The Hellenic Studies Foundation hosted the 2025 National Educator’s Forum on Friday, 31 October 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Adelaide.
This year’s theme, “It’s Not All Greek to Me: How Bilingual Brains Can Change the World,” brought together leading academics, educators, and policymakers to explore the transformative power of bilingualism in education and society.
The Forum featured an impressive line-up of speakers, including The Hon. Blair Boyer, Minister for Education, Training and Skills; Dr Alexandra Theodoropoulou, Consul General for Greece in Adelaide; Professor Joseph Lo Bianco, internationally renowned language and literacy education specialist; and Professor Ghil’ad Zuckermann, a leading linguist and language revivalist.
In his address, Minister Boyer reaffirmed the South Australian Government’s commitment to supporting language education, stating that “we want to promote language teachers and provide them with the support they need.”
He commended the Foundation’s efforts, adding that the cutting-edge units of work commissioned by the Foundation and carried out by Community Language Schools SA are an example, and went so far as to say that “organisations like Hellenic Studies are vital in promoting and supporting language.”
Following the Minister’s remarks, Professor Lo Bianco emphasised the critical importance of maintaining Greek language education in Australia, asserting that “Greek cannot be allowed to disappear in our school system. That would be scandalous.”
His words underscored the shared mission of educators and policymakers to safeguard linguistic diversity and ensure Greek remains a living, thriving part of Australian classrooms.
A special highlight of the day was a conversation between Professor Zuckermann and Associate Professor Mark Antoniou from the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, who explored the cognitive and social benefits of multilingualism.
Education advocate and journalist Daniela Ritorto served as Master of Ceremonies, guiding attendees through a program that blended research, policy insight, and practical classroom innovation.
The event also featured contributions from Dr Jo Clyne of the Hellenic Museum in Melbourne, who led an engaging morning warm-up, and Dr Irene Zinonos from Community Language Schools SA, who showcased the Foundation’s pioneering Modern Greek curriculum units for secondary schools — a first for any community language in Australia.
Another highlight was the Principal Panel, featuring Guy Cassarchis (St George College), Natasa Parhas (Banksia Park International High School), Roy Page (Norwood International High School), and Vicky Bitzios (Allenby Gardens Primary School). Together, they shared insights on embedding language, culture, and identity in diverse school settings across South Australia.
Now in its annual cycle, the National Educator’s Forum continues the Foundation’s mission to preserve and promote Modern Greek language and culture within Australia’s education system.
Since receiving a $2 million South Australian Government grant in 2022, the Hellenic Studies Foundation has launched landmark projects such as Learning Greek with Lucia (in collaboration with The Wiggles), the new Modern Greek lectureship at the University of Adelaide, and curriculum-aligned resources for community language schools.
Speaking on behalf of the Foundation, Chairman The Hon. Greg Crafter AO reaffirmed the importance of cultural continuity and multilingual education, emphasising the Greek language’s enduring influence on global civilisation.
