There was a sense of celebration and gratitude in the air among Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra staff recently to mark the retirements of four teachers.

FAREWELL: Four teachers from Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra celebrated their retirement with colleagues in the Great Southern Killarney recently. From left: Maria Hanrahan (Deputy Principal) Margaret Dennehy Mary O'Connor Carmel O'Keeffe Mary Woods and Denis Kerins (Principal). Photo: Tony O'Brien

Margaret Dennehy, Carmel O'Keeffe, Mary Woods and Mary O'Connor attended the celebratory meal and evening with their husbands along with a huge number of staff members, past and present.

The event which was held in the Great Southern Killarney gave teaching colleagues and friends the opportunity to share stories and memories of the retirees and wish them well as they move onto the next phase of their lives away from the classroom.

All four former teachers had initially started in St Mary’s Secondary School in Rathmore before joining Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra when the amalgamation occurred in 1998.

Margaret Dennehy, who taught Music and English had spent her entire career in Rathmore and special mention was made of her musical contribution to all school events over the years.

Carmel O'Keeffe taught French and Irish for many years and instilled a passion and grá for languages in all of her students. Mary O'Connor was a key figure of the Science Department where she taught Junior Cycle Science and Biology as well as providing staff and students with lots of delicious home-baking over the years.

Mary Woods, an enthusiastic Home Economics teacher for many years, was a driving force behind the success of the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) in the school with a particular passion for developing an entrepreneurial spirit and leadership skills in her students.

“While their presence is missed in SPSL, we wish each of our colleagues health and happiness in their retirement,” Princial, Denis Kerins, said.