By MICHELLE HERBISON
RECENTLY-retired Portarlington Primary School teacher of 29 years, Jill Graham is looking forward to enjoying her new “three Rs”: reunions, retirement and “remember when”.
Fond memories remain for the well-respected teacher who retired last year but still sometimes returns to school during morning tea bearing roses and sponge cakes.
Mrs Graham spent most of her working life teaching preps in the town.
“People think I was quite mad to teach the preps as long as I did. When they’d start school they couldn’t even stand in a line but by the end of the year they’d built self-confidence, self-esteem, they could read and do maths.”
Portarlington Primary School will this week name its new hall after Mrs Graham.
“When they told me I was shocked but thrilled and a little embarrassed. To me it was part of my life instead of just a job.
“I love Port and the kids.”
