For more than four decades, Louise Walsh has taught in Catholic Schools across the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. 

She has been a classroom teacher, Religious Education Coordinator, Assistant Principal, Coordinator and Principal. She stepped away from teaching for a little while to study speech pathology and worked with adults and children recovering from traumatic brain injuries. After that, Louise moved on to help children with intensive language needs at St Dominic’s Catholic College at Mayfield. 

But no matter where her career took her, she always found herself drawn back to the same place: the kindergarten classroom. 

“I’ve always wanted to be a primary school teacher, and it has truly been my passion in life,” she said.

“I’ve taught all classes, kinder to year six, but teaching kindergarten has always brought me absolute joy.” 

Louise has retired after a career spanning more than 45 years and at least 11 Catholic Schools across the Diocese. For the past 18 years, St Columba’s Primary School at Adamstown has been home. 

Ask Louise what she loves about teaching kindergarten and she barely pauses before answering. 

“The five-year-olds come to school; they’re so tiny carrying back packs bigger than themselves. They are so innocent and some can barely pick up a pencil or write their name. And then you watch them, they develop every day. They learn so much and it’s just so rewarding to be a part of those light bulb moments; it’s such a beautiful time.” 

Louise knows the first few weeks of kindergarten are crucial. Teaching children how to line up, hold scissors, open glue pots and find their place on the classroom floor requires patience and experience.  

“I have worked out over the years: the more structure you give them in those early days, the better.” 

Even after nearly half a century in education, the students continue to surprise her. 

“In my early days of teaching, I did not give five-year-olds credit for knowing as much as they did,” she said. “They are the cleverest little people and capable of so much. It just blows me away. Since starting Successful Foundations, observing children each day in play has helped me understand their amazing dispositions and capabilities.” 

Her philosophy has remained simple.  

“I have always wanted to make a difference,” Louise said. 

“I teach children that everyone’s different and we need to accept difference. And we don’t laugh at mistakes; mistakes are good. I say to children if there is only one thing they remember, I want them to always try to be kind and respectful of others.” 

Louise says the children have taught her just as much in return. 

“I have learned to be more patient,” she said. “I have learned to not judge too quickly because sometimes as a teacher you get a perception of a child, but it turns out that you’re wrong somewhere along the way. I’ve learned that you have to build a relationship with children and their families; give them time, listen to them.” 

At St Columba’s, Louise has had the rare privilege of teaching generations of families and watching children grow from nervous kindergarten students into confident Year 6 leaders. She treasures the memories they carry with them. 

“Always Pirate Day. Oakvale Farm. Teddy bears picnic. Those things that were special, special days just for them. Dressing up and having fun.” 

But there is one moment that stands above all others. 

“My favourite, favourite days are when I teach children to read and they get their first decodable reader and they sit there and they can read it. And the joy on their faces is like, ‘Oh, I can read a book, a real book, not just flashcards and sentences’. All those things then have come together, and the light bulb goes on. I love it.” 

That love for teaching has guided every major decision of her career. Although she held leadership positions and served as a principal, she never stopped missing the classroom. 

“I’ve worked in all the executive positions, but my love is in the classroom,” she said. “I’ve climbed the corporate ladder and come back because I just love kids.” 

Her Catholic faith has also been a constant. 

“I grew up in a very strict Catholic family in Raymond Terrace. I actually wanted to be a nun after I’d gone to San Clemente. So, it’s always just been part of my life. I did my teaching pracs in state schools, but the Catholic system was just part of my life. It was who I was.” 

As retirement approached, Louise admits letting go was not easy. 

“It’s taken me a long time to get to this. I’m so used to everyday being full of children and it’s not easy letting go of the biggest joy in my life.” 

Still, there is excitement about what comes next. 

Inspired by the Italian philosophy of ‘dolce far niente’, the sweetness of doing nothing, she plans to slow down for a while. There will be beach walks, bike rides, time with family and visits with her 92-year-old mother. And she’s looking forward to returning to Italy again as soon as possible. 

Most importantly, there will be opportunities to create new memories with the next generation. 

“I’ve got great nieces and nephews. In the next few years some of them will be starting kinder and I want to go with them on their first day at school.” 

For someone who has spent a lifetime helping children take their first steps into school, it feels like a fitting way to begin her next chapter.