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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

From first to last with Umina High

 

The maths teacher who has taught at Umina High School for the 26 years of its existence has retired on the school's last day.

Mr Kevin Smith, who taught from the school's first day, retired on December 20, the last day it would be called Umina High, before becoming the Umina Campus of Brisbane Water Secondary College.

Mr Smith began teaching at Umina High School in its opening year, 1976.

Born in Bankstown, it was in his junior years at school that his Maths teacher encouraged him to always help others.

He obtained a scholarship to train to be a teacher and worked at Wagga Wagga High School from 1967.

He then moved to Batlow and decided after being there for seven years to transfer to the Central Coast at the start of 1976.

When he started at Umina High School, there were only two forms, Years 7 and 8.

The school has changed in many ways since it started, with changes including the oval being turfed as well as B and C blocks being built.

Mr Smith was involved in managing and coaching many sporting teams over the years, always did extra Maths coaching, was involved with many bus trips as the licensed driver.

He also ran the school discos and kept an eye on pupils' bikes.

After visiting Batlow and hearing the plight of apple farmers in that region, and their battle in selling their products, he started up an apple run, selling produce from Batlow from his green van around the coast, earning him the nick-name "Apple" Smith.

A farewell dinner was held for Mr Smith at Empire Bay Family Restaurant at the Empire Bay Tavern on December 18.

Press release, December 12