Queensland teacher Dell Rathbone bows out after 70 years

One of Queensland’s longest-serving teachers has bowed out after seven decades as an educator.

Dell Rathbone with West Moreton Anglican College with alumni Ellen Georges Jr Cheng, Rachael Lin, Paranee Chutipongpattanakul, Joy Jiayi Lin, Daisy Zhirus Zhao and John Kim in 2020 – Picture: Richard Walker/File

The school bell has sounded for a trailblazing Ipswich teacher who has bowed out after a remarkable 70 years in education, all as a single mother of four.

Dell Rathbone has put down the pen as one of Queensland’s longest serving teachers having enlisted in the state’s teaching ranks at just 14.

Now 84, Ms Rathbone taught for the entirety of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, with the past 29 years spent at West Moreton Anglican College on Kesswick Rd in Karrabin.

Ms Rathbone said she had enjoyed every minute of her career.

“There is no job which gives you greater intrinsic satisfaction than being a teacher,’’ she said.

“There is nothing better than when a child comes to you and says ‘I couldn’t do it without you’.

Dell Rathbone has retired after 70 years in teaching. Picture: Richard Walker

“I’m grateful to the college for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my teaching passion for over 29 years. The students give back as much as I give to them which is so rewarding.’’

Ms Rathbone’s dedication to pupils has shown throughout her career, from supporting a student with mental health battles in hospital or remaining at school for late evening study sessions with international students this year.

The school’s deputy principal Janelle Lecinski paid tribute to the stalwart.

“At the core of Dell’s commitment is the genuine desire to assist each student to achieve the best they can be,” Ms Lecinski said.

“She has demonstrated that age is no barrier to value-adding to the educational experience of students and she has made an indelible and undeniably profound contribution to shaping the lives of over two full generations of Australian and International students.”

Principal Mr Geoff McLay said Ms Rathbone has been a key component of the college’s international students program.

“Dell has developed a deep understanding of her student’s diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds and of teaching strategies that are most likely to be successful for these students,” he said.

“She is a true polymath and has the responsibility for the learning of students across many disciplines and year levels.”

West Moreton Anglican College’s deputy principal Janelle Lecinski, retiring teacher Dell Rathbone and principal, Geoff McLay. Picture: Supplied

Ms Rathbone’s career started in rural parts of the Western Downs region and, despite a now-defunct law requiring women to cease work when married, she surged ahead.

She taught her own four children through the School of the Air before moving back to Ipswich as a single parent.
There, Ms Rathbone continued her career at Brassall State School before joining West Moreton in 1993.

The school’s international students farewelled the retiring teacher with a speech and a large bouquet of flowers.