In 1996, Wagga’s best known teacher, Miss Mary Field, celebrated her 25th year as an English, History and Latin teacher at Wagga High School.
Mary, or “Gracie” as she was affectionately known by thousands of students, was born at Temora and raised on a district property.
After gaining her elementary education at the tiny Reefton school, near Temora, she attended Goulburn High School.
In 1926 she enrolled at Sydney University, gained her degree and went on to obtain her Diploma of Education at Sydney Teachers College.
Teaching was her first love. “Even when I was tiny and still at school I wanted to be a school teacher.” she said.
Her first appointment was to Fort Street Girls High School and then to Forbes.
In sucession came schools at Murrumburrah, Summer Hill, Nowra, Katoomba and Lismore.
In 1942 she was appointed to Wagga and has remained there to the present day (1966)
During her 25 years at the school, Miss Field has watched it progress from “a nice little school” with a total enrolement of 600 to one of the States leading co-educational schools with an enrolement in excess of 1100.
