BALRANALD Central School acknowledged an impressive milestone this past week.
Long standing teacher, Ellen Sendy celebrated her 45th anniversary with the school.
She marked her milestone with three of her third-generation students – Huxley, Angus and Bonny. They are just a few of the third-generation students at Balranald Central School who were taught by Mrs Sendy.
Mrs Sendy said the anniversary snuck up on her.
“I didn’t even realise it was my 45th anniversary until I was told,” she said.
“I came out to Balranald in 1981 on a Greyhound bus from Sydney, and I am still here.
“I fell in love and married a local, so I quickly called this town home.
“This is a great job, I love it.
“Some days are good and others I think to myself why am I still here.
“It has been mixed emotions having reached this milestone.
“It is a great community and has been a wonderful place to work, seeing kids come and go.
“My kids came through this school, and now they’re off in the world with kids of their own.
“I love this job, but I have stepped down to part time.
“Looking to the future I would like to do some more traveling and spend time with my kids and grandchildren.
“People make home where they want.
“And Balranald is my home.”
Balranald Central School Principal Nadine Matarazzo said Mrs Sendy is the school’s “constant”.
“She is now and has always been the caring mother hen,” she said.
“Her teaching journey started back in 1981 marking an incredible 45 years.
“She’s taught children, parents and grandparents.
“Ellen now works part time to ease back from her full-time teaching career.
“She works around the school calendar and comes in and helps when and where she is needed.
“Ellen is the person that is always there for the new teachers as they come through starting their career.”
After 45 years, Ellen is a familiar face within the school and the wider Balranald community.
“She has led many initiatives,” said Ms Matarazzo.
“Ellen changed the focus on our Kriss Kringle so we buy a gift for the teacher as if they were a child.
“It was a fun and creative way to have some laughs as we end up with a collection of toys.
“The toys collected were then taken to Mallee family care where Ellen would donate the lot.
“She was just that type of person.
“She is a good constant and has a gentle temperament.
“Ellen has faced many changes throughout her teaching career, with the biggest being the use of technology in teaching.
“She always embraced it though.
“She loves her job and maintains strong relationships with teachers past and present.
“Her two adult children went to this school and now have families of their own.
“It is always lovely to come in each day to look back at the photos over the years and to see her there, she truly is the constant.
“She still comes in and checks in on everyone, even me.
“She is a dedicated teacher, and it is a pleasure to share her commitment to her job of 45 years.”
