Major outpouring as Watergrasshill NS principal retires
In 1999, Pat O’Brien joined Watergrasshill National School as principal and just last week, Master O’Brien retired amongst an outpouring of tributes from those at the school and the surrounding community.
During his time, major growth has been witnessed at Watergrasshill National School, and not just in relation to numbers attending.
“I started in 1999 when there was six staff and 136 kids. I would have been teaching at the time. Now there is 422 kids, 17 classes and 40 staff,” Mr O’Brien told TheAvondhu.
Barry Curtin, chairman of the Board of Management at the school, began working with Master O’Brien in the early 2000s and has also witnessed much of these changes. In 2015, a new school was built in the village, while the old school was also entirely retrofitted.
Plans are also in the works for a further two classrooms and a new and improved ASD unit.
“There has been major growth at the school in his time. Pat left that legacy over his time. What’s happened here in Watergrasshill is quality. He’s a visionary, he never stood still.
He is always looking for what’s needed next,” Mr Curtin attested.
When his retirement was announced, there was a major outpouring of tributes, with many well wishers from the school and beyond. Within the school, all pupils completed drawings depicting their principal, along with personal notes and well wishes.
“Every child at the school did a drawing with a note at the end for Pat. The amount they did for him was a testament to him. You don’t get that reaction out of children unless you’re something special.
“You don’t often get that, especially in a school that is growing at the rate that it is. The notes (on the drawings) were very touching. They were all their own works. The children spoke first,” Mr Curtin said.
GREAT CONNECTION
The tributes shared were no surprise, however, as memories of Master O’Brien are evidence of his obvious impact on the children and local community. Joanne McHugh of the Watergrasshill Parents’ Association had three children attend the school where Master O’Brien was principal.
“Pat treated each of them like they were the only one and looked out for them like they were his own. They love school and I have no doubt this came from the start they got in Watergrasshill National School, Master O’ Brien and the wonderful staff there.
“Pat greeted every single child each morning by name and remembered their birthday, the match they had played, the weekend or holiday they may have been on. He made every child feel like they were the only one who had ever won a medal when in fact half the class may have had the same medal!” she said.
The emphasis on the children, meeting and greeting them individually is also something that Barry Curtin acknowledged was of importance to the retiring principal.
“He would welcome them every day in the morning and stand at the door saying goodbye in the evening. In meetings about the school with officials from Dublin and Offaly, no matter what was being discussed, he would always be out by two or three o’clock to meet the children.
“I think he felt that was the essence of the job, connecting with the children,” Mr Curtin said.
PIG RACING... FASHION SHOW... CONCERT - NO PROBLEM
Over the years, Joanne McHugh was involved in fundraising and on behalf of the parents’ association, she brought many fundraising ideas to Principal O’Brien, which she notes he always supported no matter how ‘off the wall’ they were.
“Sometimes I think he may have dreaded seeing me coming in case it was another ‘great idea!’”
“The most memorable of these were the pig racing down the main street, running a fashion show in Corrin Mart where he was quick to give his modelling career a shot and turning the back of the school into a full-blown concert arena and using the school as a backstage for the bands,” Mrs McHugh said.
According to Mr O’Brien, he had not expected such a reaction when his retirement was announced.
“It’s very funny actually, they say I was due to announce my retirement, I got a call from a department saying we were getting a Covid inspection, so I couldn’t announce it on that same day.
“People didn’t expect it at the time. They knew it was coming, but when I actually told them, they didn’t expect it,” Mr O’Brien said.
A TRUE ‘LEGEND’
Bidding farewell to the principal was a great occasion in Watergrasshill, and all the stops were pulled out to see Master O’Brien successfully move into his retirement.
An event was held at the school last week, where presentations were made, including from the new principal Michael Prout and vice- principal Mary Murphy. According to Mr Curtin, the celebrations were a testament to Master O’Brien and his work as principal.
“The celebrations were incredible. I was never at one like that before. What went on for the week before his retirement with regards to the children was just incredible,” Mr Curtin added.
Wishing him well in his retirement, Mrs McHugh said that the way he treated the pupils is part of the ‘legend’ that will always be Master O’Brien.
“Pat was so supportive in every way to every parent and child and now deserves this time for himself and his family. Happy retirement Pat and I wish you every success in whatever your next chapter brings,” Mrs McHugh said.
Now, just a few days into retirement, Master O’Brien said he has a ‘few things on’ and is looking forward to golfing, visiting Spain, and spending some time with his parents who are now in their 80s.
“I’ve been extremely lucky with the kids and the staff at Watergrsshill NS. An awful lot of good things have happened there,” Master O’Brien concluded.
They’re certainly miss his presence.