Xavier College stops teaching classical Greek after 147 years
Introduction
Xavier College in Kew, Victoria, stopped teaching classical Greek. The school taught this subject for 147 years. Now, students in years 9 and 10 cannot continue the subject to the VCE level. The school made this decision because not many students chose the subject.
Main Body
A person from Xavier College said the program is finished. The school has a long history of teaching classical Greek. But the number of students was not always high. The school said this change may not be forever. If more students want to learn it, the school may start the program again. For the 2025 school year, only four students are learning classical Greek at Xavier College. Students can also learn classical Greek at the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools. One student, 14-year-old Atticus Iliou Horn, studies the subject by himself. He said he wanted to learn something new. He is sad about the loss of the program. His friends, Peter Sofiadellis (14) and Zoe Kalanis (15), agree with him. They said the school should tell more students about the subject. They think the school should not remove it from the VCE. Kalanis said learning classical Greek helps students understand language and culture better. Teacher Miltiadis Paikopoulos said the subject had low student numbers for a long time. He said the subject needs changes to the VCAA exams. It also needs more promotion. He said the subject helps students learn other subjects like ancient history. He also said many students do not know the subject is available. Data from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) shows fewer students each year. In 2025, only three students took classical Greek for Year 12. In 2024, there were seven students. In 2023, there were twelve students. Victoria shares exam materials with New South Wales. New South Wales may stop the subject if fewer than 15 students choose it. They may stop it by 2030. Victoria now offers 116 VCE subjects. More than 45 of these are languages. A report from 2024 said managing so many subjects is hard for the VCAA.
Conclusion
The end of classical Greek at Xavier College shows a bigger problem. Fewer students are learning the subject in Victoria. Students can still learn it at community schools. But the future of the subject in the VCE is not clear. It depends on more students choosing it and changes from education leaders.