Old school ties: Where our hospitality and arts identities went to school
Adelaide’s leading sports, hospitality and arts identities dust off their old scrapbooks to share their fondest school memories and reveal the teachers who helped them where they are today.
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Adelaide’s couture king Paul Vasileff might not be where he is today if not for his former high school teacher Tonia Carfora.
The internationally-renowned designer behind top label Paolo Sebastian said it was Carfora who encouraged him to apply for a prestigious scholarship to study in the fashion capital of the world – Milan – after high school.
“Tonia (or Signora) Carfora was one of my most influential teachers at school. I still keep in touch with her,” said Vasileff, who attended Cardinia Catholic School and Christian Brothers College.
“She was actually the one who pushed for me to apply to study fashion design in Milan and filled out my application for me (she was no longer my teacher at that stage).
“If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have gone.”
Vasileff secured the prized scholarship to the world-renowned Instituto Europeo di Design in Milan in 2010 and his career has since taken off, showcasing his designs globally and dressing some of the world’s biggest celebrities.
Vasileff is among several Adelaide entertainment, hospitality and arts identities who have recalled their fondest school memories, revealed their most memorable teachers and shared their old school photos with The Advertiser.
Business SA chairwoman and Star of Greece co-owner Nikki Govan attended Seymour College and admitted she was “extremely naughty” at school.
“My hospitality days started early with a love for a twisty roll and a Farmers Union Iced Coffee,” she said.
“In later years, unbeknown to teachers and my parents, it was complemented with a tipple of Kahlua which made afternoon biology more interesting.”
Leading Adelaide restaurant owner Themis Chryssidis recalled the time he and a friend were caught leaving Prince Alfred College to grab lunch off-campus.
“We were walking down the street when a teacher happened to drive past. He saw us, we saw him. I kept walking, meanwhile Ben jumped into a bush and tried to hide … poorly,” said Chryssidis, co-owner of Eleven restaurant and Lou’s Place.
“The teacher did a U-turn, told Ben to get out of the trees, he stayed there thinking the teacher couldn’t see him until the teacher got out of the car and he finally gave up.
“The teacher told us to go to back to school and that we would get detention but it never happened. I don’t think he could be bothered doing the paperwork.”
LILY NOVA
Supermodel
Where did you go to school?
I went to Norwood Morialta High School and Stradbroke Primary School.
Were you a good student (why/why not)?
I won’t lie. I was away from school a lot due to a mixture of modelling jobs and lots of sick days from my then undiagnosed coeliac disease. I loved the subjects but sometimes it felt like class wasn’t the right environment for me to learn in. In year 12 I buckled down and became a proper student and enjoyed it immensely.
Who was your most memorable teacher and why?-
I couldn’t possibly choose between my most memorable high school teachers – they were my saving grace of year 12 and gave me a love of learning I’ll nurture forever. My history teacher Ms Bacon, my English teacher Ms Cox and my art teacher Ms S.P. All my teachers I had at Stradbroke are still near and dear to my heart. Mr Foot, especially.
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
At Stradbroke I rapped a song called You and Me are Family in front of the entire school and, yes, I included my own choreography.
PAUL VASILEFF
Paolo Sebastian Founder
Where did you go to school?
Cardinia Catholic School for primary and Christian Brothers College for high school.
Were you a good student (why/why not)?
Ha ha. I like to think so! Maybe depends on which teacher you speak to. In high school I feel I applied myself a bit more. I always striven to do my best even when I didn’t love the subject. I did fall asleep in class a lot because I was always up late sewing. I also remember getting in trouble for talking too much.
Who was your most memorable teacher and why?
Tonia (or Signora) Carfora was one of my most influential teachers at school. I still keep in touch with her. She was my year 8 S & E and Italian teacher till year 10. She was one of those teachers that goes above and beyond for her classes and made learning fun. She was actually the one who pushed for me to apply to study Fashion design in Milan and filled out my application for me (she was no longer my teacher at that stage). If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have gone.
She teaches at St Michael’s now and will often get me to come and speak to her students. I know my friend from school are also very grateful to her for instilling in us the thirst for knowledge.
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
In primary school I won a drawing competition for a fire safety poster. So as a prize my brothers and I got picked up and taken to school in a fire truck and the whole class got to use the fire hose and honk the horn. It was a great day.
From High school I just remember having a blast, I was very lucky to have a good group of friends who I still keep in close contact with. I started Paolo Sebastian in year 12 so that whole year was full of preparation for the launch and I remember walking into school after the launch (and a full page in The Advertiser) and students cheering and clapping congratulating it was like out of a movie. I was so embarrassed at the time but looking back I realise how lucky I was to have all that support behind me.
NIKKI GOVAN
Business SA Chair, Co-Owner Star of Greece, Victory Hotel
Where did you go to school?
Seymour College.
Were you a good student (why/why not)?
I was extremely naughty but excelled in sport. In year 7 I received a leadership in sport award but had to be good for six consecutive weeks to get it. It took 18 months!
Who was your most memorable teacher and why?
Mrs Macerath, year 3 who taught me the most useless but impressive party trick of reciting the alphabet backwards in five seconds.
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
My hospitality days started early with a love for a twisty roll and a Farmers Union Iced Coffee. In later years, unbeknown to teachers and my parents, it was complemented with a tipple of Kahlua which made afternoon biology more interesting.
RAYMOND CROWE
Acclaimed magician and “unusualist”
Where did you go to school?
Para Vista High School now Valley View Secondary School.
Were you a good student (why/why not)?
To be honest, I was not a great student while I was at school. My strengths were and are in the performing and artistic fields but fortunately, I found my way to the music department where I could just be myself and was encouraged by several teachers to pursue my strengths. If it wasn’t for the encouragement of my teachers at that time, my life may have taken a different direction.
Who was your most memorable teacher and why?
My most memorable teachers were from the music department. They said to me that the most important thing to remember is that you must follow your passion. Whatever that may be, and know that your passion may change many times throughout your life, so don’t be discouraged.
I have learnt that there is no right or wrong way to be successful – if you follow your own path you will be happy.
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
Perhaps this is why I loved my music department teachers the most …. Well it turned out that the head of the music department was a magic fan, so he would write excuse notes for my maths or science lessons, saying that Raymond had to rehearse for the school concert. Then we would spend all the lesson doing card tricks …. Looking back, I guess they knew that magic and entertainment was where my future lay.
HUGH SHERIDAN
Actor and performer
Where did you go to school?
Loretto reception to year 2, St Ignatians years 3-10, University Senior College year 11 and Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School for year 12.
Were you a good student (why/why not)?
I was a quiet and fairly lonely student till the girls came to the school and we all became pretty rowdy. I left for USC after year 10 as I wasn’t going to become a lawyer after all.
Who was your most memorable teacher and why?
Mrs Leslee Sniatynyj. She taught me Religion at St Ignatius and she made me so interested in Catholic history, she had a profound impact on my spiritual journey and interest in studying all religions and astronomy.
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
When I moved to USC (in its first year), we all had a lot of fun. There were lots of subjects I’d grown up thinking I couldn’t do and I guess having a fresh start with new teachers, suddenly I was good at maths and science, it was a very satisfying feeling especially with the pressure of year 11 and 12!
CHESTER OSBORN
d’Arenberg winemaker
Where did you go to school?
I went to McLaren Vale Primary School from years 1-7, and years 8-12 I went to Prince Alfred College.
Were you a good student (why/why not)?
The McLaren Vale School didn’t have homework and we combined classes (year levels) … so it was actually quite hard there, and my reading ability was very bad, I was good at maths but my reading was shocking. I was dyslexic and I spoke dyslexic well, my nickname was ‘Muddle’ but I also had Asperger syndrome and I had speech impediments such as a lisp.
At PAC, I had special studies and gradually my nickname changed to ‘Twisted Beak’. I was good at science, physics and maths but they always said I did well during the year but not quite so well during exams at the end of the year.
Who was your most memorable teacher and why?
I can remember quite a few of my teachers over the years but Clary Kurts was quite funny as a teacher. He was a funny gentleman, dressed in old-fashioned clothes and with a funny moustache. He talked in riddles a lot of the time with his teaching and he had little quirky names for everything so he was quite entertaining to listen to.
Jeffery Bean, the headmaster at PAC, was an amazing person, who could remember everyone’s names and all their relatives’ names. It was quite extraordinary.
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
I was a boarder at school so there was a lot of fun there, pillow fights and making very close friends. Boys can be pretty ruthless living together, it was quite interesting living closely with boys and just growing up, it was a great way to bystreet smart.
BECKY BLAKE
Singer and musician
Where did you go to school?
Most of my primary schooling was done in remote Northern Territory and Alice Springs and I went to secondary school at Brighton High in Adelaide.
Were you a good student (why/why not)?
I was a real goodie two shoes in primary school. I never even got told off! I excelled in literacy and won several national writing competitions, but although I wasn’t awful at maths I lacked a lot of confidence. I was always pretty competitive and could be harsh on myself. I rebelled in high school though because I discovered my wit and used it to push the limits, which often got me into trouble.
Who was your most memorable teacher and why?
I had a wonderful year seven teacher who really pushed me individually and extended my knowledge of literature. My high school piano teacher, Jeffrey Kong, was extraordinarily pivotal in my life and played a huge role in supporting me to become the musician I am today. He gave me belief in myself, challenged me to excel at levels I didn’t know I was capable of and helped me recognise and refine my talents. I won a scholarship to study at the conservatorium when I was in still in year 11. We are still very close now and he comes to all my cabaret shows, which means the world to me.
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
In Alice Springs there is a large American population, so Halloween was always my favourite time of year. We’d dress up, carve Jack-o’-lanterns out of paddy melons, drink “bat’s blood” (red cordial) and have sleepovers in the school library. My most horrifying moment at high school was when I got caught in a boy’s tent on our outdoor education camp in year 11 by the deputy principal, who looked like Blackbeard the pirate and he never let me live it down. I gained quite a reputation as a troublemaker, and I quite enjoyed being notorious!
HEATHER CROALL
Adelaide Fringe Chief Executive and Director
Where did you go to school?
I went to primary school in Whyalla and my early high school years were at Whyalla High School. In year 10, I went to Pembroke for my final three years of high school.
Were you a good student (why/why not)?
I was curious and interested, but I wasn’t exactly studious. I guess I have always been a bit “out there”, pushing boundaries and not one to conform to the norm. I loved to create fun and exciting experiences and adventures, and that often didn’t work too well within the boundaries of school. I questioned rules and regulations … especially the ones in the boarding house that seemed so extreme and old fashioned. This would quite often land me in a bit of trouble! I loved to laugh a lot and that is a big memory of school days for me – lots of laughter. The main thing I was obsessed with in my later years of high school was going travelling and as soon as I finished, that’s what I did – within weeks of my final exams, I was off flying on a plane to London.
Who was your most memorable teacher and why?
Dr Possingham was my Physics teacher and the Deputy Head of Senior School at Pembroke. She was an absolute force and had a big influence on me. While Dr Possingham could be tough and sometimes intimidating, she had a real interest in inspiring us all to truly excel in the world. She was very strict and always pushed me to do better. She would call me to her office to admonish me, but would always add, “Heather you are capable of so much more. Put in the hard work and it will pay off.” It wasn’t until much later in life that I discovered the level to which Dr Possingham was a truly amazing and ground breaking woman. She was among the first women to complete a PhD in Physics at Adelaide University in the 1950s; a time when there was hardly any women doing science at Uni, let alone a PhD in Physics. Dr Possingham always stressed to us all how important it was to be resilient, persistent and have a thick skin. I am grateful that she believed in me – I still think of her, and how she had a big influence on me.
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
So many stories … but while I have Dr Possingham in my thoughts, I remember one day in School Assembly there was a chaise longue at the back of the stage for some reason, and while the principal (Mrs Medlin) delivered her Assembly speech to the students, Dr Possingham tip toed over to the chaise longue and dramatically reclined onto it; she lay on her side, put her arm in a crook, rested her head on her hand, bent one knee up and looked to all the students in the hall – she gesticulated wildly with her other arm, waggling her finger to underline the seriousness of the message of the principal who was completely unaware of what was happening behind her. We were all giggling – I remember this scene because Dr Possingham always seemed so stern, almost draconian, and now here she was, showing us all this super cheeky and fun side to her character.
DANIEL MICHAEL
Director of Fringe venue Gluttony
Where did you go to school?
Rose Park Unit at Rose Park Primary School, Marryatville High, Campbelltown High.
Were you a good student? Why or why not?
At some points I was; at others, I was probably not the teachers’ favourite. Grades didn’t concern me until year 12 so I only worked at school when I was interested in the subject, or it was fun – like dancing in Rock and Roll Eisteddfods or running school socials. Looking back I can see that selective effort was probably really annoying for the teachers.
Who was my most memorable teacher and why?
Primary School: John Payne, Rose Park Unit. He was smart and kind and he put up with a lot from myself and my friend Felix (who will be working at Gluttony in the wine bar as he’s now a sommelier).
High School: Ms Robertson, Campbelltown High. She was unlike other teachers I had in the ‘80s. I had her for History and the following year, English. She made us think and she wasn’t afraid to challenge us with sophisticated questions. I don’t think she cared too much about marks, but she cared a lot about helping us thoroughly understand the concepts in the curriculum to a high level. What she taught us about the history of this continent has informed my understanding of Australia as an adult.
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
When I was in year 12 at Campbelltown High we decided to run dance parties to raise money for the school dance department’s upcoming tour of China. We held one in the school theatre for the year 8s at lunch time, who paid $1 each for the privilege.
One of my friends rigged all the lights the school owned, and myself and another friend DJed. The three of us were into hip hop at the time and we just assumed everyone else in the school was because all our friends were.
So we had this plan that as the year 8s were coming into the venue, we would have some cheesy pop record playing. Then, so the plan went, we would burst out from behind a curtain wearing all our hip hop gear (in my case this included a bike chain spray-painted gold and worn around my neck), run up onto the stage, rip the record off, theatrically smash it and throw it away – and then play Public Enemy or something.
The problem was, as we burst out from behind the curtain we saw all the year 8s having a great time dancing away to Kylie. The plan was off and I Should Be So Lucky played on. That was a lesson in event management: what you personally like is perhaps not what your audience wants.
ROBERTO CARDONE
Cibo Espresso Co-Founder
Where did you go to school?
Norwood high school.
Were you a good student (why/why not)?
Yes, but had a great time having some cheeky fun.
Who was your most memorable teacher and why?
My economics teacher Mr Fulton. He put the fun into economics teaching, he was business savvy and I connected well with him.
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
The day Cath Kerry walked in as our relief teacher and went on to be a famous chef. Seriously this school taught me to integrate into a multicultural society, as it felt like being in an international school with the diverse cultural backgrounds. it was also the top-rated year 12 public school for achieving the highest grades in the state.
KARENA ARMSTRONG
Tasting Australia festival Co-Director
Where did you go to school?
Wirreanda High School, Morphett Vale/ Great school with a specialist sports program I loved.
Were you a good student (why/why not)?
I think I was! Quite sporty and mildly academic, I definitely worked really hard to get ahead. We had some amazing teachers that went the extra mile if they noticed you wanted to achieve.
Who was your most memorable teacher and why?
Ms Morris who was my home economics teacher, she was very frustrated that I wouldn’t follow recipes and it was the worst grades got at school C-. Sorry Ms Morris I still don’t follow recipes.
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
Definitely refusing to cook pizza using white bread as the base. I knew it was wrong.
EMILY RAVEN
My Kingdom for a Horse owner and operator
Where did you go to school?
My high school years were at Woodlands (since ceased operating) down in Glenelg.
Were you a good student (why/why not)?
Academically I was a good student but I had a pretty fertile imagination which got me into trouble here and there for my “creative problem solving”.
Who was your most memorable teacher and why?
I had an amazing chemistry teacher called Mrs Lawrence when I was in year 12 who loved to do these incredibly dramatic demonstrations in the lab which were so entertaining and engaging that her classes were very popular. Not a day went by without her blowing something up, setting fire to something or siphoning off a bit of her own blood for an experiment – all in the name of science. I still feel grateful for the lasting curiosity she imbued in me about the natural world.
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
I used to hang out with the music/science students and one of my favourite memories is when a group of us crashed our final speech day to give an impromptu performance of an ABBA medley with some of the lyrics craftily reworked. Our school was quite strict and the music performance students suddenly just erupted into Dancing Queen and we rushed the stage dressed as ABBA with our song and dance routine. The whole school stood up and started screaming and cheering. Fortunately as it was our last day, we couldn’t get into trouble.
THEMIS CHRYSSIDIS
Eleven Restaurant and Lou’s Place Co-Founder
Where did you go to school?
Prince Alfred College.
Were you a good student (why/why not)?
Yes. I was pretty focused. Studied, played sport, kept out of trouble, wasn’t the teacher’s pet but also never in detention. I was always willing to work hard, which has proven to be pretty important, especially lately!
Who was your most memorable teacher and why?
My English teacher, Mrs Brooks. I liked the way she was honest and spoke to the students as adults. There was clearly mutual respect.
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
It’s kind of food related (ad something I can share) … The school tuck shop is solid step up from what is used to be … so one afternoon my mate Ben and I decided to walk around the corner and get lunch. We were walking down the street when a teacher happened to drive past. He saw us, we saw him. I kept walking, meanwhile Ben jumped into a bush and tried to hide … poorly. The teacher did a U-turn, told Ben to get out of the trees, he stayed there thinking the teacher couldn’t see him until the teacher got out of the car and he finally gave up. The teacher told us to go to back to school and that we would get detention but it never happened, I don’t think he could be bothered doing the paperwork …
JASON MAKARENKO
La Sing owner and Hospo Owners Collective co-founder
Where did you go to school?
Le Fevre High – exclusive French private school (not!)
Were you a good student (why/why not)?
I’d like to think I was, but being honest I liked the social side of school rather than the academic side. Even early I was an organiser being SRC president in year 11.
Who was your most memorable teacher and why?
Dean Schutz – for sure – he was an all around legend in our school, a great coach even better Bloke and became a big deal in assistant coaching in the SANFL/AFL namely, Geelong. I saw him a few years ago and he did remember me.
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
So many – well this one again about Schutzie – one day (again me being an organiser, challenged him to a Aussie rules match, year 12s versus teachers. The whole school had the afternoon off to watch it. Well Schutzie was assistant to Russell Ebert (rip) wasn’t he and loaded the teachers team with players like John Klug. Needless to say the teachers had the last laugh and towelled us up. Was a great move by Schutzie and a highlight at the same time for us kids.
BEN SHARP
Adelaide Institute of Hospitality chef and manager
Where did you go to school?
I started high school at Marryatville High School from year 8 to year 10. I attended St Ignatius College from year 10 to year 12.
Were you a good student (why/why not)?
I definitely wasn’t a model student academically; I was there for sport captaining the drive tennis team to take out the drive competition also playing football.
Who was your most memorable teacher and why?
The principal of Marryatville Glen McArthur was a fantastic mentor for me until he left to move to being principal at Wesley College in Melbourne. At St Ignatius Eugene Kalenjuk for his patience and guidance but also Brother Sach for Saturday detentions and Monday morning football suspension meetings!
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
I would have been diagnosed with chronic ADHD nowadays and I do feel sorry for my teachers when I attended school, being in education I would have found myself very frustrating to teach with potential not used. A funny memory for all the Iggies cohort at the time would be the corporal punishment handed out by Mr Harben and his harasser or his ear rubs when getting out offline.
MICHAEL ANDREWARTHA
East End Cellars founder and owner
Where did you go to school?
I attended Urrbrae Agriculture High School.
Were you a good student (why/why not)?
I was a terrible student. Unfortunately, school and I did not have a very good relationship. It was a time when we existed in a very structured environment and had little choice over what we could do. I preferred the agricultural subjects as they focused on practical skills compared to book theory subjects. After I left high school, I never looked back. I looked forward to the opportunities that would arise from working full-time in the workforce.
Who was your most memorable teacher and why?
My most memorable teacher was my year 7 teacher, Mr Cullen, who told me that I was the most unlikely student to succeed in life. His comment has stuck with me for all these years and is still such a vivid memory. I made it my mission to prove Mr Cullen wrong and this has helped shape my life.
The best teachers and mentors came after school when I started in the workforce. That is where I learnt all the best lessons in life. My first and most memorable lesson was ‘If you want to succeed and be the best in your field, you need to learn from the best and be the first one in and last one out each day.
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
Wow, high school was some time ago, I won’t say how many years but one fun story that has stuck with me..… One day, I thought it would be good to test out just how good my tractor driving skills were and reversed the tractor into the hay shed which seemed funny at the time however my ag teacher did not see it that way. My favourite subjects were agricultural science, animal husbandry, viticulture, farm maintenance and tractor driving. I really enjoyed sport, and excelled in water polo, cricket and football.
DOUG GOVAN
Star of Greece and Victory Hotel co-owner
Where did you go to school?
Scotch College (Adelaide) and Geelong Grammar School (including a year at the Timbertop campus).
Were you a good student?
Not so good at Scotch, mixing with a bunch of naughty lads, having too much fun and not concentrating on school. Scholastically improved out of sight at Geelong Grammar, but could have been better if I hadn’t spent so much time kicking the footy for hours every day with friends.
Who was your most memorable teacher and why?
Kenn Webb at Scotch College. Webb was my chemistry teacher – I loved chemistry and making rockets and gunpowder. He went onto become headmaster and our friendship to this day continues.
What’s the best anecdote/fun story from your school days?
While at Scotch College spending a week on Goose Island and sneaking over to the girls’ tents in the middle of the night and/or While at Scotch College Ken Webb, my Chemistry teacher ringing my mother and asking her to have a little hunt around some of my hidden spots for a large jar of Potassium Nitrate that had mysteriously vanished from the Chemistry Laboratory. Mum found it.
OLD SCHOOL TIES
■WHERE SA’S POWERBROKERS WENT TO SCHOOL
Originally published as Old school ties: Where our hospitality and arts identities went to school
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