MELBOURNE, October 2026 — The Alphington Grammar graduation took centre stage at Melbourne’s Capitol Theatre on Friday 9 October. The school’s VCE Awards Night honoured its Class of 2026.
According to the school, the night recognised excellence across academics, sport and the arts while also celebrating its graduating students. Based on Old Heidelberg Road in Alphington, the open-entry, non-denominational independent school teaches students from Early Learning to Year 12.
Alphington Grammar graduation at the Capitol Theatre
The Alphington Grammar graduation brought students, staff, and families to the Capitol on Swanston Street. Its original design dates from 1924. After RMIT University restored it, the theatre reopened in 2019. RMIT now calls it a true Melbourne icon.
Alphington Grammar is also the Greek Community of Melbourne’s bilingual day school. It offers Greek language, history and culture to a diverse student group. Many of its students come from non-Greek backgrounds.
Dance Ensemble performs Asteromáta by Klavdia
Among the VCE Awards Night highlights, the school’s Dance Ensemble performed a dramatic routine to Asteromáta by Klavdia. The song was Greece’s entry in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, where Klavdia finished sixth. That was the country’s best Eurovision result in more than a decade.
Speeches and student leaders at the VCE Awards Night
Speakers at the VCE Awards Night included Principal Dr Vivianne Nikou and School Council Chair Michael Karamitos. The program featured alumnus and keynote speaker Jesse Frost as well as 2026 School Captains James Fokianos and Isabella George.
Speaking as chairman, Karamitos said “the class of 2026 have done themselves proud, their families and The School”. Year 12 students also crossed the stage to receive certificates. Later, house groups including Aristotle, Byron, Pericles and Socrates took the stage together.
During the Alphington Grammar graduation, the school also named its 2027 student leadership team. Clara Bielenberg and Mio Maglen Michado are the new School Captains. Jorge Efthimiou and Billie Lampard will also serve as Vice Captains.
Dr Vivianne Nikou on Hellenic culture and the Class of 2026
Dr Vivianne Nikou also highlighted the diversity of students engaging with Hellenic culture at the school.
“It is wonderful to see the diversity of students in our school who embrace the Hellenic culture not only in their language classes but also through music, traditional and interpretive dance routines and attending the school’s Gateways program to Greece, Crete and the Peloponnese.”
Dr Vivianne Nikou, Principal
Unlike a single school trip, Gateways builds in stages. Students start with camps in Victoria’s alpine and coastal areas before traveling interstate to Central Australia and on longer international immersions. In 2025, Year 10 students and staff spent a month touring Turkey, Gallipoli and Greece.
Year 12 students turn to the exams
With the Alphington Grammar graduation over, Year 12 students now turn to the written examinations. These begin with English on Tuesday 27 October and run until Wednesday 18 November. Looking ahead, Dr Nikou said: “As the school farewells its graduating students, it wishes them every success in their upcoming examinations and all the best for the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.”
Previously, the Class of 2025 set a strong benchmark, with Dux George Mouratidis achieving an ATAR of 99.3. Raphael Young was Dux Proximus with an ATAR of 98.45. That cohort also recorded a median ATAR of 73.5, and 40% of its students scored above 80.
Overall, the Alphington Grammar graduation closed with the school congratulating the Class of 2026 on their achievements. It also welcomed all the incoming leaders.
Photo gallery of the event
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All photos are copyrighted by Con Deves