Junior High School

At Ekpedeftiki Anagennisi it is of primary importance to cultivate speech:

as properly composed, well formed, well-structured, and reasoned thought

as an expression, complete, correct, comprehensive, clear, accurate and attractive, and

as a means of effective communication

This goal is achieved in the courses of Ancient and Modern Greek Language and Literature, utilizing:

• in addition to group correction in the classroom, personalized correction in an individual meeting, which gives each student the opportunity to use the philologist’s feedback and focus on his personal weaknesses and gradually improve his written speech
• state-of-the-art media such as interactive whiteboards, digital classroom, the computer room, the electronic platform
• the school library
• an interdisciplinary, experiential approach and differentiated learning
• pioneering collaborative programmes, which make use of simulated situations and teacher/student initiatives
• booklets compiled by the teachers to help the students conquer, consolidate and assimilate new knowledge
• word games and etymology
• relevant clubs such as Debate and the Art of Rhetoric, Journalism, Oral Interpretation of Literature and Creative Writing

Consequently, students will

• produce correct and cohesive oral and written speech, with appropriate register and careful use of vocabulary, grammar, syntax and punctuation
• become familiar with expressive reading, a skill that will serve them not only in their school life, but also in the future as citizens and working professionals
• cultivate their communication skills through the oral presentation of their work
• aesthetically enjoy the literary texts of Greek and world literature, enhancing their interest in reading, which will accompany them throughout their lives
• cultivate critical thinking and reflect on ideas, principles and concepts, through an array of genres and texts from different cultures and historical periods
• acquire a substantial and profound understanding of the roots of the Greek language, its evolutionary course, the correct spoken language, as it has emerged over the course of history through oral and written speech, but at the same time they practise their linguistic dexterity through agreeable tasks, an essential soft-skill for their future
• decode and perceive the underlying meanings in the texts of the ancient Greek syllabus, enjoying the principles, values ​​and humanitarian ideals of the ancient Greek civilization, which quintessentially underlie civilization in general

At Ekpedeftiki Anagennisi , the cultivation of mathematical thinking is of primary importance:

as the prime expression of human logic

as an analytical, combinational and synthetic capability

as an element for the acquisition of abstract and critical thinking

as a basis for the study of the sciences of Physics, Mechanics, Technology, Economics

as a tool for dealing with problems of everyday life

This goal is attained in classes through:

• the extra teaching material with which we support the module of Mathematics, acknowledging that Mathematics forms the basis for the performance of students in all science courses
• the streaming of students into groups based on skill level in order to ensure homogeneity in the group and enable each child to work according to his / her own perception, pace and capabilities
• teaching in small groups
• state-of-the-art media such as interactive boards, digital class, electronic platform
• books edited by our School’s Mathematics Teachers that help students conquer, consolidate, and assimilate new knowledge
• pioneering programmes, cross-curricular, in perfect association with other lessons and actions, such as Mathematics in Nature, Music, Architecture, etc.
• the Mathematics Group for students with an inclination and interest in mathematics
• special programs targetting preparation for Mathematical Competitions

Consequently, students will

• become confident to tackle Maths
• become familiar with all forms and levels of mathematical logic, so that they enjoy and, with pleasure, adopt the corresponding thinking
• develop the mathematical knowledge necessary in order to retain their good performance at the demanding level of Lyceum Mathematics, too
• perceive, through everyday practice, that Mathematics is the basis for all developments in Technology that they enjoy as teenagers
• acquire the ability and methodology to solve problems

Biology, Physics, Chemistry

At Ekpedeftiki Anagennisi science teaching is of key importance since it enables students:

• to understand the impact of science on everyday life
• to learn to work following a scientific method (collecting information, confirming or refuting cases, organizing and analyzing thought, processing data and presenting it)
• to interpret natural phenomena
• to familiarize themselves with the processes involved in experiments, careful planning, data analysis and extracting conclusions
• to develop environmental consciousness and a respect to wildlife ecosystems
• to set solid foundations in these courses which is a critical for their successful advancement in Senior high school, especially for those students choosing the Sciences as their Orientation Group.

These objectives are effected through:

• small classes
• laboratories of Physics, Chemistry and Biology with state-of-the-art equipment of university standards
• pioneering experiments, always supervised by teachers and adhering to safety regulations
• initiations into anatomy to present the mystery and magic of the human system and the animal kingdom
• projects, constructions, cross-curricular programs
• association with research centers in our country and abroad
• the use of technology (interactive whiteboards, the digital class, the electronic platform)
• booklets compiled by the Physics, Chemistry and Biology teachers of our school that help students master, consolidate and digest new knowledge
• Physics, Chemistry, Biology Clubs for students with an inclination for and interest in the specific sciences
• special training programmes in preparation for Natural Science Competitions

Ancient Greek Literature from translation: Epic poetry (“Homer’s Odyssey”), Dramatic poetry (tragedy), Historiography (Herodotus, Thucydides)

History, Philosophy, Geography, Religion, Home Economics, Social and Political Education

Humanities courses are treated as an excellent source of culture and therefore constitute an indispensable part of the school’s Junior High School (Gymnasium) programme. By assimilating knowledge from these courses, the student:

• attains an all-encompassing educational level, essential for his adult life
• understands, appreciates and becomes well-versed in the classical humanitarian principles and values ​​- namely concepts such as logos, ethos, pathos, beauty, virtue, the optimum, good measure, democracy, free will, sovereignty, fairness, freedom, prosperity and valour, peace, cooperation- which not only underlie ancient Greek culture, but also, European civilizations
• can incorporate historical events in chronological order and continuity and compose a complete picture of the historical evolution of Greece, Europe and world civilization
• can produce critical and comparative appraisals of events and personalities in Greek and world history
• studies the Orthodox religion, being exposed at the same time to other doctrines and religions in order to acquire a profound religious awareness free of intolerance, dogmatism and exclusion
• acquires essential knowledge of the geophysical, economic and productive environment of our country and the world in which man evolves
• effectively explores the economy, the terms and conditions, the objectives, the means and the tools that ensure the staple – but not only – human needs, livelihood, production, etc.

These objectives are effected through:

• cross-curricular projects, individual and group work
• presenting the work to the class or the entire school community in the auditorium in order to enhance communication skills further
• the use of technology (interactive whiteboards, the digital class and electronic platform)
• themed rooms
• the History and Economics clubs for students with a particular inclination for and interest in these subjects
• specific training programmes preparing for Youth Entrepreneurship Competitions

Through Technology and Information Technology, the student learns:

• to work practically and methodically while investigating and analyzing a problem
• to apply practical skills by thinking creatively in order to solve a problem
• to plan strategies for completing a project
• to build models and devise original products that provide solutions to everyday life problems
• to develop critical and creative thinking skills

These objectives are effected through:

• workshops of Informatics and Technology-Robotics with state-of-the-art equipment
• projects, constructions, cross-curricular projects
• the Informatics, Robotics and F1 in Schools clubs for students with a particular inclination for and interest in specific sciences
• special training programs for IT, Technology and F1 in Schools competitions

English, French or German, Chinese

In the High School of Ekpedeftiki Anagennisi, students are systematically and fully supported by foreign language teachers to gain excellent communication skills both in the basic compulsory foreign language (English) and in their secondary foreign language of choice (French or German), as well as for the acquisition of certificates in:

• English (B2 – Cambridge First Certificate of English, C1-Cambridge Advanced, and C2-Cambridge Proficiency)
• French (B1, B2 of the Institute Francais)
• the German language (B1, B2 of the Goethe Institut and the OSD Institut)

It should be noted that optionally, for those students who chose to, there is an additional programme for the acquisition of the Chinese language.

These objectives are achieved through:

• Appointing experienced and responsible teachers
• Streaming of students in order to meet the differentiated needs of the students
• Small classes
• Ongoing appraisal of students in order to adjust teaching or upgrade them any time to the level at which they can respond successfully, depending on their abilities and performance
• The selection of foreign-language educational books all of which from internationally recognized publishing houses
• The notes/supporting material that our school issues, focused on the needs of each department separately
• The development of individual – group – exploratory – cross-thematic projects
• The state-of-the-art equipment in foreign language classrooms (the interactive whiteboard being the basic daily teaching tool; and new technologies, the internet, the digital platform)
• Access to rich audiovisual material (literary books, magazines, newspapers, films and documentaries, songs, board games, cards)
• The systematic reading of literature books according to the level of students
• Attending and putting on theatrical performances in the foreign language
• Free additional preparation courses for the certificates

Enhanced teaching of the English language

English is the basic foreign language at Ekpedeftiki Anagennisi, which is taught from Pre-Kindergarten to the Third Grade. In order to cultivate communicative fluency in English and acquire it as a mother tongue, which is the goal of our School, beyond the English lesson, students

• are taught in English, courses such as Home Economics
• engage in drama through the English Drama Club
• become involved in Forensics – which is comprised of Debate, Oratory, Duet Acting, Oral Interpretation and Impromptu events
• participate in English-language Panhellenic and International Conferences of the United Nations (Harvard Model Congress Europe, The Hague International Model United Nations, etc.) and English language Panhellenic and International Competitions of Forensics and Debate (World Scholar’s Cup & Tournament of Champions at Yale, the Panhellenic Forensics Competition, Deree Debate Invitational Tournament, International Competition for Young Debaters, etc.)
• attend summer education programmes at Universities in Great Britain and America
• participate in the English Summer Camp
• take part in the free of charge, supplementary summer lessons

The excellent level of English acquisition is evidenced by the high rates of success in examinations and by the outstanding distinctions at a Panhellenic, European and International level that the students of Ekpedeftiki Anagennisi achieve each year through their participation in Conferences and Competitions.

At Ekpedeftiki Anagennisi special emphasis is given to Athletic Activities, that enrich the daily programmeme of the students of the Junior High School.

The School’s modern facilities can fully meet the students’ needs for fitness and training as well as providing them with an outlet for expression, through individual and group sports, simultaneously catering for their need to connect and integrate.

In Junior High School, each student chooses two sports activities, attending each one once a week.

Through their participation in sports activities, pupils have the opportunity to participate in both in-school, interschool, Panhellenic and European championships.

The Arts programme in Junior High School includes Visual Arts and Music.

Art Exhibitions

Junior High School is a very important educational grade for the pupil’s evolution and is crucial to his or her orientation. The connection of artistic expression with a social and historical background gives the student the possibility

• to evaluate and perceive art forms of his time, while at the same time becoming an artist himself
• to become aware of the environment and himself
• to sharpen his visual perception
• to nurture imagination and reverie that is the basis of all forms of creation
• to realize and cultivate his skills and preferences
• to prepare for his role as a future citizen

The specific curriculum is modeled on the proposals of the general curriculum and can include pencil or pen-sketching, painting with water-soluble colors, graphic design, wire and pulp sculpting, linoleum engraving and other objects, often through the study of works by distinguished artists.

The Arts lesson is held in the two fully-equipped Visual Arts Labs of our School. In addition, those students who are particularly inclined and interested in visual arts join the Visual Arts Club and participate in Panhellenic and International Competitions with exceptional distinctions.

Music

The objectives underlying the lesson of Music are:

• nurturing aesthetic pleasure in listening, performing and creating music as one of the manifestations of artistic expression and creativity of man
• the acquisition of basic music education, such as the historical evolution of music, the recognition of musical instruments, the distinction of musical movements, as well as learning to read and write music.
• the cultivation of a positive attitude towards music through an awareness of its importance in the historical development of all cultures
• its contribution to the pupil’s mental and aesthetic refinement
• The two music rooms in the school have been especially designed and adequately equipped to cater for the needs of the lesson

The lesson takes place in the two specially-designed music rooms of our School, which have the necessary equipment.

In addition, students who have an aptitude for and are interested in music may join the Choir Club and the Music Club and participate in the Panhellenic Choir Festival and in concerts.