When classes begin on July 20, Mrs Robins will be sleeping in. Although she had enjoyed her job, she would not be looking back.
''It was good. You'd get up in the morning, you'd do things, you'd go to work - you'd do things twice as quick - now I will fiddle around. I don't have to be quick. There's another day tomorrow,'' she said.
''I don't have to get out of bed before daylight now.''
Mrs Robins had planned on retiring at the end of the year but her health had not been ''100%'' this year and so she moved the date forward, but she would leave the school that she attended as a pupil with fond memories.
''All of them really [were fond memories]. I didn't think I had to growl too much at anybody,'' she said.
Mrs Robins' employment
at the school started with ancillary work in a job-sharing role, as she eased back into the workplace after leaving a job at the National Bank to raise her young children.
''The one I was job sharing with said `Would you like some of my hours?'.''
The year 7 to 13 school has had five principals during Mrs Robins' tenure.
When Mrs Robins started at the high school, it was Helen Griffin who gave up her hours. The same woman convinced her to take a first-aid course.
''And then she said, `You'd better join St John', and I did.''
Mrs Robins retired as secretary, after 19 years, at St John last month. She was presented with a life-membership on Monday for her service as a volunteer since 1976.
Mrs Robins was an ambulance driver until 2011.
''People think all you do is attend trauma. Well you don't.
''You get a lot of sick people who need a ride with a bit of TLC going.
''That's more what it's about.''
In 2005, Rotary awarded Mrs Robins the Paul Harris Fellowship for her service to St John.
