On Friday last, the large staff of Coláiste ĺosagáin gathered to mark the retirement of four colleagues who have long standing service to the school – Marie Duffy, Gerardine Murphy, Criona Higgins and John Sheedy.
Marie is originally from Galway but lives in Portarlington while Gerardine is a native of Tulla in Clare but lives in Portlaoise.
John is a proud Tipperary man while Criona is born and bred in Portarlington.
Justin Brown, Principal spoke about the contribution the four staff had made to the school over the years.
Marie was teaching in St. Joseph’s CBS while Gerardine and Criona were former members of Scoil Mhuire before both schools amalgamated in 2000.
John Sheedy joined the staff of the new school in 2002. Justin observed that John and eight others including himself started teaching the same day when the school recruited a large number of teaching staff that year.
Marie taught French and Geography, Gerardine Irish and Geography, Criona was a Home Economics Teacher while John was an Engineering and Graphics Teacher.
Gerardine was also a Year Head, Home School Liaison person and State Exams secretary in her time while Criona was also too a Year Head but finished up as Programme Co-ordinator where she was responsible for overseeing the schools, Transition Year, Leaving Certificate Applied and LCVP programmes.
It was noted that all four had played an important role in the life of the school and in their own way had shaped its ethos and culture.
All teachers had adopted a very pastoral approach and will be fondly remembered by past pupils and their colleagues.
It was also a testimony to the retiring colleagues that so many retired staff had returned to join in on the celebrations including Nick Bergin, Peter Lowry, Tim Hewitt, Noel Reilly, Seamus MacGearailt, Sr. Maureen O’Rourke and the retired Principal and Deputy Principal, Seamus Bennett and Siobhan Higgins.
After Dinner and the speeches the evening was spent chatting, reminiscing with the odd dance or two thrown in for good measure.
The evening was a great success and special mention has to be made of the organising committee of Margaret Nolan, Miriam Holland, Sinead Holloway, Jessica Barry, Cathy Kane and Marcia Morris who worked hard to make sure the retirees had a night to remember.
SEE ALSO – In Pictures: Fr Seán Murphy returns to Rath to celebrate golden jubilee
