News

Mildura teacher retires after 50 years

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 08:00:00

When Melanie Ransome became a teacher, she didn’t foresee a career in education spanning half a century.

In 1966, with no idea what she wanted to do, Mrs Ransome took up the opportunity to attend the Mercy Teachers College in Melbourne on the proviso she returned to Mildura to teach.
“All the convents had one place for a girl from their area, but no one from Mildura wanted to go that year, so the head of teaching at St Joseph’s College asked me, even though I went to secondary school somewhere else,” she said.
True to her word, Mrs Ransome began teaching at SJC in 1968.
She might have fallen into it, but the science and biology teacher quickly grew to love her job.
“The thing I love about teaching is it keeps you in touch with the young people,” she said.
“You understand them better, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.”
Mrs Ransome, who retired at the end of 2017 after 50 years in the classroom, said teaching had changed a lot in that time.
“There was only a handful of teachers here in the beginning, so I taught in any area I was needed – maths, science, art,” she said.
“There would have been less than 200 students and only a few buildings – we’ve grown a lot since I started.
“The curriculum has also changed a lot, and the term structure is different. We used to operate under three terms of 12 to 13 weeks, and now we have four terms of roughly 10 weeks.”
Mrs Ransome also remembers when computers were introduced to schools.
“We had to learn how to use computers and keep records electronically, and I prided myself on picking it up quickly,” she said.
“Now all the kids have got computers, which is a blessing and a curse. It’s great for the students who are keen, disciplined and self-motivated.”
Mrs Ransome said she was keen to see what changes the next 10 years would bring.
“There’s always something new and interesting happening,” she said.
“It took me a while to get used to the fact that I won’t be here this year, but I reached 50 years, and that’s not a bad innings.
“I’m lucky that I’m healthy and can enjoy retirement.”
Mrs Ransome said SJC had looked after her from the beginning, which is why she stayed so long.
“When I got married I was given two weeks off on full pay,” she said.
“Then when I had my daughter in November 1978, I was given sick leave until the next year. Normally you would have had to resign.
“I have also been acknowledged for my years of service.
“They’re just little things, but those little things have made me feel special.”