SLAS Graduate 2015 - Jemma Joiner - School Captain 2015

Jemma Joiner / School Captain 2015

Where are you now? This year I will be heading down to the University of Queensland studying the Bachelor of sports studies. After a year in this degree I hope to get into the Bachelor of Health, Sport and physical education. I will also be living on campus at Women’s College. 

What did you do after graduating at SLAS? After finishing year 12 in 2015 I made the decision to do a Gap year in the UK. I was placed in a school West of London at Copthorne Prep school a Private school from Nursery to Yr 8. I was assigned the Job of being a teacher’s assistant for Nursery to Yr 2 working and living alongside other Gappies, Boyd and Dehann.

Working an 8 to 9, 5 day a week job was hard, especially when working with 3 to 5yr olds and having the job of listening to them read as well as helping them with simple maths equations nearly every day (I’m now an expert at quickly solving equations in my head). The weeks were hard but the weekends were always great to look forward to. London was only a 20min train ride away and Iceland was only a 50 pound and 3hr flight away so getting away from the school was always easy.

The year was incredible, being my first year away from home (Australia) was hard. Getting into a different routine as well as getting use to the cold, miserable and below -7degree weather was a struggle but the summer was to die for!! In one year I managed to travel to more than 10 countries, learnt the importance of budgeting, packing just the right amount of clothes and got to see the Northern Lights. Traveling and working in a school environment I met the most incredible people and have made lifelong friends. It’s amazing how small the world is!! Whilst I was hiking in the Scottish Highlands I came across a pub that sold Bundaberg Brew drinks and Bundaberg rum!

I would highly recommend to all the current and future year 12s to take a gap year. Whilst working and traveling you will learn the most valuable life lessons, and you will find that your independence will amaze you. You become and discover the best part of who you are.

What is a favourite memory or memories from your time at SLAS? Reflecting on my time at St Luke’s, it is without a doubt that the teachers go unnoticed!! Each and every staff member at St Luke’s are amazing at what they do, and I was just lucky enough to be taught by all throughout my 13 years of education at the school. From cultural (Band, choir and Orchestra), service (Rely for Life, 40hrfamine and blood donation) and sporting (Hockey, Rowing and Swimming) there are just too many memories within them all to have just one. 

In Iceland (photo)

All the best Jemma

Thanks
PR

SLAS Graduate 2011 - Alice Robinson

Since graduating St Lukes in 2011, I have continued to pursue a career in dance that has led me to travel around the world training and working as a dancer.
I competed 2 years of full time contemporary training in Sydney the years following 2011 and have performed in Hong Kong , the UK ,Europe and toured Australia. I have been a part of The Dream Dance Company , worked on Opera Australias AIDA on the harbour as dance captain and worked on a research week in London for a new West End Musical as well as other various shows and developments. Training in Vienna, Amsterdam and London recently has allowed me to gain knowledge and experience that I can then pass on to students I teach back in Australia. Teaching and sharing my choreography is also something I enjoy. In 2015 and 2016 I have held workshops at The Australian Dance Festival as well as teaching at full time schools like Brent Street, The Village, Ev and Bow , Ettinghausens and Dance Force.
Favourite memory of school is naming the frogs that hide in the park benches in year 5.

Alice.

SLAS Graduate 2002 - Hayden Anderson

Hi Robbo.

1.Where are you now?
I am living in Sydney, NSW. I have been here for 5 years, moving after a short stint in Melbourne where I was playing AFL. I am still active within AFL circles, which was a passion of mine from a young age. I am a coach at the University of Technology AFL club under the tutelage of former Sydney Swans premiership AFL player Nic Fosdike.

2. What do you do?
I am a Marine Technician in the Royal Australian Navy. I have been in the RAN for 6.5 years. The job has taken me to some amazing places around the world, including the Middle East and to various corners of the Asian Pacific. I have been studying Project Management on the side and will be transitioning to an engineering consultancy firm in 2017.

3. What year did you graduate and what did you do after graduating at SLAS?

I graduated in 2002. I joined St Luke’s in 1997 as apart of the inaugural Grade 7 class. I took some time to find my feet after school; I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I worked in Hotels for a period whilst pursuing my AFL career. I studied education and sociology at CQU and UQ for a short period and also had the chance to complete my first teaching practical back at St Luke’s. I eventually decided that teaching wasn’t for me and moved to Melbourne where I was playing AFL semi-professionally whilst working in Hotels. In 2010 I decided to join the Defence Force which was a dream of mine from a young age.

4. What is a favourite memory or memories from your time at SLAS.?

There a various memories I have from my time at St Luke’s. Being apart of the initial SLATE touch academy was my first initiation into becoming more serious about sport in general, there was a real strong camaraderie amongst everyone within the group. I was one of the youngest members in the senior touch team and can still remember being the “grommet” on the first trip to the National Carnival. The team was stacked with superstars from the touch football and rugby league background; it was a really great experience for me and helped me mature as a young man.

Other memories would be science classes with Mr Johnston, he made the classes so fun and really engaged with me – I wasn’t the most academic student but “Mr J” always managed to keep me connected.

My time at St Luke’s was one of the best experiences in my young life, the school was so full of inspiring and influential people who really helped shaped the man I am today.

Regards,
Hayden Anderson

SLAS Graduate 2005 - Michael Sinclair.

Hi Mr Robinson.

I am currently living by the beach in Bargara with my beautiful wife, Holly. We simply love it here in this lazy little town. This year (2016) I am working as a supply teacher; sometimes at St Luke's Anglican School and serve as a Youth Leader at my church.

After graduation, I deferred university to travel Europe and save (spend every cent of my) money. I was working at an Italian Restaurant while studying which allowed me to continue travelling abroad throughout the Uni breaks. In my final year, I began working as a youth worker for a fostering organisation. I completed my teaching degree in 2011 and was offered a position as a Case Worker and later, Case Manager, where I managed a program for children transitioning from Foster Care.

In 2014, in pursuit of a career in Education, I applied successfully for a position as a teacher aide at St Luke's and was offered a term as PE teacher in the Primary. This was followed by a 12 month contract as Youth Minister in 2015. It was a fantastic opportunity and experience.

My favourite memories from school: Getting on the tennis court or touch footy with Mr Robinson, and getting up to mischief in design technology.
Michael.

All the best for the future
Thanks
PR

SLAS Old Saint 1998 - Joel Freeman

Hi Robbo,

I have been living back in Bundaberg for the past 6 years with my wife Nicole and 3 children (Taylah 12, Zachary 10 & Kadence 7). Our eldest Taylah now attends Middle school at St Lukes, I am very proud to see another generation go through the school. I have great pride in seeing Taylah don the uniform everyday & extremely pleased that she is in the same Sports house as I was. GO MORRIS!!

I left St Lukes after 1st term of Year 12 1998 to complete my Electrical apprenticeship and have now been an Electrician for the past 18 years working in a variety of different fields from mining, industrial, commercial & domestic and more recently branching out into split system Air Conditioning & Solar. My wife and I run our own Electrical Contracting business 'Rum City Electrical'

I have so many fond memories of my time at St Lukes, some of those being competing in the First 15 Rugby Union competition. The teachers at St Lukes were also fantastic and gave all the encouragement needed for success. The schools facilities were and still are first class!
It is great today to see a couple of teachers still there after all these years and a couple of them are even teaching my daughter now.

I look forward to seeing the school grow and develop as I watch each of my children go through their schooling at St Lukes.

Cheers, Joel

SLAS Graduate 2008 - Rory Oates

Hi Mr Robinson
1. I'm on the verandah with small mosquitoes daring me to stay out longer. In Broome with Emma.
2. What do I do? Complex question because I don't think I fit a specific job title but I have been working as a tour guide. A pearl farm being my latest workplace.
3. After leaving St Lukes I  worked, travelled, worried about life with responsibility, became a student again, travelled in between, fell for a woman, heartbreak, repeat, worked, travelled, repeat.
4. Nobody wants to be at school when they have to. St Lukes was no different. I would much rather have been at the beach. I can tell you in hindsight though, it is likely there will never again be a time when I can hang with so many friends everyday. Isn't hindsight so most bittersweet!
Rory.

All the best for the future
Thanks
PR.

SLAS Graduate 2015- Jessica Nankivell

Hey Mr Robinson
1. Where are you now?
I now live in Brisbane with 3 of my good friends made at SLAS.
2. What do you do?
I now study full-time in a Bachelor of Nursing at ACU, I joined the University  Cheerleading club and I work part-time at a jewllery store
3. What did you do after graduating at SLAS
I worked 3 jobs to save for the move to Brisbane.
4. What is your favourite memory from your time at SLAS?
It would have been coming back to the school after leaving for 3 years. All the teachers were so welcoming and all remembered me still and especially to be welcomed back into the cohort with open arms and making life long friends. I was given so many academic and definietly sporting opportunitied and I owe it to St Luke's Anglican School for where I am today.
Jess

All the best for the future
Thanks
PR.