The year was 1980. Malcolm Fraser was Prime Minister, Jimmy Carter was in the White House, Back in Black was climbing the charts, and The Empire Strikes Back was filling cinemas around the world. It was also the year English teacher Paul Hanna began his education career.
Nearly five decades of service later, Mr Hanna has been given a heartfelt send-off at Mindarie Senior College, where he has taught since its inception in 2003, after deciding now was the right time to call time on his career.
After announcing his retirement, Mr Hanna was recently given a surprise guard of honour by staff and students on his last day at the college in a touching tribute marking the end of his 46-year teaching career that also went viral on social media.
Mr Hanna said he felt privileged to have colleagues who cared enough to organise the farewell and was moved by the gesture.
“It would have been embarrassing if I’d known it was occurring, but it was so sudden that I didn’t have time to be embarrassed. But it was lovely, it was really nice,” he said.
“People often just finish their careers and walk out the door clutching their cardboard box of goodies, but I was privileged that I had people here who cared and organised something.
“I think anybody who’s taught or done anything for that period of time probably deserves something like that, and I was just lucky that I have an admin who took the time to do that.”
A Career Spanning Generations
Mr Hanna was head of humanities at the college and has been an English teacher his whole career. Before joining Mindarie in 2003, Mr Hanna taught at Clarkson Community High School for about six years, and before that worked at schools in Craigie, Moora, Lockridge, Harvey and Denmark. He estimates he has taught thousands of students across multiple generations, including the children of former students.
The internet was still decades away from becoming a classroom staple when he started, but Mr Hanna said the biggest change over his 46 years in the education sector was not necessarily technology but a greater emphasis on building relationships with students and understanding them.
“Technology is part and parcel of teaching now, but I don’t know if that much has changed,” he said.
“I think now there is more of an effort to get to know the kids.
“I don’t think you can go into a classroom and give an instruction and, if a kid questions you, just say ‘because I said so’. Back in the day, you could rely on that sort of unquestioning discipline, and if the kids didn’t conform, it was seen as their fault. But nowadays that’s not how schools operate; it’s all about relationships with kids and working together with them.”
A Tough Decision to Retire
As he still thoroughly enjoyed his job, Mr Hanna said it was a tough decision to step away from teaching but now was the right time.
“The thought of retirement was worrying, but now it’s here, it’s fine,” he said.
“Because I’m 68, there comes a time when you have to call time on it. Other good people are going to take my job, so the college will be in good hands.
“I’m looking forward to doing more travelling, overseas trips and caravanning, that sort of stuff.”
He said he will miss the camaraderie with colleagues and also the students.
“I don’t think you can do a job like this for as long as I’ve done it if you don’t like kids,” Mr Hanna said.
“They’re just interesting, and they’re enthusiastic, and they’re idealistic. So I’ll miss that side of it for sure.”
Principal's Tribute
Mindarie Senior College principal Jonathan Bromage said Mr Hanna was a valued mentor to all teachers in the humanities department and had been a “true role model” for all members of the college community.
“Students consistently speak about how Paul helped them believe in themselves. He has an uncanny ability to help young people recognise their potential and take ownership of their learning,” Mr Bromage said.
“He has championed the belief that the role of a teacher is to be there for their students — a principle he models every day.
“Paul will be greatly missed by our college community, but we are excited for the new chapter ahead, including more time with his much-loved family.
“We sincerely thank Paul for his longstanding and positive contribution to student learning and wellbeing at Mindarie Senior College.”
