BY MARK McKELVEY
"Thank you for making our school days happy". Simple words that will resonate in the heart of Donal McDermott for many years to come as he enters retirement after almost 40 years teaching young people.
The outgoing Sacred Heart College principal said these words inscribed on a plaque presented to him by his pupils last week fill him with immense pride and satisfaction that he has made their time under his tuition a happy one.
A retirement Mass was held last Thursday afternoon to celebrate Mr McDermott's contribution to local education as firstly a mathematics teacher at St Brigid's between 1976 and 1995 when he moved across the "yellow line" to become principal of St Patrick's. Mr McDermott was then instrumental in spearheading and bringing to fruition the current successful Sacred Heart College where he has remained as principal for the past nine years.
The Mass was celebrated by Fr Michael Keaveney and Fr Ryder, who used to serve on the Board of Governors together with Fr John McDevitt and Mgr Joseph Donnelly.
Mr McDermott said, "The day was most moving. It was attended by the community, parents, pupils and invited guests who I have worked with over the years. When I got up to talk I didn't realise the aisle of Drumragh Church was so long as people started applauding me as I left my seat. I am not a natural limelight person and I am eternally grateful for everything everyone has done for me."
The biggest fundamental change during his tenure was the amalgamation of two single sex schools, which Mr McDermott said took a lot of compassion and willingness to make the transition work and are now reaping the awards in a very settled school environment.
His fondest memories as a teacher he says are assisting young people achieve their dreams.
He said, "When I go back to when I first started my career, secondary schools were deemed places you got young people trades. There has now been a major shift looking at post primary non-selective schools as schools that can have academic success as well.
"I see teaching as a vocation. It is the greatest satisfaction to see pupils achieve in something they may have not thought possible. Watching them grow from a small child into a young adult and have an important role in that development is the most important thing.
"What I keep saying to the pupils is chase your dream as you can achieve it. I think it is very important that young people are given a frame of mind that if they really want something, they can do it."
Making no steadfast plans for retirement as yet, Mr McDermott say he intends to have a rest, continue his keen interest in gardening, while spending more time with his wife and grandchildren.
He joked, "My wife is going to try and make me a cook, but I doubt she will be very successful. I am just pleased to end my career very proud of what I have achieved and thankful to everyone that has worked with me along the way."
Mr McDermott wished his successor – Dominic Clarke from Armagh – all the best for the futures, saying, "I am very proud to have left education on the hill in a better place than I found it almost 40 years ago. We have worked our way through the many changes, but we have done it all in the interests of quality provision for young people."
