50% Increase in Number of People That Sat and Secured the Certificate of Attainment in Greek

50% Increase in Number of People That Sat and Secured the Certificate of Attainment in Greek

63 candidates successfully sat and received the Certificate of Attainment in Greek (aka Greek proficiency) in 2025, an increase of 50% since the same sitting in 2024.

On Saturday, 18 October, the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) hosted a presentation ceremony for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek at the Greek Centre, recognising the achievements of candidates who sat the May 2025 examinations.

Now in its second year of organising the examinations, the GCM reported a significant 50% increase of sitting candidates and a success rate of over 99%, reflecting the growing interest and commitment to Greek language learning within Victoria.

The ceremony was attended by more than 130 guests, including candidates, parents, and teachers, all celebrating the importance of maintaining and promoting the Greek language in Australia.

Successful candidates represented a range of educational institutions, including the GCM Schools including the GCM Modern Greek Short course (Adult) program, Oakleigh Grammar, St John’s College and South Oakleigh College.

Bill Papastergiadis OAM, President of the GCM welcomed all guests to the Greek Centre and expressed his delight at the 2025 candidates’ success. He emphasised that language is a vital cultural bridge connecting Greeks worldwide and highlighted the Community’s commitment to language and cultural programs. Drawing on his own experiences representing the Community in Greece and abroad, he underlined the importance of learning Greek for connection and understanding. He concluded by congratulating the recipients on their well-earned achievement.

In her address, Ms Maria Triantafyllou, Acting Coordinator of Educational Affairs of Australia & New Zealand who represented the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, congratulated the successful candidates, emphasising that the Certificate of Attainment in Greek represents far more than an academic qualification. It is a recognition of each student’s personal effort, dedication, and love for the Greek language. She highlighted that mastering Greek opens a window to understanding Greece’s literature, history, and culture, and allows for heartfelt communication in the language of one’s heritage.

Ms Triantafyllou praised the teachers for their guidance and inspiration, as well as the parents for their unwavering support.

Dr Spiz Demetriou, member of the GCM’s Education Committee, expressed her delight at seeing so many candidates achieve the Certificate. She echoed the themes of her fellow presenters speaking about language as a powerful bridge connecting us to our ancestors and culture. Drawing on her own experience, she shared how speaking Greek in Greece brought her closer to the country’s history and heritage, encouraging everyone to keep strengthening their bond with the language.

The Certificates were presented by Mr Papastergiadis, Ms Triantafyllou, Dr Demetriou, Mr Tass Sgardellis and Ms Vicky Kyritsis who each commended the students for their dedication and enthusiasm in learning Greek.

Applications for the 2026 Certificate of Attainment in Greek examinations will open on 1 February 2026 and close on 20 March 2026.