The end of the academic year at St Paul’s High School was marked with the celebration of Mass in thanksgiving for the work of two key members of staff who are retiring in August.

Chaplain of St Paul’s High School, V Rev Father Dermot Maloney, welcomed the staff to the celebration and extended a special welcome to Miss Margaret Keenan, and Mrs Josephine Conlon, and their families who were Guests of Honour.

Senior Teacher, Miss Margaret Keenan, who joined the staff in September 1972, is retiring after thirty-nine years of service to St Paul’s in the Mathematics and Science Departments.

Classroom Assistant, Mrs Josephine Conlon, who joined the staff of St Paul’s in 1988, is retiring after twenty-four years of service to the students of the Learning Support Centre at St Paul’s.

At a special Mass attended by all staff, and representatives of the student body, the Board of Governors and past staff, Principal of St Paul’s, Mr Oliver Mooney paid tribute to the significant contribution made by Miss Keenan and Mrs Conlon to the academic and pastoral lives of the school.  Mr Mooney reflected on the large number of students who have been enriched by the work of Miss Keenan and Mrs Conlon, and that the endeavours of both ladies will be long remembered.

On behalf of the Archbishop of Armagh, the Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Governors of St Paul’s High School and concelebrant of the Mass of Thanksgiving, the Very Rev Father Seán Larkin presented Miss Margaret Keenan with the Medal of St Patrick in recognition of her long and outstanding service to education.

Miss Keenan and Mrs Conlon thanked colleagues for their good wishes, gifts and generosity.  A special lunch with both ladies as Guests of Honour was served after the Mass.

A special presentation was made to teachers Mrs Siobhán Bradley and Mrs Bronagh McArdle in recognition of their silver jubilee as teachers at St Paul’s.