In this issue, we interview Ivy Swibel (OA2021), who recently came back to St Andrew's Cathedral School (SACS) as a Communications Assistant. With just over two months on the job, Ivy manages the School's social media and newsletters. She was motivated to return by her positive experience as a student at SACS, where she was actively involved in drama, choir, and netball, and where she formed lasting friendships. Her final year was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected key events like Valedictory and the final exams. Being an Old Andrean gives her an edge in her role, providing insider knowledge and a deep understanding of school events and school culture. Alongside her job, Ivy is also juggling university studies in law and journalism.

Tell me about your role and how long you have been here.

I'm the Communications Assistant, and I've been here for just under two months.

What do you do in your role as Communications Assistant?

In my role, I handle all the social media for the school—Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube."

You're the voice behind SACSOfficial—it's a big deal!

That's right, you could say I keep the engine churning! I also work on many of the newsletters and assist with external media inquiries.

What motivated you to come back to SACS?

I love SACS! I went to school here from Year 7 to Year 12 and had an amazing time. I loved all the opportunities available as a student. SACS has always been a big part of my family, so I've never really escaped it—I hear about it every day.

So for those who don't know, your dad works here. What does he do?

Yes, Brad Swibel is my dad, and he's the Deputy Head of School (Secondary).

Did he work here before you started?

Yes, he started about two years before I began Year 7. My older sister Ruby started with Dad, and my younger sister Edie joined at the same time as me in Year 3. My mum also worked at SACS for several years, first in the Junior School and then in the Community Engagement Team. We all used to commute together on the train, like a little squad—someone even called us the 'Swibel Squabble' at one point! Now that I'm working here, it feels like we're doing it all over again. It really takes me back.

What was school like for you?

It was great! I was really into drama—a bit of a drama nerd, you might say. In Middle School, I did a lot of choirs and tried to get involved in as many aspects of school life as possible because there were so many different things to try. I also played netball throughout secondary school and loved it. I made some amazing friends that I'm still close with; we recently went on a weekend away together, which was so much fun. But I must say, it got tougher when I reached Year 11 and COVID hit. Our year group was hit the hardest—we had to prepare for exams in lockdown, our formal got pushed back, and we missed out on big events like Valedictory, Seven Bridges, and having a last day at School. Even just hanging out in common areas was severely limited. The Class of 2021 will forever be known as the COVID class; it's like a badge of honour we wear.

What was the naughtiest thing you did at school?

Honestly, I wasn't that naughty! With my dad working here, I always felt like there was a spotlight on me. But I did get a Friday detention once because I didn't lock my locker. There was a big rule about locking lockers because people were getting their stuff stolen. I had my lock on, but I hadn't properly closed it, and I ended up with a Friday detention. I remember walking in, sitting at a table with a group of boys, and one asked, 'What are you here for?' When I told him, 'I didn't lock my locker,' his story was, you might say, a little bit different.

I had to write this reflection sheet about what I learned and how I was going to improve—there's only so much you can say about locking your locker!

How has being an Old Andrean affected your role here as Communications Assistant?

It's definitely a massive advantage. You can't teach someone the vibe and energy of the school—it's something you have to experience. Spending seven years here, you just know the ins and outs instinctively, which is really important for a communications role when you're reporting on all these events.

For example, I might be asked to report on SACS Factor or Make Off and having that background knowledge of what these events are and how they work, especially from a student's perspective, is super helpful.

Has it been interesting dealing with some of the teachers as adults now? How's that been?

Calling teachers by their first names has been a new experience! But it's been brilliant seeing so many of them again. There are a lot of teachers still here that I had at school, and I really loved them. I actually saw Mel Mestre the other day—she was one of my all-time favourites—and I was able to give her a hug, which was really nice.

Do you remember the first time you got 'Missed'? As in, called 'Miss' for the first time?

Haha, yes! I was at the BBC Terrace the other day, taking some photos, and I had my back turned. Suddenly, I heard kids behind me shouting, 'Miss, Miss, Miss!' At first, I didn't realise they were talking to me. When I turned around and saw them looking at me, it was a bit surreal.

Finally, what else do you do when you're not here?

I'm currently studying Law and Journalism at University of Wollongong, which takes up a lot of my time. I think they complement each other well, and it's good for this job too. In my free time, I try to study, see friends, and stay socially active. It's busy, and sometimes it's tough to find time to catch up with everyone.

It's funny—when you go to school here, you make friends with people who live all over the place. After school, you want to see your friends, but they live two hours away! It can be a struggle!