Marguerite bows out of schooling
Popular teacher retires from Rathcabbin NS
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Members of the Board of Management of Rathcabbin School make a presentation to Marguerite Walsh on the occasion of her retirement. Colm Kennedy, Petra Fitzgerald, Maureen Guinan, Marguerite Walsh, Caroline O’Meara, Michael Heenan. Photos: Rose Mannion.Image 2 of 4
Marguerite Walsh (centre) pictured with members of her family, Michael Heenan (brother in-law), sisters Pauline, Mary, Ann and her niece Maria Heenan.Image 3 of 4
Staff from Rathcabbin School pictured with Marguerite Walsh, who retired from teaching there last week. From left: Conor D’Arcy (Principal), Ann O’Meara, Marguerite Walsh, Giolla Naylor, Megan Perdue, Catriona Cleary, Liam O’Gara.Image 4 of 4
Pupils from Rathcabbin National School, led by Principal Conor D’Arcy and staff at the school, lined the street in a Guard of Honour for the retiring Deputy Principal, Marguerite Walsh, as she made her way from the Church after Mass back up to the school for refreshments.Marguerite Walsh, who has retired from teaching, proved to be a popular and much loved teacher during her profession, much of which was spent in Rathcabbin.
A well-attended retirement Mass was celebrated by Fr Michael Cooney in Our Lady Queen of Ireland Church, Rathcabbin in honour of Marguerite’s departure from the school, just before the holidays.
Fr Michael congratulated Marguerite and wished her good health to enjoy the years ahead.
He said she was a faithful friend to many people and to all the beloved children that she dedicated her life to. He mentioned all the special talents that she used to the full to get the message across to give her pupils an understanding of life and said he hoped that she would do all the things that she wasn’t able to do when working, now that she would have time.
In paying tribute to Marguerite, school Principal Mr Conor D’Arcy said that she was a fantastic teacher, colleague and friend to him since he came into the school 12 years ago. He said she was a fantastic advertisement for teaching and wished her all the best on her next venture and mentioned how they would all miss her in the school come next September.
Born and raised in Coolross, just two miles down the road from Rathcabbin School, Marguerite recalled walking to school. After finishing secondary school in Birr, she went to Carysfort Teacher Training College. She recalled all who taught her through the years in Rathcabbin and spoke with great affection of all.
She started teaching in January 1983 back in Rathcabbin and stayed there until 1987, taking a three-year career break to travel Australia and New Zealand.
When numbers dropped, Rathcabbin school became a two-teacher school briefly and she found herself doing shared learning support in Lorrha for a year.
A vacancy came up in Rathcabbin the following year and Marguerite was successful in applying for the position, where she has remained until her retirement last week.
In thanking everyone for coming out to the event, she reminisced about her teaching years, change and continuity, incidents and happenings. She commented: “I have mixed feelings about saying goodbye, it has been such a huge part of my life. Energy levels may not be the same but children’s energy levels never change. It’s time too to give a bit of time to myself though and to do the things I want to do.”