An open letter to Victoria’s Education Minister James Merlino, is the latest move by Greeks parents of Lalor North Primary School students pushing for the reintroduction of a three-classroom system.

The decision was made by the school management to run again a two-classroom system for the Greek Bilingual Programme in 2021 instead of the three-classroom one that operated until 2019, quoting a fall in student numbers.

But the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) and parents have argued that the current system has undermined the success of the program running for 45 years now and will further inhibit future enrolments.

READ MORE: Lalor North Primary School ignores Greek parent calls for return to three-classroom bilingual programme

The Hon. James Merlino
Minister for Education
Minister for Mental Health

19 December 2020

Dear Minister,

We, the parents and students of the Lalor North Primary School family, together with representatives from local Greek community education groups recognise you as a great supporter of multicultural education and promoter of community languages in the public education system. We praise and commend the State Government for implementing great initiatives to ensure that community languages are well embedded in Victorian Schools and especially Lalor North Primary School.
As far as Melbourne’s Greek Community is concerned, the Greek Bilingual Program at Lalor North Primary School is the pride of bilingual public education and enjoys wide recognition due to its quality outcomes, high calibre of educators and the manner the local community supports and embraces the Program.
However, if the Program is to continue to grow and prosper, it needs to meet the educational, developmental and social needs of its students. Parents and students unanimously seek to reinstate the three classroom model as the only meaningful way to strengthen the program and meet student needs.
As a community that believes that multiculturalism and education go hand in hand, we are willing to work together with all stakeholders to promote the merits of this fantastic program which has a proud 45 year history!

We will spread the word!

We remain optimistic that you will show your commitment to bilingual education once again as time is of essence.
Minister Merlino… it is now your call!

Parents of Students – Greek Bilingual Program, Lalor North Primary School

Liz Ananiadis
Thalia Buzes
Anthi Doukaki
Eleni Economou
Debbie Exarhos
Tom Exarhos
Steve Ioannidis
Vicky Ioannidis
Fotini Kladis
Tom Kounidaris
George Manias
Sharon Manias
Erica Mouratidis
John Mouratidis
Helen Notsikas
Sofia Pantermali
Chris Pappas
Philip Peladarinos
Penny Rousalis
Anastasia Talarico
Yiota Vitale
Sonia Zymantas

Theo Markos, Vice President, Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne & Victoria
Anita Ladas, President, Modern Greek Teachers Association of Victoria
Dr Stavroula Nikoloudis, Greek Studies Program Coordinator, La Trobe University
Very Reverend Father Evmenios Vasilopoulos, Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Vicar, District of Northcote
Tassos Douvartzides, Chairman, Community Languages Australia 
Spiro Papadopoulos , Education Committee , Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne & Victoria