The event brought together 2025 Year 12 students, alumni, and teachers who had been at the school for a significant time. It provided a unique opportunity for students to connect with alumni from diverse career fields, including law, education, performing arts, sports management, paramedicine, and biomedical science. Alumni engaged with students in small-group discussions, answering questions and offering valuable advice about life after school.
The event showcased the diverse career pathways taken by the 11 alumni who attended, offering valuable insights and inspiration to the current students. Alumni travelled from Sydney, Tasmania, Canberra, and local areas to share their experiences. Among them were a lawyer with the Australian Government Solicitor in Sydney, a scientist testing medical devices and medicines for the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and a paramedic with experience working in London and Canberra. Others included a real estate business owner with a background in mechanical engineering, a teacher who transitioned from economics and finance, and a drama professional who founded their own performance collective. Alumni also shared stories of working in snow grooming before joining Snowy Hydro, combating human trafficking with the Australian Border Force, pursuing sports management roles with elite organisations, and studying a Bachelor of Education inspired by their school experiences. Another alumnus spoke about their current studies at the University of Tasmania. Each journey highlighted unique opportunities and challenges, underscoring the varied pathways available after school.
Graduate John Hukins, now working in high-performance sport, reflected on the event: “It was great to be back at JCS, reconnecting with fellow alumni and getting to meet some of the Year 12 students. I really enjoyed telling the students about my career in high-performance sport, and I hope they can take a few lessons home about how they can find a career that they enjoy.”
One of the highlights of the event was when the microphone was passed around, giving teachers and alumni the chance to reflect on their favourite memories of the school. These stories, ranging from funny moments to pivotal experiences, celebrated the school’s vibrant history and the strong bonds formed within its community.
Long-time JCS/JHS teacher Mr Kowalewski shared, “I think there’s so much value in being able to meet up with past students and have them interact with some of the present students as well, to tell their stories. It was so good to reminisce about some good times, some really challenging times as well, but really so many funny times. And I think to be able to have that sort of continuation, to pass on stories, and for current students to see the opportunities others have taken, really shows how special Jindabyne Central/High School has been.”
Year 12 student Hugh Cooper appreciated the advice shared during the event, saying, “I think the benefits of the alumni event was that talking to the past graduates, it’s good to hear like advice for my career and what I want to do in the future. And, it was good to hear the funny stories of what the alumni said in high school.”
Year 10 students helped make the day a success by preparing the venue, serving refreshments, and documenting the event with photography. Guests enjoyed a light lunch and received commemorative gifts, including an engraved glass and pen featuring the school’s crest.
Special thanks to our Careers Adviser, Ms Green, for instigating and coordinating the event. Her dedication ensured its success and demonstrated the school’s commitment to guiding students towards their future careers.
The event demonstrated the strength of the Jindabyne school community and its commitment to fostering connections between past and present students. As the school prepares for its future at a new location, it continues to celebrate the achievements of its alumni and inspire the next generation.
Alumni Event photo album: https://jindabyne-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/gallery/2024-alumni-event.html
