After almost 50 years of dedicated service, teacher Dino McMillan retired on Monday.

Students, teachers and parents gathered in the school’s hall and ended her final day with an assembly to thank her for her many years of service. 

The assembly started off with students performing as part of a choir.

The school captains and the parents club gave speeches and flowers, followed by a heart-warming speech from assistant principal Brendan Bush. 

Mr Bush said Mrs McMillan would be sorely missed.

“Dino’s been a much loved member of staff. She’s always had high expectations of both students and staff,” he said.

Mr Bush said Mrs McMillan had worked at the school since 1968, which was when he started prep.

For two years before that, she was a teacher at Natimuk Primary School and the former Horsham North Primary School.

In her 46 years at Horsham West Primary School she has risen through the staffing ranks, from teacher to unit leader and acting principal.

Mrs McMillan ended her career as the school’s assistant principal, an office she has had for the past 10 years.

Sharon Gibbs took on the role from the start of term three on Monday.

Mrs McMillan told the Mail-Times last month 50 years in education was long enough.

“I’ll definitely miss it, but I will come back and annoy everyone until they tell me to go away,” she said.

She and her husband Don, also retired, have plans to travel and pursue other interests.