Justin Giteau Page 31

HPE Staff 2006 school, kids are essentially just kids. They still long for empathy and understanding from their teachers, especially when there is genuine concern for their well-being.

After 2 years at Wanniassa, I applied for some relief work back at Eddies. To my surprise I was met by Ron Widmer who was now acting as the staffing officer. I started work the very next day. It was great to be back and surrounded by so many mentors who I had once looked up to as a student. I spent a week relief teaching before a contract opened in Science. I would like to thank Tracy Craze for giving me that opportunity. Before long, Wayne Kaye who was now the Head of PE, asked me to apply for a newly vacant, permanent PE role. It was a no brainer from my end. My application was successful, and I started the following semester.

HPE Staff 2020 As I sit here writing this, I realise that I have been blessed to have worked with so many wonderful teachers. I could write many more pages if I were to thank them all, but there a few that have definitely had a significant impact on me.

Carlo Sorrentino is always someone that I looked up to from an early age. His firmness in class was revered but working alongside him at school has only strengthened my respect for him. Today, I share many afternoons in the College gym attempting to be as “hard core” as he is – I am yet to reach that goal. I have been blessed to have formed many other friendships with staff members outside school hours in the “House of Pain”.

Therese Kitney was another teacher of mine who I later had the opportunity to work alongside as her assistant Year 7 Coordinator. Therese instilled discipline and old school values but also had a soft side to her when required.

The PE staff have been a pleasure to work with from day one. In the early years I worked with Wayne Kaye, Ron Widmer, Mick Bulters, Scott Patterson and Jason Sepetauc. Whilst our teaching back then

was “old school” we formed a strong bond and collegiality. This bond allowed me to further understand the importance of pulling your own weight and having each other’s backs. Today’s crew of Joel Richardson, Denzil Fox, Tim Macarthur, Alana Beard, Klara Manenica, Trent Masters, Alex Hausen, Eva Lowe and Dale Argall are much the same. Whilst the current day staff is much more in touch with technology the bond amongst us is equally strong. Both eras have taught me many things, but most importantly, be accountable and Queanbeyan Blues beat West Belconnen in the 2005 Grand Final care for the kids with genuine concern. I try to not take myself too seriously and this has allowed me to build many meaningful relationships with our students.

Outside of school my passion lies with Rugby League and my family. After finishing playing football in 2013 I turned to coaching, and spent four years as coach of two Canberra Cup clubs. Three years ago I was invited to be an assistant with the Canberra Raiders Jersey Flegg side and it only further ignited my passion for the sport. This year I have made the transition to an assistant of the Raiders NSW Cup side and look forward to working with many fulltime professional Rugby League players. I owe a lot of my luck with coaching to the many years spent at Eddies, honing personal relationships with my peers and later students under my care.

Throughout my childhood I was lucky to have such positive mentors at home in my Mum and Dad. It is many of these values that my- Justin Giteau wins Coach of the Year self and my wife Jackie attempt to instill in our kids now. Cooper, my eldest is a student here in Year 5 and I wouldn’t have him in any other place. He arrives at school excited every day and is proud to be an Eddies Boy, much as I did when I went to school here. It is seeing this pride in him that makes me confident that St Edmund’s is heading in the right direction in 2021 and beyond.

Former Chair, St Edmund’s College Foundation

Alumni Profile - Class of 2005 Grant Jones

I started at St Edmund’s College as a Year 7 student in the year 2000, the same year that my brother Bradley started in Year 5, the following year my youngest brother Ryan joined in Year 4.

While I think dad entertained the idea of us going to school elsewhere (at the time to appease mum), there was never any doubt that we would be Eddies boys with dad having attended school there and graduating in 1975. Like him, I really enjoyed my time at the College, I guess from an academic point of view I always ‘got things’ and was able to get by with decent grades. I think looking back I feel I let myself down to a certain degree because if a class didn’t interest me, I did not always apply myself fully which would have reflected in my results. I always enjoyed Maths and did quite well at it, as I did with Design thanks to the late and great Dennis Moreau. I also really enjoyed Economics thanks to the legend that is Phil Hawke. I have had a lot to do with Phill since school due to our shared love of the Queanbeyan Whites and I enjoy occasionally talking to him about those classes and how some of his teachings have influenced my views in business and on the world in general today.

Grant, Brad and Ryan Jones

The ‘Mighty Thirds’ 2005 school. He had worked out who my dad was and had high hopes for me. Dad had played 3 years of First XV including being captain in 1975 but failed to pass on that ability to me. Ryan got all of the rugby talent in the family and also captain the First XV, and in doing so in 2009, they would have to be one of the only father/son combinations to do so. The highlight of my rugby career at St Eddies came in my first year playing in the Under 12 Blue side who beat the previously undefeated Marist side in the grand final. It was a downhill slide from there making my way down to the Gold side within a couple of seasons. I had a couple of years away from rugby before playing again in Year 12 for the mighty Third XV.

I absolutely love my rugby though. I have been involved as a player, coach, manager and committee member at the Queanbeyan Whites since leaving school.