Stuart Park Primary School librarian Kerrie Crowfoot retires after 35 years

A beloved school librarian has retired after 35 years at a Top End primary school. Here’s what she will miss most.

“Things have changed a lot over the years but kids are still the same — kids are still kids, and that’s what I’ve enjoyed about my job.”

Kerrie Crowfoot has retired from her role as Stuart Park Primary’s beloved librarian after 35 years teaching at the school.

Testament to the impact she had on her students throughout her tenure, Ms Crowfoot said many of the kids had told her she was “not allowed” to leave.

“Apparently I’m funny – I didn’t know this – but they made me this wonderful book, all the different classes,” she said.

“Quite a few kids have said that I was funny, so obviously I’ve left some impression – and my prize box has left an impression.”

Kerrie Crowfoot has retired after 35 years as a teacher and librarian at Stuart Park Primary School. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ms Crowfoot said many of her favourite memories at the school revolved around the kids, including reading stories and taking them on a “literacy journey”.

She said one such memory took place just weeks before her last day while she was supervising the preschool students’ lunch break.

“One of the kids wanted me to read a book and so I was reading the book and then the next thing you know, another kid’s got their arm around you,” the librarian said.

“Then she goes and gets a book and she goes, ‘You can read another one, you’re quite good at this’, so I’ve still got my reading knack.”

Kerrie Crowfoot sits in Crowfoot Corner, complete with a plaque and a bench. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

After joining Stuart Park Primary’s ranks in 1988, Ms Crowfoot will always be embedded in the school’s history thanks to the installation of Crowfoot Corner just a week before her retirement.

In her 35 years at the school, Ms Crowfoot has taught transition students, taken on PE classes and connected kids with digital technology.

In 2000, she helped the school kickstart its first purpose-built library.

“Literacy and books is sort of my passion, so I sort of fell into something I absolutely loved and adored,” she said.

The next chapter of Ms Crowfoot’s life will take her and her dog across the country in her camper van to reunite with her hobbies – photography, birdwatching, reading and “maybe a bit of yoga”.