His colleagues, who hold him in great respect, thought otherwise and tomorrow will host a special goodbye assembly with the whole community invited to attend.

Mr Evans will officially retire on Friday, February 20, concluding a 36 year career in education.

Staff paid tribute to their school principal for almost a decade, their descriptions characterised by words such as genuine kindness, supportive, compassionate and a friend.

Mr Evans arrived in Canowindra from Yeoval in 1999, starting his term as principal in 2000.

His career began back in 1973 as a science teacher at Warialda High and has included a great deal of Central West Schools in between, plus a variety of roles with the Department of Education. Mr Evans has also lectured at Charles Sturt University and worked with TAFE and OTEN along the way.

During his years of service, he has supported the school community through many achievements and milestones, including Premiers and Ministers Awards.

He’s seen one of his students, Lisa Corrgan, go on to represent her country at the world’s highest level of sporting arenas, the Beijing Olympics, and another, Erin Nash, elected to shadow the Director General for a day.

He’s introduced new subjects, including Dance and Drama, refurbished classrooms, overseen new additions to the school grounds including a wet room for pottery and a new tractor shed, and fast tracked, where possible, new electronic learning equipment, such as smartboards, computers and the establishment of a video conferencing room.

Mr Evans’s commitment to the community is not just limited by the school gate.

He is a member of the Canowindra Rotary Club, has led the club several times as President and is on a number of other local committees.

Canowindra High School will be hosting an assembly at 10am, February 19, in appreciation of the leadership provided by Dave Evans during the past nine years. All in the community are welcome to attend.

Mr Evans’ replacement is David Lloyd from Bourke High School, who will begin on Monday, February 23.