Marie Hilliard, Retiring Principal with the staff of St. Anne’s Primary School, Rathkeale and Fr. Willie Russell.
G Mol Marie Hilliard Retirement from St Annes Primary School Rathkeale
On the 1st of July 1978, Marie Hillard began her teaching career at St. Anne’s Primary School, Rathkeale. Sister Patricia was principal at the time. For 23 years Marie worked at St. Anne’s as a mainstream class teacher. In that time she taught 4th class, 3rd and 4th class together, 2nd and 6th class.
An inspiring and talented teacher, Marie took on the role of principal on 1st of October 2001, when Brid Enright retired. For the past 14 years, Marie has led the school through great change and under her guidance many successes have been achieved.
Many initiatives are up and running at St. Anne’s. Staff, parents and, most importantly, pupils are reaping the rewards. Initiatives such as Reading Recovery, Maths Recovery, First Steps Reading, Writing and Oral Language Development, Literacy Lift Off and Incredible Years Programme are structured programmes delivered by highly trained staff which enable children to achieve their maximum potential. Each child has the opportunity to learn an instrument along with the tin whistle, which is taught from 2nd to 6th class. The school choir has had many successes and public appearances including The Late Late Toy Show, Community Games and the Choral Festival. Drama classes and annual concerts have also been hugely successful and greatly enjoyed by all involved. All children benefit from the School Meals Initiative. Whizz Kids computer classes for pupils from 3rd to 6th have enabled children to learn about Microsoft Word, Power Point and Scratch Programming. Our most recent success has been receiving the Digital School Distinction award for our huge investment of time, effort and resources in IT. Every classroom has an interactive whiteboard, a set of ipads to support learning and there is a computer room.
Marie has overseen all of the above during her time as principal. She has touched the lives of generations of families in Rathkeale and the surrounding areas. Appreciation of Marie’s hard work and dedication, her kind and caring personality were shown by wonderful celebration that took place in the school on Monday 29th June. All pupils, past pupils, staff and parents organised an amazing concert dedicated to Marie. This was attended by Marie’s family, Bishop Phonsie Cullinan, Fr. Willie Russell, the Board of Management, the Parents Council, many retired and past staff members, Sister Consolata (Marie’s music teacher from Listowel) parents and grandparents.
The staff of St. Anne’s P.S wish to thank everybody who participated in making the day such a special and memorable day for Marie.
We wish Marie many years of health and happiness on her retirement.