Caretaker Ken and administrator Noeline Duerden are living proof that those who play together, stay together.
So, after 33 years working together at Bayfield High School, it should be no surprise they have decided it is time to retire together - give or take a few months.
Mrs Duerden (64) retired last Wednesday and Mr Duerden (65) will retire in April at the end of term 1.
Mr Duerden said it was completely by accident they became work colleagues.
"There was a caretaker's and a groundsperson's job going at the school.
"I applied for the caretaker's job and got the interview.
"During the interview, I mentioned my wife was looking for a job as well, so they employed her has the groundsperson.''
The pair worked together for many years on the school grounds, until Mrs Duerden snapped her Achilles tendon playing netball.
She played for Otago before going on to coach school and club sides.
"I couldn't do the grounds work any more so they put me in the office as an administrator.
"It was a bad thing for me at the time, but it turned out to be great in the end. I've really enjoyed it - doing the filing and finances for the school.''
Mrs Duerden said her connection with the school spanned further than just working there. She was a former pupil.
Also, both of their daughters had been deputy head girls at Bayfield High School, and one of their grandchildren was considering study at the school, Mr Duerden said.
"There's been a strong family connection to this school. We've spent more time here than we have at home,'' he said.
"We feel a little bit like we're part of the furniture here. Staff frequently come to us to ask about how things could be done best around here because we've been here so long.''
He was embarrassed to say they were so well known by past and present pupils and staff that many saw them as ``the grandparents'' of the school.
Principal Judith Forbes said it would be a challenge figuring out how to run things around the school without Mr and Mrs Duerden.
"They know things that nobody else knows because they've been here so long. They're part of the very fabric of the school.''
The couple said it was sad to be leaving the school after working there for more than three decades.
"It's been like our second home. I've been involved in the school, with the rugby and the cricket, and I've had four overseas trips with them,'' Mr Duerden said.
"You get quite involved with the staff and the pupils.''
Mrs Duerden said because she worked in ``the hub'' of the school, she was very familiar with staff and pupils, and she would miss the camaraderie most.
Mr Duerden said they would retire to Alexandra, where he hoped to improve his golfing handicap, and Mrs Duerden said she planned to take up bowls.
"I've never played bowls before but I have to do something if he's away golfing all the time.''
