A new partnership between the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) and one of the most acclaimed educational institutions in Athens came into effect recently, when the principal of the GCMV schools, Manos Tzimpragos, visited the College of Psychico, where the Hellenic American Educational Foundation is based.

This visit was the first phase of the ‘Melbourne-Athens: a journey of friendship’ program of partnership between the GCMV, and the HAEF, which was founded at the beginning of the 20th century and it is one of the most reliable educational institutions in Greece, offering high quality services in primary and secondary education to more than 4,500 students.

During his visit, Mr Tzimpragos had the opportunity to meet with the HAEF’s President Professor Spiro Pollalis, as well as the school’s department directors, with whom he discussed special educational programs, and exchanged insight on the current challenges and opportunities presented in the field of education.
The program commenced in mid-November under the initiative of sociologist and Psychico College teacher Maria Filio Tridimas. It is an online mentoring program in which year 10 HAEF students mentor year 9 students at the GCM’s Language and Culture Schools of the Balwyn and Doncaster campuses which also brings interdisciplinary skills to the HAEF’s students.

This partnership allowed for the GCM’s schools to have a presence at the HAEF’s annual ‘Paniyiri’ Student Festival, last weekend reinforcing the capacity building between the two schools.