By Ryan Sands
“I will definitely miss the people — the staff, the governors, the parents, and the children.”
Those were the words of Jennifer McCann, who officially retired as principal of Newcastle Primary School on Monday.
A special event to mark the retirement — featuring performances and presentations — was held at the Shimna Road school on Friday.
“I have been in Newcastle for 13 and a half years, and it has absolutely flown by,” said Mrs. McCann, when speaking to the Mourne Observer three days later.
“I think the highlights are always the staff and the children.
“The staff — I have a fabulous bunch of people who work here, and I have had over the years.
“It has always been about the people, and it’s all about the children — they are the heart and soul of the school, and they are the reason we are here every day.”
The Ballynahinch native began her teaching career at Dromara Primary School in 1993 before moving on, two years later, to Comber’s Ballykeigle Primary School — where she became principal in 1998 — and subsequently to Newcastle Primary School in October 2011.
Read the full story in the current issue of the Mourne Observer.
