Carysfort students’ 50-year reunion
More than 50 teachers from across the country gathered at Bloomfield House Hotel this month to mark the 50th anniversary of their graduation this month.
The actual number present was 56, and they had all studied together at Carysfort College of Education, Blackrock, County Dublin.
In 1973, 300 students qualified under the direction of the Convent of Mercy nuns who had selected what they regularly reminded them were ‘the cream of the country’, Marian Corbett told the Westmeath Examiner.
She said that requirements were strict and students needed honours Irish and honours in four other subjects in their Leaving Certificate to make the grade for Carysfort. They also needed to pass a singing examination and interviews in Irish and English in addition to a general interview.
College rules were stringent for the students; for the first year, all were resident and were identified by TC (Training College) number.
Attendance at breakfast was compulsory and each person had a designated place for every meal. In the event of a student being absent at mealtime the head nun, Sr Columbiere, knew immediately what dormitory to search for her. Occasionally she turned up in person at someone’s bedside to arouse her from her sleep with a few sharp remarks.
Breakfast was 7.30am. The bell rang at 7am for morning Mass and students were required to wear soft shoes and black mantillas.
“On Sundays we wore white mantillas. Our lectures started at 8.30am and ran until 5pm. Sometimes there were extra curricular subjects such as choir or additional classes in the evenings,” said Marian.
Wednesday afternoons were free of classes. “We were allowed to leave the college on condition that we returned before 10pm. If student went home for the weekend, they were required to be back in college on Sunday by 10pm. Turning up on Monday mornings was unacceptable.
“Overall, Carysfort College provided a wonderful education. On average, we each had 13 subjects on our timetables and we studied mathematics, environmental studies, science and history through Irish.
“Drama, philosophy, PE, art, music, literature, lectures were through English.
“I loved every minute of my time in Carysfort. The camaraderie among the girls was wonderful. Most entered at 18 with the exception of a few of us who were 17. Those days it took two years to qualify, as our timetable was intense.”
Over their two years at colleges, students were sent out to schools all over Dublin for teaching practice – usually for two weeks each term.
During that time, they were inspected regularly “when the college professors landed into our classrooms to check on our progress”.
“If we were found unsuitable, we were dismissed from the college. The teaching skills were as important as the academic qualifications.
“During the summer of our first year in training, we carried out our teaching practices in our own home towns. Following our college days, we were inspected again in the schools where we were permanently employed. Those inspections were carried out for two consecutive years and only on satisfying those inspectors’ criteria would we be considered as fully qualified.
“I am extremely grateful for the education I received. I love teaching and since 1989 I have been running my own preschool in Mullingar. Currently I am co-owner of Precious Angels in Raithín Eoghan. Prior to that I was a co-founder of St Brigid’s School on Harbour Street, following on from a post at Presentation Convent Senior School.
“Fifty years on, I offer thanks for the privilege of still being able to carry on as a teacher.”