I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the kind words and compliments paid to me over the past few weeks.

When I started teaching in 1979 as an Infants teacher in the Bankstown area, I had no idea the fabulous places education would take me or lifelong friendships I would make along the way. Schools are positive places to work in and I consider myself fortunate to have worked in many different schools.

Artarmon Public School was opened in 1910 with Ms Eliza Cowen as the headmistress. It quickly grew to a size where she was replaced by a male Principal. I was the next female after her to lead the school 97 years later.

As an anxious Principal on my first day at Artarmon I remember thinking that my job was simple really. Leave the school in a better place than when I arrived. I hope that is what I have done.

There have been so many highlights over the years and the most important ones were those that made school better for kids.

On reflection most of my most cherished memories of Artarmon will be about the people (staff, students and families).

You are so fortunate to have such an amazing talented and dedicated staff helping you to raise your children. On a daily basis I see staff care for your children with kindness, compassion and respect. From the classroom to the office, families are supported in so many ways by experienced and dedicated staff.

Very few schools have the level of community support that we have here. The number of parent volunteers and P&C members who give their time whenever needed is quite amazing and the envy of other Principals. This communicates to your children how much you respect and value not only their education but also their school and its teachers.

Children – hundreds of them over the past 15 years. Even more since I began as a young enthusiastic teacher in 1979. What a joy to spend my life with children. My mother will tell the story of people asking me when I was 8 years old it what I wanted to be when I grew up and I always answered -to be a teacher. Being able to see their anxious little faces as 5 year olds starting school and then see them grow and learn with all our support. Then to see their anxious little faces as 12 year olds leaving us for High School has been my privilege.

I hope everyone in our school community has a happy Christmas and enjoys the holidays ahead.