By Jed Lanyon
Marlene Williams celebrated 30 years of teaching at Healesville Primary School on Thursday 1 August.
Healesville Primary School staff gathered in their staffroom for a surprise morning tea for Ms Williams to honour the occasion.
While Ms Williams said she knew that she was coming up on 30 years of service at the school, she never anticipated to receive such warm recognition for her achievement.
“I’m very surprised and overwhelmed. I’m touched by the thoughtfulness… It’s humbling and very touching.”
Ms Williams said some of her best memories of her time at the school being the lifelong friendships she has formed with staff and students.
“It has been a very personal relationship and a very personal connection with the school.”
Ms Williams said she still had a strong connection to her past students and their families, having been invited to some of their 18th and 21st birthday parties long after teaching them in primary school.
Ms Williams shared how Healesville Primary School had changed over the course of 30 years.
“We had lots of portables and an old wooden building when I first started.
“I remember the prep playground with the huge oak trees. That was just magnificent. And of course the big blue slide.
“There have been lots of changes… There’s not one building or playground that is the same since I first started here.”
Ms Williams is now teaching the children of some of her earlier students in her career.
Prior to her time at Healesville Primary School, Ms Williams taught at Scoresby Primary School and Boronia Primary School.
When asked what she enjoys the most out of teaching, she said, “The kids, the interaction with the kids. I love seeing them grow and learn and to get enthusiastic about their education and their own life.
While only having started at the school last week, Healesville Primary School’s new principal Tracey Robertson-Smith was full of praise for Ms Williams for helping her settle in to her new role.
“It’s an incredible achievement. I don’t know if people necessarily stay in the same occupation for 30 years let alone the same place.
“I think it shows her passion and love for Healesville Primary in the fact that she’s still here after all this time.
“She’s an absolute asset to the staff, the teachers love her, and the students love her.
“She knows everything about her kids, she knows the families and she really brings that community aspect into the school.”
