More than 200 people gathered at The Illawarra Grammar School to farewell the deputy headmaster.

The former Zonta Business/Professional Woman of the Year is an English teacher who has left an indelible mark on thousands of children.

Ms Watt grew up in Scotland but moved to Australia in the 1970s after attending university in Edinburgh on a scholarship.

There have been some hurdles along the way. Such as fighting cancer and having a daughter taken from her for adoption when she still lived in Scotland.

But she has been inspired by such experiences in her own life to go on and do things to help others in similar situations. She has also influenced thousands of children as a teacher.

In the Illawarra she co-founded Wollongong Links. It helps people with post-adoption reunions. She regularly volunteers for the Cancer Council. And has been a mentor for hundreds of young women.

She retires on December 17. She started teaching at SCEGGS Gleniffer Brae just prior to its merger with TIGS in 1975. And has been with the school ever since.

Ms Watt said many things had changed for the better over the years. She had three more children after coming to Australia but there was no maternity leave available back then.

Ms Watt plans to make the most of the time she will have to do things now. Such as organising a big Christmas lunch for all of her family and planning a holiday back to the United Kingdom. But she will miss the daily contact with students.

She said the great thing about being a teacher for so long was looking back on the memories. She loves bumping into former students somewhere and hearing all about their lives. It is always a nice feeling when they are so happy to see her..and greet her with a great big smile.

At her farewell some former students brought their children who are present students. The only thing she hasn’t done is teach a grandchild of a former student.