2022
In the S P O T L IG H T
WHO AM I Fiona Hili Class of
1984
WHO AM I Therese Chapman Class of
1969
St Columba’s College Instructional Leader and Teacher
St Columba’s College Archivist and Year 12 English Teacher
Walking through the gates on the corner of Buckley St through the gardens, past the very secret and sacred world of the convent, there was initially a boggle eyed sense that I was now part of a long line of grandmothers, mother, an uncle, aunts, cousins and my older sister, Anne, who had come before me. There was never any shopping around for schools - this is where we were always going.
My current name is Therese Chapman, and I attended St Columba’s from 1966 to 1969 under the surname Allen. I have also taught here under the name Mrs O’Haire.
First and foremost, St Columba’s fostered my love of learning. Relationships with and influence of students from many other year levels from my time in musicals were profound and pivotal. Mostly I think, I took the knowledge that there were a few teachers who I knew ‘had my back’; who let me try and trusted me in my naivete, from this I knew I’d be all right in the world. Tim Corcoran - my English teacher and Athletics coach, Jude Martin - English teacher and director of all our musicals, Geoff Matthews - my History teacher, Glen Wehrman my Geography teacher, Pauline Webster, my French teacher, and Maria DeLorenzo, my Italian teacher. They interrogated and patiently endured my musings and vague attempts. They laughed with and respected me. They noticed and knew me. It is now as a
I’m still teaching at STCC and in 2022, my 29th year here (I think), I have two Year 12 English classes. I am the VIT Mentor for Provisionally Registered Teachers, helping them to complete their research project in order to qualify for full registration with the VIT, and I also look after the Archives. I have four children, one of whom – Sophie – was a member of the class of 1997, our Centenary year. I have six gorgeous grandchildren. For me, St Columba’s provided a sense of security, predictability and belonging in a changing world. It also gave me an experience of leadership. The nuns made it clear that they believed in us and everything that we could be. They had really high expectations and just wanted us to see how far we could go. St Columba’s saw me, knew me and cared about me and, as a teacher, that’s what I want for every student I teach – that she feels seen, known and cared for. This school gave me confidence, friends and a direction for my future. You can’t ask for much more than that.
teacher, I remember this. (Left) Fiona and her sister Clare in 1984. (Right) Therese and her sisters Barbara and Susan, in 1969. 22
