Punchbowl High School honours four greats Folkes, Manuel, Thomson, Pascoe
IF PUNCHBOWL High School students wanted motivation to reach the highest echelons, they could look no further than four of the world-class sportsmen they have produced.
The Express
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IF PUNCHBOWL High School students wanted motivation to reach the highest echelons, they could look no further than four of the world-class sportsmen they have produced.
And in a fitting tribute, principal Robert Patruno and his staff named the four new college houses after their famous alumni: rugby league’s Steve Folkes, cricket’s Jeff Thomson and Len Pascoe and football’s Garry Manuel.
“I wanted the school to honour our brilliant students,” said principal Patruno, who is overseeing several positive initiatives in the school.
“I had been at so many schools where I used to see pictures of their famous students and thought why we do it here.
“I called Len (Pascoe) last year to discuss this last year and he was very supportive.
Last Thursday, Folkes’s children Hayley Folkes Shaw and Daniel Folkes joined Manuel and Pascoe at a special school assembly where the new houses and colours were announced to rousing cheers. All the students and teachers wore their new house colours with pride.
Thomson was unable to make it but said he would attend the school another day.
According to his great mate Pascoe, Thomson said he was honoured to have a house named after him.
Manuel, Pascoe and Ms Anderson spoke of how setbacks did not hold them back in their lives and careers.
Pascoe enlivened the morning with his tales and encouraged the students to do their best.
“Our thanks to the Punchbowl High School teachers because we learnt a lot .... the ghosts of the past (in the school) are quite phenomenal,” he said.
Pascoe, who formed a lethal fast bowling combination with Thompson at school and Bankstown Sports Club, said the more he was put down, the more he fought back.
Pascoe said he knew what the boys were going through.
“There were guys who put me down but I thank them for motivating me,” Pascoe said.
“I have the baggy green and they don’t.
“I remember my first day at the school, I had never felt so nervous in my life and I know how hard it can be for first generation children.”
“Punchbowl High has produced lots of good sportsmen,” Manuel, who represented Australia at the 1974 World Cup said. “I was actually the captain of the cricket team and Thomson and Pascoe played under me.
“This is a huge honour for me and I am very humbled.”
The modest Manuel is the only student from Punchbowl High who made it to the highest levels of football.
Australia and Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs all-time great Steve Folkes, who died earlier this year, was very proud of Punchbowl High, according to his children.
“Dad always spoke highly about the school and he will be proud that they have honoured him in this way,” Ms Folkes Shaw said.
Canterbury Bulldogs CEO Lynn Anderson and two players, Marcelo Montaya and Chris Smith, also spoke about their experiences.
In the evening, rugby league great Wayne Pearce spoke to the school community. According to one of the organisers, Francis Floresca — the English and drama teacher — Pearce had the audience enthralled.
“He was such a natural enabler and his demeanour and presence matches the nature of his life story, it was truly empowering,” Floresca said.