Beyond the School gates

St Michael’s students choose many different pathways when they finish school, remaining connected to one another through our vibrant Old Michaelian network. It is with pleasure that we are able to share the stories of two Old Michaelians who have experienced unique journeys since leaving St Michael’s.

JOHN HONOS

Stepping beyond the School gates… and returning almost 25 years later! John Honos (OM 1997) started his St Michael's journey in Prep in 1985, which also happened to be the very beginning of our long-term Prep teacher Mrs Merrilyn Barklamb's tenure at the School. Throughout his time at St Michael’s, John was known for his dreams of becoming a professional football player and remembered for teaching other students some soccer skills in the playground and even while on Exodus, the School’s Outdoor Education program. After graduating Form 6 in 1997, John travelled to Greece where his professional football career kicked off. John first signed with Panathinaikos Football Club, on what former St Michael’s Headmaster Mr Anthony Hewison AM described as a “mind-boggling contract”, before John transferred to play for various other teams in Athens. “It was very exciting, and a dream come true,” John said. After enjoying a 15-year professional football career, John returned to Melbourne to finish his career playing for Oakleigh Cannons in the National Premier League (NPL) and is currently coaching the Bentleigh Greens NPL Senior Team. In 2021, John’s son Georgios began his time at St Michael's in Mrs Merrilyn Barklamb’s Prep class! Merrilyn could not believe the connection, nor the family resemblance! John’s daughter Vivi has now also started at St Michael’s in Margaret Thomas House, and we are thrilled to have the whole Honos family within the St Michael’s community.

CHRIS WATTS

As long as Chris Watts (OM 2010) can remember, he was surrounded by music. As a Junior student at St Michael’s, Chris sang in the School choirs, and when he was gifted a guitar for Christmas at age 12, his life and dreams transformed. Chris remembers playing in St Michael’s Livewire: Battle of the Bands competition, with his band The Blue Foxes. “I didn’t even get past the first round! But that was my first experience playing with a band, at school in Year 10, so it was pretty fun.” Since graduating, Chris’s music has developed from a softer, acoustic style into a darker, electronic pop sound – a genre dominated by Chris’s idols such as The Weeknd and Halsey. Chris has been the support act for the likes of Sir Elton John and Robbie Williams – two musicians who have hugely shaped pop music over decades. With a recent collaboration with US music producer Aron Forbes also under his belt, Chris is certainly hitting the right wavelength. “If it’s music, or if it’s anything in life, the biggest thing I’ve learnt is that it’s not who knocks the loudest, it’s who knocks the longest.” We are looking forward to more Chris Watts music and headline shows in 2021. Chris stays connected to the Old Michaelian community through events such as reunions, as well as his family connections. Chris’s brother Alex Watts (OM 2006) is now a pilot with QANTAS, while his cousin Ruby Soumbassis (OM 2020) followed in his creative footsteps. You can read about Ruby's artistic achievements on page 33.

Old Michaelians can connect with their peers on SMGS Generation, our exciting new online platform designed to benefit students, past and present, by providing opportunities to link their learning to the career skills and experience of our extensive parent and Old Michaelian network. Find out more and sign up at smgsgeneration.com.