End of an era for Summerhill as new phase in the school's history begins
by Karen Downey Updated: Wednesday, 26th August, 2009 2:00pm
It's the end of era for St Joseph's College Summerhill as principal Mary Fahy retires on Friday and deputy principal Liam Nally becomes the first male principal in the school's history.
Having spent 35 of her 39 years teaching at Summerhill, it really is the end of an era for Mary Fahy, but also for the school itself as one of its longest serving teachers bids farewell. However, it is also the beginning of a whole new phase for the girls' school as the first male principal takes over the reins.
Reflecting on her time with the school, first as a teacher and then as principal, ahead of her retirement on Friday, Mary Fahy said: "I have a lot of wonderful memories here. I was happy all my days. It's a wonderful school, there's a great atmosphere, it's a friendly good school with solid education and students will tell you we're like a large family."
Mary started teaching in St Peter's in 1970 and this then amalgamated with St Joseph's in 1973 and they all moved to Summerhill in 1974. From 1974 until 2002 Mary taught at the school, taking up the post of deputy principal then, while retaining some teaching hours, and then two years later taking over the reins from Sr Patsy.
Looking back on her five years as principal, she said this week the highlights included the opening of the new science wing, but she said the main credit for this lay with Sr Patsy, the new multi-media (language) labs and new library. She explained that there had been a lot of structural changes made to the school during her time as principal and said two new home economic rooms would be opened in mid-September.
On the academic front, the highlight for Mary was the fact that a 2005 poll revealed that Summerhill produced the highest number of graduates going on to third level in Leinster. She said while this was fantastic news itself the icing on the cake for the school was being featured in the Irish Times as a result.
She added that while Summerhill had had its high achievers over the years, another highlight for her was watching students from disadvantaged backgrounds develop and change into mature, confident people over a year and even their five years in the school.
Asked whether she'd change anything, Mary laughed: "I'd do lots of things differently. No matter what job you do in life it is a learning experience."
And as she prepares to hand over control to Liam Nally, what words of wisdom does Mary impart? "Take care of yourself and your health, be good to your staff and students and they will be good to you," she said.
After spending the past five years as deputy principal at the school, Liam Nally is now looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead as he takes over as principal. Reflecting on his time as deputy principal at the school the highlight for Liam was, in fact, the promotion to the job.
He added that the fact that the job allowed him to return to his home time of Athlone was a huge factor.
He said the school has changed over the past five years, in terms of the new science wing and the fact that every room in the school is now interactive and has internet capabilities.
Speaking about the challenges that lie ahead, Liam acknowledges that the current recession will bring with it its own problems and said parents and families will be under a lot of pressure, which could spill into school life and so he, and the teachers, will have to be conscious of this.
Being a father of three young children himself, he said he is acutely aware of the financial pressure on parents. To this end, St Joseph's has this year advised students that no 'new edition' books will be required, which will afford all parents the opportunity of buying second hand books.
He added that the recession will mean schools will be holding less excursions and there will be more reliance on schools to provide all round education.
"We want to be able to give students academic and emotional strength and the onus will be back on schools to provide pastoral care to help with situations," said Liam.
He added that the class sizes at Summerhill are ideal and he hopes that the school will be able to maintain this over the coming years as it allows the teachers to be familiar with each of the students.
Aware that a number of first year students will be joining the school next week, Liam advised parents that it will be somewhat of a change, both for them and the students, but said the culture is such at Summerhill that an open door policy is always in operation and students with any difficulties, or indeed parents with any worries, are always free to drop in for a chat.
As Liam takes over the top post at the school, there is a new addition to the staff in new deputy principal Anne Duggan. A native of Mullingar, Anne has previously taught in Oldcastle, Co Meath, and Palmerstown in Dublin. A teacher of English and French, who will continue to do some teaching while holding the deputy principal role, Anne wasn't always a teacher and previously worked in the corporate sector.
She changed careers as she felt she had a lot more to contribute to the community and said she looks forward to working at Summerhill.
Referring to the phrase 'it takes a whole community to raise a child', Anne said she believes if the staff at Summerhill works with parents they can help to instil a sense of community in the students and allow them to achieve a sense of ownership over their lives.
Post a Comment