Item 202000823 - Interview with Julie Roman 1998 - 2015 Staff

Interview with Julie Roman – Staff – 1998 to date
Julie joined the staff at St David’s in the January of 1998 and is now in her 17th year. Previously, she had
taught at a state school for 27 years but a tragic and traumatic incident motivated her to leave. A young boy
from the township came into her classroom and shot one of her pupils who died on the spot.
She recalled that when Paul Edey interviewed her he asked her how she would feel coming to a school
which had mostly affluent families and mostly white boys as pupils. It took her one day to work with the
children and to realise that children will respect and love you as you love and respect them. It doesn’t
matter what race you are but more important is what you give and portray.
Although she is not Catholic, Julie went to a catholic boarding school as a child. St David’s has since
become her second home, a place that holds her together. Julie absolutely believes in the Marist spirit and
cannot imagine a grandson of hers not attending St David’s. St David’s is a caring school with an
intervention system operating to ensure only getting the best for each boy and celebrates the individual and
not just the boy with 9 A’s.
Both Julie’s sons were pupils at St David’s, Rodney who matriculated in 1999 and because of the education
he received at the school he is now an established and successful structural engineer. Craig who
matriculated in 2004 as head boy is now involved with investment and financial planning which he enjoys.
Belinda Marais, head of the Afrikaans department taught together with Julie at CJB Senior Secondary
School and their sons Bradley and Craig were born in the same month of the same year, 14 days apart.
Julie has found the parents to be wonderfully kind with the Marist belief and emblem running through the
whole school, staff, parents and pupils.
Julie has had the privilege of working with 3 headmasters at St David’s but the one that stands out is Paul
Edey who was a care giver, true leader and he mentored her son Craig when he became head boy. Craig
has learnt to master new skills and to be strong in spite of difficulties.
The highlight of her career at St David’s was in 2005 when Julie went on a pilgrimage to Marcellin
Champagnat’s country and origins staying at the Hermitage. Two Brothers accompanied them, Brother
Jude and Brother Mario. It was an absolutely wonderful experience and the Brothers knew exactly what
they needed to learn about Catholicism. The whole experience strengthened Julie’s spirituality.
Julie has made friends across the two schools, both in the prep and high, Mandy Everson, Pat Milne and
Carol Ansell to mention a few.
Julie has been very much involved with the Smile programme together with Belinda Marais The programme
helps poor and disadvantaged children. She was also responsible for the organisation of the annual prize
giving which involved co-ordinating gowns for staff, prizes for the boys, communicating with parents and
academic staff and sharing in their joy. There were some special pupils such as Gabriel Ally who spoke at
the recent Gr 8 – 11 Prize Giving and a special incident occurred during a prayer meeting at her church.
Mention was made by a young student who had been mentored by Craig Wallington (Dux Scholar at St
David’s) – he said that Craig was not only the best student at St David’s but also the best friend you could
ever have. Craig motivated the students who were battling and repeating some subjects at university. St
David’s has produced some very fine leaders.
There were some negatives but Julie feels that negatives such as difficult parents can be turned into
positives and has always had an open door policy. This way she managed to turn some situations around
and the parents realised that the most important shareholder was their son and the aim was to assist him
and to put aside any petty differences.
JLE January 2014