After 34 years, Canobolas Rural Technology High School deputy principal Stuart Riles is ready to taste retirement.
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Last week was his last at the school the same one where he began his career and hes looking forward to a year of travel both in Australia and overseas, working outdoors and volunteering.
Ive got a lot of farm projects I want to do, Mr Riles said.
Although he hasnt relinquished his position and is officially taking a year of long-service leave, at this stage Mr Riles plans to retire once the leave is gone.
Often its difficult to go to the shops and supermarket because you have to stop and have a chat with so many people, but thats good.
- Stuart Riles
Mr Riles started at the school as a social sciences teacher in 1986, and said geography was his passion.
I suppose once I got [to Canobolas high] I just built connections and relationships with people, I became part of their lifes journey. Then I had so many friendships with wonderful staff, he said.
He said his career was broken up into three phases: 10 years as a social sciences teacher, 10 years as the head teacher of social sciences, and 13 years as deputy principal, during which time he also had significant stints as relieving principal, including four weeks in that role at Canowindra this year.
Mr Riles said over the years hes seen students grow up and have children who also became his students, while other students have become teachers and ecologists.
He said hes also worked with wonderful staff.
Its a great, rewarding career, Mr Riles said.
Often its difficult to go to the shops and supermarket because you have to stop and have a chat with so many people, but thats good.
Orange is a great place to live. I came out of Sydney and I had no intention of going back there once I experienced life on the land.
Since starting work at the school, Mr Riles and his wife Donna had two children and bought a property where he grows his own vegetables, has fruit trees and produces most of the familys meat.
NSW Department of Education educational leadership director Duncan Auld said Mr Riles influence on the development of staff, well-being programs and student learning was outstanding.
His cheery personality and positive presence and will be missed by all, Mr Auld said.
For the next year he will be replaced by Lisa Doherty, who he supervised when she was a prac teacher at the school early in her career.
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