January 16, 2013
By Marcus Priaulx
One of Michael Nayler’s proudest moments was when he helped a homeless boy graduate from Year 12.
The teenager had been orphaned and found himself relying on homeless food vans for meals.
He would live on handouts and did the best he could before Mr Nayler and his fellow teachers stepped in to help.
Without the student knowing, they ensured the boy and his aunt were given furniture, food and a computer so he could finish his studies.
At the teenager’s graduation he shook Mr Nayler’s hand and thanked him and his teachers for getting him through his schooling.
He then left school and beat strong competition to gain trade apprenticeship with a major company.
“That just shows how everybody has the potential to achieve with a little bit of support,” Michael said.
“For him to come and say thanks after he graduated made me feel so proud. He didn’t even know who’d helped him.”
Michael is now principal of St Mary’s Catholic College in Kingaroy, a role he took up a year ago.
The effort to make a difference in people’s lives was first instilled in Michael when Australia’s first Aboriginal senator, Neville Bonner, came to visit his Goodna Scout Group.
Michael was 10 years old and remembers being in awe of the politician with the shock of white hair as he got out of his government car.
“He reminded me of my own grandfather,” he said.
“I just felt a real connectedness with him. To have a man of that stature just sit and talk with us about his culture left me with a feeling that was quite amazing.”
Teaching is in Michael’s blood as he comes from a long line of teachers.
His first position was at San Sisto College, Carina; a girls’ school in Brisbane.
About 15 of its 360 students were Indigenous and Michael found himself forming a strong connection with the group and working to ensure their success.
Michael then became assistant principal at the Abergowie College, an all boys’ boarding school 30 minutes drive from Ingham.
At the College, Michael set up and managed five traditional Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and PNG dance troupes. They performed to 70,000 people throughout Queensland and many of the students were high achievers.
“We had many boys, including Matty Bowen, make national footy teams, enter apprenticeships and do well at academics or enter university,” he said.
The school became ranked within the county’s top five by The Australian newspaper for its efforts in Indigenous education.
Michael returned to Brisbane in 2004 and indigenous students again thrived at the three schools he worked at before he made his way to St Mary’s in Kingaroy at the start of 2012.
The school has refocused on connecting with the surrounding Aboriginal families, including those at the former mission town of Cherbourg, 45 minutes drive away.
Parent forums, community barbecues, staff professional development sessions at Cherbourg’s Ration Shed Museum, having teachers visit parents and an end-of-school-year celebration for all of the town’s Saint Mary’s students were just some of the initiatives taken.
The school also flies the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags each day as an “important symbol to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians”.
One elderly neighbour thought the Torres Strait Islander flag may have been Indonesian because she knew the school taught that country’s language.
Michael took delight in explaining its true origin and what the symbolism of its parts meant.
He now wants to continue the push to have Indigenous students reach their full potential.
“The big issue is not just getting kids to Year 12 but transitioning them into university, apprenticeships and the world of work,” he said.
“I think we’re doing a terrific job at getting kids to Year 12, we just need to take it to the next level.
“That’s something all schools around Australia need to be doing.”
Michael is grateful for Senator Bonner walking into his life, albeit for a moment.
“He doesn’t know the impact he made on me but it shows how one person can affect another’s life,” he said.
“As a teacher, that’s what I hope to do; not only for my indigenous students but all students who walk through our gates.”
[Photos: Marcus Priaulx]
