On Saturday July 13th, 2019, a summer event was held in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Greek School of Potters Bar. The event was organised by the school committee in collaboration with the teachers and took place at the school grounds in Potters Bar with many hundreds of parents, grandparents and pupils in attendance.

Also in attendance were many former Chairmen and members of previous school committees, old students, parents and friends of the school. Among the guests was the Inspector for The Cyprus Educational Mission for the UK, Mrs Maria Papalouka along with her husband, as well as the former headmaster and founder of the school Mr Thassos Nadiotis.

In her speech, the school head Mrs Stella Nadiotis, welcomed several of the attendees and thanked them for their support and love of the school. She then briefly outlined the achievements of the school over the years. She referred everyone to the commemorative brochure that had been published in celebration of the History of the school. She also stressed that all the success was thanks to the school ethos and the loyal cooperation, warmth and love of all those involved with the school, parents, committees, teachers and, of course, children.

Finally, she thanked all those who founded, supported, contributed and continue to offer their services for the successful operation of the school.

A program of poems and presentations from the children followed which was acclaimed by all, and the school choir sang to a captive audience.

The Chairman of the school Mr Andreas Pantelli thanked the teachers, the parents and the members of the school committee for the commitment and support. He noted that he was very proud to have been elected president for the second consecutive year, and that he considered it a privilege that his tenure coincided with the forty years since the founding of the school.

During the program, awards were presented to students for attendance, as well as prizes for performance, behaviour and participation in school life. The school principal thanked all colleagues for their hard work, but also for their professionalism and love for the children. Together with the Chairman, they gave thanks and commemorative gifts to the departing teachers, including a special plaque to Mrs Tea Bedford who retires after many decades of service to the school and to Ms Papalouka, who retires after many years of service in Education. Speaking, Mrs Papalouka thanked and expressed her warm congratulations to all those who have contributed to the creation and operation of the school for 40 years.

Finally, the students of the school impressed the attendees with the traditional dances. In a warm touching atmosphere, parents, teachers and children continued the dancing and enjoyed the delicious souvlaki and other traditional dishes prepared by members of the school committee, parents and other friends of the school.

An exhibition of the children’s work was on show and parents had the opportunity to view their children’s wonderful artistic creations themed on the Greek school. At the same time, they remembered the years gone by through a photographic display documenting the entire life of Potters Bar Greek School over forty years.