Congratulations and best wishes are extended to Helen McCafferty, Ballyglass, Charlestown, who retired from the staff of St. Attracta’s NS, Charlestown, after over 20 years of dedicated and stellar service.
Helen worked as a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) in the school and carried out her duties with competence and efficiency and took a deep interest in the many children that came under her wing. Helen loved the children and worked hard in conjunction with the class teachers to ensure their needs were met at all times. She loved the cut and thrust of the classroom and provided terrific support for the many teachers she worked with all of whom were effusive in their praise of her work ethic and the lovely genteel manner she displayed which made the children feel at ease in her company and the classroom as a whole.
Helen was a wonderful team player and had a real sense of generosity about her and loved the school tours and made sure the children had plenty of treats to help shorten the journey. She really pitched in when it came to communion and confirmation times and was a big source of help and support to the teachers in the preparation and organisation of the same. Helen was always jovial and good humoured and was the consummate professional at all times as she poured every ounce of energy she had into a job that she derived immense satisfaction from.
There were plenty of tears in evidence from all staff and parties connected to the school on the last day of terms as Helen took her leave and tidied her locker for the last time. There were a number of presentations made to Helen to mark her many years of outstanding service with principal Brian McDermott, Chairperson of the Board of Management, Fr. Tommy Johnson and the Parents Association all leading the way as they spoke at length of Helen’s dedication and commitment to the job which endeared her to all in the school. Her retirement leaves a big void in the school as people of Helen’s calibre are hard to replace but she takes with her many happy memories and loved her interactions with the children and the staff who played such a huge role in her daily life.
We wish Helen every good wish for the future, good health and happiness as she gets ready to embrace the next chapter of her life.