From representing NSW for the Deaf Cricket team to buying his first home, inclusive, supportive work has enabled Serco’s Graham Rogers to thrive in his school cleaning career for 31 years and counting

A morning alarm goes off, signalling the start of a brand new day. Shortly afterwards, it’s accompanied by another. Now it’s certainly time to get out of bed.

Every morning, Graham Rogers – a big believer in punctuality – sets two alarms so he can be onsite early for his role as the Leading Hand at Narrabeen Sports High School, in North Narrabeen, NSW. Graham has been working at the high school for the past 13 of his 31 years as a school cleaner, and in that time, has become a mainstay of the vibrant learning community. At 59 years young, he shares that he has spent most of his life working in school cleaning, and loving every minute.

“My entire adult life has unfolded while working in this job,” Graham says reflectively.

“During this time, I bought my first car, got married, purchased my home, made lifelong friends, and have enjoyed a very happy and rewarding life.”

When asked what he likes most about working at Narrabeen Sports High School, Graham says that ultimately, it’s about people, connection and pride in his work.

“I deeply value working with my fellow cleaners, some of whom have also been working at the school for many years. I take great pride in maintaining a clean school, which is essential for creating a healthy and productive environment for the children.

“The teaching staff have always been supportive and friendly. I have developed wonderful relationships with several of the staff, built over knowing them for many years.”

Graham thrives in his role because of his passion for what he does, and the support of his colleagues and the school community. Describing success in his role as someone who is deaf, Graham says that the strong communication between himself, the other cleaners and Serco management makes the team an exceptional one. Additionally, effective measures are in place to ensure information is communicated inclusively.

“Most daily communication is done in written form by text, which is helpful for me. My colleagues at the school are very supportive and fill me in if I miss or misunderstand something.

“There is also a communications book established for teachers to communicate with the cleaning staff. This is particularly helpful in a large school with many student activities, as effective communication between teachers and cleaning staff is crucial for success.”

For Graham, having a supportive employer is an important part of his career.

“Serco is a very well-structured company. We have annual training. My boss is very supportive and checks in with our team regularly to ensure we have what we need, and provides feedback whenever needed,” Graham says.

“The company I work for has always treated me well and provided me with a rewarding career, which has encouraged me to stay in my role for such a long period of time.”

For Graham, the icing on the cake is the appreciation and community connection derived from his integral role as Serco’s Leading Hand at Narrabeen Sports High School.

“Just last week, I had a lovely chat with the retired principal of Artarmon School. It was wonderful to think that he remembered me after all these years. Sometimes I see the children from my school all grown up and doing well in life. They are always friendly and take the time to say hello.”

Outside of his day job, Graham’s life is just as busy and community focused.

When he isn’t onsite working conscientiously to ensure every cleaning task is taken care of to the highest quality standards, Graham is a proficient swimmer and cricket player. In the latter sport, he has proudly represented NSW for the Deaf Cricket team. As someone deeply connected to community, Graham also meets for lunch monthly with a Deaf Club comprised of members based across the Northern Beaches, including friends he has known since primary school, and Deaf Cricket team members. When at home, Graham spends quality time with family, and can often be found tinkering around the house, leveraging his skills as a qualified cabinet maker.

Over his time in the facilities management space, Graham shares that he has observed significant innovation.

“I appreciate learning about the new tools and machines that Serco has introduced to make our jobs more efficient and effective, allowing us to maintain even higher standards of cleanliness,” Graham says, referring to his dynamic work.

“I use a personal checklist to ensure that both regular and irregular cleaning tasks are completed. This helps me stay organised and prepared.”

Serco is proud to employ cleaners like Graham across NSW education buildings. Having diverse backgrounds, abilities, hobbies and skill sets, our cleaners share an unshakeable belief in the importance of clean, supportive environments for students and teachers.