"Cool, calm and collected." "A gentleman and meticulous in everything he does." But above all a "one-of-a-kind" educator and "great man" who is "Edmund Rice College through and through". This is just some of the praise heaped on the departing Sam Tadros by his colleagues. Read more: Edmund Rice College principal retires after 41-years teaching College marketing co-ordinator Steven Sunderland said Mr Tadros would be sorely missed when he ends his 40-year association with Edmund Rice College next week. "He has progressed over the years and held pretty much every position here. For the last 10 years he has been a very good deputy principal," he said. "You ask any student or teacher and they haven't got a bad word to say about Sam, he is a wonderful man. "He has influenced the lives of thousands of people over his 40 years. Personally, I've been here eight years and Sam has been a great mentor and helped my career immensely." Mr Tadros said felt "really good" hearing he was so loved and respected. "I'd like to think that in my time here, which is 40 years at the college, that I have been able to contribute to the education of the boys," he said. "Hopefully in the totality of things that I have done I've been able to contribute towards the boys' development. "Along the way obviously you make many contacts, you interact with a lot of people, from that interaction comes some of those things you mentioned. "If people remember me as that, I'm proud. If people remember me as a loyal person to Edmund Rice College with dedicated service, I'm equally as proud." Read more: Standing empty: UOW student residences won't reopen until at least 2022 Born and educated in Wollongong, Mr Tadros started teaching at the West Wollongong-based boys' independent high school in 1982. His first two years teaching were at Sydney all-boys Catholic school Benedict College. "But I've always been in Wollongong ... and always wanted to work in the Wollongong area," Mr Tadros said. "I was fortunate enough to land a full-time job at Edmund Rice College and I'm still here 40 years later. "It is a wonderful place and a wonderful group of people to work with. I thank everyone who has supported me and I wish them and their families every success in the future and good health." On Thursday the college will take the opportunity to acknowledge and give thanks to Mr Tadros for his 42 years of service to Catholic Education. A Mass will be held on the day followed by a formal dinner. We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.