School’s Out - Ayr SHS Farewells Five Of Their Finest

Five long-term teachers at Ayr State High School will soon teach their last class before retiring at the end of the school year.

Teresa Gemellaro, Judy McCallister, Kerry Flynn, Mary Piras-Flynn and Emily Shannon have all decided to end their careers at Ayr State High School after teaching generations of Burdekin students.

“It’s not often as a community we get to celebrate career long achievements of a number of people at the same time,” said Ayr SHS Principal Craig Whittred.

“We are as proud to celebrate their achievements as we are sad to be losing their experience and professionalism.

“Each of these people made important individual contributions not only to the fabric of Ayr High, but to the individuals they worked with, both students and staff.

Five of Ayr SHS’s most respected teachers have hung up the whiteboard markers as they enter retirement at the end of the school year.

Deputy Principal Kerry Flynn said teaching wasn’t his initial direction after leaving school but found his passions in maths and physics at university.

Starting at Ayr SHS in 1990, he said he found a school that made him feel welcome and he never saw the need to leave.

Originally from Charters Towers, Mr Flynn worked as a senior maths/physics teacher and Maths & Science Head of Department before becoming Deputy Principal.

“There are so many wonderful young people in the Burdekin who do amazing things and this has been the case for the 34 years I have taught here,” he said.

“Being involved with these students every day and being part of this great school has been a privilege.”

Science teacher Teresa Gemellaro also explored different career options before deciding on teaching, saying she was drawn to it after helping a fellow classmate who had sustained brain damage at her small two-teacher school.

A chemistry specialist, Ms Gemellaro taught a range of maths and science subjects throughout her 40-year career across Burdekin Catholic High School and Home Hill SHS and before sticking with Ayr SHS since 1997.

“I love seeing the happy expression on students’ faces when they understand something they were struggling with,” she said.

“I also love hearing about the many different pathways students follow after leaving school, whether that be higher study and a professional career, or achieving in the workforce in other ways, and becoming great parents.

“It is quite amazing over the years to have taught the children of many former students, and even a few grandchildren are arriving at the school these days since I began teaching in 1980.”

Mary Piras-Flynn also wasn’t sure which path to follow after school, ultimately taking the suggestion of a guidance officer to pursue teaching and has since taught commerce, Italian, computing and maths.

Ms Piras-Flynn accepted a role in Ayr due to its similarity to her hometown of Ingham, saying she ended up staying for 34 years because of the staff and the students.

“This school is a close-knit community where everyone from teachers, ancillary staff and students get on well together,” she said.

“The best thing about teaching in a country school is you get to know the students as well as the families.

“The thing I will miss the most is getting to know a new set of students each year.”

Originally a vet, Emily Shannon became a teacher after moving to the Burdekin when she married her husband, Evan.

She started in the Maths and Science Department at Home Hill SHS in 1988 before commencing at Ayr SHS in 2001.

“It has been a privilege, and mostly rewarding, to work in education,” Ms Shannon said.

“To me, education is about the love of learning.  

“It’s great when students achieve qualifications that lead to employment, but it is about more than that.”

Lastly, Judy McAllister developed a passion for working with people with diverse needs in a role with the Endeavour Foundation before starting as a Teacher Aide with Ayr SHS’s Special Education Program in 2005.

“I feel privileged to have been a part of so many young people’s lives over the years,” she said.

“I have been blessed in my career choice.”

Upon retiring, Ms McAllister and her husband will relocate to acreage at Mount Fox, near Ingham, while the other four will remain in the Burdekin.

“Generations of young people in the Burdekin have been supported through the tireless efforts and professionalism of these special people, and I certainly wish them the very best as they step into the next phase of life,” added Principal Craig Whittred.

‍

Retiring Ayr SHS Teachers Teresa Gemellaro, Judy McCallister, Kerry Flynn, Mary Piras-Flynn and Emily Shannon. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

L-R Kerry Flynn, Teresa Gemellaro, Judy McCallister, Mary Piras-Flynn and Emily Shannon. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie