TEACHER Andy Green put away his marker pen for the last time on Friday after spending 40 years of his career at the same Chelmsford school.
Great Baddow High has not only been a workplace for Mr Green, 61, but also where he met his wife, made many lifelong friends and where his four sons were educated.
He told the Chronicle: "I have been very, very happy here. Some people ask me why I have not wanted to become a head but I did not want to have to take my job home with me.
"I will miss the school. A lot of staff are my personal friends and I will miss their daily camaraderie as well as being among the children.
"My four sons: Nick, Dan, Alex and Lawrence, have all been through the school, and I've worked under four different head teachers.
"I'm now teaching a third generation – yes I have pupils telling me I taught their gran or granddad. It does make me feel old!"
Norfolk-born Mr Green, who is president of Chelmsford Rugby Club, joined the school in 1973 after graduating from Loughborough University.
Also starting on the same day was trainee home economics teacher, Sue, who later became Mr Green's wife.
Starting as a PE teacher Mr Green, of Boreham, who was successfully nominated by his fellow teachers to be a torch bearer for the Olympics last year, switched to science when in his 30s.
"I decided the cold February mornings were too much for my legs," he laughed.
At the school he worked his way up from teacher to head of year, and then deputy head, a post he took on in 1992.
Retiring just short of his 40-year anniversary – so he can catch the British Lions on their tour of Australia – Mr Green estimates he has seen around 10,000 youngsters pass through the school.
He said: "I can't go anywhere around Chelmsford without bumping into someone I've taught."
Looking forward to travelling more – the tour of Australia will be followed by a fortnight in Los Angeles to visit son Dan – Mr Green also plans to play more golf.
He will also keep his hand in by doing consultancy work and continuing his role teaching on a Saturday at an attendance centre.
