Celebrated between the sister schools of Oakleigh Grammar and St John’s College Preston, the Hellenic Arts Gala is a biannual event celebrating the Hellenic Arts. This year, Oakleigh Grammar was honoured to host the Gala, following a successful event at St John’s College Preston in 2022. Students from both schools had the opportunity to meet, explore the Greek Arts through short workshops, share a meal and enjoy an evening of fun and dance.
The Gala commenced with a prayer and blessing, presided over by Rev. Father Stavros Kakavas. Students then participated in a series of workshops on Greek Dancing, Bouzouki, Ancient Greek Theatre and Art. A great thank you to the facilitators of the four workshops: Ms Bettiol – Chorus Building and Ancient Greek Theatre, Mr Karakottas – Greek Dancing, Mr Krestas – Bouzouki and Ms Sacco & Ms Scarlatta – Hellenic Artwork.
Following the workshops students shared a meal and before dinner, Rev. Father George Frangos addressed the evening, conveying the blessing of His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora. It was also wonderful to hear speeches from the Principal of St John’s College, Mr Ponsford, and the Deputy Principal – Strategic Initiatives and Advancement of Oakleigh Grammar, Mr Ryan. In his speech, Mr Ponsford commended the Oakleigh Grammar staff for their hospitality.
Prior to the event, a select group of St John’s Art students and their teacher Ms Theofanis visited Oakleigh Grammar on Wednesday 21 September 2024, and joined select Art and Visual Communication Design students at Oakleigh Grammar in creating a collaborative artwork based on Hellenic themes. The final artwork between the two schools was presented during the formalities of the evening, with the student artists being acknowledged and awarded for their participation. Students who excelled in the workshop rotations of the evening were also awarded for their high efforts and ample enthusiasm.
The evening concluded with lots of dancing and music played by a DJ, lifting student and staff spirits and providing a great highlight for the night.
Special Guests included:
- Rev. Father George Frangos (Representing His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora)
- Rev. Father Stavros Kakavas – Oakleigh Parish
- Rev. Father Leonidas Ioannou – Presentation of Our Lord Parish
- Mr Antonis Tsourdalakis – President of Intercommunities and Parishes Council of Victoria – Greek Archdiocese of Australia
- Ms Maria Trantafyllou – Acting Education Coordinator of Australia & New Zealand – Greek Consulate
- Mr Raspa, Head of Hellenic Culture, St John’s College
- Ms Sarigiannoglou, Head of Senior School, St John’s College
- Ms Giannos, Orthodox Studies Teacher, St John’s College
A very special thanks goes out to Mr Nick Karakottas, Academic Leader (Arts & Design) and Mrs Natasja Spanos, Head of Hellenic Culture and Academic Leader (LOTE) who organised the event, as well as the Oakleigh Grammar staff who made this event a success:
- Ms Scarlatta, Art Teacher
- Ms Sacco, Art & Visual Communication Design teacher
- Ms Smit, MYP Service Coordinator and Product Design & English Teacher
- Ms Aivaliotis, Junior School Teacher
- Ms Parkes, DP of Professional Culture & Head of Junior School
- Mr Gridley, Middle School Coordinator & Media Teacher
- Mr Kho, Media & History Teacher
- Mr Damatopoulos, Head of Orthodox Studies
- Ms Bettiol, Middle School Learning Leader (Arts & Design)
- Ms Piplios, PA to the DP of Operations
- Mr Dickinson, DP of Operations
- Mr Ware, Marketing Manager
- Ms Arcilla, Graphic Designer
- Mr Ghattas, Marketing Officer
- Mr Varvakis, Maintenance Officer
- Mr Panagopoulos, L.O.T.E. (Greek) Teacher
