As Lake Heights Public School’s general assistant for the past 24 years, Mr Bridgement is considered an integral part of the school, and as a former teacher and school principal he has many special skills to pass on while he goes about keeping the school grounds in order.

Last week Mr Bridgement’s dedication was recognised with a Department of Education 2016 Education Excellence Award. Originally from Macquarie Fields, Mr Bridgement studied teaching in 1951 and 1952 before receiving his first appointment, via telegram, as teacher-in-charge of Pine Ridge primary school, near Quirindi.

“It sounded wonderful until the cab driver told me ‘there isn’t a school at Pine Ridge mate’,” he recalled. “Straight out of college, I had to establish the school.”

He began with 12 students aged from kindergarten to year 6, working out of the town’s dance hall, until a school was built nearby. He was the teacher, grounds person and cleaner as well and while it was tough as an inexperienced teacher he “managed.” He later transferred to four other one-teacher schools during his 39 years as an educator.

“I always wanted to be a teacher and I kept looking for ways to improve my method of getting the message across. I concentrated on subjects I enjoyed like the three R’s.” After retiring from teaching, Mr Bridgement moved to the Illawarra and worked casually at Lake Heights primary before being offered the role as the school’s part-time general assistant in 1994.

“I’m pretty good with my hands. I do the lawns, trim the hedges, do the gardens, fix broken taps and repair things around the school.”

A great-grandfather of six, Mr Bridgement said he was pleased to receive a medal of service when he retired from teaching, but was thrilled to have received the prestigious education award for his role as general assistant.

“I am proud and humbled. I enjoy the job and enjoy it when the kids come up and ask me things while I work.”

Principal Peter Heddles, who has worked alongside Mr Bridgement for 14 years said his contribution to the school was invaluable.

“We find Fred so inspiring. He’s here even when he is not supposed to be working,” he said. “Having a school that is welcoming to people is important to us and Fred plays a major part in that. He contributes to the warm character of the school.

Assistant principal Jenny Whyte said Mr Bridgement was highly respected by the school’s parent community also. “He shows real care for the children and an interest in their well being,” she said.