Marist College secretary Joan Parker receives a presentation from school principal, Michael Dermody and vice-principal Paul Kelly, to mark her retirement after 46 years of service

Marist College bids emotional farewell to long serving school secretary

Ronan Fagan

Published: Fri 7 Mar 2025, 4:33 PM

Last updated: Fri 7 Mar 2025, 4:34 PM

Marist College bid an emotional retirement farewell to school secretary Joan Parker this afternoon (Friday).

With 46 years of dedicated service at the secondary school, Joan was wished well in her retirement by school principal, Michael Dermody, who said that Joan was a "cornerstone" of the Marist College for almost 50 years.

Our student body & staff bid farewell to Ms. Joan Parker, our school secretary of 46 years. 💙💛
The lady who knows and has seen it all! ✨✨✨✨✨ pic.twitter.com/ilDa3AaYTi
— Marist College (@MaristAthlone) March 7, 2025

"Joan has been welcoming staff members, students and parents for almost 50 years and has been a positive influence in our school community during this time.

"She has contributed handsomely to the school's development through her work as secretary always acting in a professional, kind and caring manner.

"Joan has been to the forefront of all that is good about our school and she will be sorely missed from her role. We wish her good health and happiness in her retirement," the school principal said.