Fifty years of education marked at St Laurence O’Toole’s Primary School

St. Laurence O’Toole’s Primary School have celebrated their 50th anniversary.

The school was officially opened in October 1973 by Cardinal Conway.

Pupils and Principal Ciara Monaghan at the bespoke mural by Ciara Campbell Ceramics who worked with the pupils to design the final piece to represent the 50th Anniversary. INNR2056

placeholder image — Pupils and Principal Ciara Monaghan at the bespoke mural by Ciara Campbell Ceramics who worked with the pupils to design the final piece to represent the 50th Anniversary. INNR2056

Mr Gerry McQuade was the first principal of the school followed by Mrs Duffy, Miss Murphy, Mrs Friel and currently Ms Monaghan. The 50th celebration was a tremendous day of rekindling memories, laughter and fun. Lots of stories were told from long ago and it was lovely to watch people catch up and reconnect after many years. The whole school community arrived to celebrate and enjoy the refreshments prepared by the fabulous Parent Support Group.

The school and classrooms were an array of colours. Full of beautiful displays representing past and present school days. Old registers, scrapbooks and numerous photographs were on proud display for all to see. Members of the community were excited to find their names and many phones were out, taking photos to share with loved ones far and wide.

Ladies from the Parents Group who looked after the refreshments for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations at the school on Sunday morning. INNR2057

To mark the occasion a ceramic mural was commissioned. Ciara Campbell Ceramics came to the school and delivered a number of workshops. She worked with the children on the design and then taught the children how to work with clay. Every child made a part of the mural and finally Ciara put it all together and created the final piece. This bespoke mural is now mounted at the front of the school and is a beautiful representation of our 50th anniversary.

Una Walsh, local historian from the Rural Health Partnership in Cullyhanna, (Living History Project) also worked with the children to design an artistic piece show casing how the school has evolved over the past 50 years. Diane McKevitt, local artist assisted with this work, and we are so grateful to both of them. This piece of artwork is mounted inside the school for all visitors to enjoy.

Local photographer Patsy Finnegan has also been so supportive of us and the 50th celebrations. He called to school to take photographs and share his happy memories of the school.

Past pupils over the past few months were invited to come to school to be interviewed by the children about their individual experiences of both the old and new school. The children were fascinated by their stories and how school life has changed over time. We are indebted to Dr Oliver Murphy and Patricia Tully for giving up their time so freely and for sharing their wonderful stories with the children. A massive thank you also to Miss Murphy, our previous principal for talking to the children about her wide variety of experiences while leading the school over many years.

Principal Ciara Monaghan and members of the current staff at St Laurence O'Toole's Primary School cut the delicious celebration cake donated by Annette cupcakes for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations. INNR2055

Fr Murphy also ensured our celebration was blessed by saying a Mass dedicated to our school and offering prayers for the years ahead.

The 50th celebration was a roaring success and I know the school will continue to flourish and thrive. Thank you to everyone involved in this event. Parents, children, staff and the whole school community, it really was a team effort.