The Hellenic Initiative – Australia will support 10 regional schools in Greece

The Hellenic Initiative Australia- The Tipping Point program

The Hellenic Initiative Australia- The Tipping Point program Source: The Hellenic Initiative Australia

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Pupils in 10 schools in regional Greece will have the opportunity to benefit from a program supported by the Hellenic Initiative Australia, which sees students having Australian “mentors” for a variety of educational issues including their professional orientation.


The program, called The Tipping Point, was successfully implemented in three Greek schools in 2019-2020 and it was decided to extend it for the school year that has just begun.

These are High Schools and Lyceums in areas such as Rethymno, Kalamata, Kavala, Leros, Lemnos, Arta, Chania, Barda (prefecture of Ilia) and Ptolemaida.

The President of the Hellenic Initiative of Australia, Nikos Papanastasiou (Nick Pappas), expressed his joy for the expansion of the Program and thanked everyone (individuals and organisations) who have contributed to the effort.
The director of Tipping Point, Amalia Konstantakopoulou, welcomed the additional support by the Hellenic Initiative Australia..
"Our goal is to help students broaden their horizons and expand their knowledge by interacting with role models around the world and making learning more experiential, engaging and relevant to real life," said Ms. Konstantakopoulou.
Hellenic Initiative Australia- The Tipping Point program
Hellenic Initiative Australia- The Tipping Point program Source: The Hellenic Initiative Australia
 
The announcement by the Hellenic Initiative Australia is as follows:
THI AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS TIPPING POINT PROGRAM IN 10 REGIONAL SCHOOLS IN GREECE 

The Hellenic Initiative Australia today announced it will be supporting 10 regional schools across Greece to participate in the innovative Tipping Point education and youth empowerment program.

Following a successful pilot program with three schools last year, THI Australia is more than tripling its support to include an additional seven schools in 2020-21 - from the island of Lemnos to mountain villages in Western Macedonia.

The AU$26,000 (€16,000) grant focuses on schools located in disadvantaged areas and regional towns and villages in areas with high unemployment, high school dropout rates and brain drain due to lack of local opportunities.

THI Australia President, Mr Nicholas Pappas AM, welcomed the support of individuals and regional associations, whose partnership with THI Australia had enabled more schools to participate this year, including two Sydney families whose origins are from Crete (Evening Vocational High School of Platanias and Junior High School of Voukolies), the Panepirotic Federation of Australia and Toorak Law (Junior High School of Peta), the Federation of Messinian Organisations of Melbourne & Victoria, Pantrifilian Association of Melbourne and Victoria, Society of Kalamata "23rd March" and the Pammessinian Brotherhood "Papaflessas" (2nd Junior High School of Kalamata).
Tipping Point gives students access to career guidance and mentoring from highly skilled professionals from different fields from Greece and around the world, helping them make more informed education and career choices.

“Tipping Point is a brilliant example using digital technology in the classroom to inspire and empower students in even the most remote villages of Greece,” Mr Pappas said.

“We hope we can secure further support to continue the program at these schools next year and give more students across Greece the opportunity to benefit from this important program,” he said.

In 2020-21, THI Australia is supporting the following schools:

  • Junior High School of Fourfouras, Rethymno, Crete
  • 2nd Junior High School of Kalamata, Peloponnese
  • High School of Krinides, Kavala, East Macedonia
  • Vocational High School of Leros, SouthAegean
  • High School of Moudros, Lemnos, North Aegean
  • Junior High School of Peta, Arta, Epirus
  • Evening Vocational High School of Platanias, Chania, Crete
  • 2nd Vocational School of Ptolemaida, West Macedonia
  • High School of Vardas, Ilias, Peloponnese
  • Junior High School of Voukolies, Chania, Crete
More than 8765 students at 295 high schools took part in the program in 2019-20 school year, supported by more than 294 professionals selected from a worldwide pool of more than 1600 mentors.

At the three schools funded by THI Australia last year, 185 students had participated in 30 live interactive classroom sessions, including some held with mentors from Australia.

“It was terrific to see students in a village in Greece connecting with a mentor in Melbourne. We hope to see more Australian professionals join Tipping Point’s mentor community,” Mr Pappas said.

The Tipping Point director, Amalia Konstantakopoulou, welcomed THI Australia’s increased support for the program, which was expanding into vocational high schools this year.

“Our goal is to help students broaden their horizons and expand their knowledge by interacting with role models around the world and making learning more experiential, engaging and relevant to real life,” she said.

“Students really benefit from the opportunity to hear about the different mentors’ professional journeys and experience and get an insight into the many options and prospects that each field has.”

As well as providing career orientation for students during the critical ages of 15-18, Ms Konstantakopoulou says the program had a broader impact on student learning, improving communication skills and boosting their confidence and critical thinking.

While the 2019-20 school year was disrupted by the global COVID-19 pandemic,  Tipping Point was well placed with the tools and experience to continue the program remotely for students at home, as well as help schools transition to digital learning and provide valuable insights into new COVID-19 work environment.

Support a School

If you are interested in supporting a school to participate in The Tipping Point Program, you can find a map of schools requiring support on our and contact THI Australia CEO, Stergitsa Zamagias-Hill at for further information.

Become a Mentor

Australian professionals from all fields are encouraged to join Tipping Point’s growing global mentor community and share their knowledge and experience with high school students around Greece. Mentors can participate through:

  • 20-30min live video sessions in the classroom.
  • 100-second video answers provided via a at their own convenience.
 


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