Andrew retires from St Patrick’s
A very special presentation ceremony took place recently in St Patrick’s Special School in Enniscorthy.
Andrew Askew was acknowledged on his retirement from the school where he was a valued and highly regarded member of staff since 2006.
Speaking to this newspaper about his contribution to life in the school principal, Lee Rogers, said of Andrew: ‘His impact on the place was huge.’
Instrumental and influential in all aspects of life in St Patrick’s, Andrew was the man behind soccer getting started in the school and it proved to be something at which the students excelled.
‘He got the soccer team together,’ said Mr Rogers,
‘He also set up the league and arranged it so that we played different schools in the town and beyond,’ he added.
The team from St Patrick’s played teams, not just from Enniscorthy and its environs, but also squads from places like Ramsgrange and Newtown in Waterford.
‘It’s still going on today which is great,’ said Mr Rogers, with reference to the league. ‘It’s become a great weekly event,’ he added. In addition to the sporting aspect of the initiative it’s enhancement of inclusion for the students was, according to Mr Rogers, reason enough for the debt of gratitude owed to Andrew.
There is a very close bond with Ramsgrange and Mr Rogers said the pupils go there, have lunch, and then play a game and the Ramsgrange students do likewise when they visit Enniscorthy to play the St Patrick’s Special School team.
Mr Askew was also involved in promoting drama in the school and ensured that staff and students were included.
‘ The staff would do it with the kids,’ said Mr Rogers, referring to the drama.
‘He was also a really good teacher with it,’ he added.
A book was presented to Mr Askew relating to his time in the school and he also enjoyed a surprise coffee morning with the staff and students during which many stories were recalled.
There was also a farewell assembly held especially for him in the school.