'It has been a pleasure and a privilege': Kildare school principal announces retirement
The school’s new principal was also revealed
The principal of a school situated in County Kildare has announced her upcoming retirement, and added that it was ‘a pleasure and a privilege’ to work in the role.
In a letter published to the parents and guardians of students in attendance at St Conleth’s Community College in Newbridge, Principal Patricia O’Brien announced her resignation.
She has acted as the school’s principal for the past 11 years, and before that, worked as a teacher of mathematics in the school.
And now, Principal O’Brien has announced her retirement, while also acknowledging that it was ‘a pleasure and a privilege’ to both work at and serve the school.
She elaborated: “You have a great school here in St Conleth’s CC, and that is down to you and your families, as well as the staff and community.
“With your support, the school has grown over the last decade into a campus with 750 Second Level students of all levels and 230 Post Leaving Cert students on 15 different courses at Level 5 and 6 QQI.”
She added: “This tradition continued with a new principal at the helm, Mr Philip Blythe, and the team of deputy principals Mr Gary Evans, Ms Deirdre Fitzgerald and Ms Nicola Whelan.”
Concluding her letter, Principal O’Brien said: “I would like to wish you and your families all the best for the future and I will look forward to
Patricia O’Brien’s tenure as the principal of St Conleth’s Community College will officially conclude at the end of the current school year, on August 31, 2026.
Her full letter was also posted to the school’s official Facebook page, to which one user commented underneath it: “Hope you have a great retirement and enjoy your new life.”
Another user, who said they were a past pupil of Principal O’Brien, said that they wished her ‘all the very best’ , while a third wished her ‘a well-earned retirement’.