31 Aug 2019
By Francis Floresca
Last week, fourteen old boys returned to Punchbowl Boys’ High School to help promote the links between learning and success in their alma mater.
Trevor Matthews, now a director for AMP Limited after graduating in 1969, spoke extensively about the impact of great teaching in his life.
“When I was at Punchbowl Boys, I learned the importance of hard work. I learned that you can do all right by drifting along but it was important to have a go and apply yourself,” Matthews said when asked about how his time in the school helped set him up for his current success.
“That lesson has stayed with me throughout my life so far. I was honestly inspired by my teachers and the fellows around me all those years ago,” he added with a huge smile on his face.
Former vice-captain and solicitor Ken Scully echoed Matthews’ sentiments and offered the highest of praise for his former teachers from fifty years ago.
“Because of my time here, I had a good grounding in literature, English, problem-solving and, analytical thinking – all key elements of a lawyer’s role,” Scully proudly proclaimed as he spoke about the critical part that his experiences in Punchbowl Boys played as he pursued a career in law.
“My teachers gave me the confidence and skills I needed to thrive in my current profession,” added Scully who now runs his own legal practice – Scully Legal - in Bankstown.
Bruce “The Gentleman Magician” Glen, who wowed students with his tricks, said he will never forget the messages that were instilled in him by his teachers at Punchbowl Boys’ High School.
“My memory of school was one of great happiness. It was a great time in my life,” Glen said, “We were very proud of the school. We were told that nothing was impossible. We felt special because we came to this school. It was an encouraging environment. It set the basis for my future career.”
With twenty years of experience in television and radio, another fifteen in public relations and now a thriving career as a magician in one of Sydney’s most prestigious venues in the Sir Stamford at Circular Quay, there is no doubt Glen has taken the messages he received at Punchbowl Boys and used it to fuel a wonderful life.
But perhaps, it was the sentiments of former senior prefect Stephen Wilkes that best summed up the impact of great teachers.
“We had incredible teachers who I stayed friends with my whole life. They were my mentors even after I graduated,” Wilkes said with high zest, even after a long day of mentoring students about numeracy.
“This is where I learned all the classic values – integrity, compassion, understanding, sensitivity, how to be fair dinkum, you name it,” he added with his pensive eyes now filled with nostalgia, “Looking back now, I cannot imagine life without them.”
When asked about what stood out the most about the day, Scully was quick to point out that it was the fact that the role of teachers as beacons of hope in Punchbowl Boys’ High School has not changed since his time.
“What the staff has done here is remarkable. What we’ve seen here today was a dedicated teaching staff and enthusiastic students who have been taught well to engage with people - even with those who are from older generations such as myself,” Scully said with excitement.
“We were just like these kids,” he added.
Radford Baghdadi, a current student who is aspiring to be a school leader, said that the impact of the old boys’ visit was instant among his peers.
“It gave us a great sense of pride. It makes me feel proud of being a student at our school,” said Baghdadi as he basked in the presence of Punchbowl Boys greats. “It showed me that we could achieve great things despite any adversity pitted against us.”
Matthews has one message for every old boy who might want to reconnect with Punchbowl Boys’ High School: “Don’t be frightened to pick up the phone or send an e-mail. The school did a lot for us so hopefully, we can do the same in return.”
“The old boys' fraternity will continue to assist in any way we can in personifying for these kids the notion that they can achieve anything,” Scully added.
The former students spent all day running workshops for current students in an effort to promote how literacy, numeracy, transition, wellbeing, 21st-century learning, sport & creative expression and, global citizenship as critical elements to learning and achievement.