RETIREMENTS

Anne O'Driscoll

Dangling from rock faces, canoeing in the chilly Atlantic, bivouacking, and orienteering are just some of the challenging and unusual sporting activities the students from St. Aidan's are undertaking this week in Connemara. In the same week, the person who introduced these opportunities to the boys from St. Aidan's has taken early retirement.

Thirty five years ago a very young and hugely energetic P.E. teacher arrived in St. Aidan's. Over three decades later, on her departure from the school, Anne O'Driscoll has lost none of her hallmark enthusiasm and passion. Anne's reputation preceded her when she joined our staff. She was already captain of the Irish International Basketball team. Not alone did she introduce basket ball to a predominately Gaelic school but she set about making sure that students had access to a comprehensive range of sports for all levels of ability and interest.

In the early 70s outdoor pursuits were almost unheard of in Dublin schools but it didn't deter Anne from insisting that the lads from Whitehall should also climb and enjoy the view from the top of the Twelve Pins. It was to be a metaphor for Anne's teaching career; no challenge was too great - always climb the highest peak and enjoy the moment.

Anne was among the first P.E. teachers to train in Ireland. In addition to her sporting qualifications she also qualified as an English and French teacher. Anne also took a year off St. Aidan's to train further and was awarded an honours Diploma in Remedial Education. Along the way she joined the TCD elite on a visiting bursary. Beside her teaching and sporting commitments Anne was also involved in a range of other activities from being the ASTI school steward to assisting with founding the Past Pupils Union. Not surprisingly, Anne was very often the last person to switch out the school lights!

In more recent years Anne has been coordinator of the Transition Year Programme. Because she always wanted the very best for her pupils she added even more subjects to an already crowded programme. First aid, special GAA and soccer coaching, public speaking and continental trips provided extra experiences for the pupils. Not surprisingly, the TYP graduation night became one of the highlights of the school calendar.

Anne was also head of English in the school. She revamped the school library and it became the location for a wonderful series of literary events; Valentine's day, Christmas, and Halloween were just some of the occasions marked by readings from Shakespeare to Stephen King. Students and teachers read their favourite and often original pieces to an enthusiastic audience.

In the staff room Anne was a role model to other teachers. She was the most honourable and principled of persons, constantly raising standards and pushing herself and colleagues in the pursuit of excellence.

At a personal level Anne was always the first with cards or flowers. She cajoled us into acknowledging the significant birthdays, anniversaries and retirements. It is fitting that she should get an appropriate send off herself as one of the key people who contributed to establishing St. Aidan's hard earned reputation and standing. She will be remembered with affection and appreciation by a multitude of teachers, parents and pupils who have had the privilege of knowing or working with her.

R. K.

INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE
Basketball international, Anne O'Driscoll congratulating a youthful Niall Bruton, Niall later became St. Aidan's most famous International athlete and Olympian.

Kevin Slattery

Mr. Kevin Slattery ("Slats" to many past and present students) retired from teaching in June of this year. He has been teaching at St. Aidan's for 35 years. It would be impossible to give him full credit for his immense contribution to the school. But I will try. During that time, he has taught all of the Business subjects to the highest level, (and incidentally earned the reputation as the supreme champion at free hand straight line drawing on a blackboard).

In the eighties, long before most schools were involved, Kevin was introducing new courses in education to the school, starting with the Vocational Preparation and Training Programme and then the Leaving Certificate Applied course. He had a passionate belief in the provision of these courses for students who wanted an alternative career path in senior school. It was a measure of his ability to enthuse both students and teachers that these courses, and results, in St. Aidan's were recognised as among the very top in the country. Mini-companies, adventure courses, interview training, involving the students with local social work, Kevin pioneered them all. In the area of social work, Kevin led by example. For example, VPTP and Transition Year students, encouraged by him, helped with the Whitehall special needs club. Kevin himself was there most Monday evenings quietly and modestly doing and not just saying. The highlight of the class activities was the Christmas Party where Kevin's great friend, and fellow staff member, Nick Moran (R.I.P.) provided the artistic backdrop. Kevin himself however, despite having the figure, drew the line at being Santa.

In addition, through his energy and charisma, he built up a very wide network of contacts willing to provide work experience for an expanding number of LCA and Transition Year students. The students rarely let him down and this network of "Friends of Aidan's" is still thriving. Kevin was also an expert cameraman, and some of the best (and most embarrassing) moments we all have had in St. Aidan's have been recorded, as we would have wanted them to be, in a huge collection of brilliant photos stretching down the years. Those, like myself, also retired, realise fully the value of these stored memories.

In the staff room, Kevin will be greatly missed for three things particularly. His sense of humour and fun was quick, subtle and complex. If you were not in the best of humours before Kevin started, you were certainly cheered up when he finished. Team building and organising is one of the most important gifts in education, and literally no one else could equal Kevin. If you worked with him, you knew your worth, the value of your contribution, and the pleasure of working on a team. He was the master coordinator, and without exaggeration, I think a wellspring of enthusiasm to the staff. Lastly and most importantly, where Kevin excelled as an educator was his broad vision of education. He saw the place for all the different strands, the need for the provision of a variety of courses to match the students' needs and abilities. And, his lasting contribution to his profession was to put theory into practice and lead in the provision of some of these in his school of choice.

We wish him a happy and fulfilling retirement, and hope that he will always feel assured of our thanks and appreciation for all that he has contributed to the school community. Thanks for it all, Slats.

M. C.

MARKING THEIR CARDS
Kevin Slattery providing hot tips at the Leaving Certificate Applied racing day out. L to R. Milo Connolly, Kevin Slattery and LCA students, Stephen and Mark.