Modern Greek has taken another blow this week, with the decision that Wales Street Primary School, in Melbourne’s inner north, will not reinstate the language as part of its Languages Other Than English (LOTE) program.

The decision was made by staff, supported by school council and the parent community was informed.

Angelo Dritsas, from the Bring Back Greek Campaign, told Neos Kosmos that the school’s principal, Christopher Sexton, and School Council President, Angela White, had told a meeting on Thursday that the program would not be continued.

“We were completely unsuccessful,” he said.

At the meeting on Thursday, Theo Markos from the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria (GOCMV), the local state member, Fiona Richardson, and a representative from the Department of Education met with Mr Sexton and Ms White, as well as the school’s assistant principal and two parents.
“Essentially, they’re not willing to budge,” Mr Dritsas said.

Mr Sexton told Neos Kosmos the decision was made last year to reduce the school’s LOTE program from three languages (Greek, Mandarin and Italian) to one (Italian).

“The decision was made by staff, supported by school council and the parent community was informed,” he said.

“School Council and the principal agreed to review this decision in 2010.”

He said the school had been consulting with the school community this year.

“Feedback from staff and students with regard to the current Italian program has been extremely positive,” Mr Sexton said.

“Data is showing that students are more engaged in the LOTE program with staff reporting significantly less instances of disruptive behaviour from students.

“Moving to a single LOTE has improved timetabling of the curriculum which is in turn enabling more learning time for the students.”

But Mr Dritsas said timetabling and lack of school facilities were poor excuses.

“My response to that was, ‘you’re not trying hard enough’,” Mr Dritsas said.

Mr Dritsas said there was “some talk” of seeking legal action, perhaps taking the case to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

“It is Theo Markos’ intention to write to the Education Minister, seeking a meeting with her and asking her to intervene” he said.

“And essentially that’s all we can do at the moment.”