Farewell Mrs Garvey

It was with a heavy heart that we bade farewell to our wonderful principal, Mrs Mary Garvey, today. Mrs Garvey has been such a pivotal figure in St Colman's for 38 years and she will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to know her. 

Mrs Garvey began as a substitute teacher in St Colman's in 1981. She went on to have her teaching practice with us in 1982 and 1983 and then, on September 3rd 1984, Mrs Garvey joined the permanent staff of St Colman's N.S. The first class she taught was second class, but during her time as a teacher she has taught every class level and has spent time in Special Education. She has been instrumental in bringing many educational initiatives to the school which have enhanced every classroom.

In 2000, Mrs Garvey became deputy principal working alongside Mrs O'Sullivan. Mrs Garvey took this new role seriously and continued working to ensure that every classroom was equipped with all the necessary resources to help children of all abilities. Mrs Garvey always had a keen interest in helping children with additional needs and it was during this time as deputy principal, that she stepped things up a gear by researching new approaches that would respond to the diversity of needs that are found in classrooms today.

When Mrs O'Sullivan retired in December 2010, everyone waited with bated breath to see who her successor would be. The news that it was Mrs Garvey was greeted with delight. She took up the role in January 2011 and from that first day right up until this morning, Mrs Garvey has worked tirelessly to improve all aspects of school life for the students and their families, staff and the extended school community. At all times, Mrs Garvey endeavoured to make every child feel welcome and experience a sense of belonging. She strived to remove any and all barriers to enable every student to achieve the maximum benefit from their schooling.

I chatted with some of the students in fourth class this week and asked them what comes to mind when they think of Mrs Garvey. There was no shortage of replies..... caring, helpful, choose time, Christmas fair, Communion parties, graduation night, stories and Gaeilge over the intercom, dressing up as a witch on Halloween, bouncy castles, amazing school tours, good sense of humour, ice cream van, playground markings, 5K garden party and The Big Sing. The replies just kept coming, which only goes to prove how much everyone loved Mrs Garvey.

This week, we began a week of celebrations as we said our goodbyes to Mrs Garvey. On Monday morning, Mrs Garvey was greeted with decorations hanging from the trees, all made by the children. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Mrs Garvey visited every classroom in the school. Each class had prepared a song or poem. Some of the songs were Mr Garvey's favourites and some were written especially for her to the melody of a familiar tune. There was much reminiscing, many funny anecdotes and plenty of laughs. On Wednesday evening, we held a tea party outside on the front lawn. Parents and children turned up in their droves and a wonderful time was had by all.

On Thursday we had 'Mrs Garvey's Fun Day'. The students from junior infants to first class travelled to Jungle Joes by bus and had a fun activity morning. When they returned to the school, their day was finished off with a Teddy Bear's Picnic. The children from second to sixth Class remained at the school and enjoyed activities on the front lawn. Each class took it in turns to move from inflatable fun to a water game to mental agility games. We also had a visit from 'Mrs Jelly Tots' (AKA Mrs Garvey) with water gun in hand ready to shower anyone who came close! Before home time, an ice cream van turned up and every child and adult had cones in the sunshine.

To end the week of festivities, a Mass was held in St Paul's Church on Friday morning, officiated by Fr Phil Gaffney. Students, staff, parents, past pupils, former staff and well wishers gathered to wish Mrs Garvey all the best, as she enters the next chapter of her life. Many contributed to the celebration, all with kind words to say. Our school choir sang some very well chosen hymns and songs that were special to Mrs Garvey. As the Mass drew to a close, everyone sung a St Colman's version of 'Walking on Sunshine'.

This fantastic fun-filled and sometimes emotional week culminated in a loud and cheerful send off, when all the children and staff gathered outside the school. A guard of honour was created by our fifth and sixth classes and Mrs Garvey left in her newly decorated car to the cheers and applause of the crowd!