Memory Lane 18

12th August 2024, John Prior writes:

Having seen the great letter from Greg Powell (Issue 4) I thought I should drop a line too.

I was in the "B" stream I think a year ahead of Greg. St Nicks was (in hindsight perhaps) a great school. Pinnerwood primary started the education ball rolling and the 11 + exam was nothing to worry about, so I too ended up being shown around St Nicks prior to starting there, being welcomed by Dr Watson and going through lunch procedures for several years.

Much of what Greg said brought back memories, such as the teachers, most of whom must by now have passed on. After "O" levels I went on to study Economics, Geography and French so names like Bert Banton, Phil Newton, Mr. Johns and Mr. Richardson all deserve full credit for getting me through A Levels and on to Southampton uni. Others like Geoff Lee and Pete Cahill had me very fit. So I owe MUCH to these wonderful people and St Nicks.

Because of the way we were taught at St Nicks in the senior years we were used to teachers giving us info but challenging us to do our own work to take it further - no computers to google stuff - it was the library for us. We were treated more like young adults than schoolkids. So the teaching methods were great prep for uni where I graduated and went on to teach Economics, Geography and PE at Chatham Technical High School for 2 years before being recruited by Australia as a $10 Pom to go to PNG teaching others to teach for about 6 years.

This was some experience getting used to a different culture entirely. especially my white skin being in the minority. I climbed an active volcano, travelled on some amazing roads, learned 4-wheel driving, paddled outrigger canoes, visited amazing places, saw the country become Independent. It is a beautiful country indeed and not least I married a New Guinea girl and we are still together after 50 years.

After PNG I went to Australia still with Commonwealth Education in the Northern Territory. For many years I was based in North East Arnhemland working with and for Aboriginal people. For 14 years we lived on an Aboriginal community, Yirrkala well known for art and music (Yothu Yindi). It was beautiful right on the beach and 2 minutes from home I could be on the water fishing. I was a teacher and Adult Educator until I quit and joined the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission as a Community Development Project Officer again in East Arnhem where I again travelled around on dirt roads or flew by light plane or helicopter. This is God's country and where tourists pay a lot to visit I was paid to be there.

Following this I did a couple of years as a Community Development Officer for the NT Government, part time work teaching for Charles Darwin University then 9 years working for a Federal NT politician where we travelled throughout the NT as well as Parliament in Canberra.

So I have had a great life in wonderful areas and seen a lot of the world. HOWEVER little if any would have been possible without the wonderful education I got at St Nicks (and a supportive wife). So I pay tribute to my former school and the excellent teachers there. I was so lucky and am so thankful when I look at the state of education now.

(first published August 2024 in Newsletter 5)