Andy Powell went to school at Ashfield, Lindfield and Artarmon Public Schools and then completed his schooling at North Sydney Boys High School in 1957.

Having done a B.Sc. degree at Sydney University he worked as an Industrial Chemist for three years before returning to University to gain a Dip.Ed.

His science teaching career started at Randwick Boys High School (1965-69). He then accepted a Head Teacher Maths/Science position at Hay War Memorial High School. From 1973 to 1986 he worked as Head Teacher Science at Meadowbank Boys, Chatswood and Turramurra High Schools. During this period he also taught for one year in Edinburgh, Scotland and worked for two years part time as a consultant in Schools Development.

For many years he was associated, in a variety of ways, with Science teaching, being on the Council of the NSW Science Teachers Association, supervising HSC Chemistry exam marking and on the Chemistry HSC exam committee for some years.

After a period as Deputy Principal at Birrong Girls High School (1987-92), including a short period as Relieving Science Inspector in Metropolitan South West Region he became Principal at Marrickville High School (June 1992-1996) and ended his career as Principal at Parramatta High School from 1997 to 2000.

Following “retirement” at 60 in October 2000, Mr Powell taught chemistry in the classroom at several schools for over a year, then worked part time in the Teacher Recruitment section of the Department, and is now enjoying a more relaxed retirement with Mrs Powell.