A rousing applause from the Terang College community signified the end of Kerrin McKenzie’s 37-year teaching career and a long association at the college.
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Mr McKenzie was farewelled on Wednesday with congratulatory handshakes and hugs from children and parents.
The assistant principal retires on Friday after 21 years at the school, which he attended as a child.
The assembly included a This is Your Life presentation and he delighted the crowd reading a book he wrote about his life titled Lucky Mr McKenzie, illustrated by student Will Richardson.
Mr McKenzie said he was excited but also sad to retire. He is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Jill and their adult children Tom, Ellie, and Jordie, travelling and renovating.
Mr McKenzie said he was fortunate to work in a diverse range of settings, beginning his career at Rockbank near Melton followed by positions at St Albans North and Warrnambool Primary School.
He was a shared specialist teacher at schools including Panmure, Garvoc, Laang, Ecklin and Carpendeit and enjoying getting to know the rural communities.
Mr McKenzie was the Dixie Primary School head teacher and the assistant principal at Camperdown College.
He has especially enjoyed working in the P-12 setting. A highlight was establishing a year five to eight middle years school at the Strong Street campus. “It’s worked really well and it’s quite unique,” he said.
“The beauty of (P-12) is I can see preps come in on the first day and get to know them. Most primary schools say goodbye to them, but I get to see them as adolescents and young adults. It’s a great thing.”
Mr McKenzie will miss saying "G’day to the kids" and having a chat in the corridoors in the morning. “It’s always a great start to the day.”
He said the school was like a family and he would also miss the camaraderie in the staff room.
“I’d like to say thank you to the Terang community. They’ve made me feel welcome and well supported. I feel connected to the school and in the community.”
Mr McKenzie said he may return to part-time teaching next year "to stay connected to the kids". He said the college was in “good hands” with Julie-Ann Kelly in the role of acting assistant principal until the end of the year.