STAFF, past and present, from Oberon Public School gathered recently at Oberon Golf Club to mark the retirement of their esteemed colleague, Lorraine Hotham.
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Several speakers told of their experiences teaching with Mrs Hotham, referring to her as a teacher of excellence.
Note was made of her diligence, commitment, sense of humour and care for the children at the school.
Many thanked Mrs Hotham for her support, guidance and wisdom and for always having the ideal resource on hand to help complete their lessons.
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Georgeia Booth commented on Mrs Hotham’s unfailing ability to recall the name of past students, a trait that demonstrated her interest in the individuals she taught.
Mrs Hotham thanked everyone for attending and shared some of her experiences as a teacher.
She said she had been teaching for 38 years, having qualified at what was then known as the Mitchell College of Advanced Education.
She told the gathering that she was a divorced mother of two young children when she began her studies.
“And I have to express my gratitude to my parents, who looked after my two young children while I travelled to Bathurst every day to classes,” she said.
“They were always there for me over the three years it took to complete my degree.
“I could not have done it without their support, and I am really thankful for all they did for me.”
After qualifying, Mrs Hotham worked as a casual teacher at Oberon Public School and filled the role of literacy and numeracy teacher at Oberon Correctional Centre for four years before accepting a permanent position at Oberon Public School.
I have had a wonderful career
“I have had a wonderful career,” she said.
“It has involved a lot of hard work and challenges, but the rewards have been tremendous.
“I have made wonderful friends through my teaching and have felt privileged to see so many of Oberon’s young people grow and learn.”
At the end of the speeches, Mrs Hotham was presented with several gifts, including a framed panoramic photo of the Blue Mountains.
Mrs Hotham has returned to Oberon Public School in a casual capacity and has promised to continue to teach on a casual basis for the foreseeable future.
