Castlepollard national school st michaels marks 50 years

Past teachers and pupils, parents, teaching staff and all 134 pupils of St Michael’s NS, Castlepollard, attended a special anniversary Mass on Friday October 9 in honour of the 50th anniversary of the building of the school.

The Mass was the first of many events to mark the occasion, and was followed by a tree planting ceremony on the grounds of the school.

Afterwards a party for the pupils and display of memorabilia spanning 50 years, consisting of old photographs and roll books, provided much conversation among those who are part of the building’s historical fabric.

“Personally it is a great honour to stand before you all as principal of this school,” said Sean Byrne, principal of St Michael’s NS.

“It is a role I take great pride in, especially on occasions like today,” he said, adding his sincere thanks to all of the staff who worked hard over the course of recent weeks and months to prepare the event.

“I also commend the pupils of this school who have taken a great interest in the occasion through the various activities that they’ve undertaken over the past few weeks.

“I’m sure when our 75th anniversary comes around they will take an active part in that and make it a special occasion.”

A poem called Valedictory Verses by Séamus Heaney was recited by Eva Fagan from sixth class; it was specially chosen because of its representation of how education has changed throughout the ages.

Eugene Fagan was part of the first class of the new school in 1965 and had the honour of planting the tree, along with current pupil Tjaye Higgins.

A time capsule was also buried – it included items representing what school life is like in 2015 and will be resurrected in 25 years, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary.

Fr Patrick Moore, PP, Castlepollard, spoke on behalf of the board of management and said it was a day for commemorating the hard work done by people in the St Michael’s community over 50 years.