Caherleaheen bids adieu to class of 2020

CAHERLEAHEEN TEACHERS AND PARENTS GATHER SAFELY TO SAY A FINAL FAREWELL AS THE CLASS OF 2020 ENJOYED THEIR LAST FEW HOURS AS PUPILS THERE

IT’S never an easy task for school staff to send pupils off out into the next stage of their lives, but it was a rite of passage for us all, and even in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, Caherleaheen NS still found a way to wish their sixth-class pupils a fond farewell.

The ceremony was a twoparter, with the first part taking place virtually over ‘Zoom’ before the pupils got to don their uniforms one last time for a special, socially distant celebration at the school itself.

For many of us, Zoom has been something of a life-saver over the past few months as it helped to keep us in touch with friends and family. It played its part once more here again in the graduation, allowing two French and Spanish pupils who had been on exchange in the school – but who had to return to their own countries quickly at the onset of lockdown – to reconnect with the school and the friends they made there.

The Zoom call also featured a short video showing just some of the many memories the kids have made over the last eight years, along with, of course, the well wishes and salutations from the teachers who had been lucky enough to teach them.

In the ceremony at the school after the Zoom, the area around the school – after months of silence – was a hive of activity once again as cars carrying the pupils and their families arrived draped in balloons and ribbons ready for the festivities.

With social distancing being observed right throughout the ceremony, the pupils were split into two groups, and as their names were called, they received.

Speaking to The Kerryman, Principal Mary Connolly was delighted with how the day went, reserving special praise for the excellent work put in by her staff to get the ceremony ready.

“We didn’t expect it to go so well. It was off the Richter scale really. It was something that had to be done, and it all just worked for us. We had a moment where we had the pupils running up the steps leading out of the school for the last time, and we had streamers and party poppers, so we used these when they ran up the last four steps of the school. It was their last exit from Caherleaheen. It was really, really emotional,” said Mary on Friday.

“It was really atmospheric.

Sure look it, what can you do but try and make it the best you can for them,” she continued.

“The parents really had a huge role on the day. We had cars beeping and cheering and saying goodbye at the very end, and you know what, that really gave me a huge lift,” Mary added.

Mary said that it was very special that all staff members showed up for the ceremony and she acknowledged the great work that they did.

“They had the whole school decorated. They were in there from 10 that morning and they had everything set up – balloons and the works – by the time the first group arrived at around 12.30pm, so they deserve huge credit too,” she said.

All photos by Domnick Walsh. One of the sixth-class groups who graduated from Caherleaheen NS last week pictured with Principal Mary Connolly and parents.

Apart but together: the school enjoyed a safe and socially distant graduation ceremony last week.

ABOVE AND BELOW: Caherleaheen NS pupils give a thumbs up to the graduation ceremony the school held in their honour last week.

Principal of Caherleaheen NS Mary Connolly addresses the sixthclass pupils at their graduation ceremony.