END OF AN ERA AS PRINCIPAL LAWSON RETIRES
IT Was the end of an era in Rathdrum recently as Helen Lawson, the Principal of St Saviour’s National School, retired.
Her final day at the school, Friday, September 15, started with a service in St Saviour’s Church. Mrs Lawson then planted a tree and a rhododendron in the school grounds to mark her huge contribution to the school community. She had a lovely day surrounded by the children and the staff.
The day finished off with a party where presentations were made by the children, Parents Association, Board of Management and Staff. Everyone will greatly miss Mrs Lawson but they all hope she will have a wonderful retirement.
Mrs Lawson started her teaching career in Riverstown, Co Sligo, and from day one she was the principal. She moved to be principal in St Saviour’s in January 1993.
From the very beginning, she showed her dedication to the children and the school and, during her tenure, there have been many changes, not least the school doubling in size.
Mrs Lawson has also developed the school environment, overseeing the building of a new car park, the upgrading of the heating system and the re-wiring of the whole school.
Her last major project for the school was the building of the extension, which included three classrooms, a new office and principal’s office and the sports hall.
Mrs Lawson has always included the parents in the education of their children and a testament to this was the amazing fundraising that they did to fund the building of the sports hall. Throughout all this work, Mrs Lawson never lost sight of the primary function of the school– to provide an education for the children.