The close of a very busy and successful year at St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook offered the large staff an opportunity to recognise the long and dedicated service of three of their colleagues who retire at the end of the academic year.

Leading tributes to the retiring staff, Principal of St Paul’s, Mr Oliver Mooney commended their commitment to education and their dedication to the many hundreds of children who they taught and cared for over many years.

At a special Mass in honour of the retiring members of staff, school Chaplain, Very Rev Father Dermot, celebrant, and Vice-chair of the Board of Governors and concelebrant, Very Rev Father Seán Larkin, offered their congratulations, and added their gratitude to the loyal service of the retiring staff.

The staff of St Paul’s saluted their retiring colleagues with presentations and gifts to Special Needs Co-Ordinator, and member of Senior Management Team, Mr Noel McKevitt, Teacher of Religious Education, Mr Lawrence Muckian, and Health & Wellbeing Officer, Mrs Geraldine Egan.

Special recognition was given to Head of Geography, Mrs Anne Mackin, and Mathematics teacher, Mrs Aine Kearney who both marked their silver jubilee as teachers at the Bessbrook school, and presentations were made to staff who will get married during the summer holidays.

Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney, thanked his hardworking and dedicated staff for their commitment and efforts to the school, in a very special year which saw huge successes at examinations, on the sporting field and in the creative and expressive arts.  Mr Mooney extended his thanks to parents, family members and friends of St Paul’s who play an invaluable contribution to the success of the school.

Mrs Anne Mackin, Head of Geography, and Teacher of Mathematics, Mrs Áine Kearney, who have reached their silver jubilee as teachers in St Paul’s, pictured with Mr John Campbell, Chair of Governors, Mr Oliver Mooney, Principal, and Mrs Bernadette Cunningham, Teacher.

Pictured are staff retiring from St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook.  L-R  Mr John Campbell, Chair of Governors, Mr Lawrence Muckian, Teacher of Religious Education, Mrs Geraldine Egan, Student Health & Wellbeing Co-ordinator, Mr Noel McKevitt, Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator and Mr Oliver Mooney, Principal.

Staff retiring from St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook.  L-R  Mr Lawrence Muckian, Teacher of Religious Education, Mrs Geraldine Egan, Student Health & Wellbeing Co-ordinator and Mr Noel McKevitt, Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator.