Coláiste Chraobh Abhann
A SPECIAL EVENT
A very special and emotional event took place in Coláiste Chraobh Abhann last Thursday evening, when a broad selection of the CCA school community gathered together to bid a fond farewell to principal Shane Eivers, and deputy principal Carol Buckley on their well-deserved retirement.
The farewell ceremony was attended by current and past students, staff, members of the Board of Management, members of the Parents Council, family and friends. Everyone in attendance was there to mark this momentous occasion in CCA’s history as a chapter sadly closes.
The incredible turnout was testament to the high regard these two pillars of our community are held, and everyone in attendance wanted to thank Shane and Carol for their immense dedication and service they have given to Coláiste Chraobh Abhann over the last sixteen years.
The ceremony was hosted by Head Girl Rebecca Hayden, and Head Boy Charley Delaney Byrne, who presented a moving video compilation of all the CCA Head boys and girls throughout the years. Each past student reflected on their fond memories of life in CCA, commenting on the great impact Shane and Carol made on their lives, and how their pastoral care, guidance and inspiration helped each of them become the young men and women they are today.
The Parents Council and the Board of Management thanked Carol and Shane for their tireless dedication to the school, and wished them a happy and relaxing retirement.
The CEO of KWETB, Dr Deirdre Keys commended Carol and Shane on their tremendous work and vision, stating that they should be proud of the legacy they leave behind, having built a school community that is now widely known for its outstanding reputation, nurturing pastoral care and academic excellence.
There were some lovely musical pieces performed by Hanna McConnell, Lauren Hackman and Miriam Bhunu, while Bobby Dowling and friends performed a beautiful rendition of The Parting Glass.
In her emotional farewell speech, Carol reflected on her time in CCA, humbly stating that she was honoured to have worked alongside all the CCA staff both past and present, and that she learned more from the students than they had from her. She thanked Shane for his guidance and support, commending his unique leadership skills and his ability to motivate everyone to achieve and maintain the highest of standards in everything they did. She thanked her husband Billy, and her two boys Conor and Seán for all their love and support over the years, and finished by saying that there would always be a piece of CCA in her heart.
Shane then shared his early memories of CCA back in 2003, when there was only a staff of ten, and working in a building that was more like a building site than a school.
However, from small acorns great oaks grow, and now looking back over the sixteen years, he said how proud he was to see the great school CCA had become. He thanked Carol for everything that she had done over the years, stating that she was his confidant, his moral compass and his guide.
He gave a special thanks to his loving wife Mary and to his sons, Conor and David for being there for him over the years and was now looking forward to tackling the long DIY to-do-list stuck on the fridge.
Finally, he wished the current 6th years the very best of luck in the next few months, offering his last piece of encouragement for them to keep going to the finish line in June and to never stop learning.
Thanks to Ruairí Farrell for organising this very special event and to everyone who played their part in making this a night to remember.
On behalf of all the school community, we would like to thank Carol and Shane for everything they have done in making CCA the school we are all so proud to be part of. Their legacy will live on in all that we will do as we now look to the future.
We now wish them the very best as their next chapter begins. As one door closes, another opens. Take a deep breath, step through, and enjoy the new adventure.