When it comes to Thomas Carr College, Stephen Manitta has seen it all.
The 31-year-old Tarneit resident, who was part of the Thomas Carr class of 2003 – the school’s second-ever graduating class – returned to his old stomping ground as a science and biology teacher in 2009.
This year, he also became a year 10-level co-ordinator.
Mr Manitta had planned on a career in genetic research after completing his biotechnology degree at Deakin University, but all changed when he won a scholarship grant for teaching at Australian Catholic University.
“The first thing I thought [when I got the scholarship] was that I’d come back to Thomas Carr and see if I could teach here.
“I came back and saw Paul D’Astoli, the principal at the time … he said ‘OK, I can’t guarantee you anything, of course, but come back and we’ll see how we go’.” This year, as the school celebrates its 20th birthday, Mr Manitta has a unique perspective on the school’s growth over the past two decades.
“It’s strange because there are some teachers here who taught me when I was a kid, and that was a little bit awkward to start off with …they’re my colleagues now, not my teacher. You get to see a different side to people.”
Mr Manitta said the Thomas Carr he remembers as a student was “really small” in comparison to the current campus, which is undergoing a $22 million redevelopment.
“We had a handful of portables and just one of the [current] buildings,” he said.
“Our science lab was a portable.
“It was good, only starting out with year sevens and eights – you sort of knew everyone.”
