It’s not the principal, nor the front office ladies – though that’s also a good idea.

It has been the canteen manager, Marg McCluskey.

For almost three decades, Mrs McCluskey provided students with their recess, lunches - and occasionally a sneaky treat between classes.

She is affectionately called Mrs Mac by the students and teachers alike.

But future generations will miss out, after she retired at the end of term last week.

Mrs McCluskey volunteered at St Brigid’s for one term in 1988 – and never left.

‘‘At the time the school had 120 students,’’ she said.

Two of her children, Simone and David, were at the school.

In 1996, her youngest child Kate graduated and retirement seemed imminent.

Mrs McCluskey said the position had been voluntary until that point.

But the principal at the time, Peter Jardine, offered to make it a half-paid, half-voluntary position.

Mrs McCluskey agreed and has been a fixture at the school ever since – along with her husband, David McCluskey.

Since 1988, the pair has been around for a lot of changes at the school.

Mrs McCluskey said the school had since grown to more than 450 students.

But she said the biggest change had been with the lunch menus and occupational health and safety.

‘‘In the old days it was sausage rolls and pies and hot dogs,’’ she said.

‘‘Now it’s pastas and healthy soups.’’

Rules and regulations have also taken away one of Mrs McCluskey’s treasured times.

Previously, students in year 12 could go into the canteen, run a tab and help out.

But Mrs McCluskey said that was no longer allowed because of health and safety reasons.

‘‘That was a bit sad,’’ she said. ‘‘The kids thought that was their special thing.’’

Despite the ups and downs, Mrs McCluskey knows she is leaving a wonderful school with treasured memories.

Over the years she has played the roles of disciplinarian, confidant and grandmotherly figure.

‘‘I’m leaving with lots of lovely memories,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s the little things. I can remember year 12 boys who would tell you everything that happened at the weekend.

‘‘One day, I was washing the dishes and they were telling stories. I said, ‘would you say this in front of your mother?’

‘‘They said, ‘no, but you’re Mrs Mac’.’’

Several past students have now sent messages of goodwill for the ‘Macs’.

The messages were collated in a book and presented to Mrs McCluskey at a dinner in her honour last week.

The loving words came from as far as Belgium, England and Italy.

Two years ago, Mr McCluskey became sick and a second retirement started to beckon for Mrs McCluskey.

However, she continued working until last week, with Mr McCluskey still a regular visitor to the school.

The couple is now looking forward to spending time with their children and two grandchildren.

But neither would promise they wouldn’t be back to visit the school.

‘‘I’m going to miss the kids and the staff and the parents,’’ Mrs McCluskey said.

‘‘I’m going to miss it terribly. Thank you to everybody.’’