SYDNEY: On Tuesday the 20^th May, Galstaun College held its annual Open Day at its picturesque campus in Ingleside. The event aimed to showcase the school’s quality of education, as well as its unique physical and cultural environments to prospective parents and students for the 2015 schooling year.

The event commenced at 10am, with ten eager children (and their even more eager) parents in attendance.

The agenda began with the Reception and Transition classes performing songs in both Armenian and English for the attendees, followed by a visit to the Year One classroom by the prospective parents, where the students showed off their musical skills by playing the accordion.

Year One students playing the accordion

Next was the presentation of a science experiment by the brainy year 4 students. The parents then took a tour around the school, visiting the library, science and computer laboratories.

Following morning tea in the school’s Nalbandian Hall, the parents were addressed by Galstaun College’s principal, Mr Nishan Basmajian, vice principal, Mr Guy Cassarchis, acting primary school coordinator Mrs Kate Martin and heard testimonials by Mrs Rosa Leah Hovivian and Mrs Susan Manjikian, who currently have children attending the school.

Principal Nishan Basmajian welcomed the guests and informed them of the latest progress in the Armenian department of the college. He assured the parents that children who attend Galstaun College are privileged to be in such an environment, where they are nurtured with both Armenian and Australian values and education.

Deputy Principal, Mr Guy Cassarchis, insisted that Galstaun College is a beautiful school with magnificent physical structures and facilities. He also emphasised that the small numbers of students in each classroom allows the children to receive individual attention in a one on one learning environment. The Reception class is also an advantage, he said, which grants the opportunity to students who are 4 years old to be strategically introduced into the stage one program.

Acting primary school coordinator, Mrs Kate Martin, informed the parents about the difference between the Reception and Transition classes. She emphasised her long tenure with the infants department and reassured the parents that Galstaun College will be the best choice for their children.

Mrs Rosa Leah Hovivian and Mrs Susan Manjikian discussed their experience as parents of the college. Both ladies highlighted the peace of mind that they have, knowing that their children are being educated and nurtured in a safe and clean environment, where they are cared for and are learning to fluently read and write in two languages (Armenian and English) from a young age, which is a privilege compared to other schools.

Mrs Susan Manjikian

Mrs Nora Sevagian, Galstaun College’s Director of Community Relations, advocates that both parents and students were impressed with their experience at the school during their Open Day.

"It was successful and I am sure that all the parents that attended will be enrolling their kids," she says.

The school is still taking enrollments and looks forward to liaising with any parents who wish to enrol their children for the 2015 schooling year.

Mrs Kate Martin, Acting primary school coordinator



Kindergarten 2015


Parents for 2015 attendees 


Galstaun College campus