On Saturday 28 June, the City Campus of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) Schools once again welcomed students and staff from Unley High School in Adelaide for a meaningful and memorable intercultural exchange. This special opportunity was made possible thanks to generous funding from the Hellenic Studies Foundation, along with the valued sponsorship of the schools’ Greek Parents’ Committee.
Thirteen students from Years 9 to 11, accompanied by two teachers, traveled to Melbourne as part of a broader educational tour. During their visit, they stopped by the Greek Center—home to the GCM’s City Campus, where over 200 students attend Greek language classes every Saturday morning. There, they were warmly welcomed by the Principal of GCM Schools, Ms Maria Bakalidou, who offered them a guided tour of the facilities.

The visit continued with a special joint lesson where the Unley High School students connected with their Year 9 and 10 peers from the GCM Schools through interactive activities designed to foster communication, collaboration, and cultural exchange. These engaging and well-structured activities were thoughtfully prepared by GCM teacher Ms Vicky Lampropoulou, whose efforts were instrumental in creating a welcoming and inclusive learning environment.

Through icebreakers and team games, students got to know each other, shared their experiences learning Greek, danced to traditional music, and exchanged contact details to stay in touch. The visit fostered a joyful and inclusive atmosphere, encouraging cross-state friendships and a shared sense of belonging within the wider Greek language learning community.

This marks the second consecutive year that Unley High School and the GCM Schools have collaborated on such an initiative, made possible by the strong professional relationship between Unley High School’s Greek language teacher, Mr Lazaros Gialamas, and GCM Schools Principal, Ms Maria Bakalidou. Their shared vision is to build lasting connections among Greek language learners across Australia.

“These encounters help our students realise they are part of a broader community of learners,” said Ms Bakalidou. “They see that others, even in different states, are on the same journey and facing the same challenges and joys in learning Greek. It strengthens their motivation and sense of identity.”

The GCM Schools remain committed to nurturing meaningful partnerships that inspire students and promote the preservation and celebration of the Greek language and culture throughout Australia.