This year’s New Ways in Modern Greek Studies event culminated in the annual Hellenic Studies Awards ceremony in Sydney last week, honouring the achievements of students and educators, spanning from primary school to advanced levels.
With recipients as young as ten years old and others who dedicated decades to Hellenic education, the event celebrated academic excellence and all educators who instil a love for Greek studies in their students and their families.
The Association of Hellenic Educators of Australia (AHEA) presented the most esteemed accolades, the Ayios Kosmas o Aitolos Awards, for remarkable dedication to Hellenic Studies.
The awards pay homage to Ayios Kosmas, an 18th-century orthodox wandering priest who fervently advocated for the establishment of schools.
The awards recognise educators and administrators involved in Hellenic education across various institutions and levels.
Aliki Ellis, received an award for her invaluable contributions to Greek afternoon schools at the parish of St Nicholas in Marrickville.
Andrea Makis, with a career spanning four decades in the public education system, was recognised for teaching Modern Greek at Gardener’s Road Public School in Sydney’s inner south.
Another educator that received an award was Evia Kyriacou, with over 26 years of teaching experience in Modern Greek and French. She currently holds the position of Languages Advisor with Languages and Culture at the NSW Department of Education and serves as the Curriculum Coordinator with the Secondary College of Languages at the Smith’s Hill Campus in Wollongong.
The Phoevos Awards, presented to primary-level students for their exceptional achievements in Hellenic Studies, showcased participants from almost every public school in New South Wales that offers Modern Greek courses.
Each year, one parish among the more than 40 Archdiocese parishes in Sydney is selected to nominate students from its afternoon schools.
The following students were recognised for their accomplishments:
- Bald Face Public School, Blakehurst
Christina Psiroukis
Anthony Tarantilis
- Brighton Le Sands Public School
Raphaela Chrisanthopoulos
Eleni Hatzimarkos
- Carlton Public School
Chloe Spatiotis
Pamela Conomos
- Clemton Public School
Vasiliki Nikolakopoulou
Billie Filippopoulos
- Connell’s Point Public School
Annabelle Gesouras
Nikita Schafer
- Dulwich Hill Public School
Alexandra Tsoutsas
Atticus Brisebois
- Earlwood Public School
Alexandros Daniil
Melina Nikolaros
- Gardener’s Road Public School
Orielle Savage
Daniela Manthopoulos
- Kingsgrove Public School
John Giokaris
Sam Tsiliberdis
- McCallum’s Hill Public School
Olivia Lygdas
Viviana Vassilopoulos
- Sans Souci Public School
Theofilos Gardelis
Ethan Milionis
- Stanmore Public School
Peter Michael
Jamie Apoifis
- St Spyridon College – Junior School, Kingsford
Elias Apostolidis
Christopher Skouteris
- St Euphemia College, Bankstown
Haney Zeidan
Maria Angela Sfikas
- All Saints Parish Belmore Greek Afternoon School
Arthur Fterniatis
Gabriella Papantoniou
