Our School

Zen on Edu cati on C ent re

To Σχολείο µας

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INDEX Message from the Principal .....................................................................3 Our Mission and Aims ................................................................................5 Our brief history ........................................................................................6 Our Philosophy and Vision.........................................................................6 Children are at the centre of our mission .......................................8 We want our students to love coming to Greek School...............9 A variety of activities at School ......................................................10 Looking into the future........................................................................11 Philosophy of Teaching ............................................................................12 Our Achievements ....................................................................................13 Our Staff ....................................................................................................14 School Hours ..............................................................................................15 Teaching Places..........................................................................................16

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Message from the Principal Dear Parents, Welcome to all existing and prospective parents. It is my honour to serve as principal (& founder) of the Zenon Education Centre.

Our school is currently in its 4th year and has grown quite rapidly from a handful of students to the size it is today. In the short time that we have been operating, we have been able to create an embedded culture encompassing many areas: (including but not limited to):  methodologies and approved aims  a modern practice to education  correct language training  innovative, modern approach to teaching,  aiming at creating integrated personalities with individuals who are strong and proud of their heritage.

By working collaboratively with staff, students, parents, and community partnerships, we have been able to and will continue to implement effective strategies that have created a safe and effective learning environment thus promoting academic achievement and personal growth.

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The level of teachers’ commitment is considered to be a key factor in the success of our student’s learning and continual growth of our school. Each teacher at Zenon is certified and continually updates their certification with current and applicable, educational courses and seminars.

As a professional learning community, we work together to build relationships that will motivate our students to want to learn at the highest level, and empower our parents, and community to ensure continuous student academic growth and development.

We have many bright lights among us, and I welcome the challenges and look forward to celebrating the successes we will attain in our quest to improve student outcomes today and in the future.

We welcome families that have a keen interest in participating in this learning environment and welcome you to discuss your child’s Greek education with us.

Andrea Garivaldis

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Our Mission and Aims o To educate young boys and girls so that they become fluent in the Greek language; o To help each child appreciate the Greek culture within the wider multicultural society of Australia. o To provide our students with quality educational programs which will assist them to reach their full potential in learning Greek as a second language and contribute to their academic performance. o To provide students with strong and solid foundations in the Greek language and culture in an innovating, interesting and fun way. o To instill in each child a consciousness of their Greek heritage and identity.

Teachers and students with Mr C. Ladopoulos in 2010

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Our brief history When back in 2008 a small group of parents approached Andrea Garivaldis asking her to create an improved language education for their children to learn the Greek language and culture it was thinking time for our founders.

Early meetings brought forth discussions of what parents of the new millennium were looking for in a Greek School. Some of the important contributing factors included achieving an environment that not only allowed the child to learn the language but also fostered an environment that allowed the child to learn about and appreciate their background.

A heritage that is rich and abundant in the Greek culture.

Most important was creating an environment that children WANTED to be a part of. We are well on the way to achieving this and some of the comments that have come through in 2010 and 2011 are indicative of this.

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Actual comments from our students... o 5 year old boy - “I will be a Greek school teacher when I grow up” o 7 year old girl – “I would prefer to miss birthday parties than miss out on Greek school”. o 13 year old girl – “school is school, but if I have to attend Greek school, this is the only one I will consider”. o 10 & 11 year old girls – “Do not even think about picking us up at 7.30 – we will be staying the extra half hour”. o

9 year old boy – “This is the best Greek school ever”.

2011 – Sparti class - school concert rehearsal. - Coincided with “Come to Greek School dressed in your favourite team colours”.

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Our Philosophy and Vision Children are at the centre of our mission o Our primary objective is the students and their happiness while learning, and secondary our teaching methods. We embrace every child with an inclusive and vested interest. o With a belief to the bond of the family, we cooperate with parents for the benefit of our students. o We’re equally interested in character building that will develop a thirst for learning, using a self-propelled interest. o Children’s safety and security is a priority at our school at each and every session.

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We want our students to love coming to Greek School o Every child arriving at Greek School with happiness has the mindset and the willingness to open up and consume everything the School will provide. o Every one of our teachers and staff care for, are interested in and are sensitive to the feelings of all children at our school. o Homework is carefully selected and geared to individual ability levels. o We ensure students gain language skills they can build on, even after leaving the classroom. o We aim at being dynamic and passionate in our teachings in order to attract and maintain student interest.

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A variety of activities at School o The weekly program is enriched with various activities.

In this way the interest of children remains energetic. o We promote culture (through professional dancing groups), theatre and video making. o We offer extra services, free of charge, for students who are willing to take their studies further, with online learning systems and additional class times. o Text books and material are resourced and made targeting today’s Greek Australian child. o Text book and class materials are geared towards preparing the child for VCE Greek. o We group classes more according to language levels and less according to age.

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Looking into the future o Zenon Education is a lively organisation that seeks to improve and complete new ideas that improve child experience at Greek School. o In our curriculum we know that learning is a lifelong process and as such we constantly seek to learn how to reclaim every newly founded teaching method. o New technologies in teaching, especially in teaching languages, enrich the child experience with more effective results. o We aim to expand our School with the creation of several campuses in different suburbs of Melbourne in order to provide easier access to our classrooms, for families.

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Philosophy of Teaching o The collective aim is to provide a learning environment that will provide each student with a rich, positive experience and great memories. In our teaching we make full use of every new method the Government and Academic community is recommending. o Language articulation is the main target coupled with a Greek heritage and culture that has developed through thousands of years. o Every one of the lessons are approached with the appropriate professionalism and seriousness. In this way, every child is provided the opportunity to expand on their skills using their own individual talents.

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Our Achievements Despite the short time since Zenon Education was founded, we have a number of achievements to show as a responsible organisation for the accredited and correct educational methods used.  In 2009 we developed and established the best website for a Greek School, one that contains student’s work, material for teachers to use in class, songs, videos, historical information about Greece as well as information for parents and online interactive learning for students.  During 2010 - Pontian Community Competition Genocide of the Greeks of Pontos. Three of the four students who entered received excellence awards.  2010 our students received first Prize at the Annual Greek Film Festival School’s competition with the short film titled “With just a suitcase” («Με μια βαλίτσα»).  2012 our Principal was selected as part of a very few educators of Australia to participate in a three-week

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seminar in Thessaloniki – Greece, all expenses paid by the Australian Government. And 2012 is just beginning.

Learning is a life-long process and as such we are always looking at ways to improve our methods and learn new concepts and teaching strategies.

Our Staff o Greek Language Teachers are carefully selected for our School, ensuring that every one is an advocate of our methodologies, philosophies and aims. Each one having the abilities and qualifications to achieve the high level of expectations we have set. o What sets them apart from the rest is their own drive for excellence and passion in teaching, dedication to teaching and consciousness of the function they’re asked to perform as trainers and mentors. o Each teacher is a fellow traveller and instructor on the road to knowledge. o Teachers are continuously improving as they participate in appropriate and relevant seminars and courses, funded by Zenon Education. o Each teacher is aware of the individual needs of every child in their classroom (whether allergies or learning abilities and styles) and cater to meet needs accordingly.

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School Hours The program of our Primary and Secondary Greek Language School at Malvern for all students runs on Fridays from 5.00pm to 7.30pm. This is with a further half hour lesson for students who are interested in advancing their knowledge, ending at 8.00pm There exists an opportunity for students to attend a further hour each week if desired. Catch-up sessions and extension sessions are held at our Caulfield campus every Monday at 5.00pm.

We have also arranged a chat room on the website where students at predefined times can connect with the teacher.

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Teaching Places o Zenon Education is available through either of our 2 campuses which are located in Chadstone and Caulfield.

The classrooms are both appropriate and functional for students of Primary and Secondary School age needs. o Please visit our website for more information at http://www.zenon-education.com.au o We welcome your input and are happy to discuss your child’s Greek education needs with us. o Phone: (03) 9530 8388, 0401208013, 0413057426

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