After 21 years Sue Kearns steps down as principal of St Joesph's Primary

She has spent the past 21 years as principal of St Joseph's Primary School in Portland and will now be stepping down from the role.

After full time teaching with the Department of Education at the beginning of her career in both Lithgow and Portland, Mrs Kearns began her work at St Joseph's as a casual teacher in 1981.

She then moved into a part time position at St Joseph's before she accepted a full time position in 1986.

Mrs Kearns then took on the role of principal of St Joseph's in 2000 and hasn't looked back.

"I think it is a good time for me to step down from the school, we have Simone [Taylor] stepping into the leadership position and enrolments are up which is positive and students are working hard so now is the right time," she said.

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Mrs Kearns said that she believed she had done everything she could for the school, but it was now time to pass it on to someone a bit younger.

"A lot has happened over the years, with the renovating of buildings, adding toilet blocks, the art room and a few other things," she said.

Mrs Kearns said the main reason why she never left St Joseph's was because she loved the school.

"I loved the small school setting and I married a local boy who worked at the power station so we stayed for work commitments.

"But I also believe it is amazing to teach in the town you live because you get to watch the children you teach grow into adults and that is really fulfilling."

Mrs Kearns had been thinking about retiring for a number years before making the choice.

"Simone has watched me and when I was away on long service leave she was the acting principal so she has an idea on what it is all about," she said.

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The school will have a new full time permanent teacher to replace Simone.

"There will be a few changes but they are all positive looking forward and the staffing here is very good," she said.

Now that Mrs Kearns will be retiring she plans on doing a bit of travelling and catching up on things around the house, including her passion for gardening.

"This just gives me time to do other things that you don't get to do when working full time," she said.

Mrs Kearns said she would stay in the area because of her family.

"I have grandchildren that go to this school, so I can come to events and even though it will be hard to not be involved in the school in that way, it will be nice to sit back and just enjoy Portland," she said.

When looking back on her time at the school, she said it was all positive.

"Highlights include the centenary in 2005 and just watching the students go on and be successful," she said.

"Another highlight is the collegiality of the Bathurst Diocese and the great relationships formed, especially with the small school principals."

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Mrs Kearns said she would especially miss seeing the children every day.

"I will miss the children and the staff, but mostly the children, the day to day 'hellos and good mornings'," she said.

"As I have also been a support teacher for the past two years and helping in the classroom I will miss that too."

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