Staff Reflections 2003-2023

STAFF

REFLECTIONS 2003-2023

Current and past CCW staff share reflections on their time at Cathedral College Wangaratta and how the school has evolved.

‘Out the road’ - Murdoch Road Campus - 2006

The newsletter dated 13 November 2002, states the following: "A number of people are familiar with independent schools and are very supportive of establishing one in Wangaratta. Many others appreciate the proposal of a school that will strive for high academic standards within a caring and nurturing environment where every student is cared for as an individual and encouraged to work to his or her highest standard. Most families want a safe and happy environment where learning is valued."

Julie Findlay

Director of Studies (2003-currently)

Starting a new school is no easy task. Amongst all the difficulties of navigating the growth and development of a school, there have been many special moments. These are my top 20 moments to remember.

1. The first day with those brave 34 students and staff. The school uniforms had not arrived, and everything was new and unknown.

Celebrating 20 years of a Cathdral Education 2. The High Jump final between Mitchell Passmore and Mitchell Beatty at one of the House Athletics Carnivals.

The whole school watched as they challenged each other to go higher and higher.

3. The first cohort of Year Twelve students. Art was a VCE subject even in the first year of VCE. The students organised a fashion parade with their own t-shirt designs and ran a catwalk from the classroom into the schoolyard.

4. House Swimming, Cross-Country Athletics, Music. There used to be Drama. Now we also have MasterChef and the Art and Technology Challenge. On all of these days, I love the cross-age interaction, rivalry, colour and fun as everyone tries their best. I particularly enjoy it when students support and encourage others, such as at the swimming.

5. The first few years of Year Twelve students. They had to set the standard; they did not know what was ahead and really had to push themselves hard to achieve. Supporting older students and helping them navigate a future is also one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching.

6. The writing and publishing of the schoolbook ‘What Makes Your Heart Sing.’ The book involved every student, parent, carer, and so many members of the school community. We saw the book published and celebrated being authors.

7. The school was flooded and evacuated. The buses had just arrived, and we had to call all the parents. The Chapel area was a swimming pool and you walked in knee-high water to talk students to their parents in the car park.

8. We used to take students on Camp to Alice Springs, driving up following the line of the Ghan and visiting St Phillips a school in Alice Springs. We went for two weeks and camped along the Ghan route on the way up. We saw amazing scenery, and had lots of fun, and nearly the whole Senior School of that time attended the trip.

9. In the last few years of having two campuses, the Year Twelves from The Close would come to Murdoch Road and run games for the Junior School students. They had so much fun when the Year Twelves left they were in tears. The Year Twelve students cried, too.

CCW Reflections | 2003 - 2023

Julie Findlay 10. The School Fairs. We had to raise money for things like lockers or special items. It was great to welcome people into the school and have some fun. Members of the Community saw the school, and parents and students helped run the stalls creating a great sense of belonging.

2003-2023

11. School productions – Joseph, Cats, Chorus Line. But my best memory was the production of Mikado. Jedd McLeish was the best Mikado ever.

12. Building The Science Garden. The students designed the garden with the help of Jenny Kjar and, with the help of parents, built the whole thing. This was an amazing project to be involved in. The students loved having their say in what they would enjoy using in the garden. Parents volunteered and helped the students to make it happen. This garden is used so much today and always looks so beautiful.

13. Filming the careers night for ACARA. The community really helps to support students in finding out about different pathways. It was great to be recognised for this achievement by ACARA filming and interviewing attendees.

14. Meeting new Principals and being part of a strong and supportive Executive Team. In order for a new school to survive you need a strong, positive and supportive leadership group who understand that students are at heart of the school.

15. Father’s Day Breakfast. Seeing so many young people and their dads supporting their sons. We have around 500 attendees every year. The food and technology department does an amazing job preparing food, with students and staff helping to deliver all this hot food ready for breakfast onCelebrating the day. 20 years of a Cathdral Education

16. Opening of the Hockey Pitch. What a great facility for Northeast Victoria.

17. So many teams made it to the State Hockey Finals – 7 teams made the State Finals last year. Two teams even made it to the Grand Final.

18. The opening of The Chapel. This is such a beautiful place to meet, be calm, reflect and share.

19. The staff I have worked with over the years. You don’t stay at a place for so long if it isn’t a place you enjoy working at and find challenge and growth. I am fortunate to have learnt so much from so many and to call many of these educators my friends.

20. This year, celebrating 20 years and reflecting on how far we have come.

CCW Reflections | 2003 - 2023

CCW Reflections | 2003 - 2023 CCW Reflections | 2003 - 2023 CCW Reflections | 2003 - 2023

Fran Hoyle

PA to the Principal/Bus Coordinator (2007-2020)

When I first joined the Cathedral College Wangaratta staff, everyone was so friendly; it was like a family atmosphere. Back then, all staff had several roles; initially, mine were Administration/Reception/Sick Bay/Enrolments/Bus Coordinator and assisting with other tasks when required. Eventually, I applied for the position of Personal Assistant to the Principal. I worked for four Principals, Mr David Everett, Mr Doug Mahoney, Mr Adrian Farrer and Mr Nick Jones. This was a great challenge and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Celebrating 20 years of a Cathdral Education

There were several buildings at The Close, which housed staff offices, administration and classrooms. The students made their own games and played basketball. We didn't have the IT equipment back then that the students have now; it was completely different. Our EFTPOS machines were the original swipe ones and not computerised. There have also been changes to the uniform, which has evolved over the years.

I remember we would have a College Fair to raise money for the school every year, and I was always on the Fairy Floss and made Toffee Apples to sell. I was a bit game back then, and when they had a Bull Ride, I thought I would give it a go; trust me, I would never make a Cowgirl! I volunteered to compete for a staff member to 'Kiss a Pig' if they raised the most money; my children thought it was hilarious, and yes, I kissed the pig. We only had four Houses back then, Hotham, Feathertop, Buffalo and Stirling and the competition was very strong.

Once the College grew, classes were moved to the Greenfield site, now known as Murdoch Road Campus. I shared reception duties with another colleague. There were no paths, and reception was in the old farmhouse, which is now Administration. Our only communication was a hand-held telephone, so I would have to run across the paddock to give the staff members the phone. I was so glad when Sharon came on board.

When Adrian Farrer joined us, we moved out to the old farmhouse full-time and joined the Junior and Middle Schools out there. New buildings were cropping up quickly, and the number of students on buses was also in demand. I think it was more 99% Bus Coordinator and 1 % PA! The bus role was a logistical nightmare trying to get everyone on the right bus, but I accepted that challenge and nailed it.

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the school grow and have much pride in being a part of the College community and seeing where it will be in the future.

CCW Reflections | 2003 - 2023

CCW Reflections | 2003 - 2023

Valerie Crosse

Junior Art and German Teacher (2007 - Currently)

For me, it was probably love at first sight. I loved those red brick buildings, I loved the quirky entrance through wide cast iron gates and a huge Cathedral with bells tolling the hour. It seemed like the most natural entrance to a workplace. Cathedral College was known as ‘The Harry Potter School’ in those days, partly because of the amazing uniform the students were wearing as well as the gowned-up staff.

Then there were the staff and the students.

Celebrating 20 years I couldn’t have imagined a more eccentric, diverse and kooky collection of people.of a Cathdral Education Suffice it to say that I have resigned twice but seem to keep returning and morphing from one role into another.

It was intoxicating, enormous fun and incredibly hard work.

There is a particular energy at CCW that continues to this day. This leads us all to keep riding this huge wave of exhilaration.

I have a kaleidoscope of memories from those early years: Carting antique sewing machines that were incredibly heavy from the Senior Campus to the current campus. Art and Textiles were being taught in the Three Docker classroom.

Harmony Day with perfect weather to witness the amazing sight of hand-printed flags flying from the uppermost window in the Cathedral, designed to represent different cultures and silk screened by the Year Eight & Nine Art class.

Indigenous dancing led by Wally Cooper (local Indigenous Elder from Glenrowan) Trong Tran, a guest speaker who spoke with extraordinary gravitas about her trials to escape from Vietnam during the Vietnam War and became one of the first ‘Boat People’.

A few years later came….The Arc of Hope Who knew life could be so complicated? Suffice it to say that the whole school was involved; Annie Edney was our Artist in Residence. Our students got to create huge and magnificent sculptures out of paper. It was awesome watching the students sedately carry them to Merriwa Park for our grand performance of ‘The Arc of Hope’ set on a full moon. The sculptural forms were processed through the park at dusk. Lit up with tea light candles. The Fire Ant was set on fire and exploded prior to the event. One student responsible remains nameless!

Tali Silva had choreographed a spectacular musical performance with a sound system that went pearshaped, but students didn’t miss a beat. Rod Dunbar and others became fire twirlers. It is now a wonderful memory.

CCW Reflections | 2003 - 2023

Sharon Nolan Student Services (2008 - Currently)

Fifteen years ago, in 2008, when l first started at CCW, we had 97 students from Prep ~ Six enrolled at the Murdoch Road campus. Reception, as we know it now, was fondly known to students and staff as 'the house'. The lounge area was reception, the bedrooms became instrumental rooms and office space, and the dining room was an area for OSHC. I felt like l was on the 'Little House on the Prairie' surrounded by either muddy paddocks (and students!) in the winter or dry and dusty dirt in the summer.

Celebrating 20 years of a Cathdral Education

The College has evolved in so many ways.

I feel very blessed and grateful that l have been part of the journey and part of so many children's lives, watching them learn, grow, and become young adults and venture into the big wide world.

This makes my heart sing!

In 2010, students and staff worked on a writing project to produce a book titled, 'What Makes My Heart Sing'.This book is so special to me for various reasons- it makes my heart sing. My son, Jack, who is now 21, and a former student of the College, also contributed to the book.

Here is what my son wrote...

"I like building and making stuff because it is fun. My dog Benny is really cute because he has a cute face and he listens. I like reading a good book because it is adventurous. I like my friends because they are nice. I love my family because they love me. I love cuddling because it is loving. I like to travel because you can discover new things. I like writing because you can get better at it. I like Easter because you can get chocolate. I like drawing and I like toys. I like surprises"

CCW Reflections | 2003 - 2023

Tracey Murdoch Year One Teacher (2008 - Currently)

In 2008, I was given the opportunity to work at the Ovens Street campus, with Year Eleven and Twelve students who were grappling with Macbeth. We happily dissected the impending disasters that arose from greed and ambition, in a tranquil garden setting, in the shaded grounds of our magnificent Cathedral. The students I worked with were diverse, clever, challenging, fun, and so very full of life. I loved it.

Celebrating 20 years of a Cathdral Education

It was a time of promise, and some uncertainty, of unseen faith and limited budgets, of ideologies building momentum, of families taking leaps of faith, of shared dreams wobbling and winding towards their beautiful reality. A community was forming.

The student population was around 130 back then, and things were happening at a grassroots level.

Initiation in your House involved a group interview where you answered a set of questions fired at you, on the spot. Mr Dunbar taunted us weekly at staff meetings, with an ice cream tub full of, supposedly, our names with the promise of winning a choccy frog. Everyone knew everyone, and if we didn’t have what we needed, we made do.

We grabbed our lunch from a nearby bakery, the strawberry doughnuts were a standout. Racing down Murdoch Road each recess and then again at lunchtime sounded fun at first, but it really wasn’t.

Eventually, we became one campus. In a converted farmhouse, our tiny staff room was also the OSHC room, the first aid room, a storage room and someone’s office. We cooked trays and trays of sausages on borrowed BBQs underneath the oldest tree in our grounds, a tree that I remember later meeting Dane Swan under with a group of bubbling young students, there was literally a paddock out in front of us, and he commented warmly, on how very lucky we were to have so much space.

Buildings emerged, trees were planted and grandest of all, our carpark was sealed!

What a time, so many happy memories and stories. So many futures we were privileged to have witnessed to.

2023 is a time of promise still, and yes, sometimes uncertainty from the outside world tests and challenges us, budgets have improved, ideologies still form and build, and the dream sharing continues, as we march a little less wobbly, a little more proudly, towards our beautiful reality.

CCW Reflections | 2003 - 2023

Candace Potter Teacher (2008 - Currently)

I have spent more than a third of my life teaching at Cathedral College Wangaratta, and upon reflection, I now realise the honour that I have been afforded a front-row seat in witnessing the growth and development of the school’s evolution.

When I commenced employment in 2008, and the school was across two campuses, it often felt like you were Celebrating 20 through years walking around someone’s backyard when at The Close Campus and felt like you were traipsing of a Cathdral Education someone’s paddock when at the Murdoch Road Campus.

Given the original smaller student population, the familiar and warm environment that we were cultivating began to form the basis of what we as a staff value to this day for our students, connection and a sense of belonging.

Forming connections with the students, their families, and the community presented the opportunity to create organic, personalised pathways. It is only in retrospect that, upon connecting with past students, I have been able to realise this impact.

With the dull but frequent awareness of our limited resources and facilities back then, the staff went above and beyond to create opportunities to ensure students would not miss out on experiences to not only enrich their learning but that would shape them as well-rounded humans.

From Debutant Balls, where a classroom teacher became the dance instructor, to professional Artists in Residence; establishing Cow Club, where students were then taken to the Melbourne Show, to Chess Club and Interschool Debating. International Exchange experiences or engaging with the local Honey Eater Project, to whole House theatrical productions where every member of each House played a part in the story - and everything in between.

Cathedral College was the place where everyone sings and everyone swims.

Although the College has grown significantly in size over the years, that sense of belonging and those unique experiences we were able to foster in the early days continue to be something of which I am most proud. It’s those aspects I most enjoy reflecting upon when reminiscing with past students and their families.

Having the opportunity to be part of a student educational journey at Cathedral College is a privilege I will never take for granted, nor is being a small part of the story and history of Cathedral College Wangaratta

CCW Reflections | 2003 - 2023

Rod Dunbar

Deputy Principal| Teacher|Careers Coordinator (2008 - Currently)

My first memory of Cathedral College is driving past the sign in Ovens St, which mentioned then Principal David Everett. My interest was raised as I had very briefly crossed paths with David in Alice Springs. My partner, travelling in the passenger seat, made a comment about Cathedral being the future of education in this town. I had come to Wangaratta to work at another school, but, from this point, Cathedral was definitely on my radar.

Celebrating 20 years

A few months passed when I saw a job ad; Cathedral was looking for both Deputy Principals (x2) and of a Cathdral Education Maths teachers. This seemed serendipitous. I applied and was delighted to obtain the position of ‘Deputy Principal – Discipline and Welfare.’ I would also be teaching a fair share of Maths and/or Science classes.

Soon enough, I moved into my office at the front of The Close campus (moving the Business Manager out to a back room in the process!) This truly felt like my second home over the next handful of years. I would park in a very quiet Ovens St every morning, just outside my office and proceed to send out the extras and organise the relief teachers for the day. From my vantage point, I saw everybody come and go, wondering which parent might next appear at my door.

Being such a small school then (about 270 students, from memory), it often felt like you had many jobs. In my case, it meant writing the timetable, daily organisation, scheduling meetings, coordinating the Heads of House and dealing with behaviour issues. Fortunately, there were not too many difficult moments with our students – they have always been a pleasure to deal with in the main. Back then, we also had Working Bees, House Music and House Drama (both of which were in the evening) and Friday morning assemblies or Chapel in the Cathedral. For such a small school, it felt like there was always something happening, which is how it should be, I reckon.

We loved being at The Close. Its leafy ambience and proximity to town (and the bakery!) were great assets. We made do with improvised classrooms and facilities at times, but that was half the fun. I loved the fact that I knew every student in our High School and many of the Primary students, too.

Travelling between campuses was a burden (especially when writing the timetable), but also helped clear the head.

The school has grown and now has lots of magnificent facilities (and people). But I will always look back fondly at those first few hectic years of my time at CCW.

CCW Reflections | 2003 - 2023

Tali Silva

Tali Silva - Teacher/ Dance Club (2009 - currently)

In 2009, a couple of months after commencing my teaching role at Cathedral College Wangaratta, I approached our then Junior School Deputy Principal, Stacey Hedderman, with a request that I share my love of dance with the children through the offering of a lunchtime dance club.

My hope was to give all students an opportunity to participate in dance lessons, whether they were Celebrating 20 years dance students outside of school or not. of a Cathdral Education

We began with fourteen students giving up their Wednesday lunchtime each week to meet in the music room (now Mr Aggett’s Year Three classroom), move all the furniture aside and work together to learn new dance skills while choreographing a fun dance.

These students performed at Open Days and the end-of-year Presentation Assembly. At this time costumes were borrowed from dance schools which our students attended outside of school.

In 2010, Dance Club student numbers increased to 35 participants. From these humble beginnings, Dance Club evolved into an opportunity for children to represent the school as competitors at the Wangaratta Festival of Dance and Albury-Wodonga Eisteddfod. These students learnt the importance of commitment and teamwork while developing an appreciation for the arts and having fun with their friends.

Dance Club continues to be a popular lunchtime activity available to any interested student, regardless of their dance ability or experience. Sessions are offered in our purpose-designed MultiPurpose Room to students from Years One to Five during several lunchtimes each week.

Dance styles learnt have included jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and fusion. It has been a privilege to run the CCW Dance program for the last 15 years; I’ve enjoyed every moment

CCW Reflections | 2003 - 2023

Nell Parkes

Teacher/Head of Buffalo House (2011 - currently)

Over the course of 20 years, House has evolved, however, it is, and always has been, an integral part of a ‘Cathedral education’. It provides students with an opportunity for cross-age learning and allows students to participate in cultural, sporting and performance challenges. It is a key part of The College’s pastoral care system.

Initially beginning with two Houses known as ‘Buffalo/Hotham’ and ‘Feathertop/Stirling’, as 20 the school Celebrating years of a Houses Cathdral Education grew, they split into four – Buffalo, Hotham, Feathertop, and Stirling. Two additional were added in 2015, so now there are six proud Houses – Buffalo, Cobbler, Feathertop, Hotham, Stirling and Warby.

In the early 2010s, House activities would occur each fortnight after assemblies at The Close campus. Each House consisted of around 60 students from Prep to Year Twelve. Fortnightly activities were varied and included games on the Cathedral grounds. There was a House welcome breakfast where parents and students were invited to attend as well as House working bees held on weekends with families volunteering their time and resources to help improve the grounds of the Murdoch Road Campus. There was a trophy made of a Lego house that was presented each term to the House that had accrued the most points. Points were collected in a rather ad hoc manner, so it was always a surprise who won.

We now have captains from all three sub-schools and a range of competitions for students to participate in, and represent their House, including athletics, cross country, swimming (wearing their coloured polo tshirts with pride) and the always popular House Music as well as Masterchef, writing and photography competitions. The points accumulated across the year are collated, and the House with the most points at the end of the wins the coveted Helen Farrer shield. We still come together as a whole House (Prep – Year Twelve) multiple times a year to participate in activities organised by the House Captains.

I was privileged to hold the position of Buffalo Head of House for 11 years and enjoyed getting to know students across their school journey and witnessing the teamwork and collaboration as the students came together to participate and achieve as one. Upon reflection, one of my favourite moments from my time as Head of Buffalo was not in fact, a victory. The year House music was held at WPACC, Buffalo performed exceptionally well and executed a magnificent medley of songs from The Lion King. The students, resplendent in costume, face paint and voice, came together to sing and dance with courage and conviction.

As the school has developed significantly over the past 20 years, House has retained many of the key elements that made it special so many years ago. The sense of belonging is as present as ever, and House is still a highly valued part of a Cathedral education.

CCW Reflections | 2003 - 2023

Marcelle Gerrish

Marcelle Gerrish - Prep Teacher (2011 - Currently)

It was with great excitement that I started teaching Prep here at Cathedral College in 2011. I would drive past this school every day, on my way to my previous school, and secretly hope that one day I could teach Prep here and become part of the CCW family.

The Preps of 2011 are now the Year Twelves of 2023. There were 15 children in this class. Two of them are Celebrating 20 years completing their studies here this year; they are no longer the little boys who were so excited to come of a Cathdral Education to big school, but now two very tall, grown men ready to take on the world. The others, during the course of the thirteen years, have moved away from the area, changed schools or taken on apprenticeships.

Throughout these thirteen years, the school has changed dramatically- many new buildings and facilities, new staff and many more students. However, some things have stayed the same in my Prep classroom, such as the feeling of belonging, the belief that everybody is a learner, and of course, the famous mustard chair.

I love when my past students come back to visit the classroom and reminisce about their time in Prep.

They cannot believe how small the chairs and tables are and how easy life was when they were in Prep.

Being one of the Prep teachers at Cathedral College has been a privilege. In 2015, our enrolments were such that it was necessary to run two Prep classrooms. I have valued the opportunity to work collaboratively with many amazing friends and educators to start our Preps on their learning journey at Cathedral College Wangaratta.

I look forward to teaching many more little people and introducing them to the mustard chair in the years to come.

CCW Reflections | 2003 - 2023

Paul Carson

VCE Coordinator (2015-currently)

When reflecting on my time at Cathedral College, one thing springs to mind immediately.

Our Growth – in the number of students, in the facilities, in the staff and in our position as the school of choice for North-East Victoria.

I commenced my Cathedral journey in 2015. Walking into the brand new Middle School buildings, Celebrating 20 years even before Bishop John had blessed their opening with a splash of holy water from a whisk, I felt a of a Cathdral Education sense of excitement … along with the normal, what am I doing here! Teaching Seven Ovens for Maths and Homeroom, our school camp was at Howman’s Gap, which saw all three homerooms under the watchful eye of Michelle Lloyd. This continues to play an important part in our Year Seven students’ pathway. As an aside, six years later, it was a privilege to be able to celebrate thirteen of those twenty-one homeroom students completing their VCE with us. My original Year Twelve Further Maths class consisted of fifteen students, including current staff member Sarah Adams. Triples on Friday mornings in the VCE classrooms, which were in the pre-refurbished Junior School classrooms, were part of the fun.

Around 530 students were enrolled at Cathedral College in 2015. The doubling in student numbers over the last eight years has meant CCW that being a building site for most of my time here. Senior School classrooms, Library, extra Science Laboratories, Stadium, Football oval, Hockey field, Maintenance shed, Student Hub and Office upgrades and the Chapel are just some of the projects requiring steel, concrete and the continuous ‘beep-beep’ of heavy machinery. From 32 Year Twelves in 2015 through to almost 100 in 2023, we continue to expand our offerings across traditional VCE, VET and School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship pathways. The stories from our graduating classes, collated and passed on by Rod Dunbar, are always welcomed. And in 2023, we get to provide these opportunities in the magnificent VCE Centre.

Speaking of the VCE Centre, it has given us a chance to permanently celebrate our greatest resource – the students who pass through our gates. From the Honour Rolls containing Class Dux and School Captains to the thumbprint paintings of our graduating classes, this area allows us to work collaboratively to Discover, Belong and Achieve.

What does the future hold for Cathedral College? I’m not sure, and after the last few years …. does anyone know? However, in looking back at the CCW website from 2015, the words written can provide a glimpse of what continues to be possible – ‘At Cathedral College Wangaratta, the opportunity to have a seamless, one campus, well-resourced education exists for students from Prep right through to Year Twelve. You are welcome to come and see us in action.’

CCW Reflections | 2003 - 2023