Former teacher has unique link with Mount Lourdes
The guest speaker at Mount Lourdes Annual prize-giving ceremony has a truly unique connection with the School.
Maeve Carty arrived as a boarding pupil in 1958. Having completed a degree in English at Queen's University, she returned to her Alma Mater to teach English in 1968 and for the following 34 years she taught generations of Fermanagh schoolgirls.
During her teaching career, Mrs Carty held several posts of responsibility, including Head of English, Teacher Tutor and senior teacher.
It was during her time as a pupil of Mount Lourdes that Mrs Carty developed a love of music and drama and performed in a number of musicals and plays.
Throughout her teaching career, her interest in the performing arts was very much to the fore and led her to produce a number of musicals, Oklahoma, The Greatest Show on Earth, My Fair Lady and Anything Goes
Such was the respect in which she was held that, in 1993, Maeve's pupils nominated her for the UK Teacher of the Year award. To those who were taught by her, or indeed to those who taught with the Garrison teacher, success in the competition came as no surprise.
Addressing the Mount Lourdes students, Mrs Carty looked back on her career as a teacher. "Working every day with young people is exhilarating, energetic and life-giving, always full of life, of hope and of dreams," she explained.
"Working with the young is not all about the coursework, the exams, and the deadlines. It's about life. It's about the sadness when there's loss and pain and disappointment. And, in the good times there's plenty of fun amid all the hard work."
Turning to her time as pupil of the Convent Grammar, Mrs Carty recalled: "My own young days here were very different to those of today. I came here as a boarder and, at that time we didn't get a Halloween break. We came on the 1st September, lived here solidly and didn't get home until Christmas. It was tough. It could be lonely but we grew up fast, learned to be independent and made great friends."
She urged the students to take part in as many aspects of school life as possible.
"Another event in my school days was taking part in musicals. It is good to stretch the wings. Try something different or fail at something. It's all part of positive learning.
"Good education is about taking every opportunity offered," she explained. "Not just doing a course so as you can include it in the UCAS form. You never know what ability you might find. So keep your horizons broad and keep your options open," she advised,
"And that's what good staff and good teaching do – build you up, deepen your self belief. You all have the ability to achieve your dream, so don't compromise on your goals, keep focussed and push till you get there and let no one else define you or your goals."
The former teacher also imparted some further invaluable advice: "I do think it's good if you can value your friends, your faith, your people and your place. By friends, I don't mean the 100's you can pick up on Bebo or Facebook. No, it's the flesh and blood friends who tell you honestly how it is. Who support you, laugh with you and cry with you. They are the key people."
On a final note Mrs Carty added: " If the challenge is tough and the work hard, take note of this: there was a time when William Shakespeare had to learn. Someone had to say, 'now William this is how you make an A a B and a C'. Mozart too had to learn his Doh-reh-me - we learn as we go.
"But, you are all winners already," she added. "In collecting your Certificates and awards, you have shown your hard work and your will to succeed. You are in a good school, with a fine staff, you have caring parents. So, face the future with the 3E's; Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy. The dream is yours."
