There is a new war in Europe, an active pandemic, hunger and displaced refugees, yet the image of a child’s happy face makes it all go away and brings hope- at least for a moment. With that in mind, Greek Community schools in Melbourne celebrated Apokries and Clean Monday with colourful costumes and masks, as well as flying kites. AHEPA Greek School celebrated the special holiday with games, songs and dancing, inviting students, teachers, parents and grandparents to a joint feast. On a similar note, Alphington Grammar organised different activities for preschool and primary. Young students made masks from scratch and danced traditional dances, heard the exciting story of the Harlequin and sewed his costume. The students of St Anargyroi School of Greek Orthodox Community of Oakleigh & District threw a huge glendi – the first after two years of lockdowns – with dancing, preparations for Lent and building the Koukara, a Pontian calendar, a faithful’s guide for the Great Lent. Apokries dress ups and dancing were the theme for Lexi School of Modern Greek, followed by a mini-parade and lots of dancing. Zenon Greek School also celebrated Apokries after two years of lockdowns, teaching young Greek Australians to make their own kites, March macramé bracelets and masks. Parents, teachers and students were able to dance and sing together enjoying traditional celebrations that bring a taste of Greece Down Under. Lalor North Primary School, also celebrated Apokries and Clean Monday learning about the history of Greece’s most fun customs. Pedia Greek School and the Panhellenic College welcomed the period of the Great Lent and fare-welled the summer welcoming the month of March with seasonal Greek delicacies and mezethes. Similarly Altona Greek School in Hobsons Bay (Altona), honoured the beginning of the Lent before Greek Orthodox Easter with mask and costume making activities. At the Greek language and culture school of the Greek Orthodox Community of Box Hill and Districts, in a COVID-safe celebration, parents, teachers and students made their own Apokriatikes masks, wore their white and red March bracelets and celebrated wishing everyone Happy Lent.