A true passion for education, a drive to stay ahead of the game and a genuine love of children are some of the essential qualities that make a great teacher.

This is the view of Harrington Sound Primary School teachers Kathy Pearman and Lynett George who, with 75 years of teaching experience between them, are finally retiring.

They have been in the profession for so long that one of Ms George’s young students ended up becoming the principal of her school while Ms Pearman has taught several generations of the same family throughout her career.

Both have their reasons for entering teaching and have seen many changes in the education system over the years.

Although Ms Pearman describes herself as a “child magnet” she doesn’t have any children of her own.

“My students are my children,” she said. “I have taught the children of my children, I call them my grandchildren.

“I have been blessed to have lovely children and lovely parents of children. I have watched them grow and they still keep me as part of their life.

“I have been invited to weddings — I have a P6 student who wants me to be god grandma to his children. This year one of my students invited me to his high school graduation and then his Calling to the Bar.

“I do tell my parents that I will always be interested in my students.”

Ms Pearman’s mother Marion was one of Harrington Sound’s first teachers back in the 1940s and, having followed her mother’s lead, her life has revolved around the school.

She said: “I was a student at Harrington Sound, I have been a teacher here 37 years and I live the closest to the school — it’s Harrington Sound Channel 24/7!

“I’m engaged to a gentleman whose great-uncle donated the property for the school to be built and he was one of my mother’s students — this is like my family.”

Ms George said she has always known she wanted to become a teacher because she was fortunate to have many inspirational teachers and leaders in her life.

She took up her first job in 1977 at the then Central School, now Victor Scott, and 17 years ago she joined Harrington Sound as deputy principal and P4 teacher.

She says one of the best parts of the job is seeing her students blossom.

“Seeing the children develop and evolve and become confident in themselves and their abilities is the best part of being a teacher. Learning that they are capable and seeing how much they have grown and matured, especially as they embrace the Cambridge Curriculum — from year to year there is improvement — we still have some way to go but we can get there if we just stay to the wicket and continue to encourage our students.”

Ms George said that teaching should never be something to be taken lightly.

“You have to know your subject matter — you have to be a master at your subject and continue to do professional development keep yourself up to date — don’t necessarily wait for internal development, go out and find it.

“Let the profession be your first choice profession and you must have a passion for what you do. When you walk through the door each day you don’t know what you will encounter and you must be prepared to take on anything you will confront — any personal problems you have to leave at the door. You also have to be a good listener.”

Both teachers say they have seen many changes in the schools system over the years. Ms Pearman said: “It is very demanding. There are more pressures on teachers and students now. When I started there weren’t so many subjects, the little people had naps and play times but now they have to hit the ground running.”

Ms George added: “An effort is being made to have some consistency throughout the system — there has been a cry from the public to step it up. Whether a child moves from east to west the curriculum should be the same.”

Both agree that leadership at the school has been second to none.

“We have an awesome principal here. Lisa Smith offers great leadership,” said Ms Pearman.

“When Cambridge was introduced she began her research and shared her vision and we rolled with it. Here we had a firm grounding in the direction — she is data driven, delves into research and has us doing various studies. She is not the only one — Harrington Sound is blessed. There is something about this school — it has been blessed with strong leadership. I’ve known all the principals at this school, all forces to be reckoned with, all creative, all powerful. Lisa has followed in a long line of greatness.”