Staff in Focus

Q&A with . . . Mrs Leon Rogers

JOY, sadness and relief are just three emotions felt by Year 12 Co-ordinator, Mrs Leon Rogers, when she oversaw the formal graduation of 127 students from the Class of 2022. Here, the Head of Tongerlo House reveals what was involved behind the scenes of Graduation Day and why she loves teaching at St Norbert College.  

St Norbert News: How would you describe the Class of 2022?

LR: They were a very eclectic class - diverse in their ideas, tastes and friendships and when asked to be present as one, they always rose to the occasion and they never let me or each other down.

SNN: What was the highlight of this year’s Graduation Day for you? 

LR:  I have two and they’re hard to separate. I love watching the students' videos to see how they’ve grown and I always take pride in watching them walk down to accept their Graduation certificates from Fr Peter and Mr Harvey. It makes me so proud as they walk tall, take in the moment and stand together in their Houses for the final time. It’s always the same and this year was no different.

SNN: How long did you work on the Class of 2022’s Graduation Day and what was involved?  

LR:  Preparation started at the end of Year 11, 2021, when the students were fitted for their leaver's jackets and orders were placed. The many events planned for Graduation take all year and are prepared by many staff in a range of roles, not just myself - it really is a community event. My role is to oversee it but it certainly doesn’t happen in isolation.  It’s difficult to describe what’s involved in the planning as there are many facets from co-ordinating with outside suppliers like the photographers, caterers, graduating sashes; working with the Campus Ministry, Fr Peter, Ms Rainford for the Graduation Mass, working with the Heads of House, Library staff, Community Relations for the Farewell Assembly, and of course working with the students to ensure it’s a special celebration for them. The Graduation Committee were the drivers of Graduation for me as it’s their celebration and it needed to be reflective of them as a year group and I’m really proud to have shared this experience with them and for them.

SNN: What range of emotions were experienced at Graduation? 

LR:  Joy, sadness, relief, excitement, grateful, connectedness.

SNN: What was your own education and graduation like?

LR: I spent the last four years of my education at New Norcia Catholic College as a border as my family lived in the Pilbara and the schooling was limited. When you board in a small school your peers become your extended family, so I remember being really excited to graduate and a bit relieved to finish school and return home to my family, but it was also really overwhelming as you weren’t just saying farewell to your teachers and friends you were farewelling your ‘family’ and the likelihood of seeing them regularly was very slim. As a small school our Graduation was a very quiet affair where we had a formal dinner and a few speeches. Nothing like what we do at St Norbert’s.

SNN: What inspired you to become a teacher?

LR:  I love learning, I love sharing my knowledge with others and I really enjoy being with people. I had very fond memories of being at school and having great relationships with my teachers who made me aspire to reach my potential, and I very much wanted to be able to do this for others.

SNN: What do you love about being Head of Tongerlo House?

LR:   Working with the students and their families. I get to see the very best in them and guide them when they’re not being the best version of themselves. I love the staff, not just Tongerlo staff  but St Norbert staff and that we work together for a common goal. I love that even on days when I’m exhausted I can always find something or someone to have a laugh with.

SNN: Your talents in the kitchen are legendary and we also know how good you are at crafts. Do you have any hidden talents?

LR:   So many, but not many that I’d probably like to share with others. Some things in life should remain a mystery.

SNN: Back to food then - what's the best food group?

LR: Cheese and chocolate - they’re food groups in themselves, aren’t they?

Mrs L Quartermain

(Community Relations and Marketing)