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Our Year 4 Pathway 1 Greek Language and Culture classrooms recently became a vibrant space of learning, connection, and celebration as parents joined their children for a special interactive family tree activity.
This meaningful learning experience invited students and parents to work together to create a visual representation of their family tree while exploring Greek vocabulary and sentence structures related to family members and relationships. Throughout the session, students confidently used Greek words and expressions they had been learning in class, demonstrating their growing language skills in an authentic and engaging context.
Parents had the valuable opportunity to observe the learning process firsthand and witness how language acquisition comes to life through hands-on, collaborative experiences. Their enthusiastic participation added a special dimension to the lesson, creating a warm and supportive environment where students felt encouraged to share their knowledge and take pride in their learning.
As families worked side by side, the classroom was filled with meaningful conversations, laughter, and excitement. Together, parents and students enjoyed the rewarding journey of discovering and celebrating their family roots, while deepening their understanding of Greek language and culture.
Experiences such as these highlight the importance of strong home-school partnerships and demonstrate how language learning can foster identity, connection, and cultural appreciation. We thank our Year 4 families for their wonderful support and for making this session such a memorable success.
Stella Minopoulos & Varvara Pavlidou
Junior School - LOTE
Students at Oakleigh Grammar are provided with valuable opportunities to participate in a range of competitions through their Greek studies. These experiences extend beyond classroom learning, allowing students to apply their knowledge in meaningful and engaging contexts. Through their involvement, students not only strengthen their Greek language skills but also deepen their understanding of Greek history, culture, and significant historical figures, fostering a richer appreciation of the Hellenic world.
During Term 2, students had the opportunity to take part in two major competitions, achieving outstanding results that reflect their dedication and enthusiasm. These achievements highlight the commitment of our students to excellence and their willingness to challenge themselves beyond the classroom. Across both competitions, students demonstrated creativity, confidence, and a strong sense of pride in representing Oakleigh Grammar.
Students from Year 8 participated in the National Student Competition ‘Nikolaos Papadakis-Papadis’, titled “The Life and Work of Eleftherios Venizelos”. The competition was organised by the Oceania Branch of the National Research and Studies Foundation “Eleftherios K. Venizelos” and hosted with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and the support of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia. Students were given complete freedom to explore and interpret the life and legacy of Eleftherios Venizelos through their chosen medium. We are proud to announce that Anatalia Vlachos from Year 8 was awarded 3rd Prize in the High School Category. Anatalia was recognised for her outstanding painting on canvas, demonstrating creativity, skill, and a thoughtful interpretation of the topic.
The second competition, the Greek Public Speaking Festival 2026, was organised by the Modern Greek Teachers’ Association of Victoria (MGTAV). The aim of this competition is to encourage students to express themselves confidently in Greek, developing their communication skills and cultural expression. We are proud to celebrate the outstanding success of our students at this festival, where they represented Oakleigh Grammar with confidence, passion, and excellence in Greek language and public speaking.
Congratulations to our award recipients:
🥈 Nina Kyrkylis (Year 4) – 2nd Place in the Year 3/4 Poetry Category
🥇 Aella Grimanis – 1st Place in the Year 5/6 Demosthenis Category
🥈 Samantha Kehaidis – 2nd Place in the Year 5/6 Demosthenis Category
🥉 Chris Vergos – 3rd Place in the Year 5/6 Demosthenis Category
This is a wonderful reflection of the students’ dedication, courage, and commitment to celebrating and developing their Greek language skills. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and the way they represented our school community. Συγχαρητήρια σε όλους!
We warmly encourage all students to continue participating in these enriching competitions in the future, as they provide meaningful opportunities to grow, express creativity, and celebrate both language and Hellenic heritage with pride and confidence.
Natasha Spanos
Hellenic Culture/SRC Coordinator Academic Leader LOTE
