60 seconds with AGS Graduates
Anastasios, Panayioti, Nicholas and Panayiota have more in common than the average first cousins. They all completed their Primary and Secondary education at Alphington Grammar School and have all studied at The University of Melbourne for undergraduate degrees. They are proud ambassadors of the school and share some of their reflections.
List your name and years at AGS.
Anastasios Mallis: Prep 1991 to VCE 2003
Nicholas Papaioannou: Pre -Prep 1993 to VCE 2006
Panayioti Mallis: Prep 1995 to VCE 2007
Panayiota Papaioannou: Prep 1998 to VCE 2010 (School Captain)
What was / is your undergraduate/ postgraduate degree? What are you focussing on now?
Anastasios : I completed a Bachelor and Masters of Science in Biotechnology at The University of Melbourne. I am now studying Law whilst working as a project assistant at World Vision Australia.
Nicholas : I have graduated with a Bachelor of Science and am now studying a Bachelor of Law
Panayioti : Currently completing a Bachelor of Science majoring in Human Physiology.
Panayiota : I have recently commenced first year in a Bachelor of Arts.
Do you feel your sense of community responsibility has strengthened since leaving AGS?
Anastasios: My sense of community responsibility has increased since leaving school.I have continued to become involved in associations outside my study and work routines. I was the President of the National union of Greek Aust Students (Vic) 2010 –2011. I have also been the Chair of AusBiotech Student Association since 2010, and am still heavily involved in this group. These opportunities have not only allowed me to serve my immediate community but also develop new skills and meet interesting people.
Panayioti : I believe my sense of community responsibility has remained strong, three years since leaving AGS. Being involved in the Greek Club at University has enhanced my connection with other students of Greek heritage.
Outline major highlights from your school days.
Nicholas: To be honest, my fondest memories are those of the mischief we caused! Sports days and school events always became an interesting day of memories and stories and similarly seemingly boring spares and lunch breaks are the memories I hold closest to me as foundations of the friendships I have maintained since my days at Alphington. Those bonds were formed during these informal times.
Panayioti : Looking back, the most important moments were taking advantage of special opportunities offered as even then I knew they may not resurface again. Developing life-long friendships and watching the school grow were definitely highlights for me.
Panayiota : I was particularly honoured to be part of the Student Leadership Team and become School Captain in Year 12.
Do you keep connected with friends from your school days?
Anastasios : Yes, I regularly see my friends from AGS. We have become even closer since leaving school !
Nicholas: I have maintained an extremely strong connection with most of my friends from secondary school.
Panayioti : I meet with many of my school friends on a weekly basis which is great. More surprisingly, I have also strengthened friendships with other AGS graduates from different year levels. Many graduates have formed close friendships recently, although may only have been acquaintances at school. Today, I could say without any hesitation that we plan to be life long friends and have the strong bond of our school days and shared values .
How do you balance your study/ work/ family/ friends and sports interests?
Anastasios : I found that the key was to set myself goals and commit to them. After a study and work timetable was established, I used that as the centre of my weekly activities and then allocated how my more flexible social activities could be absorbed.
Nicholas: With great difficulty, but somehow I always seem to manage! It all boils down to effective time management and knowing your limits.
What are your goals in the next five years?
Anastasios: Once I complete my Law degree I plan to continue working in the Biotechnology sector, focusing on patent and Intellectual Property Law. This would help scientists and engineers maintain exclusivity over their inventions and allow for the progression of science.
Nicholas: My goals for the next five years include travelling overseas, further tertiary studies and developing a solid foundation for my career.
Panayioti: I plan to complete my science degree and then travel overseas before focusing on a definite career path.
Panayiota: As a first year university student I plan to enjoy my time at University, meet new people and continue to maintain friendships with my fellow school graduates.
Renee Dislakis - Graduated 2009. School Vice-Captain. Commenced University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Environments in 2010.
I commenced at Alphington in year 7 level and noticed immediately the caring nature of the school. Along with my classmates, I was given equal opportunities to surpass, excel and project. In my years of High School, I was rewarded with being made captain of sports teams, peer support leader, and participated in a life changing expedition to Vietnam. It was there that I further developed my confidence and leadership skills that ultimately contributed to me being selected as Vice Captain of the School. I will always remember the unique people, the helpful teachers, security of a beautiful environment and my life long friends from Alphington Grammar School.
Matthew Paris - Graduated 2009. School Captain. Commenced RMIT University Bachelor of Engineering and Management in 2010.
Personally, Alphington provides a schooling environment unlike any other. Attending for over a decade, the school grounds have become a second home. Capable and approachable teachers have further eased my time at Alphington. This coupled with the school's close ties to the Greek Community of Melbourne, has made Alphington a perfect choice for my education.
AGS has provided me with more than enough tools to create and develop my future . From accelerated and specialised education starting from late Primary School and continuing into my Senior VCE studies, Alphington has allowed me to take control of my education and my future.
I will greatly miss my days at Alphington, as each School Captain before me still does. In my time I have grown attached to the school and its students. I will also miss the positive learning environment and many members of staff whose help and guidance has seen me through. I know I will always have the the staff and my fellow students at Alphington to thank for my success in the future.
Andrew Vouliotis - Graduated 2007. School Vice Captain. Enrolled at Swinburne University Bachelor of Information Technology Scholarship Programme in 2008.
Whilst at Alphington Grammar I participated in many extra curricular activities, but for me, the most outstanding experiences were the Bilingual Theatre trips to Greece in 2003 and 2004.
The theatre trips to Greece usually operate every second year for students in years 7 to 10. I was fortunate enough to attend two international trips. During a 7 month preparation period, the theatre group not only had to fundraise and learn lines, but they also had to undertake numerous leadership positions in order to ensure the production would remain on schedule.
There were many leadership opportunities that I became involved in while at school. These allowed me to develop my initiative and leadership skills and further extend them to use at University, especially while completing group assignments and undertaking Swinburne Ambassador tasks.
The staff at Alphington are extremely supportive and approachable. During VCE I would email questions over weekends and evenings and receive detailed responses in a short time frame. This was extremely useful during after school hours, school holidays and in the weeks before exams. The dedication of the staff is unheard of when I discussed this with friends attending other prestigious schools!
Overall, I can say that I had a positive experience at AGS which prepared me well for university life. In life, I believe a person can succeed when they are in an environment where they feel productive, safe and valued. I was very fortunate to experience this, particularly in Senior School, which helped me reach where I am today.