Now, the 66-year-old Mornington School principal is preparing to call it a day.
At the end of this year, he will retire after a 48-year career in the teaching profession. He has been a principal for 37 years, the past 27 of which have been at Mornington School.
Mr Bragg said he was fortunate to have started teaching at Corstorphine School. It prepared him for a long career in education, working with pupils from all walks of life.
"The school had a poor socio-economic climate.
"You got to know how to get on with people who were having troubles.
"I've learned that all children have potential, regardless of their background problems.
"It's a lesson I've carried with me ever since."
During his career, Mr Bragg taught at Maniototo Area School, King's High School and North East Valley Normal School before gaining his first principalship at Mosston School, in Wanganui.
He was there for about 10 years before returning to Dunedin as principal at Mornington School.
After spending more than half his career at Mornington School, Mr Bragg said there were many things he would miss about the place - the greatest being the children.
"Kids are dags - they're very funny."
He said he had a mental list a "mile long" of the comical things his pupils had done over the years.
"Just recently, there was a kid trying to see if a coat hanger would take the weight of his shirt ... while he was still wearing it.
"Obviously, he was told how dangerous it was, but it made me laugh.
"It's that curiosity. You've got to love that about the job. They keep you young.
"I hope that not working with them every day won't make me feel older."
Mr Bragg said he had nothing planned for his retirement at this stage.
"I just want to relax and smell the flowers. I want to play more golf and tennis, and the piano.
"We'll see what comes next."
Wakari School principal and Otago Primary Principals' Association president Brent Caldwell has been appointed the school's new principal.
