She's enjoyed a giggle with the students, catered for many a school function and been responsible for feeding the mouths of the hungry teenagers of Scone for more than a decade.
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But Tonia Barton’s affiliation with Scone High School has been much more than that as she feels she has been there her whole life since helping her father Peter Marshall wire the school back when it started there 50 years ago.
At the end of the school year Mrs Barton will cut a few of the apron strings with the local school, but she will still be a part of the fabric that makes it the place it is today.
Always a smiling face, willing to help out and with the goal of providing a variety of healthy foods for the students at a reasonable price, Mrs Barton has fulfilled the role of canteen supervisor to the highest quality.
Mrs Barton first started volunteering on the school canteen and on the P & C committee when her children started at the school about 25 years ago and she has continued ever since despite her youngest graduating eight years ago.
Along with others such as her sister Jane Carter, Gail Allen, Marg Lawrence and Susie Thompson, she has heard many a school bell go off, dealt with the hussle and bussle of a hungry line of children and rose above the challenges of black outs during peak morning tea and lunch times.
For the past 13 years Mrs Barton has held the role of supervisor, with the first three being a job shared position with Mrs Allen.
At the end of term, once all the presentations and staff Christmas functions are catered for and the washing up is done, Mrs Barton will retire as the supervisor, however she will still offer her services one day a week in the canteen.
Throughout the years Mrs Barton has witnessed and embraced many changes including the introduction of the healthy eating policy in school canteens, which she said didn’t affect their canteen too much as she has always strived to provide good healthy food to the students and staff.
About eight years ago she introduced breakfast for the students, originally intending to benefit students who travel from out of town leaving early in the morning, however soon found it was welcomed by all students as many simply don’t eat at home before school.
Mrs Barton said they are fortunate to have the support of John Graham who donates the bread so they are able to provide toasted sandwiches, and hot milo in winter, at a reasonable price.
In 2011 the canteen underwent a refurbishment so Mrs Barton and her team of volunteer parent helpers operated out of the little kitchen in the school’s Multi-Purpose Unit, which was a challenge in itself.
Reminiscing, the lovely natured lady recalls the day ABC came to feature Scone High in a television program – ‘A Day In The Life of A Canteen Supervisor’ – when the media class worked with the producers to snapshot her and the canteen.
Mrs Barton said she is not alone in being a helper that still supports the school despite all her children being grown up as there are a number of people who still go and volunteer on canteen.
“I always tell them it’s not a canteen day, it’s a coffee day and a catch up,” she said.
Mrs Barton said the school canteen is not there to make a profit, it is there to feed the kids, and she has enjoyed her role in this, working with the kids, parents and teachers.
“I am one of just four supervisors in the 50 year history of the school here and I feel very proud of that,” Mrs Barton said.
“I’ve now seen two lots of year seven students pass through to year 12 and graduate so it’s time for me to move on.
“I am very passionate about the public education system and have enjoyed being a part of that system, but I feel the time has come to move on.
“By cutting back, I hope to stay another four of five years,” she said.
“Hopefully someone a bit younger will encourage more younger volunteers.
“It’s a good way for parents to see who their children’s friends are, their teachers and be part of the school to know what’s going on.”
The role also expanded into the community as the Scone High team have catered for many events such as the Upper Hunter Shire and Kia-Ora Youth Music Camp, the Scone Rodeo and the barbecue in the main street as part of the Scone and Upper Hunter Horse Festival parade day.
Also a very talented quilter and sewer who has won and placed in numerous competitions including at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Mrs Barton has been involved in organising two quilt exhibitions at the school and was also involved in the school’s recent 50 year birthday celebration.
Prior to school work life, Mrs Barton was a hairdresser in Scone working with her sister Jane, and then taught patch work while her children were younger.
Apart from spending 12 months overseas on Rotary Exchange, Mrs Barton has lived in the Scone area her whole life and has become very involved in the local community.
She was instrumental in running junior tennis for about six years and was strongly involved in junior cricket.
“I’ve always worked for the kids, whatever they have been in I have helped out, that’s why you do it,” Mrs Barton said.
“As far as the school goes, I feel like I’ve been a part of it my whole life as I helped Dad wire it when I was about three or four, then I went to the school myself and then my children went here and I’m still here.
“I will miss being here five days a week as I’ll miss the company of the ladies and being a part of their lives and mostly I’ll miss the kids,” she said.
“I’d like to thank all of the staff I’ve worked with, especially Gail, Marg, Jane and Susie, as they always worked with me and were great.
“As well as everyone else that has supported the canteen throughout the years.”
Mrs Barton is looking forward to spending more time with her family, including her new granddaughter.
Scone High School principal Lindy Hunt said Tonia has been an amazing supporter of Scone High School.
“She attended our school, her children did also, and she has been an active member of the P and C for many years.
“Nothing has ever been too much to ask of her and she has been dedicated to ensuring that our students are provided with the best opportunties through fundraising activities to support the school, by providing high quality food to meet their needs and by being there to support our students in whatever way she was able,” Ms Hunt said.
“We thank her whole heartedly for all that she has done for our school over many years.
“We will miss her greatly, but know that she will enjoy her semi-retirement where she hopes to spend more time with her family.”