BY NUALA MCALOON

For the two teachers and 24 pupils at Shanmullagh Primary School, near Ballycasidy, there will be a lonely end to this week as the closely knit group prepare to bid farewell to the head of their 'family', the school Principal, Joan Nelson.

After 33 years service at the school, Joan will wave goodbye to her pupils for the last time on Friday before officially retiring on the 31st August.

"It is always a lonely time when you approach retirement," she explained. "There are mixed feelings: you look forward to having more time for your own interests but this has been a part of my life for so long, it is sad to be leaving it all behind."

Joan, who lives in Killadeas with her husband Robert, has three sons, Rodney, Niall and Gareth. A former Collegiate girl, she studied at Stranmillis Teaching College in Belfast before taking up her post at Shanmullagh.

For the first 14 years she taught Key Stage 1, pupils from P1-P4, and was appointed teaching Principal in 1988 and, from there on, she taught Key Stage 2 pupils, P5-P7. The teaching staff is made up by Joan's colleague, Rhonda Elliott.

Throughout her teaching career, Joan has witnessed many modifications, not least the developments in the digital era and the increase in the amount of paper work.

"I have seen a lot of changes, including the coming of the computer age and all that it brings along with it. When I started there was no computer or no photocopier.

"Have the changes been for the better?: Well, yes and no, it has had its advantages and disadvantages. There is a lot of paperwork that there wasn't when I started, and a lot of work is done online now for the returning of items to the Department or the Board, for example."

But for Joan, any challenges that she has met along the way have always been more than counterbalanced by the pleasures of the children she has taught.

"It is lovely to see the older pupils play with the younger children. It is very much a family situation. I am now at the stage where I am teaching children of children I taught before, so the school is very much a part of the community."

Referring to some of the highlights of her career, Joan says she was delighted when a football pitch was developed on the school's grounds in the last 10 years.

"We were limited before for physical activities", she explained, " but now we have an after-school football club which is currently taken by one of the parents. It has proven a great asset to the school because the children can go out and play there at break and lunch and they are both safe and comfortable."

Joan will miss the friendship she shares with her pupils, their parents, her colleagues and the Board of Governors.

"The pupils always keep you going because they are always the same, they always come in so bright and breezy every morning."

As for her retirement, Joan plans will be far from idle. For as well as enjoying reading, gardening baking and crafts, she is also a member of a variety of clubs.

For the last 36 years she has been an organist with the Priory Church in Killadeas. She is also a founding member of the Irvinestown community choir, a member of the Cantari ladies choir, Gransha Gospel choir and is the present branch leader of the Trory and Killadeas Mother's Union.