Hundreds of past students of St Joseph’s School are scattered throughout Australia and around the world, working across every industry. We’re proud of our past students and their achievements – big and small. In future newsletters, we will be highlighting a past student and sharing what they have been up to since leaving the Joey's gates. 

JOHN LEONARDI

What year did you graduate?

1991

What were your favourite subjects at St Joseph’s School?

Math and Shop A

Can you tell us about your time at St Joseph’s School? Is there anything you especially remember?

I remember how the trends changed in the same way that they do today, but instead of Tic Tok’s and Snap Chat it was Tennis and Basketball.

I remember getting the “cuts” on quite a few occasions! I deserved it most times, but still have fond memories of Mr Kerwin and the teachers that had to put up with me because it was evident that they just wanted the best for us. I remember Mr Kerwin taking all the students that didn’t get to go to year 10 camp to Boonoo Boonoo National Park.

What has been your journey since finishing school? Briefly outline your career path and what you are doing now. Have you always wanted to pursue the kind of career you have embarked on?

I have always been interested in computers & IT.  I was lucky enough to grow up in an era where computers were relatively new. I have seen the progress that has been made and it gives me such a great appreciation of the technology that we now have available to us every minute of every day. 

I started working in the IT industry in 1993.  Though I enjoyed my job I could see that working for someone else, whilst providing some security, was holding me back. So, in 2005 I left the security of having a pay check each week and "Informed IT" was born.   It was a lot of 15 hour days, seven days a week at first, but as time went on, the business grew, enabling us to hire staff and grow further. We currently are a team of five engineers servicing clients all over Australia from Perth in WA, to Lockhart River in far north QLD and everything in-between.

What do you believe St Joseph’s School has shown you/given you as a person?

Although I am certain that the majority of my teachers would probably not have described me as a well behaved student, I feel the best lesson of all from my time at St Joseph’s would be respect.

What piece of advice would you have for current students at St Joseph’s School?

Find something that you love doing and make that your career. Don’t worry about what other people think if you believe in what you are doing. Don’t think that you deserve anything throughout your life without earning it.

If you commit to something, give it 100%.