School Principal retires after 42 years teaching in Offaly school

PRINCIPAL of Coolderry Central School, Mrs Una Teehan has retired after 42 years in the parish.

Tuesday June 27th was to be the final day of the school term before the summer break. It was a very memorable day for the whole school community. For Mrs Teehan, the day was a mixture of sadness at leaving after a lifetime of working in the parish, coupled with gratitude for having had the good health to be Principal for so many years.

On the day, all of the pupils from Junior Infants to sixth class overwhelmed Mrs Teehan as they formed a surprise Guard of Honour during the school day and as she approached they clapped and cheered. It was a beautiful gesture by all of the pupils and a very emotional moment for Mrs Teehan, as it really brought into focus the end of an era in her career as a teacher and Principal in the parish.

A beautiful poem was read by Jenny Dooley, a sixth class pupil and presented to Mrs Teehan in a framed portrait. An amazing painting involving all of the pupils in the school inputting their fingerprints was presented to Mrs Teehan on behalf of all the pupils in the school. A bouquet of flowers was also presented on behalf of all the pupils – Jodi Mai Breen the youngest pupil in the school and Avah Tooher, the oldest pupil in the school, did the honours.

Group photographs of Mrs Teehan, the pupils and staff were taken. Mrs Teehan thanked the pupils and the staff for the beautiful presentations, the kind words and their great support and friendship.

Mrs Teehan was very sad to be leaving the school and community as it had been an integral part of her life for 42 years, with her focus always being on helping the children to achieve their full potential. Mrs Teehan always gave of her best for the benefit of the school and the pupils. The kindness and thoughtfulness of all of the pupils was very moving and so much appreciated by Mrs Teehan

Mrs Una Teehan (who was then Miss Una Cleary) commenced her teaching career in 1981, in a prefabricated building in Coolderry , as a newly qualified teacher. From a young age, while in Primary school in the neighbouring parish of Shinrone, she had decided teaching was going to be her career choice. She was given the opportunity to train in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick on completion of her Leaving Cert.

Having qualified with her teaching degree in 1981 from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Coolderry National School, was to be her first appointment. She was to continue teaching there until 1983 with the opening of the newly- built Coolderry Central School. This new school was to replace Ballyegan National School and Coolderry National School. The original staff at the time of the amalgamation were George Cunningham (Principal), Mrs Lucy McCarthy, Mrs Anne Kennedy, Tom Lupton and Miss Una Cleary (now Mrs Teehan). Paddy Bates was to succeed George Cunningham as Principal in the late 1980’s. He in turn was replaced by Brendan Hanamy.

The current school staff at Coolderry Central School consists of Mrs Una Teehan (Principal), Geraldine O’Brien, Patrick McCarthy, Jonathan Ryan, James Kenehan, Martina Kennedy, Caroline Ormond, Lisa Carey, Rita Dooley, Tom Kelly. Michelle McEvoy and Isobel Mulqueen also work in the school on designated days each week. The Parish Priest Fr Kieran Blake also visits the school on a regular basis.

Mrs Una Teehan, who took on the role of Principal almost twenty years ago, has, with the help of the Boards of Management and Parent Associations, initiated major developments at the school. The fantastic support of the various Boards of Management and Parent Associations over the years is very much appreciated, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The continuous development of facilities at the school with their guidance has not only benefited students now, but will continue to do so into the future.

The school has participated in numerous initiatives and has won many local and national awards for student projects which have given both past and present students great life skills. Encouraging pupils to participate in various sporting activities has always been an important focus point for Mrs Teehan. Winning the Cumann na mBunscol Camogie final in 2023 and receiving the Science Blast award in May 2023 are just two of the recent achievements by the pupils. Mrs Una Teehan is very proud of what all of the students have achieved on their educational journey in so many aspects down through the years at Coolderry Central School.

Tuesday June 27th was tinged with both gratitude and sadness, as it was the closing of a chapter in the life of the school as Mrs Teehan completed her final day as Principal of Coolderry Central School. It was a very emotional day for Mrs Teehan as she will miss the interactions of daily life at the school.

It was also a day of looking forward to the next chapter with anticipation. Reflecting on the time Mrs Teehan had spent in the parish, she felt very privileged to have had the opportunity to have been a part of such an amazing community. She recalled the warm welcome she received on her first day teaching in the parish from parents, pupils and the wider community. The pupils in the school today and over the years were a pleasure to educate and a credit to their parents and their school. The wider community and parish organisations have always been very supportive of the school which Mrs Teehan acknowledges and appreciates.

She also acknowledges the support of her own family – Con, David, Brian, Eimear and Zara. Mrs Teehan has many fond memories of her career in the parish as a teacher and School Principal which she will treasure in the years ahead.

Míle buíochas do gach duine ó chian agus ó chongar.

Slán go fóill.