St Paul’s student Ryan Doran with his classmates, as well as their form teacher Laura Hollywood and Vice-principal Una McNulty presenting Sally Lynch from  Macmillan Nurses, a cheque  for £1000 from the bake sale

For pupils at St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook a ‘grand’ day was enjoyed by all recently, with a bake sale in aid of Macmillan nurses.

The Year 11 pupils organised the sale and lots of tasty treats were snapped up by staff and students, meaning that a sweet £1000 was raised for a worthy cause.

The sale was organised by Ryan Doran who wanted to pay his own personal tribute to the work of the Macmillan nurses. Ryan’s father passed away in September and the money raised will go towards helping those who cared for him in his final days.

St Paul’s Principal Oliver Mooney paid tribute to Ryan and his Year 11 classmates “I want to congratulate the Year 11 pupils on the money they raised for such a worthy cause. The Macmillan nurses do phenomenal work and Ryan and his family have experienced this at first hand.

“It makes me immensely proud to see St Paul’s pupils working in such a selfless and charitable way.”

St Paul’s pupils presented the cheque to a grateful Sally Lynch from Macmillan Nurses.

The end of the academic year at St Paul’s High School was marked with the celebration of Mass in thanksgiving for the work of two key members of staff who are retiring in August.

Chaplain of St Paul’s High School, V Rev Father Dermot Maloney, welcomed the staff to the celebration and extended a special welcome to Miss Margaret Keenan, and Mrs Josephine Conlon, and their families who were Guests of Honour.

Senior Teacher, Miss Margaret Keenan, who joined the staff in September 1972, is retiring after thirty-nine years of service to St Paul’s in the Mathematics and Science Departments.

Classroom Assistant, Mrs Josephine Conlon, who joined the staff of St Paul’s in 1988, is retiring after twenty-four years of service to the students of the Learning Support Centre at St Paul’s.

At a special Mass attended by all staff, and representatives of the student body, the Board of Governors and past staff, Principal of St Paul’s, Mr Oliver Mooney paid tribute to the significant contribution made by Miss Keenan and Mrs Conlon to the academic and pastoral lives of the school.  Mr Mooney reflected on the large number of students who have been enriched by the work of Miss Keenan and Mrs Conlon, and that the endeavours of both ladies will be long remembered.

On behalf of the Archbishop of Armagh, the Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Governors of St Paul’s High School and concelebrant of the Mass of Thanksgiving, the Very Rev Father Seán Larkin presented Miss Margaret Keenan with the Medal of St Patrick in recognition of her long and outstanding service to education.

Miss Keenan and Mrs Conlon thanked colleagues for their good wishes, gifts and generosity.  A special lunch with both ladies as Guests of Honour was served after the Mass.

A special presentation was made to teachers Mrs Siobhán Bradley and Mrs Bronagh McArdle in recognition of their silver jubilee as teachers at St Paul’s.

REMEMBERING
Imelda Hughes (née Trainor) – (1952 – 2010)

The recent death of well known and highly respected Aughnagun woman aroused considerable sadness and sorrow in the local community.  The esteem and affection in which Imelda was held through out the district of Newry, South down and South Armagh and further a field was evident by the large and representative attendance at her home, the funeral Mass in Saint Catherine’s Newry and at the interment in Carrickcruppen Cemetery.

Imelda who died on 17 December 2010 taught in St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook for 32 years.   Serving as teacher representative on the Board of Governors and Public Relations Officer for the school, she was highly respected by all.

Pupils and colleagues admired Imelda as one with a clear sense of justice, sparkling intelligence, and a great way with words.

Her practicality and common sense were invaluable, whether organizing a school trip, or managing the photographic sessions on Open Night.

Her career was marked by a desire to serve her pupils well, working hard, encouraging and counselling wisely as she did in her family and community.

She loved her subjects History and English, and was tireless in helping her pupils to be the best that they could be.

A great storyteller, she engaged them with colourful descriptions of characters and events from history, literature or just the local area that she loved.

The high standards she expected from pupils were the standards she exacted from herself.   To scores of young people she gave not just a teacher’s direction, but a mother’s care and advice.  The compassion with which she treated the most needy is legend.

She believed passionately that “learning’s easy carried” and she wanted it for all of her pupils.  She had an extensive knowledge of history and politics, was a voracious reader and film buff.

She connected with people, pupils and management; she had a bright smile, a pat on the back, a warm handshake or a ready hug for a colleague in need.

A vibrant woman, she was first on the dance floor at a staff dinner, and would preside at the podium with vigour to defend a principle, or challenge the status quo at a meeting.

Her wit and humour brightened the day for all those around her, and her infectious laughter, warmed many a cold corner of the school.

Imelda played camogie with passion and skill for her beloved Carrickcruppen and the Sacred Heart School.   Her understanding and love of Gaelic games gave rise to many impassioned discussions with the “experts” on the staff.

We offer our sincere sympathy to her husband Gerard, sons Garett, Daniel, Jonathan, David, daughter Catherine, and daughter-in-law Catherine, brothers and sisters.

Our deepest sympathy is also extended to all in their very sad loss. It is no exaggeration to say that we will all be the poorer for her passing.

Her living faith and great courage in her life and in the face of death is an inspiration to all of us.

May she rest in peace.  Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam uasal.

You are welcome to record a personal recollection or memory of Imelda Hughes below.  The messages published will be passed on to the Hughes and Treanor families at a later date.