After three decades as a teacher, it is time for the chapter to close for Helen Sturman.
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Over the past eight years, Ms Sturman has found her home in Wagga as the principal of Ladysmith Public School, after travelling across much of the state in pursuit of her chosen career.
"I started in Taralga, went to Dubbo, the Central Coast, Walgett, Beckom and then came to Ladysmith," Ms Sturman said.
Comparatively a much bigger town than Beckom where the population sits at just 170 people, Ms Sturman came to Ladysmith to begin a life in a "big centre".
Currently at Ladysmith Public School, there are 24 students across kindergarten to year six.
"I've enjoyed working in small, rural communities," she said.
"The interaction with the whole community is rewarding. Every teacher enjoys expanding their students' outlook on life, seeing them grow into independent little people, but in a small school, you see them grow from kindergarten to year six."
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The small numbers have also afforded Ms Sturman the ability to take an active role in each student's learning.
Her day is divided by classes across various year groups. Kindergarten in the morning, mathematics classes with years four through six in the mid morning, before kindergarten returns with years one and two in the afternoon.
"In a small school, you get to know the whole school, you get to know every child and you become a part of their community, even their families in some cases," Ms Sturman said.
While the school has stood in its place for more than a century, it has undergone enormous change in even in just the years Ms Sturman has been at the helm.
"Technology has changed a lot. We're using smart-boards in classrooms now, there's robotics, coding and computers," Ms Sturman said.
"The teaching has also changed, it's now individualised. We make adjustments for students who are visual learners, tactile learners, auditory learners. It's real life, we link things to the real world."
With her final day of teaching now rapidly approaching the reality of her life post-career is sinking in, as she begins to look forward to what retirement will offer.
"I'll spend more time travelling, spend more time with my grandchildren, and get into volunteering to give back to the community. It'll probably be something with children," she said.
"I'll miss the children. Of course I will. Some of them were upset when I told them I'd be leaving. Change is hard for everyone, but when they've had the same teacher from kindergarten to year six, it's harder on them.
"Once they meet the next [principal] they'll be alright. They're more flexible than they think."