By Tania Martin
SCHOOL is almost out for Wendy Britt after 21 years.
The Mt Dandenong Primary School principal is looking forward to her long-awaited retirement.
It comes just at the right time with her husband, Don also hanging up his principal post at Kent Park Primary School in Ferntree Gully.
“We are having a gap year, the first time since leaving school – time for some rest and relaxation,” Mrs Britt said.
She first started work at Mt Dandenong in 1988 as a librarian.
At the time she took a demotion in order to be able to work at the same school as her children.
“There was no other way I could both work and be a mother,” Mrs Britt said. She has worked up through the ranks, even trying her hand as a physical education teacher.
“But I wasn’t very good at it.”
For the past five years, Mrs Britt has been at the school’s helm but is now looking for a challenge of a different kind.
“I am retiring from education but not the workforce,” she said.
“I’m still not sure what I want to do.”
Mrs Britt said the biggest highlight of her time at the school was watching the children grow up and become a part of the local community.
Mrs Britt said it was also amazing to see how the school has changed over the years.
“When I came here, this new school didn’t exist and we’ve built it up over that time,” she said.
The dedicated principal also pitched in to help neighbouring school Olinda Primary last year.
Mrs Britt divided her time between the two schools for 12 months until a full-time principal could be appointed.
“I’ve been really lucky, I haven’t regretted a day and I am hopefully leaving the school in sound hands,” Mrs Britt said.
Michael Leonard, 36, will take up the challenge as the new principal. Although quite young for the role, Mrs Britt believes Mr Leonard was the right man for the job.
After just 10 years in the industry, he has experienced a remarkable rise up the career ladder.
“I hadn’t planned moving so quickly but I knew this was a wonderful school and place I would like to work,” Mr Leonard said.
He has spent the past 12 months sharpening his skills as assistant principal at Ferntree Gully North Primary School.
He will take over the job next month.
School’s smooth transition
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