When Mark Ouvrier embarked on his first day of school he was five years old. Next week, when the final school bell for the year rings, he will leave the playground for the last time. More than half a century later.
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Mr Ouvrier has served as a principal in at least six schools for 30 of his 39 teaching years.
The last 15 were at Branxton Public School.
He will retire at the same time as his wife Maria, who has worked as a teacher’s aid at Branxton Public School for 15 years.
“I’m a dinosaur, I admit it,” Mr Ouvrier said.
“But it’s time for me to move onto the next phase of life.”
Mr Ouvrier said, while the buildings and technology around him had changed through his career, it would be his students, their families and staff he would remember most.
“That’s what I’ll look back on and miss,” he said.
“I know all the kids and their parents.
“You need to be close, you need to be in the community, that’s the job.”
Mr Ouvrier said he would leave the school in a good position.
“[The school is] respected by the community,” he said.
“It’s a school of 360 and still growing.”
“I’m happy where we are.”
Mr Ouvrier said he hoped his successor would come to Branxton interested in listening to the community.
“The most important thing for a principal is to listen,” he said.
“They need to know and work with the kids.
“And make connections with the kids who need it most.”