Dr Shellard said teaching had been a very rewarding career and his decision to retire was a financial one.

"I think I'll miss the people and day to day interaction with children, staff and parent here," he said.

Dr Shellard said he had enjoyed watching the thousands of children he's taught develop and learn.

"in my time I've taught a number of children from year 7 to 12 and watched them grow up," he said. 

"You're helping creat the citizens of the future and that's a most important responsibility."

Dr Shellard taught History and English subjects and said many students had been inspired to pursue further studies in those subjects at university level.

Dr Shellard was part of the Queanbeyan High School community for seven years and said his time as deputy principal brought diverse challenges.

"The major role of the deputy principal is to provide stable leadership for the school…there's also the practical side of policy and compliance," he said. 

"It's hard work, with a wide variety of problems come up;.  It is different from teaching children in the classroom."

In his time, Dr Shellard introduced a range of programs and initiatives including College 3+3, Personal Best and Personal Best Bonus programs which focus on motivating students to become better learners.

Dr Shellard said the 3+3 program was a stand out program. It allows senior students to complete their HSC in two parts.

"[3+3] has been very successful, the results have been good.  Many other schools are following Qeanbeyan High's lead in this area," he said. 

"It also allows the student to change direction during their college-level learning.  Interestingly, we found 60 per cent of students changed direction when given the chance at the end of Year 11."

Dr Shellard said he wished the Queanbeyan High School community all the best. He said he will take a short break before deciding what he will do next.