Staff in Focus

Q & A with . . . Mr D'Souza

College alumnus Mr D'Souza (Class of 1995) returned to his role as Head of House at the beginning of this term after some well-deserved long service leave . . . 

SNN: Welcome back, Mr D’Souza. How was your Term 1 break?

AD: My break was fantastic. Weather was great and got a few projects done at home.

SNN: This week was Xanten Founders Day, a special day on the St Norbert College calendar. What did you enjoy most about the day?

AD:  I think recognising our Founders who have sacrificed and worked hard so that we can have not just this College, but the great community that comes along with it. Getting together with the students in Xanten and celebrating a liturgy is is also another part I enjoy the most because it recognises the purpose of what our Founders worked for. 

SNN: As a student you were in Kilnacrott House. Did you ever imagine you would one day become a Head of House?

AD:  No, I never thought I would be a teacher when I was a student, let alone a Head of House.  

SNN: Do you still see any of your school friends?

AD: I do and I have had the pleasure of teaching some of their sons and daughters. It has been coincidental how the circle of life has worked. 

SNN: How has St Norbert College changed for today' students compared to when you attended here?

AD: Obviously the buildings and the layout of the College has changed slightly from when I came to school. Buildings like the BP Forum, Cappenburg and Xanten Performing Arts have added to the architecture of the school.  Another difference is there is a lot more opportunity for students to engage in co-curricular activities throughout their time at SNC and the amount of different career paths in upper school. 

SNN: Who was your favourite teacher?

AD: I had a few - Mr Rogan, Mr Hulshoff, Miss O’Neil, Mr Muller, Miss Anthony. Probably most of all was my Homeroom teacher, Brother Pat. 

SNN: What inspired you to become a teacher?

AD: Knowing that I make a difference to another person’s life. This may be not necessarily in what I teach them in the subject but the bond that you form students and the community from which they are part of. It is nice when you see an ex-student and they go out of their way to say “hi” and have a chat. 

SNN: Which subjects did you teach before moving into your current role?

AD: I was teaching Year 8, 9 and 10 Science.  I got to know a lot of students teaching lower school and this made my transition to  the Head of House position a lot easier. 

SNN: What are your plans for the future of Xanten House?

AD: To continue to grow the tradition and attitude within the House of striving to be the “First and Best”.   

Mrs L Quartermain

(Community Relations and Marketing)