Decades of dedication

“I have a long history and a long association with the school, having worked with a number of different staff and working with many great principals,” she said.

Working closely with students and staff has been some of her favourite moments at the school.

“It’s all about the relationships you establish with staff. Many of them have become lifelong friends,” Tracey said.

While her role is no longer in the classroom, spending time with the students remains her favourite part of the job, taking every chance she gets to be involved.

“I think with this role, you do get the opportunity to go into the classroom,” she said.

“I’ve had teaching roles as part of my AP position. When you look at staffing, I’ve had commitments to teaching things like art and the social skills program, but also get the chance to go back to the classroom when we have staff who are absent and relieving teachers.

“It’s a nice opportunity to disconnect from different duties that we have here in the office and just to spend time with the children, which is why I taught in the first place.”

Outside of Tatura Primary School, Tracey has been teaching and in schools for the past 30 years, and has been in the Shepparton area after moving from Melbourne 25 years ago.

“It is a busy job, and it is varied, and at times it can be stressful, but it’s very rewarding,” she said.

BY Georgia Tacey