captivated everyone present with their melodic, heartfelt performances. At the conclusion of their visit, they received His Grace’s blessing, along with festive treats and a small gift.
