Since Anne Smith was five-years-old she had always wanted to teach and she began her career 43 years ago in 1975. 

“I was inspired by my next door neighbour who was a teacher and I always said that this was what I was going to do and never really thought of anything different,” Mrs Smith said. 

The senior history and geography teacher said her biggest highlight has been the relationships formed over the years with both the staff, students and families. 

“One of the things I enjoy is the relationships you build up with your colleagues, but with the students and you get that next generation of their families coming through, probably all of us have experienced that and those relationships just go on for years and years.

“I was just thinking last night, I go out into the community and in one year I taught my hairdresser, the doctor’s receptionist, the dental nurse, the boarding kennel, the dog groomer and the list goes on.

“You create links, particularly in Wagga a lot of the families are still here.” 

Ms Smith hasn’t set herself an agenda following next week’s last teaching day. 

“I’ve decided that I just want unstructured time, I don’t want to have to live to bells and report deadlines so it’ll be nice to just ease into a lifestyle without those pressures,” she said. 

“I haven’t set myself a big agenda, initially I just want to spend time with family, locally and further afield and see where life takes me.” 

For mathematics teacher David Hill, who also began his teaching career in 1975, he retired in July but missed teaching and returned for some senior classes. 

“I actually retired in July this year, but I’m back teaching and I have missed it but I was asked to come back to teach three senior classes for a teacher who’s on long service leave,” Mr Hill said. 

“I’ve loved it for the past four weeks and I know I’ll miss teaching but it’s time.” 

Mr Hill said his passion for mathematics was part of the reason why he began teaching. 

“One of the obvious highlights is seeing students achieve to their potential in HSC,” he said. 

“One of my biggest highlights, and something I’ve had the greatest pleasure, is seeing students come to my classroom at the beginning of the year hating maths and not liking you because you’re the maths teacher.

“But at some stage during the year, they come in with a smile on their face and realise that maths isn’t that bad at all and have lost the hate and fear.” 

English and history teacher Don Huckel said it was time to start focusing on his health. 

“I started in 1981 and I was influenced to become a teacher mainly by the teachers I had and also my grandfather,” he said. 

“Teachers are very time poor and I need to look after my health a bit more, so the time is right and I’ll miss teaching and I hope to do some casual work but as far as full-time employment is concerned, I’m ready to go. 

“I’m looking forward to spending time with my family and friends, smell the roses and get stuck back into my painting again.” 

Mr Huckel said adapting to changing technology has been a challenge over the years. 

“Adapting to recent changes with the advent of technology would be a challenge and all throughout my teaching career, there’s always been that underlying debate whether teaching is a profession,” he said. 

“I think the pressure is rising and things are becoming standardised and quantified to improve the standard of teaching.” 

A sport fanatic’s scholarship to Wollongong’s Teachers College saw John Preston begin his teaching career in 1969. 

“I was influenced by the fact that I loved sport and we lived on a farm but it was a tough decision taking the scholarship and leave the farm,” Mr Preston said. 

“We just won the farm about six months before, but I thought I could always go back to the farm and I’ve loved being a P.E teacher ever since.” 

Mr Preston said he has cherished his time at Mater Dei and the education system is in good hands. 

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“Coming to this college in the latter part of my career was probably one of the best things I’ve ever done,” he said.

“The respect developed by our staff and the students is amazing, to the extent on numerous occasions every day you get thanked for the lessons and I think that’s the testimony of the standard of education out here.” 

Mr Preston officially resigned in August and said it was interesting to come to a point in his life where he wouldn’t get paid. 

“I have enjoyed teaching but the increase in paperwork was tough,” he said. 

“The challenge for me was to just get the best out of every student I could, whether they were in my class or not. 

“My wife is retiring in seven days and while we haven’t got any immediate plans, we do want to travel.” 

Last, but not least is Peter Simpson who began teaching 40 years ago in science and agriculture. 

“I don’t really know why I became a teacher, I just thought I would enjoy the job,” Mr Simpson said. 

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed teaching and I will miss it.”