2018 COMMUNITY REPORT

Eleni Karantzas-Savva’s history with Overnewton began in 1989 when the College was only two years old, entering as a student in Year 9. “I remember leaders and teachers including Principal Keith Richardson, Doug Mahoney, John Settle, Shelton Bond, Reverend Leadbeater and Andrea Dart with great fondness as they helped to lay great foundations for the College. My parents wanted my brothers and I to have a great education and chose Overnewton for the promise and great potential it had. I recall my late father bringing his truck with building materials to the College on weekends and helping to transform the dust and mud into garden beds and paths we could walk on. It’s this history that continues with the parent involvement program today. Not many schools allow this level of involvement and unique opportunity to be connected to the College community”. Eleni took every opportunity she had to learn and enjoyed all areas of student life. She continued on to complete herVCE as College Captain inYear 12. “My experience at Overnewton was a great one especially due to the commitment and support of highly dedicated teachers and leaders using limited resources at the time. The opportunity to gain a leadership position inYear 12 was invaluable to me. My memories of the College are fond ones and I strongly believe that Overnewton College is a wonderfully unique and special place”. The University of Melbourne was where Eleni completed a Bachelor of Science degree and she went on to gain employment in the teaching Laboratories of the Microbiology Department whilst studying a Master of Public Health. In the meantime, her links with the College continued as she helped to form the Old Collegians Association and served as President of the Association.This enabled her to fill a position on the College Board at a young age. “What an amazing opportunity to be privy to the running of the College. However, I was young, and it was an overwhelming experience but a great learning opportunity in hindsight.” Eleni launched a career in Public Health working in health promotion for Brimbank’s Community Health Centre, during which time she was also seconded to the Migrant Resource Centre.There she managed a Diabetes Project that won a state-wide award by the now Premier, Daniel Andrews.This saw her gain a role at the Victorian Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health. Following that, she joined the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s Centre for Community Child Health where she worked across various projects including literacy programs, resilience in children, obesity prevention and children’s screen use. Today, Eleni’s children, aged 14, 12 and 6, are all at Overnewton College. She works on the family drum winch manufacturing business, which is now international, as well as serving in voluntary positions including the Overnewton College Board, where she is currently the only female member. “To see what the College has managed to achieve in the years since I was a student there is truly astounding.” Eleni has strong ties with a local Christian church, Lifehouse Church, where she and her family are regular attendees.The family volunteer there and spend time serving the community in important causes that the church supports. “My personal journey as an Overnewton College student provided me with foundations in education, faith and community which I still hold dear to my heart. I am very loyal to the College and have a genuine interest in the lives of Old Collegians, a few of which are my closest friends. Many Old Collegians have gone on to both personal and professional success and serve as a great example to us of what an Overnewton experience can help achieve. By sending my children here I hope for them too to have great experiences that will make them lifelong learners, community-minded and ambitious to explore and achieve their God given potential. My decision to join the College Board for a second time in 2017 was an easy one.“Do I want to contribute to this great institution that made such a difference in my life, the lives of others, and now my children and their peers?” My answer is a wholehearted “Yes!” It is a great honour and one I don’t take lightly. Like my wonderful peers on the Board, and Principal Jim Laussen, my commitment to see Overnewton continue to thrive and prosper is without doubt. Seeing the 10-year Master plan come into fruition will be another great milestone in the College’s development. When I think of Overnewton College I think of a great educational institution that values high quality learning, community and inclusivity and that’s a place I want to continue to be a part of.” COLLEGE BOARD 4