We would like to thank everyone on behalf of the VSL and VSL School Council for your care, support and participation in the Turkish/Syrian Earthquake Appeal. The total amount raised so far is $4972.  

In response to the recent tragic earthquake in Türkiye and Syria, the VSL Area Northwest Teachers’ Meeting initiated an earthquake appeal on the 11 February 2023. The appeal was endorsed by the VSL Leadership and School Council. This involved participation from VSL Area Northwest and all VSL centres, including teachers, parents, and students, as well as other schools (Keilor Downs weekday School and Kardinia International College - Social Justice Committee)  

The VSL community has been deeply affected by this natural disaster. Across the Turkish and Arabic languages, far too many families and teachers know people who have been impacted, both directly and indirectly, by the earthquakes and their aftermath. One of our VSL teachers lost many members of her family, and some VSL families have travelled to Türkiye and Syria to support their homeland communities.  

Generous contributions continue to be made for our VSL Northwest staff member who has been directly impacted by the earthquake. The other earthquake campaigns that the VSL endorsed for our earthquake appeal, as outlined in our ‘Türkiye-Northern Syria – Fund-Raising Campaign Letter’ are as follows: 

• Australian Red Cross: Donate to the Red Cross Türkiye-Syria Earthquakes Appeal | Australian Red Cross
• Embassy of the Republic of Turkiye – Canberra Disaster Relief Fund: Turkish Embassy Disaster Relief Fund
• AHBAP Association:  AHBAP Association Disaster Relief  

For anyone wishing to contribute, we encourage you to show your support if you are able to do so. 

Sadik Cagdas

North West Area Manager

Telugu New Year Celebrations at the Werribee Centre

On Saturday 18^th March, Telugu classes at the Victorian School of Languages Werribee Centre celebrated Telugu New Year. As part of the celebrations, students wore their traditional costumes, learnt about the significance of the cultural festival and played indoor traditional board games.  It was a delightful celebration enjoyed by all!

Vaijayanthi Yarravajhala

(Telugu Instructor)  

Once again, students of the German class at the VSL Uni High Centre participated in a range of competitions in 2022, winning a number of prizes by creating short films, podcasts, writing pieces, puppet plays, poems and art pieces.

These competitions represent a wonderful opportunity for students to take the German skills they have learnt in the classroom out into the world and experience the practical applications of being proficient in another language.

The enthusiasm and diligence which they bring to these tasks each year are a wonderful testament to their commitment and hard work.

Elisabeth Hill, German Teacher UHS

Winners, Year level and Category are as follows:

• Aoife (Grade 5) and Quinn (Year 8 ) - won 1st Prize in the Puppet Show Competition together
• Aoife (Grade 5) was also a State Finalist in the Art & Poetry Competition
• Quinn (Year 8 ) was also a State Finalist in the Writing Competition
• Edward (Year 10) was a State Finalist in the Writing Competition
• Esther (Year 9) was a State Finalist and 3rd Prize Winner in the Writing Competition
• Georgia (Year 10) was a State Finalist in the Writing Competition and a 1st Prize Winner in the Podcast Competition
• Sabine (Grade 3) was a State Finalist in the Art & Poetry Competition
• Owen (Grade 4) and was a State Finalist and 1st Prize Winner in the Art & Poetry Competition
• Paul (Year 8 ) and won 1st Prize in the Film Competition which was also mentioned in the newspaper of the town he described in his film

Οn Sunday 19 March 2023 at Lakeside Stadium (Albert Park) our VSL Students studying Greek at various campuses (Glen Waverley, Carwatha, Doncaster, South Oakleigh, Keilor Downs) and at Distance education came together to honour and celebrate the 202 years from the Greek Independence Day.

Our students, parents and teachers had the opportunity to experience a cultural event “parelasi”  that is also celebrated all around Greece. They were able to connect with the wider Greek Community and have a deeper understanding of the history related to the Greek Independence Day.