Public schools should embrace ‘old boys and girls’, successful Sydneysiders say

While they hold their own against their private counterparts in the classroom, NSW officials and successful Sydneysiders say there’s one practice the state’s public schools could benefit from.

Successful Sydneysiders – including the boss of the NSW Education Department – say graduates of public schools need to champion them more, and embrace the concept of the old boys’ and girls’ networks just as private schools do.

More than a dozen VIP state school alumni are being ushered back in to their former classrooms over the coming weeks in a campaign to highlight current students’ potential for greatness and spark connections between generations of students.

RBA Governor Michelle Bullock will be back at Armidale High School – renamed to Armidale Secondary College since she attended – this week, while influencer astrophysicist Kirsten Banks will return to Davidson High School in Frenchs Forest.

NSW Secretary of the Education Department Murat Dizdar admits public schools “haven’t done enough” to sell themselves as the educators of the city’s powerbrokers, from rugby league and racing boss Peter V’landys to great legal minds like former High Court Justice Michael Kirby.

“I want to see all our schools have a strong alumni network,” he said.

Michael Kirby shows off his old judicial robes – and debating trophy – to current Fort Street students in the school’s museum. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“We cover the array of occupations and leadership roles out there, and it inspires students daily.

“I’m determined to build pride in our students and our alumni, and I want every graduate in the public education system to get out there and declare … that they’re the product of the NSW public education system.”

Michael Kirby (left) pictured with Fort Street students back in 2002. Kirby visits his old high school regularly to meet and greet student – or facilitate a mock trial. Picture: Supplied

Mr Kirby and Mr Dizdar are among the many public servants who walked the hallways of Fort Street High School in Petersham at students – albeit in different generations.

A rarity among public schools, Fort Street has a ‘foundation’ charity funded by well-heeled ex-students, as well as an alumni ‘union’ – something principal Juliette McMurray said any school can emulate.

“There was some old boys from around Michael Kirby’s era that wanted to put the foundation together and work out a way to give back to the school, and they also reach out to (other alumni) to come and talk to the kids,” Ms McMurray explained.

“We had a robotics team that competed internationally and came second in the southeast Asian robotics championship; they were funded part of their fare by the Fort Street Foundation because they wouldn’t have been able to afford to go to Korea.”

Tea and biscuits with Governor-General Sam Mostyn at Fort Street High School’s museum and archive on Monday. Picture: Rohan Kelly

On Monday the strength of the school’s alumni network was on full display, with Justice Kirby – a regular visitor – descending on a Year 11 legal studies class with fellow alumnus Simeon Beckett SC and his wife, Governor-General Sam Mostyn, by his side.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn and her husband, Simeon Beckett visit Fort Street High School. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“Fort Street has always been a strong legal school, and always had judges come out and talk to the students,” Justice Kirby said.

“I always thought ‘gee they’re old’ – but in fact they were much younger than I am now!”

Simeon Beckett SC (on right facing camera) during his school days at Fort Street in 1977. He would later become a leading barrister – and husband to the woman occupying the highest office in the land. Picture: Supplied

The trio offered up advice to students seeking themselves to one day join the bar, with Beckett and Kirby reminiscing on their good old school days – along with the technology, or lack thereof, in their day.

Giants among schoolkids: Michael Kirby, Simeon Beckett SC and Her Excellency the Governor-General Sam Mostyn field questions from a legal studies class. Picture: Rohan Kelly

85-year-old Kirby was Her Excellency’s first boss, having hired Mostyn as a judge’s associate during his days heading up the NSW Court of Appeal.

“I think maybe one of the reasons he gave me a position as an associate … is that I had come through the public system, and he has always been an incredible champion of public education,” Her Excellency said.

Selfies with the GG – a highlight for the school choir. Picture: Rohan Kelly

While the ‘Fortian’ connection is a special one for former students, Kirby said, the school’s “democratic” roots are ultimately also meritocratic.

“You don’t get to this school on your father’s money,” he said.

“Kids get here on their talent, they have to earn their place, and they have to earn their successes.”