About Us

Embark on a Linguistic Odyssey

Aetolian College, Elevating Greek Language Learning with Academic Excellence and Cultural Enrichment.

Welcome to Aetolian College of Hellenic Language & Culture, your gateway to Greek language excellence. From Kindergarten through to VCE, Advanced Learning and Adult Conversational classes, we provide students of all ages with the opportunities to develop strong Greek language skills while discovering and embracing their Hellenic heritage.

Grounded in the values and traditions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, our programs extend beyond language learning. Through engaging teaching, cultural enrichment and flexible learning options, we nurture a genuine connection to Greek language, history, faith and culture.

At Aetolian College, learning Greek is more than acquiring a language – it is a journey of discovery, identity and connection, opening the door to a lifelong appreciation of heritage and a broader global perspective.

Aetolian College Patron Saint - Kosmas of Aetolia

The holy, glorious and right-victorious New Hieromartyr and Equal-to-the-Apostles Kosmas Aitolos (also known as Kosmas Aitolos, and St Kosmas the Aetolian) was born in 1714 in Mega Dendron, Aitolia, Greece, to a father who was a weaver and a devout mother.

He attended public schools, but was tutored by an archdeacon. He taught and then attended a school on Mt. Athos. He became a monk and later a priest at Philotheou Monastery where he remained for two years.

After a time, he felt a calling to do missionary work in Greece, especially in the remote areas where there was a lack of churches and priests for the many unbaptized adults.

As an aftermath of four centuries of Turkish oppression in Greece, Kosmas received the patriarchal blessing in 1759 to travel wherever needed, for however long, with complete independence, to breathe life back into Christianity in Greece.

Kosmas travelled in Greece, its islands, and Albania for 25 years, founding over 200 schools, as well as charities and rural churches. He travelled by foot, by donkey and by ship. When he came to a village he would ask the villagers to plant a large wooden cross in the village square. Then he would mount a bench next to the cross and preach to the villagers about the love of God and the Orthodox faith. The Muslims tried him on charges of conspiracy and sentenced him to hang in August 1779 in Albania.

However, one account reports that he prayed and gave up his spirit before this could occur. Saint Kosmas received from God the gift of prophecy, and was known to have prophesied of the telephone, airplanes, and aerial bombings. Patriarch Athenagoras glorified him in 1961.

The Feast day of Kosmas Aitolos is celebrated on August 24.

Aetolian College is named in honour of Saint Kosmas the Aetolian. Saint Kosmas helped start over 200 schools so that children could learn to read their language and study the Bible.

Aetolian College

Ελληνικό Ορθόδοξο Κολλέγιο «Άγιος Κοσμάς ο Αιτωλός»

The value of the Greek language is truly priceless. With a remarkable history spanning over four thousand years, the Greek language has profoundly influenced European and world culture.

At Aetolian College of Hellenic Language & Culture, our purpose is to preserve, nurture and pass on not only the Greek language, but also our rich cultural identity and our Hellenic heritage to the future generations. Grounded in the teachings, values and traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church, our education seeks to foster a deep connection to language, faith, culture and community.

Through the vision of His Eminence Archbishop of Australia MAKARIOS, the support of our Holy Archdiocese of Australia, all our schools, parishes and communities have come together to create a united Hellenic educational community dedicated to ensuring that the Greek language and our heritage continue to flourish for generations to come. From this vision, Aetolian College of Hellenic Language & Culture (Ελληνικό Ορθόδοξο Κολέγιο «Άγιος Κοσμάς ο Αιτωλός») was established.

Classes extend from Kindergarten through to VCE, as well as Advanced Greek and Adult Learning programs, ensuring that students can continue their Greek language journey throughout their lives. Our programs are designed to meet the diverse learning needs of students, with a strong focus on preserving and strengthening the Greek language, Hellenic identity and culture heritage for future generations.

Learning takes place in a safe, welcome and supportive environment to allow students to reach their potential. Our students are nurtured and supported by passionate, dedicated and highly skilled educators who bring knowledge, experience and a genuine love of the Greek language and culture to the classroom.

OUR COMMITTMENT TO CHILD SAFETY

Aetolian College is committed to the care, safety, wellbeing, and protection of every child and young person. The College maintains a safe, respectful and supportive environment across our Campuses where every child feels valued, supported and their voices are heard. The College maintains a zero-tolerance approach for child abuse, harm, neglect, grooming or any behaviour that places a child or young person at risk and is committed to meeting all child safety and wellbeing obligations. The safety, wellbeing and protection of every child and young person in our college community is our highest priority. All staff and volunteers share responsibility for promoting child safety, identifying concerns and responding appropriately to safeguard the wellbeing of every student. The College encourages everyone to remain vigilant, speak up with concerns and ensure that the best interests and safety of children and young people remain at the forefront of everything we do.

Aetolian College Classroom And Kids (10)

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Aetolian College Classroom And Kids (14)

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Aetolian College Objectives

Aetolian College strives to:

Deliver purposeful and responsive curriculum design. Develop and deliver a strong, engaging and carefully structured curriculum that responds to the diverse learning needs, abilities and goals of each student, while supporting meaningful progression in their Greek language learning.

Foster a safe, welcoming and positive learning environment. Maintain safe, inclusive and welcoming campuses where every student feels respected, supported and valued. Aetolian College is committed to child safety and maintains policies, procedures and practices that prioritise the wellbeing, protection and safety of every child. We believe students learn best when they feel safe, happy, supported and connected to their school community

Create meaningful cultural and faith experiences. Expand cultural immersion and enrichment programs that provide students with meaningful opportunities to engage with Greek culture, traditions and the Orthodox faith, both written and beyond the classroom.

Support every student to achieve their goals. Provide students with the guidance, encouragement and learning support they need to achieve their individual goals and reach their potential with a focus on achievable outcomes that support future learning and higher education pathways.

Provide engaging programs aligned with the Victorian curriculum requirements. Deliver high-quality and engage Greek language programs aligned with the core curriculum requirements of the Department of Education. Programs develop essential communication skills, including oral and written language, comprehension and intercultural understanding.

Nurture Greek Identity and Cultural Heritage. Promote and strenghten students' connection to their Greek identity and heritage through the teaching and celebration of Greek history, traditions, customs, language, faith and culture.

Leadership