Mary signs off at Churchtown NS after 30 years
Gayle Murphy, Elaine Jones, Valerie Rice, Mary Quinlivan, Mairead Cummins, Eimear Wall and Fiona Donnelly
THE small country academy of Churchtown National School in Castlemitchell had a double goodbye this week as it bade farewell to practically half of their full-time staff. 30-year veteran Mary Quinlivan, and principal Mairéad Cummins were given a great send-off by pupils, teachers and the local community.
Fellow veteran of 27 years, school secretary Fiona Donnelly spoke glowingly of her two colleagues.
“I’m the one who has to listen to them all!” she joked.
Fiona talked of Fiona's selfless career that began the same year Ray Houghton put the ball in the Italian net at the USA World Cup.
“When Mary started she would’ve worked with Maisie Candy and Anne Smith,” said Fiona.
“We’re a small little place, halfway between Stradbally and Athy.
“Mary is married to Pat ... all their four children – Peter, Grace, David and Gearóid – all went to school here,” she added.
“Mary wasn’t originally from around here. Mary’s father drove her up here 39 years ago for interviews from Co Clare.
"She worked for the first nine years in Ballyroe and Athy, before getting the job in Churchtown with Breda Fitzpatrick and Anne Smith.
"Outside of school, she is very much into the choir and the GAA. She used to organise all the Cummann na mBunscoil tournaments here."
Her fellow departee is principal Mairéad Cummins, a Castlecomer native. Mairead is set to take up a new challenge in Waterford City after three and a half years in Churchtown.
“She will be going to a busier school with 20 staff, and 200 children,” explained Fiona.
Fiona also wanted to make sure to mention others in her school including Emer Wall and Gayle Murphy who jobshare on the middle class, and Elaine Jones the sub for junior infants.
