Over almost 36 years of marriage, the pair have been one another's best friends and mentors, working together to climb the rungs of the education system and teach generations of schoolchildren.

At the end of this year Mr and Mrs Powell will retire together, stepping down as principals of the Amaroo School and Campbell Primary School respectively.

The decision to leave the school gates behind simultaneously fulfils an agreement the pair made while studying at separate teachers' colleges.

"When we got married, we said when Richard retired, I would retire too; so here we are," Mrs Powell said.

The pair were introduced through a friend while Richard was studying at Goulburn Teachers College and Christine was at the Canberra College of Advanced Education.

Mrs Powell's decision to become a teacher came from a desire to help children who found learning a struggle, while Mr Powell became a technology teacher after finding work in a trade unsatisfying.

"I left school thinking I was never going to go back and did a carpentry and joinery trade," he said.

"I found it incredibly lonely to be working and having the radio as company, so I went looking for something that would give me more satisfaction in terms of my career."

Both went on to have successful careers; Mr Powell working as a principal at Hawker College, Erindale College, Kingsford Smith School and Amaroo School, and Mrs Powell heading Rivett Primary, Mawson Primary, Hughes Primary and Campbell Primary.

Mrs Powell's final posting holds a special significance, as she herself went to Campbell Primary School as a student.

"It's just a lovely thing to be able to say, this is where I started and this is where I end my educational life," she said.

The couple have supported one another over the years both at home and professionally.

"People always say, 'don't let work enter your family life'; well, we've always talked work, and I've always appreciated the help and advice I've got from Chris," Mr Powell said.

"I've got some of the best advice from her."

After the hectic pace of working as principals, the couple are hoping to slow down and relax into retirement, spending more time with their grandson and one another.