Toongabbie Christian College

SAM PAYNE Student 2010-2015

Ah, Toonie, where to start? 40 years of memories, including four and a half of the most impactful and challenging years of my life, are so hard to shrink into a small synopsis. My first day of school at TCS was actually my birthday. A socially awkward, scared kid who really didn’t like school. Maybe you can relate to this? Over the next half decade, I’d mess up countless times, create friends whose weddings I’ve been to, cry a river of tears, laugh until my sides hurt, learn from some great human beings (who also happened to be teachers), push every boundary possible and eventually find my footing a little. I hated when people would say to me to, ‘enjoy school because it passes so fast.’ When you’re at school that’s not true. It’s painfully slow. I remember clearly how the last few hours of the day seemed to pass by the slowest, whether it was an after class, a final period or a Friday ‘arvo’ detention (I had a lot of those), the hours always seemed to grind away excruciatingly slowly. But what people don’t tell you is that while you’re at school you’re making lifelong memories and learning lessons that will stick with you for the rest of your life. I remember clearly discovering the joy of music with my friends under the wise tutelage of Mr Wakeling or being given permission to try new things and be myself in Mrs Elmer’s art room. Most importantly though, what I remember most about Toonie is the incredible kindness that was shown to me by people - staff and students who were around me during the painful early first draft of growing into the person I’m becoming today. I don’t so much remember specific memories; I remember the people that made that time so special. Every day I gave a reason for people to write me off as someone who wouldn’t change and couldn’t be a good student or even a respectable person. Yet, at every step of the way there was a staff member or student who would peer inside and pull something out of me that I couldn’t see in myself. I think specifically of Sarah Ramdoo and Amy Saleh who both took me under their wing, as older (and wiser) students, to care for me, letting me know when I’d be sent out of class to the ‘glass doors’ that I had a bright future and I wasn’t what I’d done. I think of Annabelle May Vella who helped me figure out schooling while being ill by sharing her experience with me in such a kind manner. I think about James Volpe, who was my only friend for a very long time and was the driving force that invited me to youth repeatedly until one day I went and my life (and eternity) changed forever. He showed me how to be a man of integrity and forgive 70 times 7 (Matthew 18:21-22). I think About Chelsea Duddle (now Mifsud) who has been one of my best friends for about a decade and whose wedding I recently attended (and yes, cried like a baby). I think of a group of friends (Aiden, Jack, Samantha, Hannah, Monique and Tayla) who were the day-to-day joy of my schooling. I think of Sean Castle who single-handedly showed me the power of not giving up on someone and who, sacrificing so much, allowed me to finish my schooling by championing me and encouraging me in a way that only he could. So here’s to the people that have made up Toonie for the past four decades and here’s to you! The future Alumni. You’re adding to the audience of those who have gone before you, cheering you on.

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