BY AUSTIN LYNCH
This month Lisnaskea High School is celebrating its 50th birthday.
It was back in September 1959 that the High School first opened its doors for pupils and, from that day to this, the school has educated generations of children from the greater Lisnaskea area.
In those 50 years, thousands of children, and a great many staff, have passed through the school gates and a large number of families throughout Lisnaskea have had a long association with the school down through the years.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the High School, a number of special events are being planned during this school year, the first of which is a 'Service of Thanksgiving' which will take place in the school on Wednesday 16th September.
As well as parents, pupils and members of staff, the school is hoping to welcome back a number of former pupils and members of staff to help celebrate this special anniversary.
In preparation for the upcoming celebrations, a number of former pupils and staff members met up for a cup of tea and a chat to reminisce about times gone by.
The 'Herald' joined them for a chat about old times.
Betty Howe (formerly Kenny) was one of the first pupils through the school doors when it opened back in 1959.
Betty explains she spent four years at the school and that since she left (in 1964) two of her sons have been educated at the school.
Asked how she remembers her time at Lisnaskea High, Betty says it was 'fantastic'. 'They were the good old days' she says.
Betty recalls how, back in those days, you weren't allowed to wear your outdoor shoes in the school and had to bring a pair of slippers for indoor use.
Lisnaskea native, Betty says she still sees a lot of people she went to school with around the place and said she was in the same year, but not the same class, as present school caretaker, Hilda Latimer.
Looking forward to the 50th Anniversary celebration, Betty wonders who might turn up. "It will be a bit strange meeting people you haven't seen in almost 50 years," she admits.
Irene Morrison taught English, History and Library Studies in Lisnaskea High from 1963 to 1990 and her late husband, Bill was a former Principal of the High School.
Asked what is was like to be a teacher back then, Irene said she never had a bother or a problem. "The children were good and they didn't need to be disciplined."
Another former pupil who was there the day the school opened is Blayney Cartwright from Brookeborough. Blayney spent four years at the school before leaving to take up employment.
Blayney enjoyed his years at the school and has been back to the school a number of times over the years for events such as school carol services. He also attended a reunion in the school 10 years ago.
He is looking forward to 16th September where he will be reading a blessing at the service.
Last week, Blayney met one of the teachers who taught him back in 1959 - Mrs (Elizabeth) Beacom (now Kettyles).
Elizabeth Kettyles from Maguiresbridge taught general subjects, including Maths, French and 'a bit of everything'.
"I taught at Lisnaskea High for a few years before moving on to each elsewhere," she said.
Elizabeth also taught at Moate Primary School before she retired on the birth of her first child.
"I'm a long time retired," admitted Elizabeth who also says that quite a few of the colleagues she taught with at the High School are now dead.
"I enjoyed my time here (at Lisnaskea High) and I was involved in organising plays and concerts. I had a nice bunch of children and some of them still remember me when I meet them around."
Louise Cathcart was a cleaner at the school from 1971 - 1993 and worked under three caretakers - the most recent being Hilda Latimer.
In addition to working in the school, Louise also was a home help and cleaned Lisnaskea Police Station. She only retired this year from work.
"I just enjoy the company of others and I really enjoyed my time working here."Originally from Lack but now living in Lisnaskea, Louise says all of her children - three boys and a girl - attended this school. She says she is really looking forward to the anniversary celebrations
The celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of Lisnaskea High School commence with a special 'Service of Thanksgiving' in the school on Wednesday 16th September 2009.
