Sprouting horns and lolly jars make memorable education for Ash Jones

Mrs Geraldine Chapman constantly threatened to sprout horns. She had an amazing lolly jar. She had a well of engaging teaching activities that never seemed to run dry, and always kept her students enthralled. And, most of all, she had an enormous impact on St Ed’s Alumni Ash Jones.

‘I absolutely loved my time at St Eds. My favourite memories mostly include sport – the annual netball trip to Sydney each year with the Principal Jim McGrath driving the bus, and of course, the St Ed’s Comets netball team undefeated run through the whole of primary school with Mrs Long as our coach.

But it was teachers like Mrs Chapman along with my Year 6 teacher Ms Lyon, who both had a huge influence on my decision to pursue an education career path,’ Ash says.

Ash studied a Bachelor of Teaching and Bachelor of Health and Physical Education at Newcastle University, before returning to Tamworth to take up her post at McCarthy Catholic College – and for the past 18 years, that is where she has stayed.

‘I’m currently the Leader of Learning for the PDHPE faculty. I love working for the Armidale Diocese and I think it is a real testament to their education system given how many past students are now currently employed by them,” Ash says.

St Edwards aims to create a fun-filled and engaging environment where students can grow and develop – and it seems in Ash’s case, this has definitely happened, but we are proudest when we see the school core values of teamwork, respect, caring, integrity, acceptance, learning, doing your best, fun and friendship showing in the lives of our past and current school community members.

We are sure Ash’s influence over the last 18 years has stretched beyond the classroom and beyond the school gates. A legacy we are sure will continue for another 18 and more.