Dear friends and colleagues,

With the end of the academic year just around the corner, I would like to thank you all for your collaboration, your meaningful efforts and your educational achievements in the area of Greek language teaching throughout the year.

The end of year sees us celebrating a number of successes within the Greek language learning and teaching community.  Congratulations to the students, teachers and principals of the Saturday School of Community Languages (St George Girls HS Centre) and the NSW School of Languages on their 2019 HSC First in Modern Greek Courses achievement. Congratulations to the teams involved in the creation and workshopping of the Stage 6 Extension support materials for the 2020-2024 course prescriptions for Modern Greek. Congratulations to the 66 successful candidates of the Certificate of Attainment in Greek 2019 Exams on their high scores. Congratulations to the 8 learners of Greek from the Community Languages Schools Program who won a Highly Commended or a Commended Award at the 2019 NSW Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Student Achievement – Community Languages Schools.  Congratulations to all 14 participating schools in this year’s 9th Greek Student Film Festival. Congratulations to all schools on the many school events organised throughout the year. Congratulations to the Greek teaching team of Clemton Park PS on their beautiful Greek-themed performances during the school’s 90th birthday this year. Congratulations to Greek language teachers on their extra-curricular initiatives that substantially contribute to enhancing the Greek language teaching and learning experience in NSW schools. Above all, congratulations to all teachers and students on their day-to-day commitment to teaching and learning respectively, on their diligent efforts required for teaching and learning an additional language.

On a personal note, I would like to express my thanks for their collegiality during this academic year to Nina Conomos, Community Languages Schools Program Coordinator, and my colleagues at the Learning and Teaching Directorate (NSW Department of Education), Elisabeth Robertson, Konnie Zagrimanis, Stephen Nogher, Maxine Acosta-Ostrzycki and Evia Kyriacou.

I wish you all happy and safe summer holidays.
Enjoy a well-deserved vacation!

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2020!

Warm Regards,
Maria

Dr Maria Harissi
Greek Language Adviser
Learning and Teaching Directorate

Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, Athens, Greece
Greek Education Office of Australia and N.Zealand, Melbourne, Australia