On Friday 21st February 2014, the community gathered for Mass of Thankgiving in St. Colman's Bann Primary School and to say 'Farewell' to Master John Monaghan.
John has been principal in St. Colman's Bann since 2002 and has moved on to St. Patrick's P.S., Armagh.

Emotions were running high because, although everyone is delighted for John, no-one wants to see him go.
(You can read John's 'speech' at the bottom, after all the photos)

There was a huge turn out for the Mass and Fr. Powell thanked John for his dedicated service to the school and community.

"During the past 12 years John Monaghan has given exemplary leadership during your entire time as principal. I have always found your leadership to be very child- centred, pastoral and professional, practical and visionary. Your deeply rooted Catholic faith informed your decisions and new initiatives you introduced in the school. The spiritual welfare and the safety of the pupils were at the heart of everything you did. It is important to earn the respect of the pupils, parents and guardians, your teaching and entire school staff, board of governors, by your exemplary hard work, unfailing professional and inspiring leadership and that to your credit, you have achieved.
Looking at the notice board I see that the pupils have credited you with being kind and supportive and a master of jokes. Today we wish you well in your new position in Armagh and you leave us with our best wishes and deep gratitude, not just of the school community but of the entire community of the parish of Tullylish. So this is where your life has arrived at, you stand on the shore of a new invitation, let your heart enjoy a different rhythm as a new bard in Armagh!"
Good luck and God bless!"
 
 
The display board, (see below) put together by the school Student Council says it all
(and you can click on the pdf to see it in full size)

pdf version

Mrs O'Faoighain presented John with a monetary gift on behalf of the Board of Governors, staff and children.
This was accompanied by a set of Johnny Cash plectrums for the guitar!

John held his hand up to show us how much he was shaking!

In true Master Monaghan style, he had everyone laughing!

Miss Julie Hoy, Mrs. Rosemary Reavey and Miss Sarah McGrath

Member of the Board of Governors, Brian Campbell with John

 John with Mrs. Roisin Woods, Vice Principal of St. Patrick's College

 John with faithful friend of the school, Geraldine McCusker

 Helen McGrath and Christine Moore

 Fr. Powell with John's mother-in-law Mrs. McKeever and sister-in-law, Nuala.

 Angela Monaghan with her sister Pauline McCartan

 School secretary Mrs. Lorna Hendron with Parents rep on the Board of Governors, Mrs. Sorcha Lyness

 Fr. Powell with John and Angela

 Mrs. Carmel McGivern, Mrs. Rene Byrne. Mrs. Anne McEvoy, Mrs. Kathleen McEvoy and Mrs. Eileen Murphy

 Past principal of St. Colman's Bann, Peter O'Loan with Gerard Morris and Martin Rogan

 John's brother Paul Monaghan with Mrs. Maeve O'Hare

 Vice Principal of St. Patrick's College, Mrs. Roisin Woods, with S.E.L.B. rep Mrs. Jenny McMullan and Principal of St. John's Gilford, Miss Catherine McCooe.

 Peter O'Loan with Pat Smyth, member of the Board of Governors.

 John's two beautiful daughters, Nuala and Catherine

 John with Pat Smyth

 Gary Byrne, chairperson of the Board of Governors with John and Pat

 Brotherly love!

 The extended Monaghan family

 Liam Hendron, (on placement with St. Colman's Bann) and Anne McEvoy

 Martin Lavery with John

 Paul and Una Monaghan with John

 Kathleen McEvoy and Helen McGrath

 John with Catherine McEvoy

 Martin Lavery and Jackie Toal who both served on the Board of Governors with John

When the children were asked what they would like to have for their party with Master Monaghan, they said A CAKE!

 PDF VERSION

THIS LAST PHOTO SAYS IT ALL!

After Mrs. O'Faogáin presented John and Angela with gifts, John made his speech.

"The last time I was this nervous I was on my way to put on a ring!

I have always wondered what it would be like to play the fiddle at my own funeral…. It’s not so bad at all.

I was trying to think of something topical to say this morning, so I’d like to thank you all for this oscar….  
(after lifting the candlestick off the altar!)

I can’t believe this…. It’s all so unexpected!

I’d like to thank first of all, my director Fr. Gerry Powell,

My script writers Mary and Lorna,

The crew… Julie, Orlaigh and Rosemary, Antoinette, Rita, Sarah and Aishlene, Janet, Michelle and Eileen. And not forgetting Niamh.

And of course all the boys and girls who make up such a great cast, they have all been fantastic.

None of this would have been possible without the Governors, parents, friends and family who have supported us all along the way.

I will treasure this OSCAR forever!

Seriously…….

I cannot begin to put into words all the things I want to say about the last 12 years.  

Putting it simply… it’s been a big chunk of my life, and it’s been all great!

It’s very flattering to see you all here.

I have a list of people that I would like to mention especially because of the support they have given me throughout my time, - both professionally and personally.

I want of course to welcome my wife Angela and daughters Catherine and Nuala, my brothers Joe , Paul and his wife Oonagh, inlaws and outlaws of the McKeever clan.

Members of our Board of Governors past and present, and members of both teaching and ancillary staff past and present – thank you for being here.

A special welcome to retired Vice Principal Carmel McGivern, Principal Peter O’Loan and a very special mention to Maeve O’Hare, who taught many of us including Mary and myself in the old Bann Primary next door when she was Miss McNeill.

Past principals from our parish -as well as Maeve and Peter, we have Eileen Murphy and Plunkett Campbell.

We have colleagues from Education - our closest neighbours, Current principals – Catherine McCooe from St. John’s Gilford and Caroline Garrett from Milltown Primary.

Stanley Anthony from CCMS is here and Jenny McMullan from SELB.

I am delighted also to see Roisin Woods, Vice Principal of St. Patrick’s College in Banbridge.

I have been told that the children had a great fun day yesterday preparing for today, making banners and decorations and things. ……. It’s terrible, - as soon as you get me out of the place you start having fun and enjoying yourselves…… it’s just not on!

This has been a really lovely send off. Thank you Mary and all the staff and children for making me feel so special.

Thank you everyone for turning up today to see me off.

My most sincere apologies to any of you who just came along for the Mass and thought to yourself… “If I’d known there was a funeral in Laurencetown this morning, I could have got Mass in Banbridge!”

Thank you for all the good wishes and prayers for me in my new job, which is all very exciting for me, ….. but no matter where I am, I will always be from here!

And Proud of it!

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