Photo: Michelle Kearney

After 31 years of teaching at Eden Marine High School, Garry Bennett handed in his chalk and pens and entered retirement last Friday.

Garry is well known to many in the community, having taught nearly three generations of Eden ‘locals’.

Looking back on his time at Eden, Garry says he has been privileged to teach at EMHS.

“I’ve received so much pleasure from seeing our local kids achieve their potential and to think I played some sort of minor role in helping them to do that is very special” Garry said.

Garry spent the last week of his teaching career assisting HSC students in their final preparations for the Business Studies exam, and saying goodbye to his classes and Year 10 in particular.

Garry has been Head Teacher of the Social Sciences faculty for the past 12 years and was the Support Head Teacher for the current Year 10 group.

Garry’s professionalism and dedication has been recognised well beyond the Eden community.

Last year he received a special award from the Australian National University for Excellence in Secondary Teaching.

Ever modest, Garry rates this peer recognition well below the phone calls he gets from his HSC students each year, proudly telling him of their results.

“I still get calls from past students who keep in touch and tell me about their careers and what they are up to. This makes it all really worthwhile,” Garry said.

A proud supporter of the school and the area, Garry sent his own two boys to Eden High.

“Eden is a fantastic place for kids to grow up and go to school. Both my boys went through the school (EMHS) and have been successful.

“They got such a broad experience at the school that when they got out into the big wide world they were able to handle it,” Garry said.

Asked about what he would miss in his retirement, Garry said “the school has a highly experienced and dedicated staff. There is great camaraderie and the boss is terrific! I will really miss them all but plan to stay in touch.”