Greek teacher Athena Kellis has retired after nearly 40 years of service to the community. Students, teachers and members of the community paid tribute to this exceptional teacher as an assembly at Clarinda Primary School (CPS) where she taught Greek for 22 years.
“Athena has given our students a gift for life. She has given them the strategies, the knowledge and the experiences to further explore and build upon the Greek language in secondary school. She has opened doors to the world by providing them with a passport to become global citizens,” said Meny Zapantis, fellow Greek teacher.
Principal of CPS Jean Hellerud highlighted Athena’s commitment to the students and the wider education community, as many of her students continue to study Modern Greek in secondary school.
“The relationships Athena has established with South Oakleigh College have provided strong support for our students in many areas as they make the transition to secondary school.”
Mrs Kellis’ career began in 1975 when she was appointed to Richmond West Primary School. She taught at Collingwood PS, Richmond Community, Cremorne St Richmond then Richmond Central School. In the 1980s there was a strong initiative to teach languages and Athena developed resources she used in introducing and implementing the teaching of Modern Greek in the Richmond area. In 1990, Athena was appointed to Clarinda Primary School where she continued to develop her outstanding program.
Sophie Stamatelatos, teacher at South Oakleigh College – where they have reciprocal teaching arrangements with both schools – said “the students are our hope and future … The Greek flame burns brightly at Clarinda Primary and South Oakleigh Secondary College. We’re seeing a different kind of unity between two schools, between students who have recently arrived from Greece and non-Greeks who have a passion to learn the Greek language,” said Mrs Stamatelatos.