After 43 years of dedicated service to St. Oliver Plunkett’s PS, Mrs Mairead Kerr has retired. Everyone is invited to join us in celebrating this event on Thursday 10th October in St. Patrick’s Church, Stonebridge at 7pm for Mass followed by refreshments served in the Parish Hall.
Mairead joined the school as secretary in 1977 working with then Principal, Mr Joe Rafferty. Over the years, Mairead witnessed many changes in staff and pupil numbers and as the school community grew so too did Mairead’s responsibilities. In 1981 she worked as a supervisory assistant along with her secretarial duties. In 1988 she became a catering assistant, a post she maintained alongside her role of school secretary for 30 years. In 2012, Mairead left her catering position and focused exclusively on her position as school secretary where she guided, organised and advised always ensuring that the school ran smoothly and that a close and harmonious relationship existed amongst everyone within the school community.
In her 43 years, Mairead worked with nine Principals, Mr Joe Rafferty, Miss Joan Mc Keever, Mr Martin Donnelly, Mr Pat O’ Hanlon, Miss Mary Digby ( RIP), Mrs Siobhan Mc Parland (Acting Principal), Mrs Margaret Heaney (Acting Principal), Mr J Mc Kee and Mr R Gallagher. She enjoyed a successful working relationship with each Principal always displaying exemplary levels of professionalism which were also naturally extended to all Governors, staff, parents and of course the children. Mairead always enjoyed a special rapport with all of the children who she cared for and nurtured during their seven years at the school.
When asked to share her fondest memories, she responded by saying that she had many but her most cherished were her memories of her own children, her grandchildren, her nieces and nephews, her three grand nephews and her great niece who were all educated at St Oliver Plunkett’s PS - a full circle!
On behalf of the whole school community both past and present, we wish Mairead and her family every best wish for the future and most heartfelt and sincere thanks.
