Where are they now – Josh de Voogel (SPC 2012-17)

The College recently reconnected with 2017 College Dux Josh de Voogel (SPC 2012-17) when he visited the College recently to speak with Year 12 students about his university life and living on campus. Josh has many fond memories of his time at SPC and the importance it has played in his life so far.

 

Where has life taken you since leaving SPC?

I am currently a resident at Mannix College studying law and science at Monash University on the Clayton campus.

 

What are your fondest memories of your time at St Patrick’s College?

I think the mateship, being in a classroom with all of your friends and striving and pushing each other together to get the best results in the classroom, and also outside the classroom, at lunchtime, playing soccer on the Jo Walter Field, that was good fun.

 

Which teacher from your time at SPC had the greatest impact on you? Why?

I would have to say Mr (Hamish) McCrum and Mr (Geoff) Brodie were the two biggest influencers. Mr McCrum for his sense of humour in Maths always helped, and Mr Brodie was just an incredible teacher, very insightful and a great mentor.

 

How has your education shaped your professional life?

I think St Patrick’s College is an incredible base, a really solid base to go on and do tertiary study. Also not just academically, but spiritually and building you up as a person, you find yourself in difficult situations sometimes, and what you learn from St Patrick’s College often puts you in good stead.

 

How has your time at SPC shaped your personal values and your family life?

I think the respect component, values and ability to get along with everyone else.

 

If you could pass on one message to the students of today, what would it be?

Having a belief and faith in yourself is often undervalued. I think there is a bit of a stigma that St Patrick’s is not the best school compared to Clarendon or Grammar, but that is absolutely not the case. You can go out and really achieve great things from this school.

 

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