Jacob Knowles Page 24

Year 12 was also the point that I realised what I was called to do with my life post school. I remember quiet vividly the afternoon my mother collected me from my part time work at a restaurant in Manuka (a small, family restaurant run by a Mr R McDonald). As we drove home we began talking about graduation and what I was hoping to study at university. I was fairly steadfast in my assertion that Marine Biology or Zoology as something I was passionate about applying for. There was a pause and my mother said: “Why not teaching?”. She had heard me talk about enjoying coaching rugby and cricket teams over the last years and being a ‘Big Brother’ to Year 7 students during Year 12. My response to this was short and sharp: “Don’t be stupid! Who would want to be a teacher?” As it turns out, I did. I woke up the next morning and since that day have thought about nothing else.

In 2003 I graduated and went straight to university and studied Education, majoring in Learning Support and Maths (a subject I had failed miserably in Years 11 and 12). I followed this with a Masters of Educational Research focusing on Boys Education and more recently a Graduate Diploma of Education focusing on Religious Education. The teachers at St Edmund’s not only taught me what to learn as a student but developed in me a passion for learning which is something that I enjoy doing every single day.

In 2006, halfway through my undergraduate degree, I was fortunate to gain employment as a Learning Support Assistant at the College on a short term contract. From this, I was offered subsequent contracts and then a permanent Support Staff position. Upon graduating from university, Dr Chris Hayes offered me my first teaching position and I spent the next twelve years giving back to the community which had given me so much. I have taught across many areas of the school and been extremely fortunate to have applied for and won many middle and senior management positions. This has included Head of Cricket and Football, Senior Student Advisor, Head of House, Head of College Operations, Deputy Principal (acting) and

Assistant Principal - College Operations. I have also been privileged to have organised and lead many overseas tours and immersions. These have included four India immersion trips, four Cricket and Cultural Tours to Sri Lanka, a cricket and rugby tour to New Zealand and many interstate tours with various groups.

St Edmund’s has had a significant impact on nearly all aspects of my life. It developed my confidence to be who I am and not the person I felt I needed to be for others. It has celebrated in my successes from awards and certificates to graduation and post school opportunities. As a member of the Eddies community, I have met my beautiful wife Erin and celebrated the arrival of our first child Grace, and we welcomed our second child Andrew in May of this year.

In 2020, my time at St Edmund’s had to come to an end. Through professional mentoring and guidance I decided it was time to venture away from the College and find a new adventure at a different school. This was quite literally one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. I have the fondest memories of my time at the College and these coupled with my colleagues and friendships I have developed are things that I cherish dearly.