End of an era as well-known Laois principal retires

Mr Gerry Quinn, principal of St Fergal's College in Rathdowney, has announced his retirement.

Mr Quinn had been a teacher in the school for many years, before taking up the mantle of principal in 2020.

Having taught many students from Rathdowney and surrounding areas, staff, parents and students alike are sad to see Mr Quinn's departure, and wish him all the best in his retirement. 

Mr Quinn has taught in a variety of schools in various parts of England and Ireland, and was the President of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) while it was involved in industrial action and negotiating settlements to national disputes.

The principal later served as Chairperson of the Teaching Council, and has had an article published in an international education journal.

Yet the principal maintains that there is a special place in his heart for the ‘chalk face’ while teaching in St Fergal’s College.

“I consider myself fortunate to have spent most of my career in St Fergal’s. Beforehand I taught in a challenging school in London which meant I could appreciate, even more, the advantages of teaching here," Mr Quinn said.

"Many of the students in Rathdowney were a joy to teach such that I will continue to miss aspects of that work. Parents were another positive part of my experience as I found them mostly to be reasonable and supportive.

"It got to a point in time when former students became parents or colleagues, which was an interesting and rewarding experience too. I also had many inspiring colleagues who modelled educational values and promoted progressive ideas," he said.

"I am grateful to them all, especially as teaching is a very demanding job.”

Pictured: Principal Gerry Quinn with students Moira Sherman and Wei Xiang Hu, who recently achieved over 600 points in their Leaving Certificates.

Mr Quinn's final years as principal of St Fergal's College saw many developments and improvements to the school, including a new two-storey modular building currently in the works, along with an all-weather pitch.

"Our new modular timber two-storey building is well under way and is scheduled to be ready for use next February. It’s a progressive design in terms of the environment and education which will expand our current school," said Mr Quinn.

"It includes three general classrooms, a Design and Communication Graphics (DCG) room, an Engineering room, and a
Construction Studies room, as well as SET/Pastoral rooms, student social areas and a library," he said.

The practical rooms will have new equipment and machinery, with the Department of Education having agreed to retrofit the school's older buildings to accommodate two new special classes, with state-of-the-art facilities, as well as two general classrooms. 

"A combination of factors created the momentum which brought this exciting educational development about," Mr Quinn said.

"While the starting point was a less ambitious plan from the Department, they deserve credit for supporting its expansion.

The contributory factors for this included the need to address problems with our “old building,” increased enrolment and professional human input," he said.

This latter point included the support and expertise of LOETB officials, the CE Mr Joe Cunningham, the Director of Schools Ms Linda Tynan, the recently retired Director of Organisation Support and Development Ms Marie Bracken, the then Head of HR Pam Nolan, and Head of Procurement Mr Aiden Maloney.

"Francis Carroll, from MCOH Architects, along with their design team, have also been instrumental in developing the plans and moving the project forward," Mr Quinn continued.

Pictured: Principal Gerry Quinn.

"All of these developments are complimented by our new 60x30 metre all-weather pitch. It is at an advanced stage of construction and will enhance our provision of PE. The funding for this came from a combination of sources," Mr Quinn said.

"This started with a substantial Capital Sports Grant, the application for which began with a decisive discussion I had with Ms Ann-Marie Maher of Laois County Council and the Chairperson of our Board of Management Cllr John King," he said.

The grant application secured vital support from Rathdowney's camogie club, St Brigid's.

"We have an excellent working relationship with St Brigid's in support of our common aim to promote female participation in sport," Mr Quinn said.

"LOETB also played a crucial role in terms of technical support and sourcing the major additional funds required.

“Together we have brought about many positive changes and consequently built on the progress of previous eras and generations. The school can be justifiably proud of its past as well as ambitious for its future," Mr Quinn said.

Ballacolla native Ms Carol Devine is currently the school's deputy principal, and is to become the school's new principal upon Mr Quinn's retirement. 

Mr Quinn wished his successor the best of luck.

"I wish the next Principal, and current Deputy Principal, Ms Carole Devine well. She has the professional dedication and ability to serve the school community with distinction," Mr Quinn finished.