By STEFAN BRADLEY
A PRINCIPAL who began his teaching career in Gippsland has ended it in Gippsland.
Jamie Gay began his working life in education in 1988 as a PE teacher at Churchill North Primary School, and he worked at various different schools across the state since then.
His last day as principal of Sale and District Specialist School was on Friday, ending his 37-year run in education while also marking the beginning of a new personal chapter in retirement.
A school assembly on Thursday was called at the Sale school to give Mr Gay a send off, with students, staff and parents alike in attendance.
It didn’t take long at all for Mr Gay to become teary and emotional as he began his short, but sweet farewell speech. He emphasised how much he enjoyed his time at the school and how great the students are.
“For those of you that have gotten to know me really well, you will learn how much I enjoy coming to work every day and being here, (but) I am looking forward to retiring,” he said.
After the assembly, there were plenty more activities for the students, including carnival games, delicious food and reminiscing on Mr Gay’s time as principal. Starting Term 4, Ewen Jondahl will take over as acting principal at Sale & District Specialist School.
Asked why he decided to retire, Mr Gay responded by saying, “because it’s time”.
“The school is in a position where it needs a new principal…so rather than renew my contract for just a short period of time, it’s time to let somebody else come into the position where they can be principal for the next five years,” he told the Express.
Mr Gay started at the school in the middle of 2020 during Covid – needless to say a challenging time. His retirement will be all about spending time with family, and lots and lots of fishing.
