Enrolments for GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL 2013

HOLY APOSTLES PARISH & 
COMMUNITY OF NEWCASTLE

GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL

An open Letter 

to Parents and Grandparents of our 
Greek Language School in Newcastle

Dear Parents, Grandparents and Friends;

Acknowledging the fact that our children are now third and fourth generation Greek-Australians and the use of the Greek Language is possibly irrelevant to most, we will go on to say, that we believe that all of you share our desire to hold on to what is left of our Mother Tongue and Culture in this our Community. And if we 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 Mrs Maria Renolds, 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 11 February to Friday 15 of February between 4pm and 5pm at the Community Centre or by calling 4961 1439 or 0425 258986. Lessons will commence on Monday 18 February 2013 at 4pm.

On Sunday the 17th 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 31, 2013

Fr Nicholas Scordilis                       Paul Milonas 

      (Rector)                                         (President)