However, the region quickly grew on her and when the final bell rang on Mrs Pickering’s 38 year teaching career on Friday, she had been working in Orange for decades. 

Mrs Pickering has taught generations of students working at schools in Sydney, Nashdale Public School and for the past 18 years Orange Public School.

During that time she has taught students from kindergarten to year 6, spent the past 12 years as deputy principal and has been relieving principal and assistant principal.

“I’ve just completed two and a half years as relieving principal but I’ve been relieving principal prior to that for a term or two at a time,” Mrs Pickering said.

Although she said she would miss helping children learn and watch them develop, Mrs Pickering is planning to lead a more relaxed life with her husband, retired Orange High School PE teacher Grant Pickering at Kiama. However, she said she would still return regularly as she has family in Orange.

“I will miss family and friends in Orange but as for as teaching, I will miss the students and that interaction I have with young people on a daily basis,” Mrs Pickering said.

“I will miss the companionship and interaction with the staff, especially in a large school like this.”

She said teaching had been a valuable career.

“Professionally I feel that sense of purpose each day of doing something really positive for future generations and mentoring young teachers and young executive staff,” Mrs Pickering said.

“I feel really positive with where education is heading as far as schools being more in control for decision making for the school and I feel that’s a really positive move to ensure what happens in a school relates to the school.”