I’m going to miss the classroom and the pupils; but I’m also looking forward to the next chapter of my life, says Cliona Connelly who has retired from Union Hall National School.

Cliona joined the staff at the West Cork school in 1999, and was a class teacher for a few years as well as a resource teacher in Rath, Leap, Castlehaven and Cape Clear, before being promoted to deputy principal three years later.

Originally from Glaunthaune and living in Rosscarbery, she’s been teaching for 34 years in total and jokes that it’s in her DNA.

‘My father, Paddy O’Neill, who grew up in the Coachman’s Inn in Bauravilla, was the principal in Glaunthaune NS,’ she revealed.

‘His uncle was the master of the primary school in Bauravilla and his aunt the assistant teacher. And as it happens, my husband Mick’s parents are also both teachers, and so are my sisters.’

Cliona, who taught juniors and seniors, has relished being a teacher in the rural school which she described as the ‘ultimate privilege’.

‘The community spirit has always been extraordinary here and to have been part of that was just fabulous. I’m actually teaching the second generation of some families now,’ she said.

She described the atmosphere in the school as ‘extraordinary’ thanks to the support of her first principal Denis Shanahan and current principal Brendan McCarthy.

‘We’re always encouraged to work our talents and follow our passions. I love music and arts and outdoor teaching and could spend half the day in our beautiful grounds,’ said Cliona.

But as much as she loved teaching she always planned to retire when she could.

‘My dad and Mick’s dad died too young and didn’t get to enjoy their retirement so I was conscious of that. It’s a privilege to be able to retire at 55 and I’m looking forward to what comes next,’ she said.

New curriculum changes are exciting, she said, and put more of a focus on thinking outside the box which is a good thing, even if it requires more planning.

‘You can only teach well if you’re well prepared and that has to happen at another stage of the day so there’s typically a lot of work that goes on in the evenings, so I’m looking forward to the change of pace, less rushing, and having more time for family,’ said Cliona who is mum to Ciara, who is in her Leaving Cert year, and Anna, who is in TY.

She’s also looking forward to indulging her love of music, swimming, walking and yoga and the having the freedom to take mid-week breaks.

Reflecting on her three decades of teaching, is there anything she thinks could be done differently?

‘Sharing talents and strengths within a school, encouraging mobility so teachers can trade talents between classes where it’s practical,’ she suggested. ‘We can also learn so much by observing other teachers in action.’

And any advice for teachers embarking on a career?

‘Invest in a good yard duty coat so you are comfortable, and can enjoy time outside with the students. Also, encourage conversations and storytelling among them, and active learning through activities like baking, reading, knitting, playing cards, board games.’

Teaching during Covid, ironically, she felt, made for ‘stronger connections.’

‘We’d have dropped parcels to kids’ houses for birthdays, or we’d have gone to a front door to sing happy birthday in some cases and those memories will stay with me,’ she recalls. ‘It is impossible to isolate a particular memory from over the years, there are many.’

Not surprisingly on her final day there were some tears shed – and lots of laughs too.   ‘It was quite emotional, even just to reflect on all the friendships I’ve made at the school gate that are so dear to my heart, and the privilege it was to teach so many children particularly in those precious early years of juniors and seniors,’ she said.