Greek School and Traditional Greek Dancing for 2012

Dear Parents, Grandparents and Friends;

If we, the Greek Community of Newcastle, are serious about promoting our culture and protecting our place in history, it is important that the next generation of our families understands what it means to be a Greek/Australian. As you are all aware, our ancestors are responsible for creating moral, intellectual and political systems that have become the backbone of Western Civilization. We should all be proud of this and need to keep educating our future generations of the important role Greece has played throughout history. The best way of achieving this is to ensure that our children and grandchildren have access to Greek School.

The Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church of Newcastle will continue to offer free education of the Greek language and culture, designed for Greek children to practice and learn our native tongue. It gives me great pleasure to announce at this point, that for one more year we are blessed to have at our school, the good services and dedication of Mrs Nektaria Arvaniti-Dobing and Mrs Mary Calligeros. This year also, the children will have an hour a week to learn the Traditional Greek Dancing and we are pleased to announce, that Ms Anjelica Binos, a very talented young Lady, has offered her time to teach them.

Enrolment is best suited for children 6 years and above, so they are able to comprehend letters and numbers. Learning of Greek is not wholly dependent on 4 hours a week at the ”Greek School”, It is also advised that parents, guardians and grandparents are involved with the School work, as it motivates the students to increase their learning and become more enthusiastic about their studies. The Greek language is not as simple as other languages and we must be dedicated in it preservation, for it does not only hold sentimental value of our origins and culture, but it is an extra qualification and aid in our children’s future in the multicultural society we live in.

The Greek School will be on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4pm – 6pm and all parents are welcome to stay and help out, if that suits. The children will be encouraged to embrace their Greek heritage and all students will participate in celebrating our National and Religious Days of importance.

Registrations will be taken from Monday 6 February to Friday 10 of February between 4pm and 5pm at the Community Centre or by calling 4961 1439 or 49612 333. Lessons will commence on Monday 13 February 2012 at 4pm.

On Sunday the 12th of February the Divine Liturgy will be dedicated to Children, parents grandparents and Teachers. All are invited to attend and the children to be prepared to receive holy Communion. After the Service and about 11am the Service of the "blessing of the New School Year" will take place at the Church. In conclusion please remember, that to deny our Children of their heritage, is like depriving them of their future. Please help us to help our Children to learn Greek and to understand and love their Traditions and Heritage.

Newcastle January 26, 2012

Fr Nicholas Scordilis (Rector)

Frank Marks (President)