When did you join St Andrew’s? Has attending St Andrew’s Cathedral School changed or challenged your outlook on life? If so, in what way?
I joined St Andrew’s Cathedral School in the last term of Year 3. It was a very unusual time to join, as everyone else had already settled into rhythms of the year. I was worried that the transition was going to be difficult, but everyone ended up being so welcoming and kind, and made me feel like I belonged almost immediately.
“Everyone ended up being so welcoming and kind, and made me feel like I belonged almost immediately.”
I think the School has really helped me to understand how to adapt to things changing rapidly. We are given so many opportunities to serve and lead, and a big part of the learning that it provides is how to be dynamic.
Beyond School settings, I think it is a very important lesson to learn as life is forever changing, so knowing that you have the ability to keep up with it is very comforting.
What’s the best part about going to the School for you?
I think in many ways our School is very unique. Part of that comes from the location, as being in the city in a skyscraper with the QVB and Galleries as your playground opens up a whole new world.
“Being in the city in a skyscraper with the QVB and Galleries as your playground opens up a whole new world.”
I have never felt that the school is shut away from life, which is a feeling I get entering some other schools. We constantly are able to meet new people and see real issues and real people occurring at our doorstep.
We are also able to find a lot of kindness in that community – me and several of my friends are on first-name bases with the vendors around the arcade!
If you think of yourself from the end of Primary School to now, how have you changed? Why do you think that is?
Big question! I think that I have been able to gain a stronger sense of personal identity, and with that a good deal of integrity.
You are now Service Captain. What does that involve?
The great thing that my predecessor Chloe told me that I hold onto with this role is that “there is no clear description – you can make the job your own”. Being the Community Service Captain at its core is about figuring out how you can serve the community and encourage the community to serve others.
“Being the Community Service Captain at its core is about figuring out how you can serve the community and encourage the community to serve others.”
This means getting involved in raising awareness for the charities that the School is involved in at major events (like Make Off and SACS Factor) but also raising awareness by talking to people individually. It means finding ways to help out, from holding the door to putting in hours volunteering. It means getting involved in clubs and projects and asking “what can I do?”
I think I’ve spent most of my time encouraging the people around me to take part in service – I’m a strong believer that many hands make light work, which is something we need for some of the problems we face in today’s world. Even if I am only able to convince one person to do one thing, I think that is a good day’s work.
When did you start to develop your leadership skills at St Andrew’s Cathedral School? Has being a leader developed your character?
I would probably say since I started! I have been honoured with the opportunity to serve on several leadership teams in my time at St Andrew’s Cathedral School and have learnt very different skills in each role.
I think that being a part of the leadership teams opens up opportunities – I was able to attend a leader’s conference in Junior School at the ICC that changed my perspective on what it means to be a leader.
I think that I have certainly developed better speaking skills and a strong sense of personal responsibility. The reason I said “since I started” is because I believe that a leader is only as strong as the team you are leading: you cannot be a leader of none. This means that every time you take the option of doing the right thing or caring for the people around you, you are working in a leader-oriented way.
I think this sense of morality is deeply imbedded in St Andrew’s Cathedral School, from the character strengths we hold dear to the underpinning Christian ethos. Finding people who share the same values and personal responsibility is the real joy of being at St Andrew’s Cathedral School.
“Finding people who share the same values and personal responsibility is the real joy of being at St Andrew’s Cathedral School.”
You are involved in a wide range of activities, including drama and music. What’s been a highlight? How do you achieve balance?
I think that some of the very strong highlights have been the plays and musicals. I remember being in the final night of The Little Mermaid, we were bumping out from the venue and everyone (including me) was ugly crying their mascara off and sharing many hugs. The production schedules are always crazy (crazy fun) and they encourage a lot of bonding between the cast, no matter what year people are in. I still get the joy of smiling at people in the hallways who I befriended in rehearsals.
I think that balance is definitely important to keep! It is sometimes a struggle to keep up with memorising lines alongside Bio notes and English papers. I do, however, think it is important to get involved in as much as possible outside of School, as it allows you to switch off and make friends beyond the hours in the classroom.
As long as you find the time to rest amongst sports and music and theatre and schoolwork, and learn to compartmentalise, everything works out for the best!
Do you have a few lasting memories of St Andrew’s Cathedral School or a story you’d like to share?
I would like to share a story from 20-Day! What an experience! We all said at the end that if it weren’t for wanting showers and to see our families we would stay on the trip for another 20 days. It was such a life-changing experience – learning that we all had a lot more resilience than we realised and how we all had people who would have our backs no matter how grumpy we were!
We were navigating a white water rapid called ‘the A frame’ and we were the second-last boat to go through. We ended up capsizing after getting caught on a rock, and while my boat partner and our overturned boat swung around the corner, I got pulled under the water. I am a good swimmer and got out just fine, and was guided by the coaches to try and jump on with the next boat that went around.
…then they capsized too!
I ended up swimming the rapid, picking up lost water bottles and shoes on the way around. When I came out the other side, the first words I heard were “OMG Jamie, thank goodness you’re alive,” followed by big hugs.
I found out later that from my mates’ perspective, our boat came around without me, and my friends thought I was trapped somewhere. Then, just like a horror movie (or so I’m told), the spare helmet that our boat was carrying bobbed up to the surface and it looked like I was stuck under the boat. Without hesitation, my friend dived in and tried to help, before realising I wasn’t there. Several others went after her and tried to flip the boat back over. When I finally swung around the corner, smiling and fine, they were very relieved.
I wanted to share this story to demonstrate how caring our community is. I am blessed enough to have met amazing friends at this school who do not even hesitate when they think I am in danger. I love them so much, and I love that we have a School that fosters such strong lifelong connections.
What do you hope to do next year and in your future?
I’m deeply passionate about storytelling and creating spaces where people can share their experiences and connect through empathy. I believe stories have the power to bring us closer together, fostering understanding and community. I hope to pursue an Arts degree with a focus on film next year, and I’m looking forward to the journey ahead!
I am excited to keep in touch with all of my mates from school (and a couple of my teachers!) and meet many new friends. Most of all, I am excited to see where life takes me, and what I learn and discover.
