1. education
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ALPHA NEWS
TERM 4 ISSUE 2
FRIDAY 17th OCTOBER
EXCELLENCE
ENDEAVOUR
THIS COMING WEEK
MONDAY
Summer Uniform now
compulsory
INTEGRITY
RESPONSIBILITY
CREATIVITY
DIVERSITY
RESPECT
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
YEAR 5 & 6 BLACK AND WHITE CONCERT
TUESDAY
Years 4 & 5
Bike Education
Years 5 & 6
Tennis
Year 6 Excursion
Parliament House
WEDNESDAY
Year 1 & 2
Swimming
THURSDAY
PP-Prep swimming
Year 3 & 4
Tennis
FRIDAY
Year 2 Excursion
Como House
Year 12
Valedictory Dinner
It has been a busy start to Term 4 with the Year 5 and 6 Black and White
Concert performed in the Andrianakos Centre last week. We were all able
to sit back, relax and enjoy a wonderful evening of entertainment from our
talented young girls and boys who performed close on 20 items.
These young people have heaps of talent and then some! The music,
dancing, choreography and costumes were stunning and the stage set was
fabulous. Attention to detail was faultless.
For a good number of these students they are relatively new to our School
and their ability to get involved and get up on stage to perform was
sensational. Our parents and staff were beaming with pride. There is much
talent in these year levels and they can only grow and develop further.
The performances demonstrated that not all learning takes place in a
traditional classroom setting. The students have developed important skills
amongst others; to be disciplined, to take direction, to learn the routines and
to work together to bring together a polished production.
All this could not have been done without the wonderful hard work of our
staff:
SATURDAY
Artist in Residence
Mosaics Program
“The Body Beautiful Ancient
Greece”- Bendigo Arts
Museum
T EL: + 61 3 9 4 97 47 7 7
FA X : + 61 3 9 4 97 3 47 9
Old Heidelberg Road Alphington 3078
i n f o @ a g s .v i c . e d u . a u
w w w. a l p h i n g t o n .v i c . e d u . a u
I congratulate the Head of Performing Arts, Ms Jacinta Shannon and our Year 3 Teacher, Mrs Anne
Billing who were instrumental in pulling the different elements together and securing the success of the
night so ably assisted by the music staff: Mr Jack Mithen, Ms Scarlett Daly, Mr Ewen Baker and Ms
Christine Turnbull. Our past students Rosie Luby, Caterina Turnbull and Jasmine Atwa also performed
with the students.
Thank you to the classroom teachers Mrs Dianne Downey, Ms Janet Stewart, Mr Luke Barnewall and
Mrs Jillian Lynn for all the work they have put in with their classes and to Mr Gary Young who hosted the
evening... think he was having too much fun out there as compare!
I congratulate Head of Primary, Mrs Tracey Nicholson whose creativity knows no boundaries – the
decorations around the centre and the stage, were sensational.
Thank you also to Mr Stephen Spiby and Mr Joe D’Amico for coordinating the car parking for us on the
evening.
Please enjoy the photos in this week’s newsletter.
SPEECH NIGHT
This week saw the secondary school students and their families join us for our annual awards at Speech
Night. As a school community, we congratulate all our awardees.
The evening was also the last formal occasion that we gathered as a school community to acknowledge
the contribution and achievements of our Year 12 students. With less than a week of school left, it was an
emotional farewell for them and their families.
During speech night the School Committee for 2015 was officially inducted into the positions of
responsibility.
I congratulate the following students on their appointment and wish them well for the year ahead. I look
forward to working with them as the new School Leaders.
School Captains: Anthony Cutajar and Elleni Tsaketas
School Vice-Captain (International Liaison): Yifei (Trinity) Fan
Music Captain: Stephanie Atwa
Sports Captains: Nicholaos Kavallaris and Kira McGilvray
Visual Arts Captain: Alexandra Ganci
House Captains:
Aristotle: Yiota Sarantis and Stephanie Turnbull
Byron: Kira McGilvray and Gerard Papoulis
Pericles: Pallavi Daniel and Nicholas Kierce
Socrates: Peter Papadakis and Sofia Tsibidis
T E R M 4 I S S U E 2 │ F R I D AY 17 th O C T O B E R 2 0 14
MOVEMBER BREAKFAST
Invitations to our ‘Movember Breakfast’ on Friday 7th November with special
guest, Socceroos Coach, Mr Ange Postecoglou have now been posted to all
families. This promises to be another sell out event so please book early as our
external caterers have strict RSVP dates.
Tickets are available through the School Office. Please contact Mr Anthony Crowe
on 03 9497 4777.
YEAR 9 AND 10, 2015
Parents and students whose children will be in Years 9 and 10 next year are asked
to attend a Parent Information Evening to receive information on the Gateways
Program their children will be participating in 2015. The program is part of the
set curriculum and families will need to make a choice as to which program their
children will participate in.
Please mark Wednesday 12 November in your diaries for this briefing. The
meeting will take place at 7PM in the Andrianakos Centre.
Dr Vivianne Nikou
PRINCIPAL
Parent
s
S
G
d
n
a
A
ds
n
e
Fri
Bunnings Preston BBQ
October 19.
Please come along to
support the Alphington
Grammar School PFA
this Sunday. We welcome
your support by buying a
sausage, or lending us a
helping hand on the day.
T E R M 4 I S S U E 2 │ F R I D AY 17 th O C T O B E R 2 0 14
STUDENT SUCCESS STORY - ALEX CARTER
I first got interested in skating 1½ years ago when a friend and I went ice skating. I got
my own skates a week later and began training with Cameron Medhurst who is still
my coach. I train for an hour on Saturdays and five hours on Sundays as well as two
other training sessions during the week. I have competed in Figure Skating, Theatre
on Ice, Artistic, and Technical competitions. During third term I competed in Canberra
for State Championships. I was placed in both 3rd and 1st place in Theatre on Ice and
Artistic sections.
Last weekend I competed in the Southern Cross Championships – Victorian State
Titles. I was awarded 1st place in the Men’s Free Skate 2nd division making me the
Victorian State Champion. I have trained for many hours over the last 2 months to
achieve this result. I received a really cool trophy.
T E R M 4 I S S U E 2 │ F R I D AY 17 th O C T O B E R 2 0 14
YEAR 10 DRIVER EDUCATION
As part of the Year 10 Science Program, 24 of our students went to METEC in
Bayswater North and completed a 2 day Driver Education course.
This course provides our year 10 students with the basic steps in learning the practical
and theoretical skills of driving a vehicle. On the completion of the course, many
students will have the ability to start on road practice with their parents.
Practical Component: Topics covered in the practical component include:
Driver Setup, operation of vehicle controls, moving off, changing gears, stopping,
steering techniques, observation, application of road rules, vehicle manoeuvring
Theory Component: Topics covered in the theory component include:
Road Rules, Safe Driving Systems and Techniques, The causes and effect of road
trauma, including Drugs, Alcohol, Speed, Fatigue, Driver Distraction and encouraging
a positive safe attitude to driving and other road users.
Mr Savopoulos
Head of Science and IT
T E R M 4 I S S U E 2 │ F R I D AY 17 th O C T O B E R 2 0 14
Australian Hellenic Memorial Competition
Over the past 5 years, Alphington Grammar primary and secondary students have been
taking part in the Australian Hellenic Memorial Competition. The Memorial is in memory
of the Australian and Hellenic men and women who fought and died in honour of those
who served in the Greek Campaigns of World War I and World War II.
The executive committee who are responsible for the construction of this Memorial
have been running this competition for students studying Greek. The aim is the educate
our children of the sacrifices that our men and women made and to appreciate the
bond between the two cultures.
This year we are once again proud to announce the four winners from our school from
two different categories. They are:
James Gourlias, Year 1-3 age group, 2nd prize.
Alexander Moses, Year 1-3 age group, Encouragement Award.
Lydia Baoustanos, Year 7-9 age group 2nd prize.
Duncan Whitlock, Year 7-9 age group Encouragement Award.
Congratulations to our four winners!
Invitation to
the 28th October
commemoration
at our
Whole School Assembly
in the Andriannakos Centre on
Tuesday 28th October
2.30pm-3.20pm
Το ελληνικό τμήμα του σχολείου
σας προσκαλεί σε εκδήλωση
για να τιμήσουμε
την Εθνική Εορτή της 28ης Οκτωβρίου
στο
Andriannakos Centre
την Τρίτη 28 Οκτωβρίου
2.30 μ.μ. – 3.20 μ.μ.
T E R M 4 I S S U E 2 │ F R I D AY 17 th O C T O B E R 2 0 14
T E R M 4 I S S U E 2 │ F R I D AY 17 th O C T O B E R 2 0 14
Greek Language
Immersion Day
SATURDAY 1ST NOVEMBER, 2014
10.00am - 4.00pm
Holy Monastery of Panagia Kamariani
135 Arthur Seat Rd, Red Hill
The inaugural Greek Language
Immersion Day for primary school
students studying Greek Prep - Year
6 aims to engage students in a
variety of cultural activities that elicit
Greek language speaking and
listening skills in a non-school
setting, whilst providing an
opportunity for students of Greek
from all school sectors to meet and
interact.
Students will practice Greek language
skills through workshops, cultural
activities, art, craft and entertainment
around the theme of ‘Olives & Oil’. The
program will be conducted and fully
supervised by experienced teachers
from our schools along with surprise
appearances of high profile
guests/ambassadors for Greek. Full
program details will be available soon!
Places are limited.
Don’t miss out!
Theme of the Day: Olives & Oil
Cost: $20 per student
Includes lunch, morning/afternoon snack,
entertainment & all activity materials
Transport
Students make their own way with family or organize through
your school.
Families may wish to attend the church service with their
child. Activities will commence after the service. Upon
dropping –off their child, parents are requested to leave and
welcome to return for afternoon tea from 2.30pm, remaining
until the end of the program (4.00pm) to collect their child
The Inaugural Greek Language Day is proudly supported by:
 The Department of Education and Early Childhood
Development
 The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Melbourne & Victoria
 The Modern Greek Teachers’ Association of Victoria
 The Thessaloniki Association (as part of the 30 year
Melbourne Thessaloniki sister city celebrations)
 The Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne & Victoria
 The Greek Consulate in Melbourne
Student Registrations: Complete and send attached application and payment to:
Modern Greek Teachers’ Association of Victoria, P.O. Box 332, Carlton South, 3053
Enquiries by Email: [email protected] OR Telephone: 9349 2861 (Mondays only)
T E R M 4 I S S U E 2 │ F R I D AY 17 th O C T O B E R 2 0 14
PP - 4 Primary Phys Ed
We had a lot happening in our Physical Education classes this week.
The preps had a little session on the grade 1/2 playground as preparation for moving
out of the prep playground in a couple of weeks.
The grade 1/2 children learnt some skills in basketball. They discovered different
types of passes and enjoyed a game of ‘piggy in the middle’.
The 3/4 children started their tennis lessons and worked on the stance required for a
forehand as opposed to the backhand shot.
The grade 4M had their second session of Bike Ed and discovered that cycling
on grass required a lot more stamina than when we were working on the asphalt
basketball court area. It was a wonderful week and great to see such determination
and motivation.
Adrienne Bishop
PP-4 Primary Phys.Ed
T E R M 4 I S S U E 2 │ F R I D AY 17 th O C T O B E R 2 0 14
PRIMARY SUMMER SPORT
The Ivanhoe District School Sports Association’s Summer Finals were conducted last Friday,
10th October. Alphington was well represented with four out of a possible six teams qualifying.
Our Boys Volleyball team finished third on the ladder and had to play Alphington Primary School
in their semi final, our boys were competitive, trying their hardest but eventually succumbed to
a stronger opposition. The boys were well coached by Ms Stewart and really got the most out of
their season.
The Girls Bat Tennis team finished fourth and had to play the minor premiers Buckley House
in their semi final match. Again whilst competitive they were eventually over run by a strong
opposition. Of particular note was the performance of Zoe Pain who, while only in Grade Five,
was playing in the singles one spot and won her set, nine games to three, a fantastic effort.
Mrs. Downey and the girls worked hard throughout the year and should be very happy with their
result.
Both the Boys and Girls Softball teams had strong seasons both finishing first on their
respective ladders.
St. Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School were the Boys Softball team’s semi final opponent,
they were much improved from when we met in the early rounds but after a fluctuating score
line and some high quality play our boys finished with a nine to seven win. The grand final
turned out to be a replay of the last two years with our opponent being Mother of God Catholic
Primary School. The game, between the now traditional rivals, was of the expected standard.
Both teams had their moments, with Alphington starting the stronger. Our boys had a great
season and both improved each week and always played to the best of their abilities, they
should be proud of their efforts.
The girl’s semi-final against Ivanhoe East Primary School was of a high standard with our
girls finishing 16 – 9 winners to take a well deserved place in the grand final. Ivanhoe Primary
School proved to be a quality opponent and the standard of play was excellent. Alphington
started the grand final extremely well taking an early lead and continued to dominate throughout
the game, the 20 – 2 score line reflecting a strong performance by all team members. The girls
are thankful for all the help and training their coach Mrs. Lynn gave them.
The Girls Softball team will now compete in the School Sport Victoria State Championships
beginning with the Banyule Division Championships on Tuesday, 28th October. We wish them
luck.
It was a terrific summer season for all our students with a runners up and premiership pennant
a great result.
Stephen Spiby
Head of PE/Sport/Health and Outdoor Education
T E R M 4 I S S U E 2 │ F R I D AY 17 th O C T O B E R 2 0 14
PRIMARY CHAMPIONSHIP ATHLETICS
Alphington Grammar School fielded a Primary Athletics team at the annual Ivanhoe
District Schools Sports Association’s Championship Athletics carnival held at the
Meadowglen International Athletics Stadium on Friday, 5th September.
Students competed in five field events; high, long and triple jumps, discuss and shot
put and 100, 200, 800, 1500 and 4 x 100 relay metre track events. Our representatives
competed very well in all events with many achieving personal bests.
All of our competitors deserve congratulations for their fantastic efforts in training and
on the day.
Six Alphington students placed in their events; finishing in second place at the carnival
were; Harry Reid in the 200 metres, Josephine Safaro 100 metres, Nathan Nisiotis
shot put, Terence Mavropoulos triple jump, Vasiliki Liodakis shot put and Ethan
Maratheftis discus. Terrific performances by all of them. These six students qualified
for the School Sport Victoria Banyule Division Championships on Wednesday, 8th
October.
Terrence and Harry were unable to compete at the Division leaving Josephine,
Nathan, Vasiliki and Ethan to represent Alphington Grammar School and the
Ivanhoe District at the event. All competed strongly with Ethan finishing sixth, Nathan
fourth, Vasiliki a fantastic third placing and Josephine maintaining her second place
finish, qualifying her for the School Sport Victoria Northern Metropolitan Region
Championships on Wednesday, 15th October.
This is a fantastic effort by Josephine and she deserves our congratulations for
successfully competing to such a high standard. We wish her luck at the Regional
Championships.
Stephen Spiby
Head of PE/Sport/Health and Outdoor Education
T E R M 4 I S S U E 2 │ F R I D AY 17 th O C T O B E R 2 0 14
Jubilee Christmas Market
Saturday 22 November 11am - 8pm
Market Stall Opportunties available
$30 for 3x2 metre space. Booking forms can be obtained
from the school office.
Movember Breakfast
guest speaker
Valedictory
Ange
Dinner
Postecoglou
Friday 7 November
2014
7am-9am
The Movember foundation commit to
raising awareness and funds to
men’s health.
We seek items and donations to be
Auctioned on the day.
valedictory invite 2014 2.indd 1
2/09/2014 4:37:06 PM
Uniform Changeover
from Winter to Summer
iform
We have a 2 week un
4.
transition period in Term
October
Therefore, from the 20
Summer
it is compulsory for the
uniform to be worn.
name every
* Please remember to
it being lost
uniform item to avoid
and unclaimed in the
Lost Property Box.
T E R M 4 I S S U E 2 │ F R I D AY 17 th O C T O B E R 2 0 14
ber
Octo
st of
October
31st
ay31
riday
FrFid
r
We ask students to wea
blue and white
urite
or dress up as their favo
Greek hero or Greek god.
Movember Breakfast
special guest
Ange
Postecoglou
Socceroos Coach
Friday 7 November
Venue:
Tickets:
Booking:
RSVP:
7am-9am
Andrianakos Centre
$50 (tables of 10 available)
School Office 9497 4777 or e:[email protected]
Monday 27 October
Proceeds to: Men’s Health - Prostate Cancer Research
T E R M 4 I S S U E 2 │ F R I D AY 17 th O C T O B E R 2 0 14
Jubilee
Christmas
Market
Saturday 22 November
11am - 8pm
All welcome
Crafts, jewellery, candles, homewares,
face painting, jumping castle,
food, entertainment, Father Christmas
and much, much more.
In the beautiful grounds of
Alphington Grammar School
18 Old Heidelberg Road , Alphington.
Ph 9497 4777
T E R M 4 I S S U E 2 │ F R I D AY 17 th O C T O B E R 2 0 14
25
ye a r s
LEARN THE SKILLS OF DRAWING,
CARVING AND MOSAIC MAKING
Join Alphington Grammar’s
“Artist In Residence” Program
& Help Create Our
25th Anniversary Scultpure
free for AGS parents & students
Every Saturday
12pm and 4:30pm
Meet at Reception
(bring a snack and drink)
We welcome
donations of
brightly coloured
tiles!
T E R M 4 I S S U E 2 │ F R I D AY 17 th O C T O B E R 2 0 14