Tributes paid to Esther Reddy who nurtured students potential
Esther with members of the Parent Teacher Association, Grace Noud and Denise Moppett
IN fifth class in primary school in Kilcullen, Esther Reddy knew what she wanted to be. Inspired by one of her then teachers, Maurice O’Mahoney, she decided she wanted to do what he was doing.
Some years later, having completed her second level, and following that with teacher training at Froebel College, she got her first teaching job in Brownstown NS, Ballysax.
She has just retired as principal of that same school, now St Brigid’s NS Ballysax, after 35 years of what her colleague Ciara White described as “fostering an environment where learning is cherished, creativity is encouraged, and each individual’s potential is nurtured”.
Her grandmother Sabina O’Grady, her aunt Sr Margaret O’Grady, and two of her cousins — all teachers themselves — would totally understand.
From that first posting in Ballysax, Esther taught in nearby Suncroft, Ballyshannon, and Two Mile House as a shared learning support teacher.
Then she moved to Scoil Bhríde in Athgarvan, forging many friendships with colleagues before taking an opportunity of principal in St Joseph’s NS Halverstown. After that she was principal at Brannoxtown NS, helping with the school building expansion there. Finally, in one of those circularities of life, she became the managerial principal back in Ballysax.
After a recent mass in St Brigid’s Church, Suncroft to mark the occasion, celebrated by Fr Barry Larkin, a reception in the school hall heard many tributes to Esther. Elizabeth Smith of the school’s board of management thanked her for a “remarkable service” and for being such an integral part of the school community.
“Your legacy will live in the hearts and minds of the students, past and present, and of the staff and parents,” she said.
For those staff, Ciara White noted that Esther had provided something for every child in the school.
“She knew each one of the children by name, and took the time to hear their stories, their news and their dreams,” she said.
Member of the school’s parent teacher association, Denise Moppett, spoke of the fond memories of her own time as a pupil in Brownstown NS.
Esther thanked everyone who had helped to make the day so special.
Esther said that without everyone who had worked together to make St Brigid’s NS Ballysax the school it is now.
Likening it to a chair with four legs, she thanked the past and present boards of management, parent teacher association, colleagues and parents.
“The children of Ballysax are in great hands,” she finished. In retirement, Esther will have the chance to follow other interests and continue her community involvements in the Kilcullen which has always been such an important part of her life.
