Over 400 students from seven Greek-Orthodox colleges all over Australia met this week at Sydney’s daily bilingual college of St Spyridon, to take part in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia National Schools Event 2014.

Students of St Andrew’s Grammar School (Perth), St George College (Adelaide), St John’s College, Oakleigh Grammar (Melbourne), All Saints Grammar and St Euphemia College (Sydney) were hosted by their St Spyridon College peers for a three days event, where they took part in a range of sports and arts competitions.

St Spyridon College director, Ms Euphrosyne Stephanou told Neos Kosmos it has been an honour for the College to be the proud host of the games that have been taking place every year since 1996.

“Seven Archdiocese schools converged here for a three day National Schools Event. There are 400 students, and this event is something that every student during their time in our schools look forward to as a highlight,” Ms Stephanou said.

As part of sport activities, students competed in basketball, netball, indoor soccer, soccer, table tennis and volleyball.

On Thursday night, St Spyridon College held a special dinner in honour of all the participants. During the night, an Arts Festival was held, with students performing in Greek, Serbian, Italian and English, and showing off their skills in dance and instrumental music.

“We try and keep faithful to our Olympic ideals, and there were never Olympic Games held in Greece unless there was also a cultural performing arts program attached to it. So we keep the faith with tradition which goes back 5,000 years,” Ms Stephanou told Neos Kosmos.

On Friday, an award ceremony was held, and medals were presented to all winners for their achievements.

“This event started in a very small way in 1996, when Mr Peter Meintanis set out on a bus to go to St John’s College to play their first soccer game.

“But since 1996 and two teams that took part, the event has grown to 400 students with many teams across many sports,” Ms Stephanou told Neos Kosmos.

“I have been in Orthodox education for 18 years now, and in those years never has a Year 12 class graduated without thanking their teachers for the opportunity to be part of this wonderful contest. It’s a highlight for every student of each of our schools.

“For us it was a great honour to be hosting it, and a great responsibility, and we are looking forward to being hosted by Sydney’s St Euphemia College next year,” she said.