Emotional CBS celebrations for Mary’s farewell

Mary O’Callaghan and staff at CBS Primary, Mitchelstown had an ‘emotional rollercoaster’ for the school community as they bid farewell to the retiring principal on Friday.

Over the past week, the school community planned extensively that Mary would get a fitting send-off, while ensuring compliance with current Covid-19 restrictions.

A major farewell party had been planned for The Firgrove Hotel back in April, which was overtaken by the Covid19 pandemic and Mary put the retirement plans on hold. The organising committee then swung into action to put together a socially distanced programme of events at the school to include pupils, staff, parent council and board of management representatives, to mark the new date of retirement.

In a joint statement the school staff said that all wished to play a part in the celebration of Mary’s career.

“Mary has played such a pivotal role in the school for over three decades, every one of us wanted to be part of the tribute.

“The organisers used the services of Pairc TV, so that the presentations could be live streamed to each classroom. The resulting virtual celebrations would put the most inventive of film directions to shame.

“There was nothing left to chance from the meticulously thought out individual segments to the co-ordination of the safe physical layout of the environs,” the statement read.

The school told The Avondhu that Mary has always promoted students' voices as an integral part of how CBS Primary operates.

Over the years, pupil representatives on student council, Green Schools and Health Promoting Schools committees made extensive positive contributions towards improvements in the school, in a host of areas. It was therefore fitting that the boys' inputs were central to the proceedings.

Included were video messages from staff (past and present) and the wider community, a compilation book of all emails expressing gratitude and good wishes from the general parent body, a memory box consisting of notes written by each pupil in the school. There was a tree planting and a tribute for Mary.

Also in the celebrations were individual presentations, a letter from former principal Br Donal Healy on behalf of the Christian Brothers and a socially distanced guard of honour by the staff.

“In keeping with her own inimitable style, Mary culminated her final virtual assembly with a surprise visit of an ice cream van for the boys. It was a week that gave us lovely memories. Happy retirement Mary!

The school community looks forward to beginning a new chapter with principal Bernard O’Connell. Go n’eirí an t-ádh leat!” the school staff concluded in the statement.

Green Schools committee representatives with Mary O’Callaghan, at the planting of a silver birch tree, called Fascination, last Friday to mark Mary’s retirement.

Parents council representatives, Marie Sheehan and Claire Hanley, presenting Mary O’Callaghan with flowers. Also pictured is MC Donal O’Regan.

Donal and Pamela O’Regan pictured with Mary O’Callaghan after the staff virtual celebration they helped organise.