Surprise celebrations mark 25 years at helm of Athlone CC

Athlone Community College Principal Val O"Connor celebrated 25 years at the helm of one of the region"s top schools last Monday night, surrounded by family and friends in the school"s assembly hall as a special Mass was held to mark the occasion. Fr PJ Hughes, CC, St Mary"s Church, Athlone, celebrated the Mass which concluded with the presentation of a carved bog oak statuette to Principal O"Connor - who had been unaware that the surprise event was being organised - in honour of his years of service to the school. Following the Mass, Vice Principal Eileen Donohoe spoke of the development that the school has experienced in the past 25 years stating that Principal O"Connor had, 'presided over a time of great change.' 'He never believed but that this school would be anything other than the equal of any school in Ireland,' she added, pointing out that he had always worked tirelessly to bring students of the school the best of facilities. Following Ms Donohoe"s speech, a special presentation slideshow was shown, featuring photographs taken in the school over the past 25 years. Mr O"Connor, a native of Mayo, then addressed the gathering. 'If I was to be asked what kind of celebration I would like it would be with the celebration of Mass,' he said, going on to point out that when he first came to the school 25 years ago he found, 'an absolutely superb teaching staff where the females surpassed the males in excellence'. 'This has been a super experience for me as a person and, overall, it has brought great joy, great happiness and great achievement - along with all the people here.' On a more sombre note, Mr O"Conner also spoke of his disappointment regarding the educational cutbacks that are being introduced. 'We look after the brightest and the weakest, and with those cutbacks that are coming the weakest are going to suffer the most,' he said. Thanking all his staff, his family and friends for their support over the years, Mr O"Connor added, 'keep up the good work, we are one of the best schools in the country'.