Tipperary ETB Retirees Awards Function 2015

November 11, 2015

Tipperary Education and Training Board held the annual Retirees Awards function on Wednesday 4th November, 2015 in the Anner Hotel, Thurles to acknowledge the 357 years’ service given by the twelve retirees.   Ms. Fionuala McGeever, Chief Executive of Tipperary ETB opened the function by welcoming all including the Chairperson Cllr. John Hogan, ETB Committee Members, Staff and the Special Guests –  the recipients of the awards along with their families and friends.  Unfortunately three retirees were unable to attend.  Ms. McGeever thanked all the retirees for being professional, dedicated, committed members of Staff and stated how proud we are of them and their service to the organisation.

Cllr. John Hogan remarked on their collective 357 years’ service given to Tipperary ETB and how the work of the retirees could be seen through the achievements of the students in the schools.  He also thanked them for their service.

Ms. Mary McGrath retiring teacher from Scoil Ruáin, Killenaule was the first recipient to listen to kind words being spoken about her. She began her teaching career with Tipperary V.E.C. in Cashel thirty seven years ago and spent one year teaching in the Vocational school before going to Killenaule.   Mary was a huge part of every aspect of school life and is sorely missed by her colleagues and students for her had work, enthusiasm, diligence and good humour.  Aside from her students Mary was highly respected by her colleagues for the support she gave to everyone, the resources she found for the school, and the knowledge she was always willing to share.

Ms. Margaret O’Connor retiring part-time Cleaner at Coláiste Dún Iascaigh was next to receive her award.  She worked in the Coláiste for fourteen years as a member of the auxiliary staff.  During her time in the Coláiste she was hard-working, and thorough in everything she did. She was very diligent and regularly did more than the job entailed. Margaret always displayed a willingness to help others, be it staff or students and this will be a sorely missed asset to the Coláiste.

Ms. Vera Smyth retiring administrator from Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré was in 1978 one of four people to receive a position as secretary with North Tipperary VEC.  Vera worked in Newport Vocational School and in Templemore Vocational School prior to being transferred to Roscrea in 1990.  She worked in there until the amalgamation of the three second level schools, in the town in 1999.  In the new college Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré, Vera served as secretary until her retirement in 2015.  Vera will be remembered in Coláiste Phobal for many reasons but most importantly she will be remembered as a hard working administrator, committed to her job, to the management and most of all a deep rooted commitment to the School.

Mr. Pat Coonan retiring English and History teacher from Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré started his career in September 1974 in Roscrea Vocational School.  Pat excelled as an English teacher where his love for the subject shone through his work. Pat believed in drama as a medium of teaching the subject.  His passion for the subject was infectious and it rubbed off on his pupils who consistently scored well in state exams.  Pat brought his drama experience to county level and was instrumental in the establishment of the VEC cultural committee which he chaired for thirty years.

Through firm discipline and his paternal instincts he showed the necessary soft approach required to care for those in need.   Pat Coonan was a valued member of the management team in Coláiste Phobal. His wisdom and dedication played a key role in the development of the college

Mr. Tom McGrath retiring Science, Maths and Biology teacher from Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré has given thirty eight years’ service as a teacher.  Tom was an excellent teacher, who gave one hundred per cent commitment to his work and he encouraged his students to do the same.  From 1980-85 he was involved in the development of an application oriented mathematics programme which was a North Tipperary VEC initiative.  In a way this programme was ahead of its time and many of its ideas are now incorporated into the new project mathematics curriculum.  Tom was totally devoted to his job and to the School and sought to ensure that the good name of the School would be protected at all times.

Mr. John Joe Haugh retiring Deputy Principal from Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré  began his Woodwork course in 1976 and this gave him the opportunity to combine his two passions – woodwork and working with young people.   He commenced his teaching career in 1978 and joined the staff of Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré in 1982.  John has served for thirty seven years and of that he has given thirty three years’ service to Coláiste Phobal with thirteen years’ service as Deputy Principal.  John’s background as a construction teacher was invaluable throughout his time in Coláiste Phobal.     John brought many ideas to the school and one of them led to the concept of open day/night. He has been a loyal and committed member of staff.  He has served as a dedicated and loyal Deputy Principal in a partnership which achieved tremendous success.

Ms. Mary Finnegan Burke retiring Principal from Coláiste Dún Iascaigh, Cahir with forty plus years’ of commitment to education.  Mary was an exceptional and truly dedicated Principal.   The excellent reputation that Coláiste Dún Iascaigh has today is a testament to her dedication, caring and vision.  Mary oversaw the amalgamation of the three second level schools in Cahir.  She worked diligently and endlessly to maximise educational resources and other supports for her students.  While Mary was a dedicated manager of the school she never lost her love for teaching.   She loved the classroom interaction with her students and she was an excellent Mathematics teacher.    On her retirement Mary has handed over a thriving school.   This is a testament to her drive, energy, vision, empathy and dedication, qualities she sustained over her long career.

Ms. Marian Healy retiring French and English teacher at Nenagh College began her teaching career with North Tipperary VEC in 1977 working first in Newport and then transferred to Nenagh College for the remainder of her career.  Her contribution to Nenagh College went beyond just the academic as she was not just a teacher but also a friend to her students and colleagues. Marian held an Assistant Principal post as Transition Year and LCVP Co-ordinator, a role that she carried out in a very effective and professional manner. As a person, Marian is very kind, patient and extremely generous with her time and this was very evident in her dealings with the students as she always put them first and nothing was ever too much trouble for her.

Mr. Thomas Byrne has retired following thirty two years’ service to Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed., and Tipperary ETB as a teacher of Junior Certificate Technical Graphics and Materials Technology and Leaving Certificate Design and Communication Graphics and Engineering. Prior to returning to his native Thurles to teach, Tom had already given three years teaching service to Co. Cork VEC from 1979 to 1982.  Tom excelled in the classroom bringing out the best in all his students.  His students produced excellent results year on year.  In fact, Tom decided to retire on a high note – with one of his students having been awarded a Gold Medal for Best Leaving Certificate Project 2014 as judged by the Engineering Teachers Association panel. This was a wonderful parting accolade for a teacher who had worked tirelessly for years, guiding students to produce meticulously crafted engineering project pieces.

2014/15 saw a total of twelve staff members retire. In addition to the above nine retiring staff members who were in attendance at the awards, the following staff members also retired but unfortunately were unable to attend on the night. They were Elizabeth Flannery (Tutor, Adult Education, North Tipperary), Siobhán Ryan (Teacher, St. Joseph’s School, Ferryhouse) and Gerard O’Brien (Principal, Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré).    Each retiring staff member received a commemorative piece of crystal, in appreciation of their years of dedicated service to the Tipperary ETB.

Ms. McGeever wished all the retiring staff members a happy and healthy retirement.  She then closed the ceremony and welcomed everyone to join for refreshments.

 

 

 

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