Stylus Volume 10

The voice of St. Spyridon College

| June 2010 | NUMBER 10 |

Photography by Mr Anthony Condous and createv

stylus Upcoming

Events Term 3 – 2010

Term 4 – 2010

Parish Trip to Greece returns

Sun – 18th July

Staff Development Day

Mon – 19th July

Staff and students return

Mon – 11th Oct

HSC Begins

Thu – 14th Oct

Students Return

Tue – 20th July

Year 10 Final Assessment Week

Parent Teacher Conferences Yrs 10 & 11

Wed – 21st July

Leadership Camp Yr 12 2011

Yr 4 Cyprus Invasion Assembly

Wed – 21st July

Parent Forum Year 12 2011

Parent Teacher Conferences Yr 7 – 9

Mon – 26th July

OHI Day

Thu – 28th Oct

OHI Day Celebrations Church Yrs 7 – 9

Sun – 31st Oct

Fasting for Dormition Begins HSC Trials Begin

Sun – 1st Aug Mon – 2nd Aug

ICAS English Competition Australian Mathematics Competition

Mon – 18th Oct TBA - Oct Wed – 27th Oct

Spring Fair Junior School Campus

Sun – 31st Oct

Tue – 3rd Aug

Year 9 Final Exams Begin

Tue – 2nd Nov

Thu – 5th Aug

Years 7 & 8 Final Exams Begin

Wed – 3rd Nov

Year 7 Vaccinations

Thu – 12th Aug

Year 4 Camp

Wed – 10th Nov

Divine Liturgy

Thu – 12th Aug

Year 3 Camp

Thu – 11th Nov

Preparing for the Preliminaries Course Begins

Thu – 11th Nov

Dormition Assembly

Fri – 13th Aug

Dormition of the Theotokos

Sun– 15th Aug

Trial HSC Ends

Mon – 16th Aug

Parent Forum Year 7 2010

TBA - Nov

Orientation Day Year 7 2010

TBA - Nov

ICAS Mathematics Competition

Tue – 17th Aug

Year 5 & 6 Camps

ASISSA Athletics Carnival Junior School

Thu – 19th Aug

Year 10 Last Day and Dinner

Parent Forum Year 9 2011

Wed – 25th Aug

HSC Assessment Period Ends SNAPSHOTS

Fri – 27th Aug Thu – 2nd Sept

K – 2 Father’s Day Assembly CIS Athletics Junior School Year 11 Final Assessments Begin Year 9 Camp

Fri – 3rd Sept

Thu – 25th Nov

Parent Teacher Interviews Junior School Mon – 29th - Fri 3rd Dec K – 6 Awards Presentation Morning

Tue – 7th Dec

Year 6 Graduation

Tue – 7th Dec

Speech & Prize Giving Afternoon 12.30pm

Thu – 9th Dec

Tue – 7th Sept

Term ends for students

Thu – 9th Dec

Mon – 13th Sept

Staff Development Day

Fri – 10th Dec

St Spyridon Vespers

Sat – 11th Dec

Wed – 15th – Fri 17th Sept

P & F Karaoke Night

Wed 17th – Fri - 19th Nov

Sat – 18th Sep

Greek Orthodox Athletics Carnival Junior School Mon – 20th Sept CIS Athletics Junior School

Tue – 21st Sept

Year 12 Farewell Assembly

Wed – 22nd Sept

K – 12 Doxology

Thu – 23rd Sept

Year 12 Farewell Vespers & Dinner

Thu – 23rd Sept

House Gala Day Senior School

Thu – 23rd Sept

Open Day Junior School

Thu – 23rd Sept

Term ends for students

Thu – 23rd Sept

Staff Development Day

Fri – 24th Sept

St Spyridon Day

n Internal Event

Sun – 12th Dec

n Public Event

The term Stylus is used to describe a myriad of different devices used in computing, science, medicine, art and technology. In ancient times, a stylus was the bone or ivory pen used to write on wax or clay tablets. Stylus is also the Greek word for pillar, denoting strength and grace.

Address From Head Of College

‘‘ I

n this edition of the Stylus we highlight Student Leadership. Our College Captain Alexander Vatiliotis invites students to accept the challenge of leadership, and in this way to embark on an inner journey of self discovery. Our Vice Captain Alexandra

Djordjevic, reflects on Leadership at St Spyridon College as the capacity to work together to break through the walls of adversity. This was brought home to us in the loss of one of our students, Gera Tantsyura.

St Spyridon students know that resilience is built on our ability to shoulder the weight of our responsibilities, extending our help, encouragement and compassion to those around us.

This may strengthen them, but it also strengthens us, so that the line between the giver and receiver is blurred to a common sharing of our burdens as well as our moments of joy. For us, this is the power of community. It is built on strong Christian principles and yet created everyday afresh in the interactions among students, teachers, parents, grandparents and friends of our College. We include therefore a profile of Mr Peter Meintanis as both educator and parent of past students at the College. We also pay tribute to the Parents and Friends Committees 2009 and 2010, for their dynamic presence in the life of the school.

While we are naturally pleased at the very good results received in the School Certificate, HSC and NAPLAN Tests, it is our students’ capacity to lead honourable and useful lives that gives us hope for the future of this community and this nation. This is why we feature past students in the Stylus, because for us, they are still our children.

We hope you find this edition of the Stylus interesting and engaging.

Mrs E. Stefanou-Haag Head of College

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06/11/96 to 13/01/2010

O

n the 13th January our beloved student Gera Tantsyura passed

away after his battle with brain cancer.

We wish to thank all the 15 teachers, and the 50 students who were present for the funeral, at Cabramatta. We are sure this was a great comfort to his mother Ms Tantsyura. We will remember Gera as a brave and gracious boy, who endeared everyone to him with his sense of optimism against insurmountable odds. We thank Father Steven Scoutas and Father Andrew Joannou for their support at this difficult time. “Ζωή σε όλους”.

Mrs E. Stefanou-Haag

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Address by College Captain The Challenge of Leadership – An Inner Journey Scholarships and Student Leadership Assembly 2010 – Alexander Vatiliotis

I stand here today as your College Captain not to inspire your confidence in me but rather to inspire confidence within yourselves; hoping that my speech can motivate all of you to believe in yourself just that little bit more and take full advantage of leadership qualities that you all possess. I’m here to inform you that, whether you like it or not, you are all leaders as every conscious decision you make impacts the people around you. Consequently, I challenge you to take the initiative and be the best individual leaders that you can be for the benefits to yourself and maybe, more importantly, for the benefit of those around you.

Leadership is not an easy word to define.

It is such a generic term that attempts to encompass such a large idea. Nevertheless I’ll attempt to shed some light on what I believe are parameters of a powerful leadership example.

A leader is not just someone with superior rhetoric and charisma, someone that fronts a crowd or someone that simply acts in a responsible manner. If words aren’t followed by action these qualities are of little worth.

It doesn’t take much courage or strength of character to lead a crowd when celebrating victory or when goals have been achieved by the group. It takes greater humility and a real test of leadership to push others in front when receiving recognition and praise.

When someone takes the front line when there is danger, when people are afraid, when individuals are being held accountable for the mistakes of the entire group; this is when people will truly appreciate leadership.

A man that the majority of us have grown up with agrees with me in this regard. A man that through a multitude of experiences has come to understand the true essence of an effective leadership example. Albus Dumbledore had this to say

about leadership.

“It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it.

Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well.”

Sometimes, the people that don’t think they are leaders or maybe don’t even have the desire to be leaders show the most promise in leadership roles. They lead because they want to make a better world for others without getting caught up in the formalities and power that accompanies their position.

I’m here today to tell you that if you can recognise your own humanity before recognising humanity in others and have a desire to make this world a better place. Then you, my friend, have the capacity to be a leader.

You may still be asking yourselves: “why should I get involved in leadership?” Maybe you have no desire to become “the leader”, a leader of a year group, a leader of an institution or even a leader of a nation. But being involved in leadership endows you with so much more than a title, so much more than recognition.

It gives you an opportunity to develop your skills, an opportunity to develop your character, an opportunity to take control of your life and a means to positively impact the people around you. Every day examples of leaders can be found within the church – as Father Steven leads us in prayer and through advice, within the school – as teachers lead us through experience and knowledge, and within our homes as our parents teach us, guide us, and make us feel loved and valued within our family.

The array of skills that leadership helps refine do not just appear when needed.

They need to be developed, little by little, through active participation.

You have no doubt heard the proverb about the blind leading the blind. To some it is a cliché statement. To those working at General Motors or any of the companies that went under during the Global Financial Crisis it is perhaps a sad commentary on the leadership roles of management. But the context of the parable was intended to be far more personal.

In Luke 6:39 Christ says this to His disciples: STYLUS Page 3

“Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.”

Christ’s parable about the blind leading the blind wasn’t intended to be used as a tool to gauge the leadership of others, but rather our own. The lessons we can learn from this parable are two-fold. Firstly, as human beings we have the choice to follow who we choose and these people that we follow will no doubt impact us in one way or another.

Before taking that first step in the shadow of someone else it is important to judge whether the direction they are taking you is a positive one.

Secondly, how good a job we do leading others is entirely dependent on how good a job we do at leading ourselves. If we fail to be good students, we fail to be good leaders. If we fail to be fully trained, our leadership in life will be compromised.

The older students at our college must remember that they are already leaders, you are already being followed and the ends that you choose to pursue will no doubt be mimicked by the people around you. So let us as leaders not be blind and lead the students that we influence into a ditch. Lets take the initiative to be the best we can be, and unconsciously this will give others permission to do the same.

Leadership gives you an opportunity to experience so much and often asks for so little in comparison.

Through leadership roles throughout my life I have learnt from, and have been inspired by a variety of people. People

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that have been younger or older than me and people that at face-value I did not believe could be an inspiration. Not only have I been inspired by others but I have also formed ties with people within the school, within Australia and within the wider global community through shared experiences, discussion and working together to achieve common goals.

I have learnt to motive others but more importantly I have learnt to motivate myself.

And if I wasn’t involved in leadership how would I know what skills and experiences I have missed out on?

I invite you all as Captain of our College to be leaders. I challenge you to “learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can because there will always come a time when you will be grateful for the things you have learnt.”

As leaders of our school let’s make it our prime objective to make people feel that they are not alone. It is often about the small acts of kindness, which influence and change the lives of others. Remember a few of your younger peers’ names, ask them about their weekend, answer their questions sincerely.

One of the greatest aspects of St Spyridon College is that people are individuals, not just a number on a sheet of paper.

Everyone has an identity and Everyone has a story. If we could each take the initiative to impact just one person, make them feel important; then our leadership will have been worth while. Thank you.

Address by College Vice Captain Breaking through the Walls of Adversity Scholarships and Student Leadership Assembly 2010 – Aleksandra Djordjevic

As a Year 12 student, etching ever closer to the end of my scholastic journey, I cannot help but reflect on my 12 years worth of memories. The good and the not so good intertwine to form my individual and amazing experience at St Spyridon College. An aspect of our school which constantly permeates my reminiscing is the resilience and core strength of our college, not only as a whole community but the strength I see in each individual honoured to call themselves a St Spyridon student.

This vigour not only comes from the school’s foundation of faith, culture and compassion but its unbreakable spirit in moments of hardship.

There come times when we are propelled into situations head first and forced to endure circumstances that dare to shatter our fortitude. We may think that the only possible consequences are failure, disappointment and grief but whether these hurdles are as a school or individually, St Spyridon College lifts us up and we as a family break through the walls of adversity, emerging from the other side triumphant and more unshakeable than before.

We cannot let these moments conquer our courage; we cannot let ourselves become overwhelmed with the cir-

cumstances we find ourselves in. They say “many hands make light work” for this reason we must grab the reigns of misfortune with a combined strength and guide each other onto a steady path. As a collective unit we can achieve things that may seem impossible at this point in time, but our school has been characterised as an institution that punches well above its own weight and our expectations of ourselves and each other should never cease to become greater and greater.

Whenever we feel the burden is too heavy, or the bar set too high we must turn to the core of our existence; our religion, our traditions but especially our principles.

School Principle Number 9 states, “We respond to the difficulties of life with patience, dignity and faith, never fearing to start again.”

This principle, one of many on which this college is founded, should resonate in each and every heart. It is easier said than done, but remember that the difficulties in life are intended to make us better. Fear will always be there, a danger to our progress but how can we progress if we do not tackle objectives

we think we cannot achieve?

Patience is essential, be prepared to fall, but be prepared to say that your attempts are not futile. When you miss a goal in soccer you do not give up and stop playing, you try harder, you run faster; you endure the whole 90 minutes for the satisfaction of one goal. Never have an “if only”, seize the opportunities you have been given and each obstacle should be thought of as a player to dribble around. Use this determination; endure the falls for the satisfaction of the accomplishment because the blood, sweat and tears will be worth it.

No regrets, only lessons learned.

Year 12 of 2009 encompassed this principle in every facet of their St Spyridon lives especially during their HSC year.

During a time when obstacles are inevitable and in moments when the pressure causes you to doubt your own abilities, they were each other’s safety nets and pillars of support. Merging into a single driving force they achieved outstanding HSC results but more importantly, they were an inspiration to the whole school community to fulfil our potential and to never back down from anything we undertake. Engraving their legacy in our memories we, their successors, have been left great expectations.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Therefore, we should ask of ourselves to have faith, to trust in ourselves and in each other, to unite brothers in arms and rise to every occasion because only through this act of individual and collective leadership can we weather any storm. As one, we will respond to the difficulties of life with patience, dignity and faith, and as one we will never fear to start again.

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Leading the Way Recognising Leadership & Achievement

Student Leaders 2009

Kindegarten Academic Excellence Recipients

Outstanding Contribution Award Recipients

SENIOR SCHOOL – Congratulations Prefects 2010

We congratulate the following students who have been selected to lead the whole school community in 2010.

Alexander Vatiliotis Aleksandra Djordjevic Angelina Flokis Gregory Lazaridis Connie Bouhoutsos Sotiri Abouyanni Patrice Calopedos Theodore Faros Phoebe Ganis Felicia Kilias Tiffany Koutrouzas Natalie Pizanis George Sialepis Stephanie Vardas

School Captain Vice Captain Senior Prefect Sports Captain Sports Captain

2010 House Captains Corinthian

Olympian

Nemean

Delphian

Michael Lantis

Peter Theodosi

Alex Georgiou

Steve Sfinas

Nicole Kalofonos

Denise Panigiris

Deanne Constantinou

Bianca Anastasis

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Premier of NSW Mrs Kristina Kenneally honours Junior School Ceremony with her presence and presents the Outstanding Leadership Award.

SRC 2010

Scholarships and Student Leadership Awards

JUNIOR SCHOOL – Congratulations 2010 Captains And Prefects

The following students have been elected as the 2010 Leadership Team for the Junior School.

Sebastian Zois School Captain Lia Albanakis School Captain Manuel Margelis Vice Captain Nicole Adam Vice Captain Alexander Cardamis Prefect Anastasia Barton Prefect Elias Hatzon Prefect Christina Balayannis Prefect Archie Lambrinos Prefect Demi Nikas Prefect Paul Mandadakis Prefect Mariah Stavrou Prefect Alexander Michos Prefect Melanie Stramotas Prefect

2010 House Captains Corinthian

Olympian

Nemean

Delphian

Steven Antoniou

Alexander Stamoulis

Panos Armenakas

Michael Hatzon

Anastasia Gousetis

Georgia Koukounaris

Keira Kipriotis

Eve Barton STYLUS Page 7

St Spyridon Sports Stars

House spirit inspires excellence Swimming Carnivals – 2010

Champion of Champions Martha Spilioti 14yrs 50m Freestyle: 29.44 14yrs 50m Butterfly: 31.75 14yrs 100m Medley: 1.13.59 14yrs 100m Freestyle: 1.04.47 14yrs 50m Backstroke: 36.22 14yrs 50m Breastroke: 39.94

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Niko Fotopoulos: 14yrs 25m Freestyle: 13.12 14yrs 50m Freestyle: 29.28 14yrs 100m Freestyle: 1.07.50 14yrs 50m Backstroke: 36.66 14yrs 25m Butterfly: 15.00 14yrs 50m Butterfly: 34.28 14yrs 100m Medley: 1.16.66

stylus Congratulations ...

Martha Spilioti Over the years Martha Spilioti has achieved excellent results within school and interschool swimming competitions. At the same time Martha has trained extremely hard for State and International competitions, most recently the Age Australian Championships.

We are very pleased to inform you that Martha finished most successfully in her Age Australian Championships. She was awarded a Silver Medal in the 200m Butterfly with a personal best of 4 seconds and coming second in the whole nation missing out on the gold only by 0.4 seconds.

Additionally she finished 6th in the 100m Butterfly.

These results are truly outstanding. Martha is a dedicated and talented athlete, who devotes every morning and afternoon towards training at an elite level. Her talents are naturally fully supported by her family who should be justifiably proud. Furthermore, Martha successfully balances her studies and contributes to other areas of school sport such as Netball.

Martha is an asset to her family and St Spyridon College.

With her continued focus and dedication we hope to see her representing Australia.

Nemeans triumph at both the Junior and Senior schools!

Annual Junior School Swimming Carnival It is with great pleasure that we announce that the NEMEANS are the winners of the Junior and Senior School swimming carnivals for 2010. The Champion House not only achieved brilliant placings in the pool but also showed admirable House spirit.

We congratulate all students who participated, challenged themselves and had a go! We also thank the many parents who assisted us on the day. Your support is invaluable.

1st Place Nemeans 2nd Place Olympians 3rd Place Delphians 4th Place Corinthians Congratulations to the Champion of Champions Niko Fotopoulos and Martha Spilioti who both continue to amaze the school with their exceptional talent in the pool. Also to the students who broke many school records: Makrina Spilioti • Opens 25m Butterfly: 14.06 • Opens 50m Breaststroke: 39.06 STYLUS Page 9

Learning To Know College Dux 2009 Top Achievers “All the things I tell you today, I tell you because it was St Spyridon College that taught me. My college was a source of strength and of self-improvement these past 13 years – and I will never ever, ever forget it. It empowered me, nourished me, befriended me, and gave me a second home. My college provided me with a voyage into an unparalleled domain of spiritual and cognitive illumination, and became a beacon of communal altruism. My college gave me boundless chords of memories, which I will hold dear to me for as long as I live. I sincerely hope that St Spyridon College gives to you everything it gave to me – and I am positive it will. Thank you very much”.

Christopher Stasos School Captain 2009 - Highest ATAR

St Spyridon College top achievers Mark Xin & Christopher Stasos

Year 10 – Preparing for the Preliminary and HSC Courses Dr Savoulis in his opening address to Year 10 at the Preparing for Preliminary and HSC Courses, told the students “to take the opportunity to excel and embrace education in its fullest sense”.

He said: “Education is not just a means of obtaining a diploma, a degree, a profession. It is a means of gaining knowledge: • To be able to think; • To be able to make informed and wise decisions; • To be able to solve problems; • To understand and appreciate our physical environment and our spiritual world; • To guide others or to be guided by others.

Not to drive or to be driven blindly by others. … The Ancient Athenians used as their symbol of education and wisdom, the owl, we can still see it in some of St Spyridon College’s publications. The Head of College, Mrs Stefanou, has certainly collected a lot of little statues of owls in her office.

It was a symbol of education, and wisdom, not only because the owl looks wise, it is able to see through the darkness at night.

Knowledge disperses the darkness of ignorance.”

As is fitting for a physician, he closed with a quote from the father of Modern Medicine, Hippocrates: “Life is short, art is long, opportunity fleeting…”

The course which is held annually incorporates the four elements: Advanced study skills, Personal Development (including the management of stress for peak performance), Community Action and Global Connections. The highlight for the students was a visit to the Monasteries of Pantanassa and Holy Cross.

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St Spyridon Academics Mathematics Olympiad Students from Years 5 & 6 with an aptitude for Mathematics were invited to join the Logic Club. This cocurricular activity encourages the application of mathematical reasoning to problem solving. Students were entered into the Australian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiad (APSMO). Congratulations to all the participants and especially to Christos Kollias who was the top individual scorer at the school.

Top three performers Alexander Georges, Christos Kollias and Maria Bletsas

UTS’s Bachelor of Accounting Scholarship Program Danielle Theodosi, HSC Class of 2008 at St Spyridon College came to the school to promote the UTS’s Bachelor of Accounting Scholarship Program.

It was great to see her again and hear about what she has been doing at University over the last year. The degree is one of Australia’s Premier Business degrees. It was designed to meet the needs of employers for multi-skilled accounting graduates.

It is an intensive three-year degree course which is made up of two years of full-time study and two separate half-years of full-time work training. Only about 30 new students are accepted each year.

This prestigious scholarship is worth over $43,500 if the student decides to work at one of the sponsored companies after graduation.

The work of Alison Skerman in guiding students to optimise their higher education and career opportunities, is acknowledged and appreciated by students, parents and staff.

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Learning To Be Honouring Our Traditions

O

n Tuesday 9th February the school year was officially blessed. Father Steven and Father Andrew blessed the staff and students of the Junior School in the Church and then blessed classrooms and play areas. They then went to the Senior School to bless the staff and students there.

We grow through fasting

W

hen Jesus wanted to be close to His Father, He prayed and fasted. We pray and fast to help us to be closer to God. During the time of Jesus, fasting meant not eating anything for the entire day. Fasting for us means not eating certain foods at certain times.

Fasting helps us to remember we need God more than anything else.

We can fast from food, things we like to do and from doing and saying things wrong. When we fast together we take more time to pray. Prayer and fasting go together and when we do this we are following Christ’s example.

their faces to show men they are fasting.

I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Chrysanthi Diasinos Year 4

Fasting helps us live God’s way. It is not easy. If we are sick or take medicine we do not have to fast from food but we can find another way to fast.

Erin Giaras Year 4

KALANTA Junior and Senior school maintained the tradition of singing “Ta Kalanta” to parishioners in their homes. This yearly activity reminds us of our Hellenic traditions and teaches us all the meaning of citizenship, brotherhood and service.

Harry Mavrolefterou 3A and Ka Sarakosti.

Matthew 6:16-18 16 ”When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure STYLUS Page 12

I thank all the students who took part and all the parents who volunteered their time to drive and supervise the students.

Lucia Zois, Nicholas Michos, Paul Giavis, Christina Borean, Maria - Angela Patsalis, James Bletsas, Christopher Vougioukas, Vicki Synesios, Nicola Skouteris, Efthimia

Kollias, Anna Papas, Roza Papas, Ariana Armenakas, Katherine Tsingos, Alexi Kounnas, Lisa Stamoulis, Desi Kapodistrias, Katherine Raptis, Steven Stamoulis, Connor Giavis, Bianca Frazis, Dean Albanakis, Carissa Frazis, Victoria Zois, Jennifer Eve Contominas, Nathan Adam, Rhea Tsimboukis, Joanna Skouteris, AnnaMaria Borean, Nicholas Kollias, Florence Georges, Stephen Bletsas, John Margelis, Jacqueline Burleigh, Constantine Tsingos, George Contominas, George Raptis, Kerryanne Syros, Constantinos Kollias, Alexander Michos, Sebastian Zois, Lia Albanakis, Nicole Adam, Steven Antoniou, Alexander Stamoulis, Manuel Margelis, Victoria Tsingos, Peter Contominas, Diana Burleigh, Kalioppe Kefalas, Christos Raptis, Christos Kollias, Maria Bletsas, Christina Andew, Natalie Michos, Constance Synesios, Mrs Adam, Mrs Albanakis, Mrs Bletsas, Mrs Borean, Mrs Burleigh, Mrs Contominas, Mrs Giavis, Mrs Kollias, Mrs L. Frazis, Mrs Margelis, Mrs Michos, Mrs Papas, Mrs Patsalis, Mrs Raptis, Mrs Skouteris, Mrs Stamoulis, Mrs Tsimboukis, Mrs Tsingos, Mrs Zois Mrs A. Synesios Acting Principal Junior School

P & F Committee

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Taverna Night Kleftiko, kalamatiano, kefi and Kapiniaris P&F welcomed their families back to school with the first major fundraising event for 2010 – the ever so popular and infamous Taverna Night. Rainy weather relocated this event from under the stars of our schoolyard to our cosy church hall as 430 people slowly shuffled in, to experience kleftiko, kalamatiano, kefi and our sensational guest star MC George Kapiniaris. He was comical and captivating especially with the young crowds who stood below the stage and showered him with carnations. The older generation chuckled as they recalled his classic, comical one-liners characteristic of his role as Memo in Acropolis Now. This event raised $10,000 for Junior School Computers.

Thank you P&F and all supporters of this dynamic and effective body.

Mrs M Pascalis P&F Assistant Secretary

Grow P&F Grow!

The P&F AGM was truly a most eventful evening!

Father Steven Scoutas (Parish Priest), Mrs Stefanou (Head of College) , Mrs Mayson (Parish Vice President) and Mrs Stamoulis (P&F President) addressed the forum congratulating wholeheartedly the 2009 P&F committee for its outstanding achievements. They praised members not just for reaching a grand total fundraising profit figure of $43 000 but on the cohesion, unity, communication, respect and strong team spirit that was sustained throughout the year by this amazing group of parents.

At the point of new committee nominations, there was great encouragement for the existing committee members to remain as well as a strong warm welcome for new members to join, expand and strengthen our team. The new committee has seen a healthy and pleasing growth in membership reaching 24. We thank the following people who attended the meeting and showed a genuine interest in joining the Association.

Congratulations to the following members of the community who form the P&F committee for 2010: President Anna Stamoulis Vice President George Tsoukalas Treasurer Mike Lisgaris Assistant Treasurer Erenie Bourdaniotis Secretary Fiona Diakoumis Assistant Secretary Maria Pascalis Jim Sialepis, Elena Albanakis, Rita Georges, Martha Nissirios, Conrad Nissirios, Alexia Stramotas, Andrea Borean, Maria Frazis, Vicki Denison, Fay Tzavaris, Angela Giaras, Yiota Zios, Julia Nikas, Sarah Poulos, Gina Panselinos, Anna Patsalis, Chrissanthy Natsakis.

Mrs Stefanou Haag, Mrs Sue Mayson, Mrs Christina Tsaconas Anna Stamoulis and George Tsoukalas proudly presented to Mrs Stefanou a cheque for $20,000 to fund College resources for our students in the presence of Father Steven.

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Focus on our Educators Profile of Mr. Peter Meintanis Dean of Senior Programs Curriculum Leader Personal Development Health and Physical Education 7 – 12 Subjects: • Personal Development Health & PE 7-12

• Physical Activity & Sports Studies 9-10

• Sports Lifestyle & Recreation

• Orthodox Studies

Qualifications:

Mr. Meintanis has taught at:

• St. Vincent’s College Potts Point in 1987

• St. Spyridon College since 1990.

At St. Spyridon he has been qualified to teach and has taught:

• Bachelor of Science (Economic Geography), University of New South Wales (UNSW) • Diploma of Education, Charles Sturt University • Masters of Education (Physical Education), University of New England (UNE) • Level 1 Fitness Leader • Level 2 Fitness Leader • Level 1 Sports Trainer • Level 1 Netball and Basketball Coach • Youth Coaching Licence – Soccer • Co-curriculum organiser 7-10

• Maths 7 – 10 • Computing Studies 7 – 10 • Geography 7 – 11 • Economics 7 – 11 • PDHPE 7 – 12 • Sports and Lifestyle 11-12

Mr. Meintanis was responsible for Program writing and subject development to meet requirements of the Board of Studies Inspection 2009.

He was instrumental in securing successful participation of the College in the Independent Sporting Association. In addition he initiated the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese National Sporting Association Competition. He is currently involved with the NSW Combined Independent Schools Football team where he is the assistant coach and team trainer.

The Beautiful Things in Life Musical talent showcase

A

t the wonderful Musical afternoon showcase we discovered amazing hidden musical talent across the year levels! Every child in the school was able take part in the choral singing and some of our instrumentalists had the opportunity to showcase their abilities.

Feedback from the children was very positive as they thoroughly enjoyed singing their song and dressing up.

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We congratulate and thank Mrs Coyne for all her efforts in the teaching of the songs and the choreography, and look forward to this being the beginning of a much more intense music programme throughout our Junior School.

Parents, friends and relatives who packed our hall to listen to our children were delighted with the program.

Past Students and Present Role Models Where are they now?

Christiane Constantinidis (nee Simicos) was awarded Dux of St Spyridon College in 1997 after commencing at the primary school 13 years prior in Kindergarten. She then went on to study pharmacy at the University of Sydney, graduating in 2001.

Christiane and her husband Bill are now the proud parents of their first child Mariella who was born in February 2010. They plan to enrol their daughter in St Spyridon College along with the children of other friends who also attended the school.

Christiane completed her graduate training year in the Pharmacy Department of Prince of Wales and Sydney Children’s Hospital for one year. She then worked as a pharmacist-incharge at Centennial Plaza Pharmacy in Surry Hills.

“Overall I really enjoyed St Spyridon.

Not only was I educated on the normal curriculum, but I was given the opportunity to learn about the Greek culture and traditions. It is this aspect that I am only just starting to appreciate as I grow ‘older and wiser.’ The other amazing element is the friendships that were developed over the years. I am looking forward to sending my children to St Spyridon to learn the language and culture, and to make life-long friends.”

Christiane is currently working in the Pharmaceutical Industry at Abbott Australasia as a Product Manager in the area of marketing, and is looking after a product for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis called HUMIRA. This role has seen her travel overseas to many international conferences to be exposed to the most up to date clinical data and treatment including Barcelona (Spain), Chicago & San Francisco (US), Auckland and Wellington (NZ), and Copenhagen (Denmark).

Mrs Christiane Constantinidis B. Pharm (nee Simicos) St Spyridon College Graduate 1997

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Learning To Do Community action Year 7 Congratulations to all Year 7 for their efforts in our ‘Green Up Clean Up’ campaign. Students not only filled numerous bags of refuse from their clean up efforts, but also planted Sydney Wattle seeds. They raised $1483 in sponsorship (students who raised $10 or more qualified to choose special categorized prizes). This money along with that raised through the Year 7 sausage sizzle was used to purchase sporting equipment for the exclusive use of Year 7 and 8 in 2010.

Ms G. Kokinelis Dean of Middle School

Tribute to the Pioneers Grandparents Morning Tea Tribute to the Pioneers What an inspiration! The Year 6 students interviewed and wrote the migration stories of their grandparents. Year 6 students and their teachers invited the grandparents to a morning tea to acknowledge their love and appreciation for their grandparents.

Some of the students read their grandparents’ stories and brought tears to the eyes of many as they recalled the difficult early days.

This beautiful poem written by Allyssa Stemitsiotis says it all. Thank you to all grandparents of our students. You are the backbone of our community.

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To Our Grandparents, The hardship you endured gave you no choice, but to leave your homeland and your loved ones behind.

For a better life.

Your journey to a new land began Some of you travelled by plane, but most of you by ship, spending a whole month travelling on sea.

You arrived in Australia to start a new life The land of opportunity.

You made it your new home.

Your English was minimal, therefore you were only able to work in Factories,

Delicatessens, Take away and Fish Shops.

This was hard work and long hours.

During this time, you married had children and raised them with little support.

You later became Grandparents and began raising your grandchildren.

You are an inspiration to us all Your children, grandchildren love you so much and thank you for everything you have done for us.

Allyssa Stemitsiotis Year 7 Student (2010)

stylus Students visit the Nursing Homes Groups of students from Years 6 and 9 attended Nursing Homes and brought cheer to the elderly with whom they were able to share their memories of the past as pioneers of this nation. In turn the young people shared song and dance with them.

It is through these activities that St Spyridon Students develop sensitivity and compassion as well as an appreciation of what the older generation have sacrificed in order for them to have a better life.

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It’s all about building young lives

Every day is open day - by appointment

1130 Anzac Parade, Maroubra NSW 2035, PO Box 462, Maroubra NSW 2035 Phone: 61 2 9311 3340 Fax: 61 2 9311 4532 Email: admin@stspyridon.nsw.edu.au Website: stspyridon.nsw.edu.au Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, St Spyridon Parish of South-East Sydney A.C.N. 000 410 891 A.B.N. 84 480 080 247 CRICOS Provider Numbers: Junior School ~ Years K-6 ~ 061558A Senior School ~ Years 7-12 ~ 02319E