Former pupils and staff of St Patrick's and St Brigid's College, Claudy recall their favourite memories as the school celebrates 60 years

ABOVE: ROSEMARY KERRIGAN (LEFT) PICTURED ABOVE.

Name: Rosemary Kerrigan

Role: Retired

Former Clerical Officer, Senior Clerical Officer and Executive Officer with the school

I joined SPB College in January 1988 as a Resource Assistant. As the years went by my role changed – became a Clerical Officer, Senior Clerical Officer and retired as an Executive Officer.

I worked in SPB for 35½ years and under the leadership of four principals, Declan O’Kelly, Josie McAnena, Jack McCauley and Deirdre O’Kane.

As the years went by there were many changes i.e. office equipment, staff, uniform, décor and renovations, canteen to cash cafeteria – dinner tickets to finger imaging. One thing that never changed in SPB College was the family atmosphere and it still remains today.

There were loads of happy and fun times and also some very sad times but the support always was evident form the staff.

Our previous Caretaker, Brendan Feeney RIP was a big presence in SPB – loved by everyone. Martin Hone had the job of getting Brendan away from the school whilst everyone set to work to transform the hall to surprise Brendan with Stephen Nolan – catering was provided and it was a great evening.

I was grateful for my time in SPB and have made life-long friends.

ABOVE: FORMER PUPIL AND CURRENT TEACHER CONALL WHITE

Name: Conall White 

Role: History and PE teacher

Past pupil and current teacher

I attended St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s College Claudy, firstly as a pupil from 2009 – 2014. It was never up for debate where I was going. It was a school my mother and father both attended and my sister just two years before me. I went on to complete my A-Levels in St Columb’s College before attending St Mary’s University Belfast to complete my teaching degree.  

My earliest memory of St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s College was ‘Brendan’s football.’  Brendan was the caretaker when I first joined the school and used to take youngsters from the village for football in the hall during the winter, before moving out to the all-weather pitch in the summer. I still don’t know how he was able to referee (what seemed to us like life-or-death football) and keep those not playing from running around the stage. 

When I first joined the school, I was lucky in that I didn’t have too far to go, moving from St Colmcille’s Primary School – just up the road. The thing that helped most with transitioning was the Summer Scheme ran by Siobhan and Shaun McLaughlin. This gave us the opportunity to meet other P7s joining the school and to build relationships before September. The Summer Scheme was brilliant! We had days out to Red Castle, the cinema, sports days and many more.   

During my time at St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s College Claudy, I had some great teachers who helped to inspire me going forward. Mr Eammon Mullan was a brilliant English teacher but even more, he constantly encouraged us to work hard and instilled a belief that we could achieve any goals we set for ourselves through hard work. Mr McCauley was a fantastic principal during my time as a pupil. He encouraged a Catholic ethos in the school that was felt every day. It was evident to us a students, the immense dedication and effort he put into the school. The school motto was something that I carry with me today: ‘If it is to be, it is up to me’.  History was always my favourite subject in school and that was in no small part down to Mrs O’Kane and Mrs McNichol. 

My happiest memories in St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s would have to be representing the school in numerous sporting events such as Gaelic, soccer, cross-country and athletics. My fondest memory was winning the U16 Derry Vocational School title in year 12 and coming back to the whole school in the hall and a carnival atmosphere. This was all made possible by the dedicated coaching of Mr Rainey and Mr Meenan over the years. 

I returned to the school in 2022 as a teacher of History and PE. I have gained much experience from my former teachers and now colleagues. For me, St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s College Claudy, is a small family school, where everyone looks out for one another, and everyone knows everyone. The school is nestled in the village of Claudy and maintains strong links with the surrounding area. I am immensely proud that I have the opportunity to teach children from my local area and hopefully instil the same passion for learning and sports that I had when I was at the school.  

ABOVE: LAURA SWEENEY WHO NOW TEACHES AT THE SCHOOL SHE ATTENDED AS A PUPIL

Name: Laura Sweeney (McKeever)

Role: Head of RE

Teacher in St Patrick's and St Brigid's since 2019 and attended the school as a pupil from 2006-2011

I have many fond memories of my time spent in St Patrick's and St Brigid's as a pupil and as a member of staff. Firstly, attending the local primary school in Claudy and transferring to the local secondary school was very easy for me as I attended the summer scheme. At that time the summer scheme ran for a month.  I have fond memories of KS3 and KS4, I remember being taught by amazing teachers many whom I work with today and who inspired me to go on and be a teacher myself. I was very lucky to make great friends who I still keep in contact with today.

"Claudy" school gave me some great memories growing up. I will never forget the laughs, the school trips and the many matches where I (tried) to play gaelic and netball. I was very thankful in August 2011 when I received my GCSE results and was over the moon to have got 9 GCSE's A*- C. 

When I started as a teacher in 2019 I felt very lucky to be employed in a local school where I felt so comfortable. I enjoy my work for many reasons but nothing can beat the staff in our school. They are amazing. We are very lucky to be celebrating 60 years of St Patrick's and St Brigid's! 

Name: Helen Crossan

Role: Member of Board of Governors

Former pupil who attended the school from 1978 to 1983

I went to St Patrick’s & St Brigid’s College from 1978 to 1983. I remember feeling dread and worry that summer before going to the ‘big school’. Most of my P7 class went to Claudy and we were put into classes with pupils from our primary schools. I settled in quick enough to the routine and just got on with it.

I liked English Language and English Literature with Mr Downey, General Science with Mr McLaughlin, Maths with Mrs Angela Doherty and RE with Mrs Margaret Donaghey. In particular, I found Mrs Donaghey to be very kind and supportive to me and my siblings during some difficult times. My favourite subject was PE with Mrs Phil Kelly. I enjoyed cross country and camogie, it was also great getting out of classes to play matches and take part in cross country events. There were a lot of Craigbane girls in my year and in the year or two below. As we were all playing camogie at school, Mrs Kelly helped us set up a camogie team in Craigbane. We had a team in Craigbane until the mid-1990’s.

I joined the Board of Governors as a parent representative when Mr Jack McCauley was Principal. Then with Mrs Deirdre O’Kane and more recently with Mr Philip McCullagh. We have been blessed with great leadership in our College over the years. The quality of our teaching staff and support staff in our school is outstanding giving all our pupils the best possible outcomes, both academically and the skills for life.

I am proud to have been a pupil at St Patrick’s & St Brigid’s College, to have sent my children there and to serve on the Board of Governors.