Some people finish high school then never return to the classrooms and hallways that played such a significant part in their educational journey. Then there are those dedicated few who do return and get paid to be there!

Currently St Bede's College has five members of staff who are old boys of the College. Brian 'Baz' Dunne (1971-1975), Simon Cooper (1983-1987), Chris Hubble (1989-1993), Matthew Grueber (1998-2002), and Aaron Poulter (2009-2013) all come to work each day with a unique personal perspective on what it means to be a Bedean. 

So what is it like to be employed at the place where you went to secondary school? We caught up with Baz, Simon, Chris, Matthew, and Aaron to find out...   

Brian 'Baz' Dunne (1971-1975)

Can you tell us a bit about the job you do at St Bede’s? 

I'm a teacher of Maths and Religious Education. I also coach 4th XV rugby. 

How long have you worked at St Bede’s and what roles have you held during this time?

I started in 1983! I've taught mainly Maths but have also taught History and Geography to senior level as well as Maori, English, Social Studies, RE,PE and Science at junior level. Have been Dean at Year 10 and Year 12 level as well as Sportsmaster too.

Where did your career journey take you from school to eventually working here? University then Teachers College- some relieving teaching at Hornby HS and CBHS- then I worked full time at Bush Inn (was about to go into Hotel Management) then Gary Lennon rang offering me a job teaching Maths and Junior Science - so I accepted !

What is it like to work where you went to school? 

When I first started it was a bit strange working with those who taught you but I've really enjoyed it, especially all the extra curricular events the College takes part in.

Tell us one interesting story or fact about your time here as a student. 

In Year 11 used to sit down the back in English and mainly talk horses with a couple of mates. The teacher Fr Kevin Maher one day said ‘don’t you realise you are too big to be a jockey’ and moved me to the front. From that day listened to him – amazing stories and a great teacher. A lesson learnt.

What do you think is the biggest change that has happened at St Bede’s since you were a student. 

Style of teaching has changed with the advent of Technology. Also a lot more wrap around pastoral services today. 

Simon Cooper (1983-1987)

Tell us a bit about the job you do at St Bede’s?

I am Teacher in Charge of Commerce. Just like many years ago, Accounting and Economics are still taught and remain popular subjects at our college, and which will bring back memories for many an old boy (a.k.a the legendary Barry Stephens). However, the nature and content of these subjects have changed vastly, adjusting to the online and ever-changing nature of these professions as well as incorporating contemporary issues and trends.

One of my initial briefs upon starting at St Bede’s was to introduce Business Studies as a subject. This has evolved over the years and is now hugely popular with two Year 13 classes being the norm. With the new NCEA redesign commencing next year we will see Business Studies being started to be rolled at all levels of the senior school as it has also been done in our junior curriculum. We will also see Financial Capability courses introduced to provide our students with a practical “tool kit” for life beyond St Bede’s as well as reincarnations of the traditional subjects of Accounting and Economics. This all keeps me busy!

How long have you worked at St Bede’s?

I have worked at St Bede’s since 2010.

Where did your career journey take you from school to eventually working here?

After my final year at St Bede’s in 1987, I completed a Bachelor of Building Science at Victoria University followed by a Master of Commerce back here in Christchurch. I applied my skills in the private sector for a little over a decade until I finally gave into my hunch of becoming a teacher – a decision I have never looked back on. My father, Bede Cooper (also an Old Boy), was my “inner” influence, himself being a primary school principal. Prior to my return to St Bede’s, I commenced my teaching at Shirley Boys’ High School.

What is it like to work where you went to school?

This was very odd for me to start with. However, now I feel very fortunate, providing me with what I consider to be an “extra” connection to my job. There were two things in particular which initially I couldn’t get my head around. First, calling Mr Dunne “Brian” – it just didn’t seem right. Second, freely walking in and out of Marist House which now houses our staffroom and all things administration. In the 80’s this was “home” for our residence priests and was very much out of bounds for students.

Tell us one interesting story or fact about your time here as a student.

I will keep this one short but provides much amusement for my students of today. While I was a pretty good student in the day, I still managed to get the cane every year except for Seventh Form (Year 13)!

What do you think is the biggest change that has happened at St Bede’s since you were a student?

Two things stand out to me. First, the priests are no longer in residence at St Bede’s was a huge change for me on my return to the college – as mentioned above, Marist House being our administration hub. However, I must say that “faith” in our college remains everywhere and I consider we more actively embed the virtue of “being the best person God made us to be” now more than ever before. Second, the subject options our students have today far exceeds those of the past – for example, tangible evidence being our new Food Technology block and remodeled Performing Arts Centre (PAC). Also, the opportunities our senior students have where they can explore career opportunities and gain work experience while at school has progressed to new levels.

But finally, I close by saying the heart and soul of our college has not changed. I consider this to be as strong now as it ever has been in the past and which is wonderful to be a part of.

Chris Hubble (1989-1993)

Tell us a bit about the job you do at St Bede’s?

Currently, as Head of Faculty Technology I oversee a wonderful team of teachers delivering Technology education from year 9-13. We deliver a range of subjects such as Food Technology, Materials Technology, Digital Technology and DVC. My role as Head of Faculty enables me to monitor and drive curriculum changes which may come from the Ministry of Education or from within our school. More recently I was part to a team looking at changing our Junior Curriculum and this has been rolled out across the school over the past few years with great success.

My speciality teaching area is Design and Visual Communication (which has developed from the days of Technical Drawing). It is a subject rich in design thinking and students learn to communicate their ideas using sketching, computer based programmes and modelling. Many students move on to design based careers such as architecture, product design or engineering.

How long have you worked at St Bede’s?

I am in my 17th year of teaching at St Bede’s. I am currently the Head of Faculty technology and teach Design and Visual Communication as a subject. Over my time here at St Bede’s I have been a House Tutor, Head of Transition & Year 9 Dean, taken on two roles as part of the Kahui Ako and also been teacher in Charge of Football for many years and managed the First XI football team.

Where did your career journey take you from school to eventually working here?

I went to St Bede’s as a student from 1987-1993. I was keen to either pursue a career in teaching or design. Following some success in 7th Form in the subject Graphics, I decided to go to Lincoln university and do a degree in Landscape Architecture. Following the completion of this four year honours degree, I worked as a Landscape Architect for a local firm and part time with the City Council. During this time, I designed a number of subdivisions in Rolleston, Lincoln and Redwood springs and did waterway enhancement design work. I also helped with visual assessment work for applications in the local and environment court. In early 2000 I undertook my OE to London and lived and worked as a landscape Architect there for 5 years. Over this period I travelled to 27 countries which open my eyes to other cultures, landscapes and architecture. Upon returning to NZ I decided that my urge to try teaching was too strong and so I undertook one years secondary training before acquiring a job at St Bede’s.

What is it like to work where you went to school?

I love St Bede’s and have a strong personal and family connection. My father was a student and teacher here and my mother was in charge of finance at the school for 25 years. This place is a little like home for me because the faith and values we are trying to instil in our boys resonate strongly with me. I am aware of my job as a subject teacher but also as a role model for values and the role I play in guiding our students through turbulent teenage years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working in the pastoral side of the school where you play a key role in supporting students. I love the traditions of the school but also that the school has changed and adapted to serve students better ways than when I was a student. It has been great to be part off that change.

Tell us one interesting story or fact about your time here as a student.

I was part of the First XI football team for 3 years at St Bede’s. One year we were in the Knock-Out Cup final and it ended in a penalty shootout. Usually it takes 5 penalties from each team to find a winner but this year we went through the entire team of penalties and started again. That was more than 23 penalties before we finally won! -It was shrouded in controversy as one St Bede’s student missed and was told by the referee to take it again because the ref wasn’t ready, only to score and win us the cup!

One other memory that will resonate with Old Boy’s is ‘Campaign’, where we raised money for the pacific islands. If you could gather up $50 you could have your teacher kidnapped from class. Some really creative ways of raising money back then and avoiding school work!

What do you think is the biggest change that has happened at St Bede’s since you were a student.

One big change has been in the sporting and cultural aspect of the college. Back in my day Rugby dominated conversations and the life of the school and we didn’t really celebrate other sports or the arts much. Nowadays, it is amazing the diversity or sports that boys play at the college and the success we have across different codes. We also celebrate more often the arts, culture and talents of students giving the school balance. I am also proud of the change to the way boys interact with each other within the school. Seniors take on a role of leadership when our new Year 9’s arrive and support them in their transition to high school. This is a major change from a strong pecking order back in my day and one where you knew your place as a junior. I pleased to have been part of making this change over the last 16 years. 

Matthew Grueber (1998-2002)

Tell us a bit about the job you do at St Bede’s?

My role at St Bede’s involves all things relating to print, graphic design and web. I have the opportunity to be part of a large number projects, involving many areas of the college. Billboards, the Tuck Shop menu, Handbooks, Invites, Flyers and the Bedean Magazine.

How long have you worked at St Bede’s?

I started working at St Bede’s in June of 2022. It’s hard to believe that it has already been a year!

Where did your career journey take you from school to eventually working here?

I studied fine arts at Massey University in Wellington, and worked in a number creative jobs around New Zealand (including at Weta Digital) and Australia, gaining skills that I have brought to my role at St Bede’s. A career highlight for me so far was seeing my name in the credits of the movie “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”. This was the first of six Hollywood blockbuster movies I worked on during my two years at Weta; Tin Tin, Mr Pip, The Hobbit, Man of Steel, and Prometheus.

What is it like to work where you went to school?

Working at my alma mater, where I spent my formative years, brings with it a sense of nostalgia. The familiarity of the college, and the experience I've gained in the 20 years since leaving St Bede’s give me a unique perspective on the work I do. I often look a task, and wonder what I might my student-self might have thought of the end result

Tell us one interesting story or fact about your time here as a student.

Being late to a classroom in Brodie Hall often meant navigating "the gauntlet". Boys waiting outside their classrooms flanked the corridor and took little exception to anyone attempting to pass through. The toll for tardiness, and thus running the gauntlet could range anywhere from a dishevelled appearance, a misplaced shoe, to your backpack being sent on a journey of its own.

What do you think is the biggest change that has happened at St Bede’s since you were a student?

The most notable change is in celebration of students' diverse backgrounds. This is best experienced during a performance of the school haka by the students.

Aaron Poulter (2009-2013)

Tell us a bit about the job you do at St Bede’s?

I'm a Math teacher

How long have you worked at St Bede’s?

Just started this year.

Where did your career journey take you from school to eventually working here?

I've been all over the show. Labouring, retail, hospitality and even a bit of modelling before taking on a position as a TA which lead me into teaching.

What is it like to work where you went to school?

It has been a decade which means there is a good distinction between student me and teacher me. Been tough changing people’s names in my head. Like say Fred instead of Mr. Demarco or Abi instead of Mrs King!

Tell us one interesting story or fact about your time here as a student.

I spent most of my junior years avoiding PE. Now my main hobby is hiking and running 

What do you think is the biggest change that has happened at St Bede’s since you were a student.

No detention!