My Account
Principal Julie Turner praised Susan’s enthusiasm, passion, professionalism and ‘amazing’ work ethic and integrity.
“She has an unwavering energy, she loves learning herself and loves passing that on to the children. With her obvious enthusiasm and passion for the job, children can’t help but be bound up in that and enjoy learning.”
She described how Susan always came into the staffroom with enthusiasm to share the success of her students.
“A desire to do well by children under her care has always been a strong motivator for Susan.”
Tributes from four previous principals were also read out. Martin Turner was principal from 1990 to 1996 when Susan was first employed after being a reliever. He recognised her commitment to sports, cultural events, galas and other fundraisers.
“You had a great knowledge of the local community and a rapport with the local families and parents.”
Board of Trustees representative Pam Brown thanked Susan for 19 years of dedication and enthusiasm as teacher representative on the board. She said Susan had an amazing ability to share her knowledge of the school curriculum, clarifying jargon, methodology and the importance of the results.
“Susan’s curriculum reports were always the most enthusiastically delivered reports of the entire board meeting. Her amazing knowledge of geography and history helped the board team on many a quiz night at the Sawmill.”
Other tributes described her as “a solid rock on the staff”. There were also musical tributes with current pupils performing a song and former pupils playing the recorder.
Susan said she particularly enjoyed discovering talents and watching them bloom through college and university.
“It’s been a pleasure and an honour to find the talents in the children I have taught and set them on their path. That’s the thing I will remember.”
She reflected on how listening to the recorder players made her recall “the endeavours of teaching 20 children simultaneously to play”.
“It was probably the most challenging thing I did. I have not done it the last two years, it just got a little bit beyond me.”
Susan said she would miss the school but not organising Saturday morning sports. While she would continue to be involved in the school and community, she looked forward to staying home on rainy days.
