That means that each year for the past 30-odd years, Mr May has stored the names of about 100 new pupils starting prep or changing schools.

He taught his last class late last year and officially retired from 35 years of teaching in January.

Mr May's parents were educators and he spent much of his life around agricultural colleges in rural Victoria.

A move into teaching was a natural progression and his first teaching job was at Shepparton, followed by a one-year stint in Bendigo.

In 1976, Mr May took up a post at the recently opened Melton West Primary. The school had fewer than 500 pupils at the time and the town of Melton numbered about 9000.

Mr May can remember when the school had more than 900 pupils, many in portable buildings, up until Wedge Park Primary opened.

He taught at Melton West for nine years, three at Coburn Primary and the past 30 years at Melton West.

In that time, he has been a master of teaching trades, filling roles from guitar teacher to acting principal.

"When I was music teacher I travelled from room to room with a trolley full of instruments, a ghetto-blaster and a guitar slung over my shoulder."

Though Mr May says he "just knew" it was time for a change of direction, he never lost the love of working with children. "There's a lot of children who need nurturing. Then when you see them happy and enjoying being at school, that's what I enjoy."

Mr May credited the support of the staff at Melton West as the reason for staying on so long. In turn, staff at Melton West say Mr May is already missed as he was "a lovely man with a great sense of humour and quick wit. Nothing bothers him".

On Friday, February 19, the school will hold a morning tea to allow the community to say goodbye. Past students and parents are invited to attend; call the school on 9743 5818.