A Challis Primary School education assistant has retired after more than four decades at the school.
Sue Farmer has worked at the school in various roles during her time there including as a pre-primary and kindergarten assistant, literacy supporter and worker in the parenting centre.
On Tuesday June 27 Mrs Farmer hung up her hat after 42 years of work at the school.
Even though she had her eyes set on retirement she said she was leaving with fond memories of the school.
“I am lucky and proud to have been a part of the Challis school for so many years,” she said.
“Challis has been a big part of my life.”
When Mrs Farmer joined the school mobile phones and home computers had not yet been invented, Australia had only just won the America’s Cup and the nation still sang God Save the Queen as its anthem.
After one last school assembly during which she was honoured for her work Mrs Farmer had her eyes set on the next stage of her life living at her Mandurah retirement home.
The whole school joined together for a final rendition of Peter Combe’s Wash Your Face in Orange Juice, a song she said brought back countless memories of her time at the school.
“We used to sing it every day for our transition in playgroup,” she said.
“I ran it for three years so we would sing it every day for three years, I’m very proud and I am very moved.”
Mrs Farmer said she had seen many former students return with children of their own and three current staff members were former students who had gone through the school from pre-primary.
She said she would take the many memories with her going forward.
“Now I suppose I’m going to enjoy my retirement,” she said.
“I will certainly miss everybody.”
