Emotional farewell to Whitehall principal

“The biggest lessons don’t come from books but from the examples of teachers like you.” “Every morning you have two choices: continue to sleep with your dreams or wake up and chase them.” These inspiring words from Carmelo Anthony were the backdrop to an event commemorating the retirement of school principal Paula O’Connor from Whitehall NS on Friday June 16 last.

A special Mass was followed by speeches and presentations at Ringtown Hurling Club, where gifts were presented to Paula on behalf of the board of management, the staff and the students of Whitehall NS, the parents council, Clann Lir CCÉ, Ringtown Camogie and Ringtown Hurling Club.

Master of ceremonies Adrian Moran welcomed everyone to “a great evening to celebrate the hard work, commitment and loyalty displayed over 25 years by principal Paula O’Connor to the students, parents and community of Whitehall National School”.

“As you can gather, there’s a lot of emotion in the room, and thankfully this evening, the tears are tears of joy,” said Adrian.

Friend and chairperson of the school’s board of management, Liz Brady, said that since Paula arrived in Whitehall in January 1998, “her vision, ability, enthusiasm, has left an indelible, positive impact on the school and the wider community”.

“Paula is nothing short of a colossus to the teaching profession,” said Liz as she applauded Paula’s “hard work, dedication, foresight and loyalty”.

Liz shared anecdotes demonstrating Paula’s “positive attitude and good humour” and her “concerned, caring nature towards others”. She praised the “beautiful new school and its facilities”, which Paula was “effective in delivering”, and which is “fast becoming the envy of villages and towns countrywide”.

“As well as teaching, she did extracurricular activities with the children and helped in any way she could.” Liz mentioned how the children’s choir flourished under Paula’s tuition and told Paula that “the biggest lessons don’t come from books, but from the examples of teachers like you”.

“You are the primary reason that ordinary students have dreamt to do extraordinary things.”

Acknowledging Paula’s “amazing work”, vice-principal Therese Russell said the school community is “indebted” to Paula for the new building and that she was a great advocate for “keeping the playing field even”. Therese said Paula always gave extra time “to those who may have struggled”, making sure that “no one was left behind”.

She said Paula “helped so many children to gain an ear for music and to pursue it in secondary school” and “took time out every weekend with the choir”.

“She has given her all in everything she does. The children in her care were always first and foremost to her. Passing on her wisdom every chance she got, Paula always encouraged the children to reach their full potential, and helped them to believe in themselves.”

“Paula exuberates energy and sometimes I wonder how she gets the time to do it all, but she completes each day full of energy, life, and a smile on her face. I wish I could bottle up her wisdom, knowledge and drive. The world is your oyster, Paula, but no doubt you will be doing something to help people, as you were born to do every day of your life.

“Paula, it has been an absolute honour and a privilege to have taught alongside you over the years. You have been an inspiration to both staff members and children alike,” said Therese.

Karen Farrell of the parents council described how Paula has “guided the school through huge changes which have occurred in both the educational landscape and in the physical landscape of the school, planning, supporting, implementing and monitoring things always”. Karen commended how the “strict but fair” Paula strove to ensure every child received “the best education” in a “safe and a happy environment”, how “the children have the utmost respect and fondness for her”, and how as a neighbour, Paula has always been “welcoming and quick with sage advice”.

Adrian Moran said that “it was the grassroots of Whitehall NS and Coole School” that got underage hurling and camogie in the area off the ground. He recalled an unofficial meeting with Paula several years ago in his capacity as underage chairman when “she asked one question”, which was, “what can we do to help?”.

“The fact that our choir and our musicians took over half the church tonight is a testament to the work done by PJ Kennedy and Paula O’Connor in Whitehall NS… It’s not all about sport; it’s about talent,” said Adrian. He told those attending that PJ Kennedy described Whitehall NS as “a virtual university for traditional music”.

In an impassioned and eloquent speech, Paula spoke fondly of her time in Mulhuddart, Fore and Whitehall NS. She said that every day she smiles when she thinks of her mother and “how right she was” to tell Paula that “the people of Whitehall will teach you a lot about community and you won’t meet kinder people anywhere in the world”.

Paula recalled meeting John Regan, Mary Leonard and Valerie McDermott for the first time. “I learned more from those three than any book or fancy course could teach me,” said Paula.

Grateful to “have worked with the best, most hard-working, dedicated, good-humoured staff anyone could wish for”, Paula thanked and requested a round of applause for her colleagues who never looked for “recognition or thanks”. “You have been with me for a significant part of my teaching journey and I thank you all so much for your patience and support over the years. You’ve supported everything I’ve done and ignored the more hare-brained ideas.

“I thank you with all my heart for organising this beautiful Mass and retirement do. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; the school community is so lucky to have you. They’ll never know half of what you do for the children, but I do. I do and I applaud each of you for it. I have always been so proud to say that I worked among you. And I’ll really miss you all.”

Paula also acknowledged the excellent work of the school secretary and those responsible for cleaning the school and maintaining the grounds. She praised the parents council, the boards of management, GAA coaches and past pupils who have come back to help out. Finally, Paula thanked all the children she “had the pleasure to teach in this school in the last 25 years, as well as the children in Fore and Mulhuddart”.

“As I stand here before you today, I am so glad I decided to be a teacher all those years ago. I got the chance to be surrounded by all of you every day. You have made me kinder. You have made me more understanding. You have made me appreciate the bravery that sometimes is needed just to be here. You made me see the beauty that’s in all of us and you’ve made me hopeful for the future. You made me so proud to be part of your lives. To your parents, I say thank you. Thank you for letting me be part of your children’s lives.

“Cherish them all; they’re precious and grow up so quickly.”