Tara Murray
Wally Antonowicz said when he started teaching at Holy Eucharist Primary School in St Albans South, he predicted it would be the school he would retire at.
Now 43 years later, he walked out of the classroom for the last time last week.
Mr Antonowicz said he had mixed emotions about retiring.
“I’m happy and sad at the one time,” he said.
“I spent 43 years at Holy Church after 14 years in the state system. I started at Sunshine Tech in 1965 and then time at St Albans Heights.
“I needed a change away from the state system, as there was too much politics. I had already been involved with the church and knew the priest.”
After an interview process, where Mr Antonowicz was offered the job on the spot, he went to work.
At the time he told the priest he planned to spend the rest of his career there.
Mr Antonowicz never took up a position of responsibility and would stay in the classroom throughout.
“You get to interact with the children and parents,” he said. “You’re on duty all the time.
“Teaching full-time isn’t like having a 9-5 job, you’re always working.
“Teachers are a special breed and are responsible for the next generation.
“You wouldn’t have doctors, police, lawyers without teachers.”
The 77-year-old said he had originally planned on teaching until he was 80, but there were a few reasons for stepping back earlier.
He said the changes in technology had made things hard, while the pandemic and home learning had also had an impact.
“For me, computers are the work devil,” he said.
“It’s forced my hand a bit. There were situations where the grade six students were helping me design programs, and I would just put the details in.
“At 77, I’m set in my own ways.”
Mr Antonowicz said there had been 37 families where he had taught two different generations.
Some of the students paid tribute to their retiring teacher.
“From coaching T-ball to teaching maths, you helped me learn many useful skills that could benefit me in the following years. You always kept me on my toes and made silly jokes,” one said.
Another said, “you have represented yourself as a great leader not only to the year level but the whole school whilst guiding us how to be great and hardworking students. As a teacher, you have inspired me to do many things. I am extremely grateful for everything you have done for me this year. I hope you will continue to have a wonderful and successful life.”
The father of three and grandfather of six has also been active in the community, including at the church and St Albans Football Club.
He has lived in St Albans since 1960.
In retirement, Mr Antonowicz plans on writing a book from his 43 years worth of diaries and spending more time with his family.
