Principal Sue given warm Kennedy College send-off after 36 years
SUZANNE BARRETT retired as principal on Kennedy College on Friday, September 7, after 36 years of very dedicated service to the college.
Sue was given a warm send off by the staff and students on her final day at the school she has dedicated her professional life to. She began her teaching career 1982 in New Ross Technical School as it was called then, when it was located in Mary Street. The school moved to its present site in 1983 and was renamed Kennedy College in 2015.
Ms Barrett taught PE and Maths for 26 years before becoming principal in 2008. As PE teacher she spent many days bringing students to basketball matches around the county and even the country. Many teams had great success in winning finals and bringing back trophies and medals to the school. As principal she looked after the educational needs of students and genuinely cared about each one always encouraging students to become the best person they could be. She oversaw the upgrades to the school building in 2011, the new extension of two classrooms as well as an office and new roof.
She was the driving force behind the introduction of the JCSP programme in the school, the first in New Ross to have it. She promoted the breakfast club and often met students in the canteen in the early morning. She also spearheaded the introduction of the transition year programme two years ago as well as many other initiatives. Ms Barrett has always encouraged and supported staff in up-skilling and undertaking continuous professional development and her support will be greatly missed. Her invaluable contribution to education in Kennedy College and New Ross goes far beyond words can say and will continue to live long after her retirement. A Kennedy College spokesperson said: ‘We would like to take this opportunity to wish Ms Barrett, her husband John and her family the very best of health and happiness in her retirement.’