WHEN Paddy McNamara graduated from St Bernard's Primary School as a grade six student about a decade ago, he hadn't really considered that he'd be back one day to work there.
However, a decision during his gap year to take on a Bachelor of Education (K-12) course at Albury's Charles Sturt University, where he's currently in his third year of study, has led to the 22-year-old taking up a learning support officer role at St Bernard's - where he's now on staff with his dad, John.
Paddy said teaching emerged for him as a possible career path only in his last few years of school, particularly as he'd enjoyed working with kids in settings such as cricket coaching.
He said there had been "a bit of nostalgia" coming back to St Bernard's as a staff member.
"It was a bit different walking out on the oval; I have had a couple of hits of cricket when the kids have asked me, and it's good fun umpiring their games," he said.
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"A fair bit's changed with some new buildings, but there are still a few teachers here from when I was at school."
That includes his dad, who started working at St Bernard's in 1995, and watched Paddy and brothers Fergus and Cormac from close quarters as they made their way through primary school.
"It was convenient at the time, especially the chance to be together as a family on school holidays," John said.
"But there are some aspects of it which are tough; you're always looking out for them, and I guess for them they've not only got their teacher but their father peering over their shoulder."
John said he was proud that Paddy, and potentially also Cormac, considered teaching as a career as he had.
"It's a rewarding job, that's for sure," he said.
"There haven't been too many days when I've got out of bed and didn't want to go to work.
"It's enjoyable seeing kids go through primary school, and then seeing where they go on to from there."
While they don’t see much of each other during class time, as Paddy's assisting in the grade three area and John is teaching a grade six class, the McNamaras do have the walk to and from school to chat, and have been sharing lunch-making duties.
"We have a bus duty together too, and that walk to and from school is a chance to ask, 'How was your day today?' and talk about the things you've done or you're doing," John said.
He said the learning support officer (LSO) role was a great way for prospective teachers to see first-hand what was involved in teaching, before they reached the classroom.
"Especially if you're in your gap year and deciding what to do, it can give you a feel for the job," he said.
St Bernard's Primary School principal Tricia Boak, who was principal when Paddy was a student, said it had been lovely to welcome him back.
"We love having students who are doing teacher training work with us as LSOs," Mrs Boak said.
Paddy's course will enable him to teach in primary or secondary school, and while it's no surprise that the talented sportsman is keen to specialise in physical education, he's not sure what age level he'll aim for, or whether a return to St Bernard's as a teacher might be in his future.
"I'll play it by ear and see what pops up, but I'm possibly looking at primary to start," he said.
