End of an era at St Cecilia's College as Principal Mulhern announces her retirement

St Cecilia's College Principal, Martine Mulhern, has admitted that while the passion and excitement is still there, her decision to retire has come about after feeling she has brought everything she can to the school.

Her decision marks the end of an era after announcing that she will be stepping down after 10 years in the post at St Cecilia's Principal.

A post on social media site Twitter by Martine also cited tiredness and felt it was only right and proper to step aside as she could not coast along in her role.

Following her post, a number of people ranging from colleagues, teachers and Principals of other schools and former pupils took to Twitter to thank Martine for her service to St Cecilia's and to education itself.

She said: “It feels the right decision at this stage. I've thought about it a lot – I am tired, I've been here ten years and I feel I have probably done everything that I can do. I've brought everything that I can bring to St Cecilia's.

“It's time for me to move on for some other amazing Principal to come in and bring it to another level.

“I probably grew into it (on the decision to retire) throughout the year. I didn't come back thinking this would be my last year at St Cecilia's. I've just grown into it.

“I'm feeling tired and I don't have the energy to bring the school to the next level. When you feel like that, it's only fair and proper to step back. I can't coast (along) – it's not in my nature to do so.

“It's not that the 'mojo' has gone – I have excitement and I have the passion. It's all still there. It's just the thought of doing the hard work part of it – I just don't have the energy to climb any further.

“I think I'm leaving St Cecilia's in a really, really good place. Exam results are as high as they've ever been and we've picked up a few of those big awards acknowledging the ethos and culture of the school – which I'm incredibly proud of. I just want to make sure that it goes from strength to strength.”

Of the tributes that have been paid to her, the ones from former pupils have stood out.

She added: “It's been emotional reading the posts (on social media). I'm delighted that emphasis is on relationships and how people have felt because I've always maintained that our young people will never remember what you taught them but they'll always remember how you made them feel.

“It's a joy to see – for some part – that has been my legacy.

“My husband on the other hand, says that he doesn't recognise the person they're talking about.

“He has requested that I bring that person to retirement and not the one he already knows.

“It has been emotional reading posts from young people that I remember as children – it's lovely to see how they remember me.

“It's a real privilege because that is the most important part of our job in education is to make sure that every young person that we come in contact with, that we allow them to see their value and their worth.

“If we don't, we have failed and we have done something wrong.

“It's not just about examination results. It should be about helping young people see their value and if I have done that in any small way, then I have been a success.”

The last two years have been the most challenging the education sector has faced in a long time with St Cecilia's, as with every other school, being affected by the Covid lockdown.

While Ms Mulhern concedes that the Covid era might have contributed to her decision to retire, it was not the overriding factor.

She added: “It probably did in some way made the decision-making easier. It has been a very difficult two years but I have been so lucky in that the staff here are just incredible.

“They have risen to the challenge of Covid and supported me every step of the way. The young people and their families and the community have all stepped up as well.

“While the Covid period has been challenging, it certainly hasn't been the reason why I have decided to retire. It probably contributed to it but it certainly wasn't the ultimate reason.”

Well-known and popular Derry principal to retire

Martine Mulhern to leave St Cecilia's College

As for what the future holds for her when she turns in her chalk, duster and text books this summer, Martine admits she has plenty of options open to her – including going back to the classroom herself.

She continued: “I definitely won't be heading for the golf course as I've never played golf in my life. I've moved into the country so I see myself trying to do some things that I probably should have done over the years.

“I want to learn to cook – because I can't cook. I might go to our Home Economics teacher next week to ask her if she can teach me stuff.

“I tried my hand at baking over the lockdown and I really, really enjoyed it.

“I've also asked someone to help me do a wee bit in terms of growing vegetables and herbs in the garden. So I see myself going back to basics a wee bit. Just learning skills that I haven't developed – and maybe should have developed – over the years.

“I see myself going to the regional college and learning things. I've always had the notion that I would like to learn a language – possibly Irish. I have no firms ideas but I would like to develop a different skills set.

“I could even be faced with a former pupil of mine teaching me – oh my goodness. That would be the greatest joy of all.

“It wouldn't be the first time that a former pupil has taught me something. You would be filled with such pride when you meet young people – that you have taught – as leaders in our city who have come back to teach. It would be a joy to be in that situation if they were to teach me.

“Mind if any of them put me on detention, I'd probably deserve it.”