“Mr D” is finishing up his career at the end of this school term, 14 years after he began at the Bega Valley Christian College, as SCAC was previously known.

He began as a classroom teacher of Year 4 pupils before working his way up through the years to head of college in 2011 and then principal from 2013.

He said he had always planned to retire at 55 – he turned 57 at the weekend.

“It’s been 14 years working with the most outstanding people,” Mr Duchesne said.

“The kids are wonderful, but there are also so many times I go into staff meetings and say ‘you’re the reason I’m here’.”

Mr Duchesne said his greatest joy is seeing Kindergarten pupils make it all the way through to Year 12 – the college caters for pre-Kinder to HSC.

“I was principal when my first Year 4s graduated so it was a real joy when I spoke at their assembly to these young adults,” he said.

Other highlights over the years have included celebrating the college’s 20^th anniversary and the opening of the grand school gymnasium.

However, it’s the children who stand out the most.

“It’s always a highlight every year to see kids who may have struggled, improving so well and achieving in their HSC,” he said.

“We have lovely kids here and five-year-olds come running up to you in the playground to say ‘Hi Mr D’ – it’s nice to know I’m influencing these young people.”

Mr Duchesne’s plans for retirement include spending more time with family and on his property, but it’s in his workshop where his great interest lies.

“I already have a number of vintage cars there ready to restore – I’ve always been into old cars.

“My first car was a 1959 Kombi van I picked up off the side of the road for $750. I learnt to work on cars because I had to keep fixing it!

“We live in the best part of the world and I feel incredibly privileged and blessed to have worked at this school for 14 years. It’s God’s school and will be here a long time.”