End of an era as Donacarney Boys School principal retires

Olimpio Macari from Bettystown took a very special order recently - pizza for everyone in Donacarney Boys’ school! The special feast was ordered by Cepta Burke to mark her retirement as principal of the school.

The pupils and staff in their turn paid glowing tribute to the Ballinasloe native. Noting her passion for history, art, music and Toastmasters, every class created a special performance in her honour on her final day in the school with songs, dances, poems, speeches and drama.

The pupils and staff also created an art gallery in the vast school hall, with each work of art inspired by the school’s bank of prints from the National Gallery of Ireland.

It was in this glorious setting that the final presentations were made to Ms Burke.

Deputy principal, Anne Brennan, led the tributes to Ms Burke, followed by Eimear Donnelly, on behalf of the Parents’ Association and incoming principal, Caitriona Campbell. While pupils honoured the principal with two very special dances choreographed by staff member Helen Matthews.

Presentations included a walnut clock by wood turner Gerry McWeeney, a painting of Donacarney’s red brick school by Gary Brennan from the Parents’ Association, and very generous gifts from both the staff and pupils of the school.

Cepta paid tribute to both the Board of Management and the Parents' Association describing them as "unsung heroes to us all". Of her twenty six years in Donacarney school she described them as "marvellous years with marvellous people" where she was surrounded by amazing people on a daily basis.

She welcomed the new principal as her successor, noting that she was an inspiring teacher who had already proven to be a great leader of learning in the school. She looked forward to returning to the school in retirement, and keeping in touch with the staff and pupils in the years ahead.