How a 10 week placement became 20 years of service

In 1994, as a young teaching graduate, Jo Horne accepted a 10 week casual assignment at Wee Waa High School and quickly made herself indispensable.

Last week, Mrs Horne was acknowledged by the Department of Education for 20 years of service.

“I’ve actually now been in Wee Waa for 29 years, but during this time I have had a couple of breaks and at other times worked part-time.

“All up, it amounts to 20 years of service,” said Mrs Horne.

“I recall arriving in Wee Waa on Mother’s Day 1994. I quickly settled in and found there was plenty I could help with at Wee Waa High.

“I started in the classroom teaching, then I combined that with working part-time in administration, then as the Quick Smart learning support assistant, and in more recent years as the school’s IT support officer.

Relieving principal Jacki Neil said, “Mrs Horne has also been an invaluable support to our BushBots robotics team as a mentor, travelling with them to Houston when they were in the FIRST International Robotics world finals.

“An accomplished musician, Mrs Horne used to play in the school band and over the years has supported our gala nights playing various musical instruments.”