Hello Friends on a Journey.
I thought it was about time I told you a little about my story. It is amazing after all this time - 45 years after my time in Mittagong - making a connection.
I was only at Mittagong for one year at the Juniorate. I had attended Marist Brothers in Hamilton - Terry Kachel was there too at the same time.Only a few years earlier I choose tocome a Catholic - I was in the Leaving Year of '64 when the director of vocations visited us and I thought I might give-it-a-go.One of my friends at the time said he would say YES if i did too. So, I made the big decision, my friend did not. I went to the Juniorate.
The year was quite significant, even though I left at the end of the year. Br Claudius had a great impaact on my life. I can remember there were 3 of us who were one year older at that stage and repeating our 'leaving year' so maybe we could get a scholarship. it was also the year of the the big changes of Vatican II and Claude was open to change. For me in my personal struggle Br Claudius was a great mentor. I am sure you remember the 'state wards' and 'orphanage' and the change in relationship we as 'Juniors' had with them.
I left Mittagong . Worked as a Laboratory Technician and then in the early days of computing - still mechanical and wiring and big Processes. Three years later, I decided to go to Teachers College and studied PE at Sydney Teachers College at an annex of Sydney University. I worked in Outdoor Education - Sports and Rec. Camp at Point Wolstoncroft on Lake Maquarie for 2 years amd then went to Perth for a degree in education at University of Education.
I thought it was about time I told you a little about my story. It is amazing after all this time - 45 years after my time in Mittagong - making a connection.
I was only at Mittagong for one year at the Juniorate. I had attended Marist Brothers in Hamilton - Terry Kachel was there too at the same time.Only a few years earlier I choose tocome a Catholic - I was in the Leaving Year of '64 when the director of vocations visited us and I thought I might give-it-a-go.One of my friends at the time said he would say YES if i did too. So, I made the big decision, my friend did not. I went to the Juniorate.
The year was quite significant, even though I left at the end of the year. Br Claudius had a great impaact on my life. I can remember there were 3 of us who were one year older at that stage and repeating our 'leaving year' so maybe we could get a scholarship. it was also the year of the the big changes of Vatican II and Claude was open to change. For me in my personal struggle Br Claudius was a great mentor. I am sure you remember the 'state wards' and 'orphanage' and the change in relationship we as 'Juniors' had with them.
I left Mittagong . Worked as a Laboratory Technician and then in the early days of computing - still mechanical and wiring and big Processes. Three years later, I decided to go to Teachers College and studied PE at Sydney Teachers College at an annex of Sydney University. I worked in Outdoor Education - Sports and Rec. Camp at Point Wolstoncroft on Lake Maquarie for 2 years amd then went to Perth for a degree in education at University of Education.
A few years later I met my wife, Margaret, and became a Principal in a Catholic School. Margaret and i have been married for 33 years. We have six children - 4 boys and 2 girls - 2 are married - no grandchildren as yet.
After 23 years as a Principal in Perth, we began an international journey. i have been working as a school consultant and/or Principal for the past 10 years in a few countries and i am now in Singapore as the Principal of Excelsior International School (http://www.eis.edu.sg/).
Life has brought a number of challenges.
Thank God that I am still in good health and can still be active. I have had some contact with Ian Boorman over the internet. Peter Renshaw was one of my lecturers in Perth when I was doing my masters degree - actually he was one of the best experiences I have had. I ran into Robert Periera one year, when he was running a course in Catholic Schools in Perth. He is in Singapore at the moment and we are getting together during this week. i have been back to Mittagong a few times and met up with Claude once. And I went to Hunters Hill and ran into Br Bede and his dogs.
Thanks for keeping me on the contact list. My best to you all. Although, you may not remember me during my 'one year', I remember you and your names and many of the shanniganes we all got up to. Now who was with me studying in the freezing cold, I think with torches near the 'woodshed', before exam time - I think there were 3 of us.? We set the alarm for 3am or something rediculous like that - i'm sure we didn't learn anything. I have attached a couple of photos ... I have only one photo of myself in Mittagong Days- that photos in Perth.
Bless you all and keep me in your prayers
John
Thank God that I am still in good health and can still be active. I have had some contact with Ian Boorman over the internet. Peter Renshaw was one of my lecturers in Perth when I was doing my masters degree - actually he was one of the best experiences I have had. I ran into Robert Periera one year, when he was running a course in Catholic Schools in Perth. He is in Singapore at the moment and we are getting together during this week. i have been back to Mittagong a few times and met up with Claude once. And I went to Hunters Hill and ran into Br Bede and his dogs.
Thanks for keeping me on the contact list. My best to you all. Although, you may not remember me during my 'one year', I remember you and your names and many of the shanniganes we all got up to. Now who was with me studying in the freezing cold, I think with torches near the 'woodshed', before exam time - I think there were 3 of us.? We set the alarm for 3am or something rediculous like that - i'm sure we didn't learn anything. I have attached a couple of photos ... I have only one photo of myself in Mittagong Days- that photos in Perth.
Bless you all and keep me in your prayers
John
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