New Ashburton College teacher Patrick Sandrey. Photo supplied.New Ashburton College social science teacher Patrick Sandrey is a former college old boy.

It isn’t too many years ago that Patrick Sandrey was in school uniform and a student at Ashburton College.

For the start of the new school year, he’s back, this time at the front of the classroom, and as a teacher.

The 22 year-old returns to his alma mater to teach social science, in a maternity cover role.

Since leaving school, Patrick has completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Canterbury, majoring in history, and also earned a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning.

Teaching is his chosen profession and he’s excited by the prospect of starting his journey at his old school.

“Before the interview for the job, I hadn’t actually been back to Ashburton College since finishing as a student.

“Instinctively, I probably thought I was going in for a detention rather than a job interview.”

Patrick said there was the obvious sense of familiarity with the school, but coming back as an educator would present a raft of new challenges and opportunities.

“It’s only natural to have a few nerves mixed in as well, but generally I’m really looking forward to seeing the future-focused direction that the school is heading in and I’m eager to contribute where I can.”

Patrick said he fondly remembers playing in the school football team and travelling to away tournaments, even though the results were sub par.

He also really enjoyed school house events.

“I think Ash Coll’s house culture is second to none. Events like the prelims and Festival of the Spoken Word were always a great chance to represent the house colours and to show off some skills.”

As an emerging educator, Patrick will be working towards completing his two years registration.

He follows in the footsteps of former Ashburton College students, Tom Kitchen and Jack Hanrahan, who have both been recruited in recent months to teach German and drama respectively, and former head boy Michael Clark, who is now the assistant head of the English department.

By Mick Jensen © The Ashburton Courier - 20 January 2020