AFTER three decades in the classroom, student/teacher support worker Josie Westcott is saying goodbye to Upper Plenty Primary School, a place she says she has loved for more than half her life.
“I have been working here for 30 years, but I have been part of the school community for 33 years,” she said.
Josie, as everyone called her, began as a parent volunteer.
“Four of my kids went here, and that’s how I started here. I used to volunteer a lot as a parent-helper. And then a position became available and I was asked to apply, I did, and here I am 30 years later.”
At the time, the school was tiny.
“When my children started, there were 28 kids in the whole school,” Josie said.
“When I first started working there was only the principal, who also taught in the classroom. There was a teacher, and myself. That was it, the three of us.”
Josie said: “We had a visiting library, a visiting P.E., and a visiting art teacher … but that was once a fortnight. If they wanted to play a game everyone was involved, the whole 28, whether you were in prep or grade 6.”
Today, the rural school has grown to about 200 students.
“It’s still small but it’s one of the best schools. Not too many kids, it’s personal,” she said.
Josie’s background was in early childhood, working as a preschool mothercraft nurse before having her own family.
She said: “I have always loved working with children. But when I had my own family, it was too difficult … early starts and late finishes. It just didn’t suit.”
Working at the local primary school did suit. Over the years, she has watched generations grow up.
“To see the kids progress, from when they first start in prep, working with them all the way to Year 6 … it is just very rewarding,” she said.
“You have got a lot of challenges when they first start … but it’s a very rewarding job.”
Receiving her retirement date was sentimental.
Josie said: “I have accomplished a lot here. I have been very emotional … because it has been a very big part of my life. I have been here for more than half my life, and I love it.”
The school itself has changed with the times. “We used to start at 9.15am because a lot of the people in the area had chores to do, farming chores. So we have come a long way.”
But for Josie, one thing hasn’t changed. “It’s a job that you do because you love your job,” she said.
Her advice to those following in her footsteps is simple. “It is challenging and it’s getting more challenging … but just be patient. Working in this field you have to have a lot of patience and it’s not a job you can do without patience.”
