This is a throwback post to the beginning of 2017 when I moved from a teaching position of nearly 9 years to a remote school on a tropical island! Enjoy
First step.... leave kempsey
Kempsey has been my home for the past 8 1/2 years. This was a tough decision to make at first because I had built so many valued friendships and working relationships in my school and in the local community.
In my time at St. Paul's college I have learnt from some of the best teachers in the game. I have said goodbye to some dear close friends through the wretched illness that is cancer. But saying goodbye to my best friend whom I also lived with for the past 5-6 years was harder still.
The school itself has been amazing, it has grown, weathered storms and come out a great place for kids to get an education. I have seen many kids come through it's doors in the 8 years I was there and those kids are now spread out all over the world making a difference in whatever field they have chosen.
Driving out of kempsey one last time (for only 12 months as I will be back) it was a little hard to say goodbye to all those things I'll miss most about kempsey. My beloved Cannonballs. The local rugby union team. An amazing club that I was most fortunate to be president of in 2016. I wish them all the best in the future. The school and my colleagues who I have worked with day in and day out for over 8 years. My friends. The people that have stood by me and supported me through all the hardships and trials of being a teacher in this modern day.
To craig, Rell, Jeb's and the kids who have fed both Sharni and myself on more occasions then I can remember thank you for your support. To my family who have encouraged me to take on a new role teaching in remote Australia on bathurst Island thank you for the support as well.
Lastly to my bestie, the person who knows me best.... Sharni. I know it was extremely hard to say good bye even for the short time it will be, I know you didn't want me to go but you also wanted me to go out and try something new and challenge myself. I look forward to the many conversations and Facebook tags of silly memes over the next 12
Months.
From here in Nana Glen where I sit on a back deck writing my first post, I will travel north and see family and friends before flying out of Brisbane to Darwin middle of January...