Connections were forged and buildings were built between Lemnos and Dandenong during a successful Skype session between the Mudros Junior High School Lemnos and the Greek Orthodox Community of Dandenong and District Greek School where students engaged and celebrated their similarities and differences.
The two schools established a sister school relationship last November as part of the celebrations of the Centenary of the Armistice of Moudros.
The project of bringing together students in Greece and Australia was solidified in March 2018, when 22 visiting students from Greece and their Principal attended a liturgy at the St. Panteleimon Church in Dandenong.
However, it was almost five years ago Christina Despoteris initiated an e-twinning relationship between Alphington Grammar School in Melbourne and the 1st Junior High School in Voula Athens via the program ‘Voula/Melbourne – Building Bridges across Continents’.
“The project is based on a computer program whereby the students write text, make videos, and upload them and generally communicate by computer,” Ms Despoteris had told Neos Kosmos.
Last October, the students and their teachers Skyped several times and discussed how they could use this connection to both schools’ benefit.
Aside from practicing their Greek and English, respectively, the students held each other’s flags and connected over folk and traditional dances as a fun way to focus on cultural history.
“A very sentimental moment last year, was when the students from Australia surprised their Greek fellows with the Hellenic National Anthem,” Ms Despoteris said.
“It was very touching, especially when both parties started signing it together. It was beautiful.”
Ms Despoteris went on to say that it had been a pleasure to assist the student’s visit to Melbourne last year, and would love to encourage the e-twining of the Lemnos and Dandenong schools further.
“Our Committee is also working on the recent Victorian Government grant for educational aids for Mudros. We hope to build on these links, create more connections and make them stronger,” she said stressing the historical importance of the initiative.
“Lemnos played a great part in the Gallipoli events and our Anzac history. This bond in time can become the focus of the e-twinning relationship which will in time, benefit both schools.”
Mr Despoteris also thanked Ms Maria Papapanayiotou and Ms Niki Farfara-Pashou for their tireless work, dedication and enthusiasm in making the relationship a success. She also acknowledged the contribution of Lee Tarlamis Oam, historian Jim Claven, Angelo Yannacaros Nikolaos Kydas, Terry Kanellos, Ange Kenos and Neos Kosmos’ Editor in Chief Sotiris Hatzimanolis.