Catherine Coveney Rings The Final Bell

The big farewell 23JUN17

he’s a sly lass, that Miss Coveney, and no mistake…

St Laurence’s 1979

There we were, doing a full-on cover story interview last month to mark the 40th anniversary of the school she’s captained from the very start, and never once did the bould Catherine mention that she was handing in her badge.

Which is typical, of course, of the lady’s quiet, reserved style, wanting the fuss of today’s Summer Fun Party to not be about its principal but about the school’s pupils, its past, and its projection into the future.

Today, Catherine Coveney couldn’t quite hide from the spotlight though, as the great and the good turned out to not only mark that 40th anniversary but also to wish the woman who has taught half this town a fond farewell.

With children from all over the country there to cheer on the speeches from the likes of Simon Harris TD (a former pupil of St Laurence’s), various religious leaders and lots of proud parents and past inmates, the woman of the hour was presented with a fine painting of her favourite Greystones landmark, the old harbour.

Clearly moved, Ms Coveney delivered a very short but sweet thank you to everyone involved, and then the party began, with kids scattering towards bouncy castles, playing fields and basketball courts whilst the adults retired indoors, for tea, scones and school day memories…

Nicely done, young Coveney. Now, school’s out, forever. Go have some fun…

Oooh, where’d ya get that Stonehenge…?