CGS ALUMNI WHERE ARE THEY NOW

TOM CHRISTIAN (CGS 2010)

Tom graduated CGS in 2010 and spent a gap year in the UK. He returned to Canberra and studied Sport and Exercise Science while working for a small tech company in Fyshwick, which supplied tracking devices to sports clubs around the world. This branched him into sports clubs and stadiums around the globe. These experiences piqued his interest in sports technology and the role it plays in physical performance and sports medicine. Tom has since completed an extended Masters in Physiotherapy in Sydney and transitioned into club land with the Canberra Raiders since 2018. Tom carved a career for himself in a very competitive industry and has successfully worked in the sector for over eight years.

His journey at Canberra Grammar School had quite an impact on his career choices. ‘ I was always encouraged to pursue to the things that I enjoyed. I played lots of sports throughout school which provided a competitive outlet and satisfaction. That probably served as an undercurrent to work in a competitive professional sport environment where outcomes are purely results driven.’

Tom’s career highlights include his time working at GPSports Systems, during its acquisition and subsequent listing on the ASX. Another career highlight for him was the 2019 NRL Grand Final, where he stood pitch side singing the national anthem with 83,000 spectators, an experience he says he won’t soon forget. Tom hopes to continue to pursue out a career in sport, particularly in the player health and safety domain. ‘Sport in Australia is at a crossroads where there are many technology platforms and data inputs available for the betterment of codes and athletes, but amalgamating the platforms is challenging.’

REBECCA STAITE (CGS 2018)

Rebecca graduated with the class of 2018, as one of the first batch of girls to graduate Year 12 from Canberra Grammar School since going co-ed. She is currently completing her Bachelor of Law with a major in Politics and International Relations.

‘The road after leaving CGS and getting my foot in the door to this industry was a challenging one. I swapped my major a few times and struggled to find entry-level positions as I did not have any prior legal experience.’ Rebecca worked at Aldi for the first 3 years of her degree but was fortunate to intern at Legal Aid ACT, which was a large stepping stone to her current role.

Now, Rebecca works full-time as a paralegal for a national law firm, Australian Family Lawyers, dealing with general administration to drafting court documents, reviewing subpoenas, and attendance at mediations or hearings. ‘The firm has enabled me to work across multiple jurisdictions and learn from experienced lawyers’ knowledge from across Australia, who care deeply about their work and supporting their clients.’

Her goal for the next year is to finish her degree and complete her practicing legal certificate so she is able to be admitted to practice next December. At the start of next year, Rebecca will also have the opportunity to shadow one of the Canberra Barristers in matters ranging from Family, Criminal and Commercial litigation.

‘CGS provided me with many opportunities which have benefited me in achieving my goals so far. The experiences I had helped me build connections and develop the skills necessary to get my current job and succeed within it. Through the house system, I was able to volunteer with the charity Marymead, working with children affected by disabilities’. Rebecca has continued to work with this charity and involves her firm in their work as well. ‘The house system helped me not only settle into the school but into Australia as well. I enjoyed the duties I had as a house captain as it allowed me to support the other students and run events, such as house netball which the other girls and I started. Supporting and encouraging the younger girls at CGS, as it became coed, is something that made my CGS experience special.’