Springwood State
Highschool Alumni
Aidan Hodder - 2017 Graduate
After high school graduation, Aiden was accepted into the Queensland Conservatorium of Music where he completed his Bachelor’s Degree, followed by a Graduate Certificate and finally his Master’s in Classical Voice at the end of 2023.Aiden has now been accepted into the Melba Opera Trust (Melbourne), where he spends a week each month participating in intensive workshops that prepare members for their working life as industry professionals, including training in auditions, grant applications, resume writing, musicianship and more.
It’s now seven years since Aiden graduated from Springwood High. When we spoke with him to reflect on the impact that high school had on his career development, he told us that exposure to many different opportunities to explore interests outside of core classes was extremely important. With highly engaged teachers in our arts programs, he was guided as to electives, outside-of-school-hours programs and next steps that would facilitate his journey from one step to the next.
“Through the years I did drama, music and all of the extracurricular music programs (strings, band, symphonic wind). This was possible because the school is very careful that similar skill sets do not overlap, allowing students to grab as much opportunity within their interests as they can.”
Aiden comes back to spend time with us between his busy schedule, helping to fill some specialisation gaps in drama and voice, passing on the opportunity for our students to learn and hear from outside specialists in this field.
“After you graduate, you gain a lot of hindsight into how much the teachers gave you. They are caring people who go beyond you as a block of grades on a page to the person you are and who you want to be.”
Aiden’s future is as bright as ever as he pursues his next goal to enter the global opera stage in Germany or Vienna. Aiden’s advice for students moving into high school for the first time is “Everything will seem new and bigger and while that will mean having to find your bearings to begin with, throw yourself at stuff and if it sticks then hold onto it because it could be what you love.”
Matthew Peacock - 2021 Graduate
Since graduating from Springwood State High School in 2021, Matthew hit the ground running studying for his Bachelor of Paramedicine, where he is now completing his third year. Outside of university, he has volunteered with the Queensland State Emergency Service and has been a youth member of the Queensland Youth Parliament for two years running.
Matthew recently caught up with us and shared that his natural desire to help people was fostered at Springwood State High School through its real sense of community. He says “Having staff and students who care for each other allows people to embrace that same caring element within themselves.”
Junior high extension programs and our House System played a pivotal role in Matthew’s opportunities to delve into his diversity of interests, spanning the arts and academia. Joining Arts House in Year 11 enabled him to continue his connection with drama and music. As the supportive school community helped him become more confident and move into leadership roles, he transitioned into Academia House in year 12, where he re-established his science focus while also becoming school captain.
“All of the teachers know your name, you know all the teachers. When you walk into the school, you know you’re going to be looked after. There’s no feeling that you’re going to get lost in the crowd. This is a place that caters to individuals so no matter what you’re interested in there is a spot for you and a way to pursue your passion with the opportunity to make choices over your future from as early as grade 7.”
For those students heading into grade 7, Matthew’s advice is “Don’t be afraid to have fun and explore everything you can do.”
