Staff in Focus

Q&A with . . . Mr Walley-Stack

Isaiah Walley-Stack grew up travelling between Perth and Northam, attended Trinity College (Class of 2015) then set off for the US where he attended the Conrad Academy in Orlando, Florida, for a year and a half at age 18. In 2018, Isaiah was offered a scholarship at Herkimer College in New York, studying business marketing. His journey is quite a story . . .  

SNN: What led you to St Norbert College? 

IWS: I became an Aboriginal Teaching Assistant because I wanted to bring my worlds of culture and my passion for youth development together. I got extremely lucky to be at St Norbert College, right next door to my old primary school St Joseph's and being a well-known basketball-orientated school. I feel God put this opportunity on a silver platter for me. I've had various jobs previously, such as in Aboriginal health work, youth employment and as a personal trainer at F45, so when I came across an opportunity to work for the development of Aboriginal youth in a school environment and implement cultural protocols, I couldn’t not apply.

SNN: What does your role here involve?

IWS: I have brought a mentorship and cultural educator role into the school. I am the middle man between Aboriginal students and staff, and assist the College on its journey to be a highly decorated multicultural school for all.

SNN: What are your aims regarding teaching and promoting Aboriginal culture among the staff and students?

IWS: I’d like us as a community to be culturally safe and proud. This means being in a place where we’re able to have those tough and/or awkward topics of conversation for the sake of development and education. My goal is to educate these kids the best I can on their culture, to embrace it, and to wear it with pride throughout their journey. I want these kids to know there are no limits on what they can achieve. I also want to culturally educate the staff and St Norbert community to be as aware of our students who walk in two worlds, to be sensitive to social issues, and to be confident in their knowledge of cultural proceedings.

SNN: What was the best thing about your own education?

IWS: Being in a position where I could pass on my teachings and life lessons. After all, what good is knowledge and wisdom if you aren’t passionate about sharing. I have always had the privilege to learn my culture while being educated enough to understand it, and I am now passionate enough to forever learn

SNN: How would you describe your upbringing?

IWS: A happy struggle. I grew up with a single mother and I am the eldest of six. I lived with Mum but was often raised by my grandparents as my parents had me at the age of only 17. I reconnected with dad later in life and was able to learn a lot about my culture through him. 

SNN: What family traits or talents do you have?

IWS: Being a showman and performer, I've been on stage since nappies doing cultural performances, speaking and plays. I think this is where I get the confidence and passion for my culture from. I perform regularly with Perth Symphony Orchestra, celebrity welcomes, and various companies and Perth events. I play didgeridoo, dance and welcomes as well as public speaking. I also play guitar, drums and percussion and a little piano. I still run my small business “Bloodline Training Academy” where I conduct school cultural leadership crash courses and I'm into personal training, boxing and muay thai.

SNN: Who taught you the didgeridoo and how often do you play?

IWS: I was taught by my father and by my grandfather, Dr Richard Walley. I didn’t get the circular breathing until I was 14 years old. I play whenever I am booked for a show. Or I want to scare my partner!

SNN: Basketball is also a big part of your life. Did you play much in America?

IWS: Yes, I played a lot.When I was in Florida, I played against other academies such as IMG and Montverde Academy (that produced the likes of Ben Simmons and D’Angelo Russell). Some team mates have now gone onto D1 and NBA such as Lu Dort for the OKC Thunder and NBA players Jason William and Taco Fall.

SNN: Closer to home, you play against another basketball great in Mr Ryan Godfrey, Rockingham Flames captain and our Director of Sport, right? 

IWS: I play NBL1 for Mandurah Magic and have the scary task of playing against Mr Godfrey and the Rockingham Flames! I have a huge admiration for Mr Godfrey and his contribution on and off the court to the Rockingham Flames community. I  believe it's God's work that he has put myself in a position to learn from someone who is a true leader; how he conducts himself in a basketball aspect, in the school environment and being family orientated. I am extremely grateful and have a lot of respect for Mr Godfrey. But it doesn’t mean I am going to take it easy on him in Round 6 - coming up on May 5!

SNN: Another string to your bow is being named the 2021 NAIDOC Perth Sports Person of the Year. What do you consider your biggest achievement to date? 

IWS: Being exactly where I am today - working full-time, renting, playing NBL1 and living a happy life. Don’t get me wrong - that was really cool and I am proud of being 2021 NAIDOC Sports Person of the Year but I have worked so much harder to achieve the life I am currently living.

SNN: A highlight of your time at St Norbert College so far?

IWS: Being told by a student at the swimming carnival that they had never seen an applause after a Welcome to Country. That made me proud and I knew straight away I was going to make a difference here.

Mrs L Quartermain

(Community Relations and Marketing)