Mr McIntosh bids farewell to classroom and library

Andrew McIntosh became a permanent fixture at Trinity College having spent his entire teaching career with us. After starting his training for primary teaching he switched mid-stream and then applied for a job at Trinity.

Andrew walked in the doors here in 1978 and was offered a teaching role by Brother Fogarty after a rather informal weekend interview as Brother Fogarty trimmed the hedges near the tennis courts and fired questions.

Andrew impressed the Principal and began a career that took him through several teaching roles in the school including Woodwork, English, Maths, Geography, History, French and Graphics. His final role was a mix of Library and Wood, which Andrew said had been a good balance.

Andrew studied through Monash University to get his Librarian qualifications after Helen Paatsch’s departure and has thoroughly enjoyed the role.

Andrew said the school had grown enormously in his time in both facilities and student numbers. When he started the school was primarily the St Joseph’s building and Rice Wing with a staff room in the old Tuck building.

“There’s been a lot of changes to adapt to in teaching methods and expectations and every year has been different,” he said.

“I’ve taught kids and now their kids are coming through. I better get moving before I teach their grandkids.”

Andrew said he would miss the people at school but was really looking forward to the next chapter of his life and has a few projects lined up for family and friends.

Andrew’s father and uncle (twins) were teachers, and his daughter Eliza and son-in-law Grant both teach, so he is content that the family tradition will continue.

He will be sorely missed for generosity and support of everyone around the school. He was always prepared to help other areas and if a prop was needed for the school production he was first on the tools, as he was with the latest production - Footloose.

Andrew retruned to help open the new St Joseph's Resource Centre in 2019 and hand-crafted the timber triunes which proudly adorn each of the rooms in the centre.