After more than a decade as the friendly face in the library, Justine Tonkin is ready for a career jump.
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At the end of this week, the teacher-librarian will leave Wagga Christian College to study early childhood in the hopes of finding "a new challenge in a new environment".
But it has been 14 years since she first stepped into the role at the school, and the task of leaving feels increasingly daunting.
"The closer it's getting to me leaving, the more emotional I'm getting," Ms Tonkin said.
"We're a family here. The kids that graduated last year were in kindy when I started here. I've seen them grow and that's exciting."
The decision to go back to study came after the graduation of Ms Tonkins' own son in the field she will now enter.
"He recently graduated in early childhood and it sounded like just a lovely environment to be in," she said.
"It's super cute and it's something new for me."
Breaking the news of her imminent departure to her students has also come as a unique challenge.
"I don't know if many of the students know, but I did tell my year nine [class] that I won't be around," she said.
"They were very sad. I don't know how many schools would have a group of year nines that would be sad to see their teacher go."
As the teacher-librarian, one of Ms Tonkin's favourite things to do each year is organising the annual book week parade.
Unfortunately, this year's event was overshadowed by the COVID-19 restrictions on who could attend, but the students' costumes still managed to create a memorable send-off for Ms Tonkin.
"I love it when the year 12s participate in book week again," she said.
"The kids in the same family that wear costumes to compliment each other, the parents that go to a lot of trouble, I love that.
"It's those sorts of things I'll miss."