St Gregory’s was more than just a school for me. It was my micro-society, a place where I felt at home and where I belonged. When I came to the College, I was put in a year below the year I was supposed to be in because there were no places in the correct year and because my English was not up to the expected level. I was moved up to the correct year, a month later because of my academic achievement in other subjects, including Maths. This little hiccup has taught me one of the most valuable lessons in my life and that lesson that is still current. If there is no direct way to achieve what you need, then there is most certainly an indirect one, you just need to find it.
I came to Australia at the age of 14 and by 15 I was enrolled into St Greg’s. At the time, the name and the status of the College seemed on par with Oxford as far as I was concerned. It was my “gold medal” just to be at the College, proudly wearing that maroon blazer. Over my school years, the best friends I had were all from school. We were a team, we were a bunch of guys that in my eyes, everyone else aspired to be. The sense of community at the College was epic, especially for a first-generation immigrant like me. I remember my school years fondly and in my darkest moments, I refer to those happy memories to help me through.
Since leaving school, I completed a B Comm Degree at UNSW, and I have gone on to start numerous businesses, some of which have failed, but the ones that haven’t have done well. I have starred in a reality show in Russia, became famous there and have been featured in Forbes magazine and alike in many countries. I am recognised as a world expert in the fields that I work in and recently, I have climbed to the top of Australian business, where I now call icons of Australian business my friends and partners. I have a wife, Elena and two children, a girl and a boy, and I am proud to say that I have been married for 17 years. Some say that I have done alright after leaving school.
I can honestly say that in part, I have achieved and keep achieving all that I have because of my teen years at St Greg’s. The boys on the rugby field at the time, have shown me to always strive for perfection and to always be number one. The guys on the debating team have taught me how to speak well. The guys at soccer and other sports have shown me the importance of respect to your opposition and the list goes on. I am forever grateful to the teachers and in particular Brother Richard Benett, for teaching me and giving me the academic base that I have built upon since school.
St Greg’s is unique in its culture and history, it is truly educational and an early life development gem of Sydney, not just in the Southwest. I am thrilled to be offered an opportunity to tell my story and wish everyone who has any association with the College, great happiness, prosperity and luck.
Sergei Sergienko
Class of 2000