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Aine Quinn receives a beautiful painting at a retirement celebration held for her at St Brendan’s NS Blennerville on Thursday morning. Also included is past teacher Helen Sugrue, , Principal Robbie O’Connell, Deputy Principal Louise Brassil, former Principal Michael O’Connor and former teacher Liz O’Connor. Photo by Dermot Crean
FEW members of staff have touched the lives of pupils and staff at St Brendan’s NS in Blennerville in such a positive way as Áine Quinn.
The Tralee native has spent nearly 30 years nurturing pupils at the school, but that all comes to an end this week with Áine’s retirement.
To mark the occasion, the school community gathered in the hall on Thursday morning to celebrate the impact she has made on everyone associated with the school.
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Originally from Ard Na Lí in Oakpark, Aine qualified as a teacher from Mary Immaculate College in 1985 and subbed in various schools for a number of years before getting the call from then Principal of Blennerville NS, Michael O’Connor, in 1996.
She started out teaching junior and senior infants — at a time when the school was much smaller — before changing roles to become the support teacher in October 2002, where she excelled over the years.
Áine has become an integral part of the school over the past 30 years, as current Principal Robbie O’Connell affirmed.
Aine Quinn with her son Conor Cleary and John and Eilish Cleary at a retirement celebration held for her at St Brendan’s NS Blennerville on Thursday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
“Since Áine came here, the impact has been immense. Her forte was nurturing, caring and establishing a connection, not only with pupils she worked directly with, but that extended to all pupils and the staff. She’ll be an immense loss. Her expertise and the pastoral role she played in the school was second to none,” he said.
Guests at the celebration included former teachers Liz O’Connor and Helen Sugrue, former Principal Michael O’Connor, family and friends.
After a wonderful tribute from Robbie O’Connell, some pupils read out their tributes to Áine from the stage and she was later given a present of those many tributes from students and staff in book form at the end of the ceremony, along with a beautiful painting.
Áine gave a speech where she described how she loved teaching in Blennerville and how much she will miss everyone.
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“I’m so lucky Mike [O’Connor] made that phone call in 1996 and I got to come to Blennerville. It’s one of the best things to happen to me. I’ve been so lucky to be part of the school.
“Blennerville is a very special school. It’s the whole community — we have fabulous kids, lovely parents who work with us and as for the staff…wow. Everyone that’s joined since I came has added something to the school. They are my second family. We have been through so much together over her years and we’ve minded each other. That’s the best thing about Blennerville, we mind each other and that’s so important. I’ve had the best time here,” said Áine.
As for retirement, Áine plans to do a bit of travelling — visiting her daughter Niamh, who is a physio in London and son Conor who works in Belfast — having lots of walks in Fenit, taking part in choir and toastmasters activities and spending time with friends. Enjoy your well-earned retirement Áine! Scroll down for photos…
Aine Quinn with Denise Shanahan and pupils at a retirement celebration held for her at St Brendan’s NS Blennerville on Thursday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Aine Quinn with, from left; Lillian McMahon, Deirdre O’Brien, Conor Cleary, John Cleary, Eilish Cleary, Eileen Hegarty and Marie Hill at a retirement celebration held for her at St Brendan’s NS Blennerville on Thursday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Aine Quinn receives a lovely memento of tributes from staff and pupils from Principal Robbie O’Connell at a retirement celebration held for her at St Brendan’s NS Blennerville on Thursday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Aine Quinn with pupils and guests at a retirement celebration held for her at St Brendan’s NS Blennerville on Thursday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Pupils and guests at a retirement celebration held for Aine Quinn St Brendan’s NS Blennerville on Thursday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
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