Where are they now? Part 2

Post school journey

I took a gap year and travelled to Northern Japan to work at a hotel. This was an amazing and at times challenging experience as I was one of only 3 foreigners living in the northern region of Honshu. That year gave me a lot of self-confidence that I could make friends, work really hard and survive as an independent adult in any new environment. After returning to study Business at UTS in Sydney, I took another trip (this time as a Ski Instructor in Aspen with my CCGS school-mate Michael Seton) which was just lots and lots of fun.

I returned home and built a career in business while working for Nestle and Coca-Cola. It was rewarding to work for big brands because I like seeing people enjoy our products in every part of the country, every day of the year. Also, big companies like this provide employees with lots of opportunities for personal development, including travel and also support flexible work. Most recently I've started my own consulting company (creatively named Jon Stokes Consulting) and I'm enjoying the challenges of small business ownership. During this time, I found my wonderful wife (Jade) and, together, we're raising two boys (Sammy - 5 years and Matty - 2 years) in our humble home (our "Castle") in Sydney, spending as much quality time as possible with our boys.

The CCGS experience that most prepared you for where you are now

In the face of COVID-19, political and corporate buzz words like "Agility" and "Pivoting" are everywhere. As we face more uncertainty than ever, it is important that we can handle big changes in our lives and we have the confidence to thrive in whatever circumstances arise. With that in mind, rather than any single experience, I think the variety and breadth of experiences available at CCGS had the biggest impact on me.

While at school, I tried to be involved in as many different teams/groups as possible from Outward Bound, to Orchestra, Rugby, International Exchange, Debating and School Musicals. All of these experiences taught me so many different skills and helped me build friendships with diverse people. This gives me the confidence that I can make the most of any situation.

Proudest moment post-school

While I'm proud of what I've achieved in my working life, I'm most proud of my role as a really active dad. Rather than prioritise my career at all costs, I chose to step back from full-time work to focus on shared parenting over the last 5 years. This has allowed my wife (Jade) to maintain momentum in her Medical career, and it has also given me priceless time at home with my boys before they start school and grow older. As more companies support parental leave for both mums and dads, I encourage all young men to take the opportunity... it's been one of the best decisions of my life!

Advice to your Year 12 self

Work hard and chase your dreams. But, don't get too hung up on exam results, job titles or money. Life is about so much more!

Post school journey

In 2002 I commenced a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney. After working in a national mid-tier law firm in Sydney as a paralegal, I went and lived in Aspen, Colorado with fellow alumni Jonathan Stokes (2001) and worked as a snowboard instructor.

In 2009 I returned to the Central Coast and commenced working in a small firm as a Solicitor. In 2011 I commenced a Master of Laws at The University of Sydney and in 2012, I was commissioned as Flight Lieutenant and Specialist Reservist Legal Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force.

In 2013 I established Ryan & Seton Lawyers on the Central Coast with fellow alumni Anthony Ryan (2001).

Since 2014 I've married and had two daughters. In 2017 I gained recognition from the Law Society of New South Wales as Accredited Specialist in Family Law and most recently in 2020 commenced Master of Military Law.

The CCGS experience that most prepared you for where you are now

The various leadership opportunities provided during my time at CCGS. Each leadership role was slightly different and the staff and students I got to work with in each instance provided unique perspectives and dynamics that, without realising at the time, gave me a good foundation to build upon and navigate various environments and interest groups professionally and personally.

Proudest moment post school

Two highlights, for different reasons.

In law: In 2019, travelling to Perth to run a three-day trial for a client in the Family Court of Western Australia. A highlight because the client insisted I travel over rather than brief a barrister over there because he didn’t trust anyone else to handle his case – and we achieved a fantastic result.

In business: In 2019, our firm won the Regional/Suburban Law Firm of the Year at the 2019 Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards. A highlight because we had worked so hard to grow from a small four-person practice to a small firm that was recognised as the best in its category nationally within six short years.

Advice to your Year 12 self

Turn into the skid. Don’t try to plan and control everything, just look for the opportunity in every situation and see where it leads you.

Post school journey

After school I moved to Sydney and studied Psychology and education at the University of Sydney. I became a Registered Psychologist and worked as a school counsellor in primary and high schools.

In 2011 I moved to the USA with my husband Charlie and spent a few years living in New York City and Philadelphia. While there I completed a Master of Arts in Developmental Psychology, concentrating on risk and resilience, at Columbia University. I also worked in research labs at Columbia and volunteered in several programs for children and young people from vulnerable communities.

I’m now back in Sydney and live in the inner west with Charlie and our two sons. For the past few years I’ve been with the NSW Department of Education, in the team that leads and supports Psychology and mental health services across NSW Public Schools. This role has been a great opportunity to draw together my previous professional training and experiences.

The CCGS experience that most prepared you for where you are now

My HSC Society and Culture and Extension History classes in particular, with excellent teachers, were really influential in shaping the way I see the world and were valuable launch pads into what I studied at University.

I felt supported throughout my time from Kindergarten to Year 12 by my class teachers, house families and through cocurricular activities. The sense of belonging that the school cultivates kicked off my passion for supporting children and young people in the school setting.

Personally, I remain incredibly grateful for the breadth of opportunities and experiences I had at CCGS, including drama (particularly school productions), music and art; sport; cultural activities; camps; my exchange to the USA and an international sports tour. There were achievements wrapped up in those things, but most importantly they gave me an introduction to areas of interest that continue to bring joy to my life.

Proudest moment post-school

Career-wise, some of my proudest moments have been my graduations, and seeing pieces of work I produced at Columbia published in academic journals and books.

Advice to your Year 12 self

Be bold!

Post school journey

I worked for a year, then I went to the University of Sydney to study economics and law. Right now I am working as a Barrister in Sydney, and I live in Erina with my family.

The CCGS experience that most prepared you for where you are now

Playing sport and participating in music and theatre were all valuable.

Rugby and basketball, in particular, did not come naturally to me and learning how to work and put in consistent effort was of great value. I also was very fortunate to have extraordinary rugby coaches, in particular Gary Brewin, who taught me a great deal which I often think about and draw upon in all facets of my life (the importance of ‘getting your head straight’ comes to mind).

Going on tours for music (to Japan in 1998) and rugby (to North America in 2002) were also great experiences from the perspective of personal growth.

Finally, it’s a bit boring, but the academic side of years 11 and 12 was invaluable, in that I was taught (by very smart and passionate teachers) how to organise and approach my work, and (most importantly) how to think about complicated issues and concepts. My teachers really were exceptional, and they prepared me not just for University but for the workplace and for my adult life in general. My classmates during year 11 and year 12 also taught me a great deal about the different ways to approach issues and ideas (David Barrow and Georgina McNeil immediately come to mind as students who were very intelligent, and thought in a completely different way to me – I wish I had paid even more attention to what they said).

Proudest moment post-school

Far too many to pick just one I am afraid, but in no particular order:

• When my wife gave birth to each of our three children (as corny as that sounds!). I was (and am) so proud of my wife and my children. They are each extraordinary (in my very biased opinion).
• When my mother graduated from University.
• When my father received the Headmaster’s award for service to the School; was a guest at a rugby dinner held in his honour; and received a fellowship to Oxford University.
• From a personal career perspective, my proudest moment was when I was admitted as a Barrister in 2017.

Advice to your Year 12 self

Try and figure out which people in your life you really admire, learn as much as you can from them, and ask them for advice and guidance. I would also tell myself to be less concerned about what my peers thought of me.

Post school journey

After school I went to University to study Law and Economics / Social Sciences and took subjects in the area of international relations and industrial relations as these were the areas that really interested me (and still do!). I did part-time work as a paralegal and also as a digital producer while studying. After University, I went to work for a Supreme Court of NSW Judge who worked mostly in criminal law. It was an eye-opening experience. The Judge had a number of murder trials on that year and some of the trials seemed straight out of a crime fiction novel!

While criminal law was an exciting area, I was more drawn to employment law which retained the people element of criminal law (with less actual crime) and so, following my time at the Court, I worked in a couple of employment law teams at Australian and American law firms in Sydney focused on Australian employment law for a few years before moving to Hong Kong (which is were I am currently based, almost 6 years later).

In Hong Kong I have worked for financial services institutions as an inhouse international Employment Lawyer advising on employment issues (from hiring matters, workplace conduct matters, investigations, restructures, exits and everything in between) across a number of countries in the APAC region (Australia, China, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea and Japan). I love doing international work as there are always important cultural, as well as legal factors specific to each country to consider.

The CCGS experience that most prepared you for where you are now

My experience was that CCGS really emphasised the importance of making the most of every opportunity in front of you, and well-roundedness (giving anything a go in a supportive environment) which has never left me in my post-school life. I am very grateful for that growth mindset which I think came from my high school years at CCGS.

Proudest moment post-school

I am most proud of my two boys. I have a 3 year old and a 3 week old both born in Hong Kong, and of the life my family and I built in a country away from our home in Australia (with no useful language skills!). Linked to that, I am proud that I took the plunge to move overseas and have seized the opportunity to expand my horizons, travel, experience new places and become a more open-minded global citizen.

Advice to your Year 12 self

It is important to be prepared, but you cannot plan for everything - being able to adapt is key. In summary, I would tell myself to roll with things a bit more - less over analysing!

Post school journey

I took a gap year, worked for 6 months, then travelled for 6 months around Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. I had studied Indonesian Continuers and Indonesian Extension for the HSC so I wanted to soak up as much of the culture and language as I could. Travelling solo was both unbelievably amazing and at times extremely terrifying, but it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

When I returned home, I moved to Sydney to start a Bachelor of Liberal Studies at the University of Sydney. The transition was more difficult than I had expected and I missed the familiarity of the Central Coast. I did well in my first year and moved into a Bachelor of Psychology. However, after the second year, my grades dipped just below the mandatory distinction average, so I ended up being moved into a Bachelor of Arts for my third year. The highlight of University for me was joining a Geography Field Trip to Indonesia in my final year.

After I graduated I was accepted into the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP) for my Psychology Honors. I became a Provisional Psychologist and worked for 2 years on a voluntary basis for Disability Services Australia and The Butterfly Foundation for Eating Disorders. In 2015, when I became a Registered Psychologist, I was lucky enough to score two of my dream jobs. I started working part-time in a beautiful and friendly private practice specialising in eating disorder treatment, and part-time as a school psychologist working with students with disabilities.

At the start of 2021, I moved to Orange and now work at Kinross Wolaroi School as one of the School Psychologists, whilst also continuing to see some of my private clients from Sydney via telehealth.

The CCGS experience that most prepared you for where you are now

• The Thailand Tour in Year 10 (which sparked my love for South East Asia)
• House Debating (in my work I have constructive arguments/discussions most days to advocate for student wellbeing)
• The Outdoor Education camps – especially Year 11 Odyssey which reminded us that no matter how privileged we were at home, we were all the same when it was just us, a backpack full of tinned foods, a compass and the great outdoors.

Proudest moment post-school

Just finishing my psychology degree still feels like one of my biggest achievements - there were so many times I wasn't sure that I'd get to the end of the mammoth 6-year journey – and more generally, pushing myself out of my comfort zone in my career.

Advice to your Year 12 self

Take the time to get to know as many of your peers as you can – you never know who you will run into, or end up working with, later in life.

Post school journey

After an Arts/Law degree at the University of Sydney, I did an apprenticeship at my church, EV Church. Another 4 years of theological study later, I'm back on the Central Coast serving as a pastor at EV Church. I love the Coast for its beauty and its a privilege to spend each day doing what I love most.

The CCGS experience that most prepared you for where you are now

So many! The skills of presenting and engaging an audience honed on the debating team and through public speaking competitions has helped both in preaching and leadership. I've been really thankful for my teachers who taught me to think critically and pay attention to detail, as well as the breadth of the academic and extra-curricular program (everything from computers to music to philosophy comes in handy every week!).

Proudest moment post-school

It's pretty great being a dad to two beautiful little girls, Tahlia and Bella! They make Monique and I laugh every day.

Advice to your Year 12 self

Character trumps everything. I thought it was about what I was good at, but I've learned (the hard way) that who you are, not what you do or what you are good at, matters most. Humanly speaking, more than anything else it's your character that will determine your path, impact, and legacy. I wish I'd put a bigger emphasis on growing in humility, love, gentleness, patience, self-control, and faith.

Post school journey

A few days after finishing Year 12 exams and the International Baccalaureate, I flew out with a group of my best friends to Bali. It was our schoolies adventure that we’d been saving up for about two years for and it’s still one of the best holidays I’ve been on. The following year I began a Bachelor of Communication Degree at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst. Now, I’m working as a radio newsreader in Sydney.

The CCGS experience that most prepared you for where you are now

The Music tour (Canada 2006), the sporting tour (South Africa 2008) and the student exchange (USA 2008). Meeting people from different walks of life and living amongst different cultures left me more open-minded to others, their ideas and beliefs.

Proudest moment post-school

Welcoming two beautiful sons into our family.

Advice to your Year 12 self

Work hard and practice gratitude for the opportunities you are given. School life at CCGS will be one of the most supportive environments you will ever experience, ask for help when you need it and extend offers of help to others around you. I still reflect on the advice from Ms McDonough, “Aim for the moon because even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

Post school journey

After finishing the International Baccalaureate, I completed my Medical Degree at the University of Newcastle with distinction. I then completed my prevocational training (internship, residency, and senior residency) at Gosford, Wyong and Woy Woy Hospitals. I have been working during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Wyong Hospital Emergency Department as a Medical Officer. Recently, I had the honour of being elected as Federal Member for Robertson, as part of an Albanese Labor Government. It is and always will be a privilege to serve the people of the Central Coast.

The CCGS experience that most prepared you for where you are now

The support of many of my teachers through my time at CCGS – from the warm welcome of Mrs Paton in 2001, to stepping back in time with the mighty Mr Gill in history class.

Proudest moment post-school

Completing my Medical Degree and being able to serve the community.

Advice to your Year 12 self

Take some time to stop and smell the roses.