NEWS 2026 Croatian Language Classes: Adults (Mon/Wed 6-8PM) & Children (Fri 6-8PM) - New semester starting 13 Feb - Enrol now! **Club reopens on 13 Feb**

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ENROL YOUR CHILD IN 2026

Classes are held every Friday during the regular school term from 6:00PM to 8:00PM

LEARN CROATIAN - ACT CROATIAN SCHOOL

Welcome to the ACT Croatian School, where language learning will be an exciting and transformative journey for your child! Our dedicated teachers are committed to helping them enhance their fluency and build confidence in their speaking abilities. We offer courses tailored to each student’s level, with a strong focus on practical language skills that can be used in everyday situations. Whether your child is just starting or looking to refine their abilities, our engaging, supportive environment ensures they thrive and develop a lasting connection to the Croatian language.

OUR SCHOOL

The ACT Croatian School has been proudly serving the community since 1972, playing a vital role in preserving and promoting the Croatian language, culture, and history for Croatians in Canberra and surrounding areas. Through weekly lessons, students develop proficiency in the Croatian language, allowing them to communicate with older generations, maintain ties to their homeland and foster a deep sense of pride and identity. The school also provides a nurturing environment where young people can build lasting friendships, ensuring a strong sense of belonging and solidarity for years to come.

OUR MISSION

The ACT Croatian School’s faculty and Committee members are dedicated to establishing a lively and encouraging environment for studying and preserving the Croatian language and celebrate the cultural richness of our homeland.

Our mission is to enable access to learning by pursuing:

Cohesive learning programs aligned to year-level content to develop reading, writing, speaking, and understanding of the Croatian language.
Incorporating Croatian history, customs, literature, and the arts through recitals and performances in our local community.
Ensuring access to quality international educational materials and teaching aids.
Supporting our faculty and volunteer Committee members in our community.
Participating in local community and ACT Multicultural events throughout the year.
Providing families with a supportive environment to encourage the next generation of children to continue nurturing their connection to their homeland.

OUR FACULTY

Mrs Kathy O’Neil is in her fifth year with the school and teaches our Level 1 class. Kathy is a proud local who has been immersed in the Croatian language & community since attending as a student herself. She loves to share her heritage and has a natural ability to engage our juniors. Her recent completion of the Community Languages Teacher Professional Development Program has enhanced her already vibrant skillset.

Our Principal, Mrs. Maria Frketić, instructs our Level 2 class and has been teaching in Croatian schools in Australia for over 40 years – firstly at St Michael’s Primary in Blacktown in 1985, then continuing at the Church of Our Lady of the Great Covenant Croatian Centre in Blacktown until 1995, when she moved to Canberra with her family.

Mrs Gordana Marković is in her fourth year and teaches our Level 3 class and has a master’s degree in English language and literature, Latin language and Roman literature from the University of Mostar. Gordana taught Latin and English at Ljubuški High School before emigrating to Canberra with her family in 2020. All three teachers are highly respected members of our faculty, consistently exceeding expectations to ensure that students derive the maximum benefit from each lesson.

We are happy to introduce Mrs Marija Dojčinov who joins our Level 3 teaching this year. With over two decades of experience from St Mary MacKillop Catholic College, she brings a wealth of pedagogical expertise and profound passion for teaching to our school community. Her extensive professional journey is backed by a diverse academic background, having earned a Degree in Agronomy from the University of Osijek in Croatia, followed by a Teaching Degree from the University of Canberra and a Masters Degree in Science from the Australian National University. We look forward to the inspiration she will bring to our students.

MANAGEMENT

Mrs. Olga Vareškić has managed the ACT Croatian School since 2010, expertly liaising between Australian and Croatian education departments to secure funding and support for the school, as well as providing parental support throughout the year. Her leadership and unwavering dedication play a pivotal role in fostering the school’s growth and ongoing success. The collective efforts of our Club President, Mr. Domagoj Polegubić, School President, Mr. Ante Šporčić, IT Consultants, Mr. Ivan Đonlić and Marija Dominiković, and our School Committee members are all instrumental in ensuring the school prospers throughout the year.

UNIFORM

New students will be given a school t-shirt, so please see the principal before class to obtain their correct size. It is important to us they wear their t-shirts for class each week as we will be taking promotional photos for the Languages Association throughout the year. If any parent would prefer their children not be photographed, please reply to this email and it will be noted for any future group photos.

BECOME A SPONSOR

The ACT Croatian School relies on fundraising efforts to supplement the small stipend we receive per child from the local government. If you would like to sponsor the School to assist in purchasing textbooks, library books and other teaching materials, your business will be highlighted on the School page of the Club’s website and will be promoted at all school activities and on social media. Please email me your business logo and details along with the sponsorship form.

Thanks to the following businesses whose generosity enabled us to purchase our acoustic room dividers last year:

CHILD CLASSES ENROLMENT/ATTENDANCE FORMS

DOWNLOAD THE 2026 CHILDRENS ENROLMENT APPLICATION FORM

Please download the Attendance and Enrolment forms below, fill them out and take the Attendance form to your child’s regular school front office to be signed and stamped. Parents must also fill out the Enrolment form, sign it and email both forms to austcro@outlook.com before bringing the original forms to class on Friday, February 13th.

DOWNLOAD

CHILD FEES

Annual fees are $750 p.a. for one student, $1050 p.a. for two students, and $1350 p.a. for a family of 3+ students and can be payable by term. Please add your surname in the description area to enable reconciliation of deposits.

ANZ Bank Details

BSB: 012951

A/C: 655465861

NAME: ACT Croatian School