The Warrnambool Primary School principal is retiring on Thursday after 15 years at 'Jamo' and four decades in the education department.

Speaking to The Standard from his Jamieson Street office on Wednesday, Mr Auchettl said he had "mixed emotions" about stepping away from his passion.

He had the old wooden pencil box during his early years of teaching at Warrnambool College, then known as Warrnambool High School.

The box is now signed by dozens of doting students, some of which have gone on to become teachers themselves.

Mr Auchettl said it was seeing students grow and flourish that kept him in the education department for so many years.

He spent two decades at Warrnambool College before moving to Lorne P-12 as an assistant principal.

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About 18 months later he returned to the south-west, taking up positions as assistant principal and then principal of Terang P-12.

He returned to Warrnambool in 2006 and has remained Jamo's principal ever since.

"There's a fantastic school community here in Warrnambool," Mr Auchettl said.

"The parents are supportive and the staff are fantastic."

Mr Auchettl said he would miss greeting students at the front gate each morning and hearing their chitter-chatter in the halls.

"You walk around and the noise you hear is a working noise, the kids are happy and they're learning - it's a great thing," he said.

"I like people and teaching is one of those professions where you interact with people all the time. Seeing the development of children on the way through is also really satisfying."

Mr Auchettl said he was excited about the next chapter of his life.

"But after 40 years it's also a bit sad to leave," he said.

"I am blessed and honoured to be charged with the responsibility of leading two really great schools and that's something that I've been grateful for and have never taken for granted."

Mr Auchettl said his retirement would include plenty of golf, travel when possible and spending time with his wife Evelyn and their daughters Brigid and Aylish.

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