JAMES KEELEY Class of 2001 “The Benefit of Perspective”

After 20 years since leaving St Edmunds College as a student, I still have a clear and lasting perspective on the experiences that shaped me into the person I am today.

The most notable part of my school experience was the strong friendships that were formed. We learnt how to reply on each other for companionship and support, resulting in close-knit bonds that have lasted decades and some inside jokes that still get used to this day. We still have regular opportunities to catch up where we reminisce about old times and try and recall details that seem to be embellished as the years pass.

Co-Curricular offerings were another defining part of a school experience at St Edmunds, there was always a strong focus on physical activity and competition that helped embed the friendships I mentioned above. I became involved in several different sports, with most of my time on the field going into rugby union and cricket. I learned the value of teamwork and developed a strong sense of camaraderie by playing alongside my classmates at training and on the weekends. We would spend hours each week playing touch football and cricket at lunch and then take to the field on the weekends to compete against other schools, some with more passionate rivalries than others. These experiences helped build my confidence and develop the ability to work with a diverse range of personalities to achieve a common goal. A learning experience that has benefited me ever since in career and personal life.

One aspect of my school experience that I have particularly fond memories of are the camps we went on, especially going down to the school’s property, The Pines at Tuross on the South Coast of NSW. These camps came around annually and allowed us to escape the demands of school and connect with our peers, the staff and nature. We participated in outdoor activities such as surfing, snorkelling, hiking, and building epic sandcastles. We did flag races on the beach and even got time for king of the ring. We learned life skills such as setting up, serving, and cleaning at each mealtime, to organise ourselves and how to find the Milo in the kitchen in the middle of the night. We had to rely on each other, and to appreciate the beauty of the location and the connection to our faith that shone through with the outdoor liturgies and reflection activities. Some of us had the chance to spend time on the stump of reflection if we couldn’t get to sleep and others honed their ping pong skills. These experiences gave us a sense of freedom, responsibilities and independence that only come from being away from school with your friends.

Some other memories that will never fade include the pie in a bun available at the canteen, a carbloaded delight that was a hit at lunch time. I still crave one of those pies every now and then, and they always bring back memories of my school days. Trying to avoid being under one of the bells when it rang was a daily challenge. Four-goal tennis ball soccer in the original quad was a fastpaced and highly competitive game that tested everyone’s agility, reflexes, and the strength of the glue on the sole of your shoes. It was always a race to secure one of these spaces between the planter boxes before school or recess. Working in maintenance crew during school holidays and while at university gave me a deeper appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into maintaining a school full of boys. Giving ourselves a self-nominated ‘brick of the year award’ that went above the chapel (and may well still exist?). Singing the school song in the Hall and learning how to pronounce ‘who’ with such force that it shook the windows. Travelling to the UK on a Rugby Tour, our friendly boxing competitions in the common room, having only a few computers in the entire school and finally taking ownership of Standen Oval as Year 12 Students.

After finishing high school, I pursued further education in Applied Science through the University of Canberra, Religious Education studies through ACU, Positive Education with the University of Melbourne, Psychology with the University of New England, and Social Science Honours at Charles Sturt University. My curious approach to learning was triggered at St Edmunds College, and I am grateful for the foundation it provided me with. I have also been working towards a degree in leadership with Deakin University, and I found my experiences at St Edmund’s have been invaluable in shaping my approach to leadership and education.

In fact, my love for education and the experiences I had at St Edmunds College were so profound that I ended up going back to work there as a teacher for 9 years, teaching Science and being involved with social justice initiatives both locally and to India. I also held positions of leadership in pastoral care and acting positions in curriculum. It was a unique opportunity for me to give back to the school that had given me so much, and it was also an opportunity for me to connect with a new generation of students and to help shape their lives in the same way that my teachers had shaped mine. It was an incredibly rewarding experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have made a difference in the lives of so many young men.

Today, I am still involved in the independent Catholic sector as an educator and clearly remember my departing address to the staff, outlining that my ambition to return the College as a senior leader was the driver for my departure. As a former student and teacher at St Edmund”s College, I feel a strong sense of loyalty and connection to the school which means I intend to return to the

College someday. The idea of another chance to give back to the community that has given me so much, and to continue the proud traditions of the school for years to come is appealing.

My experiences at St Edmund’s College have had a profound and lasting impact on my life. The strong friendships, the focus on co-curricular offerings and healthy activity, the connection and authenticity of the staff have all helped shape me into the person I am today. I am grateful for the foundation that the school provided me with and for the opportunities it has given me to grow and develop as an individual. I would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to attend St Edmunds College to seize it, as the experiences and memories that can be gained from such an environment are truly irreplaceable.

Edmund’s to the fore.