PICTURES: Limerick school bids farewell to its fantastic four

IT WASN’T just sixth class pupils who were moving onto new experiences at the end of the school term in Scoil Mhuire Murroe as four staff members also departed.

Principal Marie Griffin is retiring, as is Elizabeth O’Connor. Deirdre Walters left after 41 years to take up a job-share for the coming year and Niamh Hickey is taking up a position in Anglesboro NS near where she lives.

All four were celebrated with an outdoor concert. Two new achievements – the Biodiversity Flag and the Active School Flag – were also raised on the day.

Deputy principal, Patricia Griffin said it was a momentous day as the school community gathered to bid farewell and honour Marie who has “dedicated 23 years of her life in Scoil Mhuire Murroe”.  

“It is with mixed emotions that we come together to celebrate Marie’s retirement – gratitude for all she has done for the school, sadness at her leaving and joy in knowing that she will embark on a new chapter in her life,” said Patricia.

Marie dedicated her life to teaching – a remarkable 44 years imparting knowledge, skills, ethics and values to countless pupils and colleagues.  After time spent in Thurles and Meelick, Marie came to Murroe in 2000 as principal.

“She has led with unwavering dedication, passion and a commitment to excellence.  She has been a role model for professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct.  Her leadership has guided our school through many successes,” said Patricia.

This includes the building of two phases of classrooms with the third phase underway. She also led the development of the running track at the back of the school. 

“The legacy Marie leaves behind is not just in the bricks and mortar of this school but in the lives of many she has touched and the seeds of knowledge and kindness she has planted,” said Patricia.

The deputy principal concluded by saying: “On behalf of the entire school community, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Marie for her timeless dedication, vision and boundless energy.  We are grateful to her for the countless ways she has made a difference to Scoil Mhuire.”

Patricia wished Marie “happiness and fulfilment” in all that she does next in life.

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In tune, Marie paid tributes to her three colleagues who are also leaving for pastures new.

She said Niamh Hickey joined in 2017.  

“She taught junior infants, third, fourth and fifth class. Niamh’s fourth and fifth class had a science fair in November 2018. She and the principal worked with her class participating in the National Children’s Choir in 2019.  Niamh has obtained a position in Anglesboro NS near her home in Galbally.  We thank Niamh for her work in our school,” said Marie.  

Elizabeth O’Connor, who started in Murroe in 1985, is retiring alongside Maie.

“Elizabeth taught junior infants, second, third and fourth and has worked as a special education teacher.  Elizabeth has led us in our Green School endeavours as we achieved our first flag for Litter & Waste, our second flag for Energy Awareness, our third flag for Water and our fourth for Travel and our most recent flag, the fifth green flag, Biodiversity. 

“Elizabeth carried her interests in the environment to her Christmas concert with Eddie the Penguin Saves the World,” said Marie, who added that Elizabeth has used her talents teaching recorder and conducting the choir at school Masses.  

“Her class has participated down through the years in the Hallelujah concert and in the Peace Proms concert. Elizabeth has taught second class again this year preparing them for First Holy Communion. She has been the maths co-ordinator in our school. She has always been a guide for young teachers in our school. As Elizabeth is retiring we wish to thank Elizabeth for her years of work in our school,” said Marie.

Another lady with decades of service is Deirdre Walters who joined the staff in 1983 and has spent 41 years teaching in Murroe.  

“She began with junior infants and spent 24 years teaching the combined senior infants and first class group. She then moved from mainstream teaching into special education and has been a special education teacher since 2008 where Deirdre has worked both full-time in our school and also in a cluster arrangement with other schools,” said Marie.  

Deirdre drafted the visual arts policy for the school and was successful in obtaining the Artist in Residence Programme for the school.  

“She enabled all the children in the school to work with the late Sinéad Dinneen on the project, Life from Way Back O where the evolution of life was traced from the time of dinosaurs.  Deirdre has been a great colleague and friend to all on the staff helping everyone in any way that she could.  

“We are very sorry to see her leave us but Deirdre has decided to take up a job share position with a teacher in St John the Baptist School.  This is one of the schools that Deirdre has worked in since 2017. As Deirdre leaves us we say míle buíochas and we wish her the very best in her new position,” said Marie.

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