Rosebank College’s Argy Markopoulos received a Commended Award as part of the 2011 Minister’s Award for Excellence in Student Achievement-Community Languages Schools. Argy was acknowledged for his commitment to the study of Greek by NSW Minister of Education, The Honourable Adrian Piccoli, at a ceremony last Monday.
“I was excited and surprised to have received the award,” said Argy who has been brought up speaking Greek at home. “My parents and sisters all speak Greek and I think we are lucky to have the opportunity to learn about our ethnic heritage and to maintain the culture and traditions of our grandparents”.
As Argy said his proficient command of the language was particularly useful during a family holiday to Greece in 2008. “I found it easy to communicate with my relatives while I was there and when I returned to Australia, my Greek had improved dramatically.”
College Principal Mr Tom Galea said he was very proud of the Year 7’s achievement. “Argy is a hard working student and an award of this caliber is testament to his pursuit of academic excellence.”
It is worth noting that Rosebank College which is an independent, Catholic school located in Five Dock, NSW and has a long standing tradition in the study of languages in both those offered externally through the Saturday School of Community Languages and through the College.