FOR 30 years Hayley McCleary has been at the front of the classroom, teaching students not only the curriculum, but key lessons in life.
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On Friday, July 1, Hayley celebrated the milestone in front of her entire school of Lake Cathie Public.
She was presented with flowers, a card, a present and a cake as well as a tear-jerking video of her time as a teacher.
Hayley said that she wakes up every morning ready to go to a job that she loves.
“It’s amazing. I try to instill in the children to find a job that they enjoy as much as I do,” she said.
Her passion for teaching started at a very young age.
“When I was in year four my best friend’s mum was a teacher and they had the happiest family,” she said.
“I thought ‘hey, that’s how I want my life to be’ so that was when I decided what I wanted to be.”
Hayley said that being a part of the new Lake Cathie Public school is a blessing.
“I love being a part of this community. I plan to continue to teach, especially here,” she said.
“I’ve been very luck to be a part of the new school.”
Although it is hard to pinpoint a certain memory over the years, there is one that stands out to her.
“When I was teaching at North Haven I took the touch football team down to the State Cup,” she said.
“We worked really hard, trained after school for hours and hours, for months and months.
“We had a goal to go to state and we achieved it, so memories like that are great.”
Sport is something that Hayley believes can change lives. After all, she did watch Harry Kewell and Ian Thorpe play sports when they were children.
“In my career I’ve been really lucky with the sport, because it’s a really good way to get the children’s respect,” she said.
“Sometimes it will turn a child’s life around.”
Every humble, Hayley thanked those around her and the friends she has made over the past 30 years.
“All of the friends I’ve made through teaching is wonderful,” she said.
“I even have ex-pupils on Facebook from Smithtown West who still remember me and it’s great to see them grow up and turn into responsible adults.”