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2009 SAHETI Newsmakers

	CONGRATULATIONS FATHER PETROS! We are proud to announce that Father Petros, our School Chaplain, has been asked to lecture at University level. He has accepted a part-time lecturing position at St. Augustine College, the Catholic University of South Africa. The College previously offered only post-graduate degrees but as from 2009, offers a Bachelor of Theology and the unique Bachelor of Commerce PPE – with majors in political science, philosophy and economics. Father Petros, who holds two Masters degrees in Theology and is presently reading towards his Doctorate, will be lecturing in the Faculty of Theology, in the field of Church History

	Congratulations to the following learners who are playing in the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra:Kendall Born and Spyro Piperidis (Saxophone) Alex Plakas and Anthea van den Bergh (Violin)


	Midmar Dam Swim Anton Sherry was the first SAHETI boy home in a time of 23min and 13sec followed by Traki and Alexi Mavrikis. Vera Kostic, the first SAHETI girl home, completed the race in a time of 26min and 40sec, while Emily Nicholls and Heliora De Lima finished second and third respectively. First U13 SAHETI boy home - Manoli Yiannoulakis First U13 SAHETI girl home - Gabi Zachos

	Chess News Victor Spirou and Orvin Spirou were both chosen to represent the East Gauteng Provincial under 10 first team at the National Chess Championships held in Potchefstroom during December. The team event comprised seven rounds and their team did well playing in the championship section. Victor, playing top board, narrowly missed winning the board prize by half a point with six games out of seven. The boys also played in the under 10 boys nine round individual event. Victor did particularly well in this event ending number one in the country after the final round, ahead of two Springbok players. In the final instance Victor achieved second place in South Africa for Under 10 boys and is invited to participate in the South African Closed Chess Championships after which tournament the players representing the South African Springbok team are chosen. We wish Victor every success.
	Cricket CONGRATULATIONS to Warren Hoffman (Grade 7) who was included in the East Area Under 13 Cricket Team. It is the second year that he has made the side.

	What a sense of satisfaction when we hear about the achievements of our past SAHETIANS! We received an e-mail from Bianca Prinsloo (Class of 2004) who is at AFDA (South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Life Performance in Cape Town) and we would like to share it with you: “Thank you to Saheti for allowing me to indulge in the arts, with all the school plays and House Plays. I hope that you are still encouraging students to follow a less travelled and difficult path, because otherwise I would not have done as well as I have. Boy, the film industry is not AS glamorous as they say and I realised you need a lot more than just English and the Drama lesson to win here! Just so the students know, you do need a healthy grasp on every subject to survive in this industry! I currently study Production Design and am excelling in this subject which is my major for my final year this year. Unfortunately I did not take science, but I am re-learning physics and chemicals to be able to make smoke bombs and such special effects! I have a music video on MK (Channel 324 on DSTV) for Foto Na Dans "Die Wals" which is currently on the top 10 at number 5. We hope it climbs to number one and will be nominated for an award in 2010. There is also a film I was involved in (aesthetics department as production design and costume, make-up, styling) called "Farm" which has been to the Out In Africa gay and lesbian film festival in both JHB and Cape Town. It has also been selected to screen at The Cape Winelands Film Festival. Also, there is soon to be another music video on MK for Failing Forward "Monster" which is also another Production Design credit for me. I have one experimental film and one graduation film due for this year and have many music videos still to be prodI currently study Production Design and am excelling in this subject which is my major for my final year this year. Unfortunately I did not take science, but I am re-learning physics and chemicals to be able to make smoke bombs and such special effects! I have a music video on MK (Channel 324 on DSTV) for Foto Na Dans "Die Wals" which is currently on the top 10 at number 5. We hope it climbs to number one and will be nominated for an award in 2010. There is also a film I was involved in (aesthetics department as production design and costume, make-up, styling) called "Farm" which has been to the Out In Africa gay and lesbian film festival in both JHB and Cape Town. It has also been selected to screen at The Cape Winelands Film Festival. Also, there is soon to be another music video on MK for Failing Forward "Monster" which is also another Production Design credit for me. I have one experimental film and one graduation film due for this year and have many music videos still to be produced during this time, I hope to have updates soon and will definitely come show everyone once I'm done.”

	Swimming: High School Inter-House Swimming - Anton Sherry (Senior) and Manoli Yiannoulakis (Junior High), comfortably won the boys’ Victor Ludorum Trophies. Angelique Yiannopoulos (Senior) and Stefania Scalla (Junior High), were the Victrix Ludorum winners. Dimitri Yiannoulakis swam 11 races at the Gauteng Championships at Delville Swimming Pool and obtained 3 Silver Medals for coming 2nd in the whole of Gauteng and 1 Bronze Medal for coming 3rd. He also obtained 7Certificates for coming in the top 8 places!

	Congratulations to the Primary School Inter-House Swimming Gala Victor Ludorum : Dimitri Yiannoulakis, Victrix Ludorum : Robyn Henderson and to the Most Outstanding Achievement recipient : Alexandra Loffstadt.

	CONGRATULATIONS to Jonathan George who participated in a Golf Tournament on the 22 February 2009. He came first in the “C” Division and was awarded the “Ann Rycraft Junior Trophy”. Well done Jonathan! We are very proud of you!

	Aliki Argyropoulos (Grade 4) achieved 1st, 2nd and 3rd place at a showjumping competition which took place at Kyalami on Sunday 8 March. Aliki received 3 rosettes! CONGRATULATIONS Aliki! We are very proud of you!

	CONGRATULATIONS to Dominik Nowak (Grade 2) for being awarded a Diploma in Basic Gymnastics (85%), and a medal for “Future Starts” Competition in the Masters Gymnastics Club. Dominik also graded to Orange Belt (Junior) in Karate/Kyukobujutsu

	CONGRATULATIONS! to Cale van den Berg (Grade 9) who took part in the Karate South African trials in March. He won his division and he will be receiving his South African Colours and will represent South Africa in India in September for the World Championships!

	CONGRATULATIONS! to Victor Spirou (Grade 4) who has been chosen to represent South Africa at the World Youth Chess Championships Boys U/10 in Anatalya, Turkey from 11-23 November 2009! Victor has been awarded full South African Junior Colours as granted by the National Sports Council (SASCOC) for the above Tournament!

	CONGRATULATIONS! to Nicole Barbaressos (Grade 9) who did her Senior Student Acrobatic Examination and passed it with Honours with Distinction – the highest mark awarded to candidates!

	CONGRATULATIONS! to Irene Soares (Grade 9) who has been ranked 65th nationally for Tennis.

	CONGRATULATIONS! to Nicolaos Karakasis (Grade 10) on receiving his 1st Dan Black Belt in Karate! CONGRATULATIONS! to Maria Chrysostomou (Grade 11) who participated in the Southern Gauteng Karate Championships where she received her provincial colours for coming FIRST in “Kumite” and third in “Kata”. Maria also recently received her Black 1st Dan!

	ACCOLADES OF ALUMNI GREEK GOVERNMENT HONOURS KATY KATAPODIS The Greek Government, in conjunction with the Premier of Thessalonika and the World Council of Hellenes abroad, has named Katy Katopodis of Primedia Broadcasting as one of seven top Greek women living abroad. Awards were presented recently to 7 women of Hellenic origin, from across the world, for their leadership qualities and for their contributions to their countries and their communities. Katy Katapodis – Primedia Broadcasting’s group editor-in-chief and head of Eyewitness News – is this year’s recipient for the Africa Middle East Region. Katapodis travelled to Thessalonica in Greece to accept the award which was presented at an event attended by the city’s mayor and a number of high ranking government ministers and members of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad. “This is a huge honour and I felt very proud to accept the award,” said Katapodis. In her acceptance speech she reflected on the important role women play in South Africa, “I feel so lucky to live in a country and work in a company that acknowledges women, and as a result have never experiences the ‘glass ceiling’ that prohibits so many other women from achieving their goals”. Yusuf Abramjee, head of news and current affairs at Primedia Broadcasting, commented he was delighted to hear that Katapodis had been recognised for her contribution to her industry, country and community. “Katy is a worthy recipient and a wonderful ambassador for all women and all South Africans,” he said.

	VICKY CREASE of “Vicky Crease Catering & Entertaining” was the proud recipient of two International Catering Excellence Awards (CATIE) in the U.S.A.! Vicky received first prize in the categories of Best Use of Food and Décor and Best Themed Menu and Presentation, with the winning entries being “Rooms on View” and “Virgin Money” respectively.

	SAHETI STRIKES GOLD AT MATHITIADA – GREECE An excellent performance in Greece saw the SAHETI Athletic Squad of 14 members claim ten medals at the Mathitiada Tournament. Over 40 countries took part in the tournament. Star of the tournament was Nico Papachristodoulou who won 3 golds and a bronze. Nico took gold in the long jump, high jump and triple jump. Peri Balambanos won gold at tennis after a very tough semi final and final match. Andreas Georgiou claimed gold in the 25m breast stroke race. Daniella Klonarides won silver in the fencing and 25m freestyle events. Stefania Scalla was pipped into 2nd place in the 25m breaststroke and brought home silver. Crysanne Yiannopoulos finished 3rd in the 50m freestyle to earn bronze. SAHETI was placed 3rd in boys’ hockey. The medal tally at the end of the tournament was an impressive 5 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze. SAHETI is looking forward to competing again next year.

	CONGRATULATIONS! to Pano Hadjipaschalis (Grade 4) who took part in a Chess Tournament at Bishop Bavin on the 18 May 2009 and came 3rd overall! Well done! CONGRATULATIONS! to Kendall Born (Grade 11) for achieving a merit (76%) in his Grade 6 Saxophone exam! CONGRATULATIONS! to Maria Nicolaou (Grade 3) who received a Freestyle Honours Badge (90%)!

	ALUMNI CONGRATULATIONS! ROBYN YANNOUKOS, a 1997 graduate of SAHETI School, is a winner in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 2009 Student Academy Awards Competition. Robyn, currently a student at the University of California, Los Angeles, has been selected as a winner in the Alternative Category for her film “Alice’s Attic”. The Student Academy Awards will be presented on 13 June 2009 during a ceremony at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills. We are very proud of Robyn’s achievement!

	It was a source of great pride to see so many past pupils of SAHETI listed among the ever increasing number of achievers in the Greek Community. We celebrate their success and commitment to the culture of achievement fostered by SAHETI, knowing that they will rise admirably to future challenges. The following ex-SAHETIANS were awarded degrees / diplomas in 2008: BACHELOR DEGREES Athanasiou, P Bachelor of Arts (Dramatic Arts) Basic, F Bachelor of Accounting Science Branco E Silva, D Bachelor of Science (Genetics & Developmental Biology and Microbiology & Biotechnology) Brocco, D Bachelor of Arts Brocco, N Bachelor of Commerce Capela, MR Bachelor of Arts (Rhodes University) Charalambous, B Bachelor of Education (Intermediate & Senior Phase) Charalambous, C Bachelor of Science Coconas, GK Bachelor of Arts (Humanities) Constantinou, E Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) Constantopoulos, M Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing Management) - cum laude Cost, A Bachelor of Arts (English Literature & Media Studies) Courtelis, C Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) – 2007 Eklektos, N Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery Eleftheriades, C Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery Fundanellas, N Bachelor of Commerce Gil, M Bachelor of Commerce Kammitsis, L Bachelor of Arts (Speech & Hearing Therapy) Karpodinis, N Bachelor of Accounting Science Kazantzas, P Bachelor of Arts (Speech & Hearing Therapy) Kokkalis, N Bachelor of Arts (Speech & Hearing Therapy) Konstantopoulos, N Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (Info Engineering) Konstantopoulos, Z Bachelor of Arts (Dramatic Arts) Kosmas, S Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing Management) Kourelos, G Bachelor of Health Sciences (Biomedical Sciences) Kouvdis, S Bachelor of Accounting Science Lambros, E Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing Management) - 2007 Liu, K Bachelor of Commerce Livanos, R Bachelor of Commerce (Management) Loizou, L Bachelor of Commerce (Economics & Econometrics) Magdalinos, G Bachelor of Accounting Science Nicolau, A Bachelor of Science (Mathematical Statistics) Palmos, C Bachelor of Commerce Reffo, N Bachelor of Arts Revelas, P Bachelor of Accounting Science Roussos, KA Bachelor of Arts (International Relations & Diplomacy) Sanfona, R Bachelor of Commerce Sarris, AC Bachelor of Arts – Languages (English Studies) Shih, R Bachelor of Science Spyropoulos, K Bachelor of Accounting Science Stratis, P Bachelor of Commerce Terpizis, E Bachelor of Arts Vassilopoulos, E Bachelor of Arts Vellios, E Bachelor of Sport Sciences Wang, Y Bachelor of Commerce Yannakou, C Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery - cum laude (University of Melbourne) Yiannoulis, N Bachelor of Commerce (Mathematics, Business Finance & Advanced Management) Zoumboulis, N Bachelor of Accounting Science GRADUATE DIPLOMAS Kouvdis, D National Diploma in Multimedia Tsiroukis, T National Diploma in Jewellery Design & Manufacture HONOURS Assimacopoulos, N Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) – with distinction Comodikes, C Bachelor of Commerce (Econometrics) Constantopoulos, D Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Management) Courtelis, C Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting: Taxation) Georgiou, C Bachelor of Commerce (Logistics Management) Kairinos, C Bachelor of Science (Actuarial Science & Statistics) Kanaris, K Bachelor of Law (LLB) Mauri, A Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) Nicola, G Bachelor of Commerce Nicolopoulos, D Bachelor of Arts Odell, M Bachelor of Commerce (Economics & Marketing) - with distinction Riskowitz, B Bachelor of Arts (English Literature & Media Studies) Rodionov, I Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics of Finance) - with distinction Sakota, K Bachelor of Law (LLB) Sboros, M Bachelor of Accounting Science Zafiropoulos, M Post graduate Higher Diploma in Accounting POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATES & DIPLOMAS Savva, M Post graduate certificates in Political Sciences – First Class MASTERS Eracleous, G Master of Science (Clinical Psychology) – cum laude Francis, L Master of Architecture (Professional) Hadjimichael, E Master of Architecture (Professional) Kolatsis, A Master of Arts in Augmentative and Alternative Communication Raftopoulos, P Master of Science in Economics and Finance (University of York) Savva, M Master of Arts (Political Sciences) Yiannoulis, C Master of Arts in Economics - First Class (University of Cambridge) Names and awards are compiled based on information received from the respective educational institutions. Parents are kindly requested to advise the Marketing Department of any graduate, post graduate or matriculant of Greek descent who should be included in next year’s event.
	Rugby A fine solo try by Nicholas Christodoulou and a penalty by Charles Featherstonehaugh allowed SAHETI to beat Benoni 8-6 in the Kudu League Rugby Final on a wet winter’s day. Benoni dominated the opening period of the cup final but strong tackling by the SAHETI players kept SAHETI in the game. SAHETI bounced back in the second half and retained the Kudu Cup Trophy which we won last year. Netball The SAHETI U16 team were undefeated throughout the netball season and much is expected of the team when they are promoted to the first team in 2010.

	Winter Festival 2009 The U9 Netball Team won all their matches and was the winning school in their age group. Maria Prokas was awarded the best U9 player of the Tournament. SAHETI ended 4th position overall on the number of matches that were won. Soccer The U11, 12 and 13 Soccer teams were the winners in their respective age groups. The under 10 Soccer team was the runner-up in their age group. Marco Catalino (U11) and Alesio Georgiades (U13) were awarded the best player in their respective age groups. SAHETI won the floating trophy for the best Soccer school at the Tournament for winning the most Soccer matches. The U13 Soccer team participated in the prestigious St. Benedict’s Soccer Tournament hosted at Ravens Park on Saturday 20 June. Our team made us proud by progressing to the final with wins over Leicester Road, St. John’s College and Hurlyvale Primary School. They lost 1-0 in the final to The Ridge Primary School.

	The following girls have obtained their Central Gauteng Acrobatics colours and have qualified to compete in the South African National Acrobatics Championships in October 2009 - Kia Cordeiro, Eleni Voutsas and Alexa Cordeiro. Kia was placed 4th and Alexa 2nd overall in their categories.

	Primary School Chess For the second consecutive year, SAHETI Primary School’s junior chess team has won the Gauteng South Chess Association junior section, as well as its school area league. The team members are: Orvin and Victor Spirou, Luka Zatezalo, Harry Kapacos, Ioanni Balassis, Pano Hadjipaschalis, Niko Thomadakis and Marko Komninos.

	Music Nicole Stephanou has passed her Grade 3 Flute exam with distinction.

	In the recent South African Karate National Championships held at Standard Bank Arena in May, Ioanni Balassis (Grade 4), came second in the brown belt category in his age group earning himself a silver medal.

	CONGRATULATIONS! to Nicole Stephanou (Grade 9) who complied with the requirements of the Sasol School Achievement Award Scheme and was awarded “Top Achiever” for Grade 9!

	Dimitri Yiannoulakis (Grade 7) was invited to attend an Awards Lunch at the Old Edwardians Club in recognition of the top Junior Swimmers from CGA Level Galas.
	ACCOLADES OF ALUMNI Following on our Newsletter of 8 June 2009, we are very proud to announce that ex-SAHETIAN, Robyn Yannoukos won the Student Oscar for her film “Alice’s Attic” which is now in line for the 2009 Oscars consideration. Robyn’s talent was recognised two years ago when she won the VSM (Very Short Movies) Festival Animation Award with her film “Africa Parting”. In support of Robyn’s films and career, VSM is now proposing an online presentation combining the excerpt of “Alice’s Attic” and a version of “Africa Parting”. Both movies are about psychological awareness. Watch them in hi-res full screen at no charge. Audience votes will decide the 2009 VSM Worldwide Festival awards winners by category. Our hearts and thoughts will be with her until the Oscars Award Ceremony in 2010.

	CONGRATULATIONS to the following learners who have excelled at the National SA JKA Karate Championship: Alexandra Parris – Silver for Kumite Antonio Aristides – Silver for Kata Ioanni Balassis – Silver for Kumite Katerina Maguire – Silver for Kumite, Bronze for Kata Sabrina Valarakis – Silver for Kata and Kumite Chris Valarakis – Bronze for Kumite Demetri Maguire – Bronze for Kumite Dragana Stojkovic – Bronze for Kumite Gregory Salamousas – Bronze for Kata and Kumite Joanna Piagalis – Bronze for Kumite Leonardo Georgiades – Bronze for Kumite
	Victor Spirou participated in the South African Chess Championship held in Cape Town last week. Victor emerged as joint 12th and took first prize in his category.

	Leonardo and Paulo Georgiades have been selected to play for the Old Parks U11 Touring Team to participate at the Arsenal International Tournament in London, England.

	Congratulations to the Primary School athletics Victrix Ludorum – Kassandra E’Steves and the Victor Ludorum – Eli Roussos. Katya Ioulianou was awarded the most outstanding achievement award.

	SAHETI Grade 7 pupil George Prodromos was the overall winner of the North West Rand Open Rated chess tournament held recently. He has also been selected for the Gauteng Junior A team which will participate at the South African Junior Chess Association national championships in December.

	Irene Soares, a Grade 9 pupil at SAHETI, has been awarded Gauteng Central provincial colours for tennis. She is currently ranked 44th nationally in the U/16 age group.

	High School Inter-House Athletics - Charles Featherstonehaugh (Senior) and Nico Papachristodoulou (Junior High) won the boys’ Victor Ludorum Trophies. Ciara Vos (Senior) and Katya Oberzhitsky (Junior High) were the Victrix Ludorum winners.

	Byron Vos was awarded the Dux Scholar trophy for 2009 at SAHETI School’s matric prizegiving assembly, after achieving ten distinctions in the preliminary examinations. One of his subjects is Modern Greek, which this year is being written for the first time as a designated FET subject.

	SAHETI School had two winners in the SACEE (South African Council of English Education) national writing competition: Michael Mbaya (senior category), and Alexia Barbis (junior category). Both pupils read their essays at the prize-giving ceremony which was held at St Peter’s School.

	Star designers SAHETI School pupils once again distinguished themselves in The Star’s annual Design-An-Ad competition held recently. Andrianna Daras was awarded first prize in the Grade 4-5 category for her Pick n Pay advert, winning an iMac computer for her school, as well as numerous hampers and vouchers for herself. In the Grade 10-12 category, Ageliki Vidalis was a semi-finalist (for the second year) with her Clicks advert, as was Vera Kostic, who designed an advert for Boston City Campus & Business College. The girls’ creations appeared in a special feature in The Star together with other top designs from over 40 participating schools. In addition, two SAHETI staff members - Maretha Senekal (Director of Culturals and Head of Visual Arts) and Jeannie Cotton (Primary School art teacher) – were announced winners in the Teachers’ category.

	Fashion fundis Art students from SAHETI School were named winners of the LISOF (London International School of Fashion) photo-shoot competition recently. The team, which comprised Andrea Nichas, Tereza Bakatselos and Ciara Vos claimed top honours in the competition, with their “Festival” themed photo-shoot. The competition is aimed at sixteen-year olds interested in careers in the world of fashion. Contestants attended a series of workshops with professional photographers, stylists, make-up artists and brand communicators to learn how to produce a photo-shoot. The winners were announced at Sanlam SA Fashion Week, where Andrea, Tereza and Ciara each received a R3000 Soviet Gear voucher, plus a bursary to attend LISOF.

	The annual tennis championships were played at SAHETI School recently, and the following Primary School learners took top honours: Marianna Christophi (doubles champion), Gabriela Steenekamp (doubles champion) , Eleanore Angeliniadis (girls’ singles champion), George Cambanis (boys’ singles and doubles champion) and Christopher Constantinou (doubles champion).

	Protea colours for Cale Cale van den Berg, a Grade 9 pupil at SAHETI School, was awarded Protea colours for karate after winning his division in the national trials earlier this year. He represented South Africa at the fifth Commonwealth Karate Championships held recently and achieved third place in his category, where the South African team also had a clean sweep. Cale, who has been involved in the sport since the age of five, topped his achievements by passing his First Dan black belt grading recently.

	SAHETI Grade 12 pupil Dino Bertolis has been awarded national colours for jiu-jitsu.

	SAHETI Grade 10 pupil Daniella Klonarides won a gold medal in the South African junior national fencing competition (U17 epée), where she was awarded national colours. Daniella will be representing South Africa at the world championships in Baku, Azerbaijan in April 2010.
	Soccer star - Katrina Maguire, a Grade 7 pupil at SAHETI School, continues to excel on the football field both locally and at international level. She was invited to play for the American U16 team against the British team in the Arsenal Soccer Tournament held in London recently, and was named Player of the Match. Back home, Katrina is the youngest member of the Old Parktonians ladies’ team, for which she has been playing since the age of 11. Her team won the senior ladies’ league cup and she has been named the team’s most improved player for the second consecutive year. She has also just won the junior player of the year award. Katrina enjoyed further success when she captained the U13 Rand Central district team which won the inter local Football Association U13 Festival.