"Maxine Pukipuki is a UCOL now, but there are two portfolios of her work, both reflecting on her nan who had passed on when she completed her first Level 2 work," Ms Atkinson said. "Maxine's Level 3 NCEA portfolio has spiritual images which are just wonderful and were undertaken another year on from her nan's passing.
"They are resolute works, done with love and peace."
Ms Atkinson came into the high school's art department, following on from the dynasty that was Gwen Fairbrother, who remained at the school for 37 years, Chris Salmon who now works at Scots College in Wellington and artist Jeff Thompson, well-known for his corrugated iron sculptures.
Ms Atkinson arrived at the high school from Rotorua Girls' High School and, while having coffee with then teacher Liz Edwards, was told Dannevirke High would be the best place for her.
"'I told Elspeth she would never regret coming here," Mrs Edwards said. "At first she struggled to have art respected in its own right, just as maths and science was.
"Pupils have lined up to be taught by her and I hope Elspeth leaves knowing this is a job well done. The high school have been particularly lucky to have Elspeth because she arrived when the department wasn't in good heart."
Ms Atkinson admitted there had been an "assortment" of teachers in the department before she took over.
And while she's loved her time at the school, being the sole staff member in the department was at times frustrating she said.
"If somebody had given me a better offer I would have said to Mike Tribe (principal at the time), 'stick your job'.
"It could be isolating, especially in the school when it seemed nobody spoke my language. Outside networking was essential.
"But we've lovely students here and they're who I've stayed for.
"If it wasn't for them, I would have run away years ago."
Associations with the art world outside the high school meant Ms Atkinson returned from conferences invigorated and energised.
And it's that energy and dedication high school principal Dawid de Villiers said Ms Atkinson brought to the school and its visual arts department.
"This is an extremely exciting week for Elspeth and, over the 16 years, her students have made a name for themselves, thanks to the passion of their teacher," he said.
"The most important thing is that Elspeth has been flexible and has taken multi-level classes and expanded the range and variety of work available.
"She made this area grow and she's laid the groundwork for our new teacher, Chris Less, who she hand-picked."
Ms Atkinson will remain in Dannevirke and, after what she describes as a "full-on three months of retirement", plans to immerse herself in art.
"I'm going to convert my lounge to an art studio and I'll just love it."
