Dedicated service to Tipp ETB

Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB) held their retirement presentations on Friday, November 11, in the Anner Hotel, Thurles. This is normally an annual event in the Tipperary ETB calendar but because of the pandemic, the event was not held in 2020 or 2021 so two presentation evenings were held in 2022, the first in May 2022 and the second on November 11. This event acknowledged the service given by staff members who retired between May 2021 and July 2022.

Liam McGrath, Director of Organisation, Support and Development was MC for the evening and firstly introduced Cllr Mary Hanna Hourigan, Chairperson, Tipperary ETB who opened the event by welcoming the Tipperary ETB committee members, staff, and the special guests - the retirees, along with their families and friends. On behalf of the Board, Cllr Hourigan thanked the retirees most sincerely for their dedicated service to Tipperary ETB and previously to North Tipperary VEC and South Tipperary VEC.

She revealed that a cumulative 479-years’ service was being honoured this evening given by nineteen retirees across all aspects of our Tipperary ETBs service from teachers, admin, caretakers, tutors, attendants, Special Needs Assistants and resource staff. Unfortunately, four retirees were unable to attend but our schools, administrative offices, Youthreach and our dedicated PLC centre were all well represented. She thanked the retirees for being professional, dedicated, committed members of staff and stated how proud Tipperary ETB were of them and their service to the organisation which is evident through the achievements of their students.

Liam then introduced Bernadette Cullen, Chief Executive, Tipperary ETB. Ms Cullen thanked all the retirees for being dedicated, committed members of staff to providing quality learning experiences to our students and learners. This is an event that we are very happy to have back on the calendar. The growth of Tipperary Education and Training Board is due to partnership that existing between the TETB Board and staff working in unison to continuously improve the opportunities for lifelong learning. This year has seen the addition of Nenagh Community National School to our provision, the first multi-denominational school in Tipperary.

Ms Cullen again thanked each of the retirees for their service whether that be teaching, tutoring or support role in our organisation. She wished them all health and happiness on their retirement and added that colleagues and students alike will miss them, but this is their time to commence a new chapter where the clock will not be so central.

Each school principal and manager individually delivered a citation for their retirees, recalling memorable moments of their careers. The citations were followed by a presentation of Tipperary Crystal kindly commissioned by Tipperary ETB. The presentations were followed by an opportunity for all present to mingle, catchup and celebrate this important occasion in recognition of their dedicated service to TETB.