Stanmore Optimism breeds opportunity Mr Andrew Quinane has joined Newington in the role of Deputy Head of Stanmore (Students). I was fortunate to have an inspirational fuelled my passion and his belief in me music teacher in high school and was resolute. These were amazing consequently discerned that I wished to experiences and a long held dream pursue the same vocation. I studied realised. I owe much to Mr Gard. He Music and Education at UNSW and my taught me more about life and how to first teaching position was at Sarah be an effective teacher than just how Redfern High School. I couldn’t honestly to sing. say I felt at home in the classroom. It I am most engaged in life when I am was clear I had much to learn (I still do!) part of a great team working towards a and there were moments when I common goal. Good humour, steely questioned if this was the right career determination, high expectations and for me. Fortunately, there were also accountability, along with the feeling like occasions when students grew and their you need a little more time, are all learning was tangible. Gradually, I began important ingredients. I find constant to feel more at home. negativity—in the news, in the I taught in government schools for three workplace or in relationships—to be a years before moving into independent drain on the soul. education and have been teaching in Opportunity is everywhere. It can be boys’ schools for the past 16 years, at intentionally provided by someone or lie St Aloysius’ College and Shore. I have latent, waiting to be discovered. learnt many things teaching boys: they Importantly, seizing an opportunity like competition, they respect mastery involves decision making—will I or won’t of subject and they value a personal I? I believe a good education equips story or narrative that has meaning and students with the necessary skills to purpose. Most of all, though, boys value make good decisions. It will help respect and they tend not to care what students to decide which opportunities you know until they know you care. are worth pursuing and which are not. Mr Andrew Quinane Teachers and coaches have always In education, we should always be played a big part in my life. In 1988, I looking to provide opportunities for our In the words of Winston Churchill: was selected to play for the NSW U/17 students to grow and flourish. More “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every cricket team. However, I lacked importantly, we should be doing this opportunity; an optimist sees the confidence and wasn’t sure I deserved through a lens of positivity. opportunity in every difficulty.” to be there. My coach recognised this and gently reassured me that I had done the hard work and had earned my place. More than that, though, he reminded me My opportunity: William Stormont (9/MO) that playing cricket (and any game, for that matter) was supposed to be fun. He My biggest opportunity has been gave me the imprimatur to go out and the chance to open myself up to enjoy batting and not to worry about new experiences and taking on failing. It was a good lesson and one I new co-curricular. A great example have carried with me through life. of this is the musical Guys and Alongside teaching, I have always loved Dolls. I knew from the people singing. In 2003, my singing teacher, Mr around me that it would an exciting Robert Gard, offered me a scholarship experience and it was. for a year, providing tuition at no cost. I I had never been in a musical remember vividly, in my first lesson back before, and it very different to for 2004, reaching for my wallet to pay. what I had experienced being a He said, “This is my way of giving back rower, but I am thrilled I took the to the art I love. We’ll see this through chance because it has opened me until you sing for the company.” Despite up to new possibilities and two unsuccessful auditions for Opera experiences. I hope to take more Australia, I didn’t pay for another lesson opportunities in co-curricular in the until I was finally given a position in the future. William Stormont chorus for two operas in 2008/9, Aida and Billy Budd. Mr Gard’s generosity OPPORTUNITY| NEWS AUTUMN 2018| 23