The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) Schools embraced the spirit of Apokries and Clean Monday last week with a range of engaging activities both in and out of the classroom.
The festivities provided students with a firsthand experience of these culturally significant days in Greek tradition as they delved into customs and traditions from various regions of Greece with their teachers.
From Friday, March 15 to Tuesday, March 19, each school hosted a series of events where participants engaged in discussions about the significance of Clean Monday and the Lenten season, bringing to life traditional practices such as the Vlach “Shaving of the Groom,” the Pontian “Koukaras,” and the Macedonian “Haskas.”
They also partook in dancing around the “gaitanaki,” flying kites, sharing fasting foods, and immersing themselves in the festive atmosphere reminiscent of celebrations in Greece.
The GCM School’s holistic approach and experiential learning principles help bring the student to the centre of their own education while preserving their cultural identity as part of multicultural Australia.
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