After teaching teenage students for over half a century, no one would blame Kevin Bourke for feeling exhausted in his last year before retirement. But at 74 years of age, he says the last 47 years at Patrician Brothers College, Fairfield seems like a short time.

"I just haven't noticed that it has been this long!" Kevin said in a recent interview at the College, where he now teaches Maths on a part time basis.

Kevin has the most years of experience of any classroom teacher in the one school in Sydney Catholic schools.

He was Maths Co-ordinator for 30 years, and also Coach of the A-Grade Rugby League Football teams for seeveral years after beginning his teaching career at Patrician Brothers in 1961.

In those early years, winning the school's first ever AMCO shield - a Schoolboys Television Rugby Cup, (today known as the Arive Alive Cup), is still his biggest career achievement until this day.

Kevin can easily explain his extended service.

"It has never felt like work," he says.

"I've never once awaken in the morning, wishing that I didn't have to go to school. I enjoy coming here."

A serious car accident that sent Kevin into the Spinal Unit at Royal North Shore hospital in 1984, and mild heart attack the following year, couldn't keep the dedicated teacher away.

"It was never a thought not to come back," he said.

"When I did, the staff held a morning tea and welcomed me back with loud applause," he recalled with tears in his eyes. "I'll never forget that!"

Kevin values the friendships he's formed at the school.

"That's what I'll miss most when I retire," he says. "I don't think I'd ever fit it any other school.

"I'd drive everybody mad saying, 'we use to do this at Patrician Brothers'."

Kevin says it's been fantastic to work under eight different principals.

"They've all been men of vision!"

Kevin, who is now teaching the children of parents that were pupils of his years ago, even once taught the College's first lay Principal, Michael Krawec.

"The boss was a hard-working student in my eighth-grade Maths class," he says.

Mr Krawec, on the other hand, says it is Kevin who has contributed so much to the climate of education at Patrician Brothers.

"I can't say enough good things about Kevin Bourke as a teacher and as a person," he said.

"If it's possible for a teacher to give 100 percent, Kevin gives 120 percent.

"He is a very humble, sincere and generous man who goes out of his way to ensure students gain excellent Maths results at extension levels. He is enthusiastic and passionate about teaching, and always gets great satisfaction following the progress of his students."
 
Kevin's teacher's ties with the school extend even further. He is joined by his son, Bill, who teaches Economics at the College.

Mr Bourke (junior) joined his father in 1989 after hearing all about the "wonderful" school from his dad.

"My dad sent me here as a student," Bill said. "He's always been held in high regard by staff and students since I've been here."

It's easy to see why Kevin, who has three children and six grandchildren, recommended his son to teach at the same school when the opportunity arose.
"This a terrific place to work," said Kevin, who lives close to the school.
"My place," he said, "is here at Patrician Brothers."

"They are like family."