What 60 years in public education have taught NSW’s longest-serving teacher

With the expertise of six decades of teaching behind him, and the white hair to prove it, Kogarah High School’s John Quinnell has seen a lot change. See what modern schools could learn from the “golden years” of public education.

Laura Sofia Umbarila, 15, John Quinnell, and Jerry Tang, 15, at Kogarah High School, today. John Quinnell has worked for the Department of Education for 60 years. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

NSW’s longest-serving schoolteacher says vocational trades and skills must be treated with the same value in society as Bachelors’ degrees, calling on students to pursue the pathways that suit them best rather than being pushed into university.

With the expertise of six decades of teaching behind him, and the white hair to prove his authority both in the classroom and beyond it, Kogarah High School’s John Quinnell has seen a lot change since the 60s and 70s when his career in public education began.

“Those were the golden years, where we had things to look forward to … like purchasing a home. We could play sport, but there’s a greater intensity now,” the 80-year-old English teacher said.

During his tenure Mr Quinnell has adapted to an increasingly packed curriculum, greater demands of teachers both from parents and education authorities, and “overwhelming” administration, with many of those changes accelerating since the turn of the century.

He’s also witnessed societal shifts playing out in his classroom. Nowadays, he said, kids have a range of different motivations for coming to class each day, from seeing school as a safe place, to socialising, to pursuing their future education and careers.

John Quinnell, a teacher of 60 years, with Kogarah High School Intensive English Centre students Laura Sofia Umbarila and Jerry Tang. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“Chris Minns is talking now about pathways … but basically we’ve been trying to mould students to think of university more so than trades,” Mr Quinnell observed.

“We’ve got our TAFEs, but they seem to have been diminished, and I think we’re acknowledging now that they have great value, because where are the tradesmen?

“We have to think of what the ability of this … individual (is), and where they can be productive, where they can be satisfied with their contribution in society.

“Give them the opportunity, let them have their pathway.”

Having started out in a two-teacher school in the tiny town of Wirrinya, southwest of Forbes, in September 1963, to now teaching English as a second language at an Intensive English Centre for migrant kids, the senior educator hasn’t always found the job easy.

Sticking at it, he said, has been sheer “determination”, but his work at Kogarah High School has been a 27-year-long “joy”.

Teaching at Kogarah High School’s Intensive English Centre has been “a tonic” for Mr Quinnell. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“I’ve been content with my job. Sometimes it’s been brutal, but I’ve continued,” Mr Quinnell said.

“Teaching here has been a tonic … I found a place in the sun, metaphorically, that I can really use my expertise.

“I’m particularly pleased when some of our students … become duxes of schools, become academics – that’s a joy.”

Mr Quinnell will be one of nearly 60 guests at Thursday night’s inaugural celebration of the teachers, principals, counsellors, librarians and support staff who have served in NSW’s public education system for more than 50 years.

Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said the Service Recognition dinner in Sydney was a “fitting” celebration for those who have served the longest, with the department itself marking its 175th anniversary.

“So much passion and sacrifice goes into the teaching profession and many other roles within public education and I’d like to personally acknowledge and congratulate John and the 58 other ambassadors,” Mr Dizdar said.

“Ultimately, it’s the students that benefit from their vast experience, depth of knowledge and commitment to helping multiple generations to learn – and for that we are incredibly thankful.”