By Russell Wantling
My Grade One teacher Mrs Locke must have been onto something when she wrote on my end-of-year report card, “Russell has real ability and potential”. Not many teachers that followed probably believed her, but they were words that stuck with me (and she still reminds me every time she sees me).
Whilst I was never the best student, my primary school years are when I made my best friends and are etched firmly in my memory bank.
My standout moments always seemed to revolve around outside activities on the sporting field. School sports and interschool sports were huge, and I can remember the showgrounds being full to the brim with schools across the Granite Belt.
I remember having a tug of war on a sports day, myself and Russell Muir tied our end to the bike racks and the opposing team pulled half the bike racks down. We were in a little bit of trouble for that one, and the win didn’t go to Kookaburra (which was our original plan as we all knew Kookaburra was the superior team).
As you go through life you look back on those early years in a different way. Whilst I didn’t always see eye to eye with my teachers at the time, there is no doubt they all instilled in me a sense of respect for my community. So, I guess it was really teachers like Mr Webb, Mrs Armstrong, John Shannon, Joe Piovesan, Mrs Locke, Mrs Hanson and Mrs Jones that I have to thank in part for where I am today.
Congratulations to every student and staff member who has ever graced the Stanthorpe State Primary School. You have paved the way for not only an outstanding academic institution but a place where every student is made to feel included and can find their place in life.
