PRESENTATION HONOURS RETIRING PRINCIPALS
Two of Greystones’ finest educators were at a recent meeting of Greystones Municipal District for a presentaion as they retire.
Sr Kathleen Lyng of St Brigid’s National School, and Catherine Coveney of St Laurence’s received bouquets of flowers and certificates from Cathaoirleach Gerry Walsh.
Councillors paid tribute to the two school principals, who have served the pupils of the Greystones area for decades. Sr Kathleen was principal at St Brigid’s for over 20 years. ‘Sr Kathleen, who is a member of the Holy Faith Order, has been an exceptional and transformative leader in the school,’ said the Board of Management in a statement. ‘During her term in office the school has expanded from 12 to 18 mainstream classes, reflecting a current pupil intake of over 500 boys and girls from a very broad range of nationalities, religious beliefs and backgrounds. Sister has overseen the complete redevelopment of the school buildings to cater for this expansion and bring them up to modern standards. At the same time she has implemented significant development of the curriculum while leading and encouraging the expansion of the school’s extra-curricular activities’
They said that she has been exceptionally diligent at her work and truly Christian in her outlook and actions, reflective, caring and compassionate.
Catherine Coveney was with St Laurence’s from the start, when the school opened 40 years ago.
Minister Simon Harris attended a farewell ceremony at the school before the end of term, where he described Catherine as ‘one incredible woman’.
‘Catherine Coveney hasn’t just been an incredible principal and educator,’ said Minister Harris. ‘She has been a manager, innovator, driver. She doesn’t accept the word “no” from the Department of Education and Skills. She has shown leadership in our community above and beyond the day job.
He said that it is a credit to her legacy that the school has had such an inclusive forward thinking way and that she has made a 40-year contribution to the community and the school.