Kaye leaves school after 43 years

Retiring New Norfolk Primary School business manager Kaye
Whitmore, left, with Tonia Clark who is stepping in to the role.

A FAMILIAR face will be absent when New Norfolk Primary School staff and students return for the new school year next month.

After 43 years (not counting her time there as a student), Kaye Whitmore has retired from her position as the School Business Manager.

"Forty-three years within the Education Department is almost unheard of, but 43 years in the one school is an even rarer achievement," principal Rachel Oldham said. "Kaye has seen many changes in her time at New Norfolk Primary School and several generations of families come through," she said.

Starting when the office was located in then-new multi-storey classroom block on Pioneer Ave, Mrs Whitmore has been through several school redevelopments, office relocations and changes in her role, becoming the senior staff member alongside the principal.

In addition to her role as School Business Manager, Mrs Whitmore has coached various sports teams, transported students to activities outside of school hours, travelled on interstate trips with students, acted as the treasurer on the School Association, and helped with the organisation of school fairs and numerous fundraisers.

"Kaye was also on the committee to change the re-classification of School Business Managers to get their conditions improved, which was a major achievement within the Education Department," Ms Oldham said.

Kaye Whitmore, centre, surrounded by current NNPS students
whose parents or grandparents attended the school during Mrs
Whitmore's time.

Staff, families and students formally farewelled Mrs Whitmore at the NNPS end-of-year presentation assembly late last month. Special guests and the Whitmore family were invited to stay for an afternoon tea along with NNPS staff to farewell Kaye more informally.

Mrs Whitmore is passing the torch to new school business manager Tonia Clark, who is also a former student at the school. "Tonia started Kinder in the same year that Kaye started in her role at NNPS, making this a very serendipitous handover!" Ms Oldham said. Ms Clark has previous experience in this role at several other schools.

"New Norfolk Primary School would like to again thank Kaye for her years of service to the school and wish her all the very best for her retirement," Ms Oldham said. "Kaye will continue to be a big part of the New Norfolk community in her continuing role with the Derwent Valley Community House committee."

Classes resume at New Norfolk Primary School on February 5. A levy payments and uniform sales day will be held from 9.30am-2.30pm on January 31.