Narara Public School Assistant Principal Denis Weiss was among 59 people honoured for their dedication to the teaching profession at the first NSW Department of Education Service Recognition Dinner on Thursday, November 16.
Weiss has been with the Department since 1968 when he started teaching at Villawood North Public School.
He said he had seen many significant changes in public education in the past 50 years, including a reduction in class sizes, an increase in staff numbers and the development of new technologies.
“In the earlier days you would spend a lot of time preparing stencils to be run off on a ‘spirited’ duplicator,” he said.
“The Gestetner was used sparingly for important documents.
“How things have changed.”
The awards night shone a light on some of the most committed and hard-working public educators in the state, with each individual recognised working a minimum of 50 years with the Department.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said to log 50 years or more of service with the one organisation was an exceptional achievement.
“But to do it in public education elevates it to the extraordinary,” she said.
“We’re incredibly thankful to Denis for his outstanding service over such a long period of time.”
NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said it was fitting to mark individual milestones during a year which marked 175 years of public education in NSW.
“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 Denis for his service,” Dizdar said.