Staff in Focus

Q and A with . . . Mr Aquino

Enjoying his first teaching role since graduating from Edith Cowan University in 2020, Physical Education teacher Jacob Aquino is also the coordinator of the College’s new and exciting Specialised Football Program. Mr Aquino has been playing the 'real kind of football' since age three and reveals what’s in store for our keen footballers.

SNN: Thanks for joining us and congratulations on the launch of the Specialised Football Program. Please tell us what it’s all about . . .

JA: The Specialised Football Program was launched at the beginning of 2022 and I am extremely excited to begin working with our students and helping them improve their skills and understanding of the ‘beautiful game’. In Years 8, 9 and 10, students accepted into the program will have a Specialised Football elective which will run twice a week. 

SNN: Is there a selection criteria?

JA: Students who are enrolled at SNC can fill out an application form (see the link below) to apply for a position in the program. Once an application form has been submitted, students are encouraged to attend our open training day late in Term 2. 

SNN: Will the program run much like our Specialised Basketball Program?

JA: We are lucky to already have an elite specialised program at SNC and the football program will hope to follow suit. Morning training sessions will be held prior to carnivals and competitions run by ACC and SSWA. All of our students in the program should be aiming to represent the College in these competitions.

SNN: How will the football program complement a player’s education and everyday life?

JA: The main aim of our program is to help guide our students in not only their footballing journey, but life as a while. This is achieved through striving for excellence in all facets of College life. 

SNN: What is your own experience with the ‘beautiful game’ and which team or teams do you support?

JA: I have played football (the real kind) since I was three years old. I played for 25 years of my life and although I have had a few serious injuries, I didn’t consider playing a different sport. I am a passionate Chelsea fan and still to this day wake up and watch every game even the ones at 3am. I try to attend as many Perth Glory games as I can and am hoping we can soon return the glory days of the old NSL. I also support any team that plays against Man United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool.

SNN: What inspired you to become a Physical Education teacher?

JA: I ran my own coaching business where we went to primary schools (mainly kindy) and taught a range of sports including fundamental movement skills. It was then I realised that I wanted to challenge myself and start my secondary teaching degree. When I was in high school, the teachers who had the biggest impact on me were my PE teachers.

SNN: What were you like as a student?

JA: I went to Corpus Christi College in Bateman and was a student who was always interested in anything to do with sport or physical education. I really enjoyed being at Corpus and still catch up with many of my school friends. 

SNN: What were your first impressions of St Norbert College?

JA: Both my parents went to St Norbert College and my dad became a teacher and the Head of the Phys Ed Department during his teaching career. When I was lucky enough to be given St Norbert as my final practicum at university, I was excited to be able to teach at a college that has played a part in my family’s upbringing. At the completion of my practicum, I then was lucky enough to have an interview with Fr Peter and Mr Harvey for a position at SNC and have loved every minute being a part of this community. Whilst on prac in 2020, the PE staff made me feel welcome and it has been an enjoyable start to my career.

SNN: Outside of the College, what is your favourite sport to watch and play?

JA: I do enjoy watching most sports on the weekend but mainly EPL, NBA and NFL and the occasional horse race. My favourite sports to play would definitely be football and tennis as those were my two main sports growing up. 

SNN: Do you think we might have the next Sam Kerr or Harry Kewell in our midst?

JA: That is a hard question to answer. My main role as the coordinator of the program is to help our students reach their full footballing potential whether that be playing professionally overseas or playing locally in a Football West-run league. The sky is the limit for our students as long as they continue to apply themselves not only in specialised programs, but in all aspects of SNC.

To apply for Specialised Football visit https://www.norbert.wa.edu.au/specialised-basketball-program/specialised-football-program/

Mrs L Quartermain

(Community Relations and Marketing)