So when Mrs Rozynski retires this Friday – after 18 years at the school – she will clearly be missed.

Mrs Rozynski began her teaching career at Leonay Public School at the foot of the Blue Mountains in 1982 and worked at a number of schools in the Mount Druitt area after that.

She moved to the Hunter Valley in 1997 and taught at Singleton Heights for a year before arriving at Cessnock Public School.

Her first six years at what she has come to call “Cessnock Perfect School” were spent in the classroom, then she was promoted to principal in 2004.

While she enjoyed being a classroom teacher, the transition to principal was a fulfilling experience.

“You can make a bigger difference in more children’s lives. A principal’s role is unique in that way,” she said.

“It’s a very demanding job – but if the work gets too much, go and take a walk with the children and you’ll soon realise why you do it.

“Everything I have done has been about the children.

“If you remain child-centred, you can’t get it wrong – and the basics must remain the same, the focus on teaching and learning.”

She said the “Cessnock Perfect School” mantra is about building hope and positive aspirations in the children.

“It’s no longer just the kids’ dream, it’s them knowing they can be – and that’s the difference,” she said.

“I had a five-year-old tell me they want to be a graphic designer.

“It’s no longer just firemen, doctors and nurses.”

A Millfield resident, Mrs Rozynski said she has enjoyed being part of the same community as her students.

While she will miss the children, staff and families of Cessnock Public School, she is looking forward to a bit of “me” time, and also spending time with her family (including a new grandchild, who was born on the weekend).

On Monday she said it was “surreal” that the final week of her career had arrived.

“I will have time to breathe and enjoy the simple things in life,” she said.

Current assistant principal Steve Morgan will be the relieving principal until the end of the year.