WHEN Kotara High's administration and enrolment officer Sharron Campbell started working at the school she thought she'd stay until her youngest child finished their education.
That was more than 45 years ago, on April 2, 1975.
"I love the job and the people and I enjoy coming to work, so I thought 'Well I'm just going to keep going'," she said.
"It was not a burden to me. I can honestly say most mornings I was happy to come to work. You get tired by the tenth week of term and then you get two weeks of holidays - you rejuvenate.
"I just worked with the most amazing people over the years and they were like a second family and I didn't ever want to leave, to give that up."
Mrs Campbell is one of three staff members to retire from the school this week. Her last day is Thursday.
"I feel like it's not real," she said.
Maths teacher Sue Jones is on long service leave pending retirement after 22 years at the school.
Head teacher of art, music, drama and languages Leanne Morton retired on Wednesday after 38 years in the profession and 17 years at the school.
Mrs Campbell - who was told she got the job by telegram - has been the first point of contact for two generations of families joining the school, as well as for many students in need.
"I love the kids," she said. "I used to be right on the front desk and have a lot to do with the students at the school.
"You treat the children as you would like your children to be treated."
Mrs Campbell couldn't work during COVID-19 because she is over 70 and asthmatic.
"It taught me to enjoy the little things in life more than I ever did before and that I don't have to rush around, I can take it easy and enjoy it."
She said she hoped to spend more time with her husband Ian, four children and six grandchildren, as well as do more yoga, aqua aerobics, walking, charity work and travelling.
Mrs Morton, who was inspired by her own "fantastic" teachers to pursue the career, said she needed time to plan her retirement to-do list.
Her husband and "biggest supporter" Grant passed away three years ago from bowel cancer and she was his full-time carer for seven years.
"I turned 60 earlier in the year and luckily financially I can afford to retire," she said.
"I started to think about other things that I want to do, including spending more time with my family and five grandchildren.
"There's just so many things I want to try to do and I think my husband would think I've worked long enough that it's time for me to enjoy my family and what we made together."
Mrs Morton said she felt both excited and sad, but would return to mentor younger teachers and help students.
"This is the best job I could possibly have ever had. It won't sink in until January."
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