Stirling’s Alan Webster to take on new role as head of St Joseph’s

ANELISA GUSHA

NEW HORIZON: Jazz band pioneer and English teacher Alan Webster bids farewell to Stirling High School after three decades. Picture: SUPPLIED

After 33 years of teaching at Stirling High, deputy principal and jazz master Alan Webster will be bidding farewell to the school to take over as headmaster at St Joseph’s Preparatory and College in Beacon Bay.

One of Webster’s greatest accomplishments at Stirling was having founded the school’s jazz band in 1992, which has been popular in both local musical circles and has earned accolades across the world.

Webster, who joined Stirling when he was 24 years old, and will bow out at the age of 57, said he looked forward to embracing a new adventure when he started at St Joseph’s in January 2025.

“I’ve been at Stirling for a long time, it’s been wonderful and I really enjoyed my time there but I am looking forward to starting new.

“St Joseph’s is exciting because it’s a new primary school, established just last year.

“One of my greatest strengths is building,” said Webster, who taught English at Stirling. He said the jazz band was one of the things he would miss the most at Stirling.

“I started the jazz band from scratch in 1992 and we’ve done amazing things, we have travelled around the world and SA. I am going to miss them deeply but I am still going to be involved in jazz.

“Choir, chess, and dance — all of these things have been my passion. I had great colleagues.

“When I arrived in 1992, the school was much smaller, so it’s been exciting to be a part of Stirling.

“One big highlight has been seeing its growth.”

Webster, who is also the director of the National Youth Jazz Festival, said music had been a part of his life from the age of six, during his primary school years.

“I have been playing music formally for 40 years, I have always played music, it made me feel good about myself, especially interacting with other people and the audience. It’s the key part of our humanity we share, ” he said.

Even though he would miss Stirling, he said he looked forward to creating a new identity for St Joseph’s.

“It’s very exciting to have a chance at a challenge. “East London is a very competitive environment for schools, there are lots of very good schools and a lot of hardworking teachers, so I will be part of creating a new school with a new identity.”

He said his aim was to create an environment where staff and management were united in their goal to produce young leaders of tomorrow who would make a difference in SA.

“We are going to work together as a staff and as management. All the discussions have been around holistic education, as what is important is to create young people coming out of school to become a positive contribution to society.”

He said the reason he stayed at Stirling for three decades was because the school allowed him to pursue his passions.

“I am going to miss them deeply.

“It’s painful to change. We know that change is difficult but it’s also important.” — Dispatch LIVE

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