On Tuesday, May 2, Greek Orthodox Schools from around the country descended on host school Oakleigh Grammar for the 2023 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia National Schools Event (GOAANSE). The event kicked off with a Blessing and Opening Ceremony at Sts Anargiri Church in Oakleigh.
Since 1998, Greek Orthodox schools across Australia have each taken a turn in hosting the GOAANSE, which features competitions in sport as well as a creative arts festival and Orthodox Christian Studies Forum.
The schools that are taking part are: Oakleigh Grammar, host (VIC), All Saints Grammar (NSW), St Andrew’s Grammar (WA), St Euphemia College (NSW), St George College (SA), St John’s College (VIC) and St Spyridon College (NSW).
Over three days, students will compete in Boys and Girls Futsal, Boys ad Girls Volleyball, Boy Football, Girls Netball, Boys and Girls Basketball, and Boys and Girls Table Tennis.
A highlight of the event will be the Creative Arts Festival that will see each school present a song, dance, poem, presentation or play. The event will be followed by a dinner dance where students and teachers will come together in celebration.
The presentation and closing ceremony will take place on Friday, May 5 from 3pm before students return to their home states.
Oakleigh Grammar was originally slated to host the event in 2020. Due to COVID-19, it was decided that with the amount of organisation and forward planning required for such a huge event, it would be delayed until 2023.
In 2022, Oakleigh Grammar hosted a much-reduced event for its Melbourne counterpart, St John’s College. It gave students a small taste of the event to come in 2023.
“We are so happy to finally host schools from all over Australia for this magnificent event. It always provides such a wonderful opportunity for students not only to compete, but to develop friendships and bonds that transcend state borders,” Principal of Oakleigh Grammar, Mark Robertson, said.
“We are looking forward to the next few days of competition and camaraderie. I urge all students to compete with dignity, be gracious in defeat and humble in defeat.”
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Bill Roumeliotis.
.){kind=link}