Memories of St Patrick's & St Brigid's College, Claudy recalled as the school celebrates its 60th anniversary

ABOVE: COLLEEN O'KANE, HEAD OF HISTORY

Name: Colleen O'Kane

Role: Head of History

Teaching at the school for the last 11 years

Where do I even begin…?

My name is Mrs Colleen O’Kane and I have been employed at St. Patrick’s and St. Brigid’s College, Claudy (SPBC) for over eleven years. When I began my post at SPBC, it was only ten weeks after the birth of my youngest son. It was a daunting prospect, given the huge shoes I was filling, following the retirement of the much-loved Siobán McNicholl. I was employed on a temporary contract and then made permanent, as the Head of Department, six months later.

As a young and mostly inexperienced (I can admit this now!) Head of History, I felt so privileged to be appointed to this post in a College with such a strong reputation and greatly established community links. I was especially grateful for the warm welcome from my colleagues and the guidance they offered me.

It did not take me long to realise that this ‘little’ College was, in fact, a huge extended family, with amazing values, morals and standards. I soon had no doubt that this place was to be my new ‘home.’ This College was—and remains—a place where staff and pupils are supported alike; they are mutually respected and appreciated.

Before long, my SPBC work colleagues would become my lifelong friends. Indeed, some of these colleagues are my former pupils, who are now members of my Department. This is something that I am immensely proud of, as it speaks strongly to the ethos of our College.

My good memories at SPBC are countless. Something that I am always especially proud of is guiding pupils to achieve outstanding academic results. Each August, I wait in anticipation and excitement alongside my pupils and their parents while they receive their results. I also had the opportunity to offer our pupils an audience with Dr Martin Stern (MBE), a Holocaust survivor. He spoke passionately to our pupils about the importance of resilience and how we should not allow negative experiences to define our futures—a message that I continue to promote when teaching the pupils at our College. We were honoured to be included in the BBC-produced documentary profiling the work of Dr Martin Stern and other Holocaust survivors. On a lighter note, many of my most cherished memories are of the social gatherings I have had with my colleagues, both present and past: putting the world to rights in Mrs Conville’s (Turton’s) home on a regular basis; the less formal ‘Environment and Society’ Department meetings.

I always enjoy meeting past pupils to catch up and find out about their chosen career paths. These moments make me immensely proud and remind me why I love teaching at our College. I remember each pupil fondly—and I am well-aware that it may only be a matter of time until I am asked “Did you teach my mammy/daddy?”!

Upon reflection, our College has provided me with excellent support and guidance as I have manoeuvred through my career path. Our College offers the same to our pupils. It does indeed ‘take a village,’ and that is what we are: a community where every member has the opportunity to flourish and achieve their goals and ambitions, with continual help and support offered at each step. At SPBC, we are provided the opportunity to ‘believe, achieve and lead.’ With our new Principal, Mr Philip McCullagh, at the helm, I have no doubt that we will continue on the same successful path.

I look forward to many more years of teaching at SPBC and I remain proud of the fact that I am part of such an amazing team.

ABOVE: KERRYANN BARR, SEN CLASSROOM ASSISTANT

Name: Kerryann Barr

Role: SEN Classroom Assistant 

Former pupil, staff, parent of SPBC, employed by the school for three years

School days really are the best days of our lives! When I walk these corridors, I am reminded daily of the cherished memories that fill my heart, from my time as a student in St Patrick's and St Brigid's College. I was very lucky to have shared my school experience with one of my best friends and Irish twin... my wee sister. This definitely helped with the first day nerves and the uncertainty of travel, timetables and tours. I remember the warm welcome, and meeting new friends, lifelong friends with whom I have fond memories from success in Netball Tournaments, to cross country danders when we should have been jogging at least. Once a rogue a football accidentally found a landing spot direct on a friend's face out of the blue, another gal pal fainted in HE from an apple slicing incident. We can laugh now! Oh but if these walls could talk!
The field trips were always a barrel of laughs, double denim and roller ball lip gloss, I can still smell the White Diesel aftershave that everyone steeped in. I remember going to The Plantation Centre in Draperstown and the tour guide chose me and the teacher to model Victorian replica garments. I was over the moon to wear the flamboyant Queen Victoria replica gown, however when Miss Kelly seen the head gear of the servant costume that she had been given, she swiftly swapped out our dresses, and I donned what could only be described as a gigantic toilet roll bandage on my head. This will haunt me forever and Shaun the Librarian, as he was known then, made sure of this! To my horror he published it in the school's first and only year book! Shaun is a time capsule of often forgotten photographic memories.

Sadly I experienced the devastating loss of a parent whilst in year 10 and one thing that I wont ever forget is the friendly faces of the staff who's tender pastoral care supported me through tough times and helped shape me into the big hearted classroom assistant I am today! As a parent this memory was one of many deciding factors when choosing a school for my sons, both in 2020 and again soon in 2025.

Lastly a memory forever engrained in my mind and I am sure anyone under Jack Mc Auley’s leadership too will remember the reinforcement of these ten, two letter words "if it is to be, it is up to me!" These words carried many of us to achieving outstanding GCSE results throughout the years, and motivated us beyond secondary education. “We didn’t know we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun.”

ABOVE: GARETH DOHERTY, HEAD OF MUSIC

Name: Gareth Doherty

Role: Head of Music

Teaching at the school for the past 24 years

I have many fond memories of the school. I have always enjoyed producing and being musical director of our school shows.

Our school shows give the public an opportunity to be entertained by our talented pupils and staff. Over the years we have performed Sister Act 2, Annie, Bugsy Malone, Grease, Oklahoma, Hairspray and our very own This is Me.

Pupils and staff have always worked well together creatively in an informal situation outside of the classroom. There have been many laughs as they act, sing and dance in costume. Their commitment and professionalism have always made me proud.

One of our highlights was our production of Grease. A very talented pupil, playing one of the T-birds, performed the song ‘Johnny be good’, singing and playing the guitar live on stage. His rocking guitar solo brought the house down.

I have always been very proud of our school big band who enjoyed playing in the City of Derry Jazz festival for six consecutive years.

Twenty pupils playing guitars, bass, drums, saxophones, trumpets, violins, flutes, clarinets, euphoniums and vocals have graced the stage at the Guildhall square and the Craft Village performing a fine set of Jazz standards and some pop songs and a guest appearance from a fine vocalist from our staff.

Pupils would dazzle the audience with their superb musicianship and talent, taking turns to perform some amazing instrumental solos.

Name: Anne Toner

Role: Initially Teacher of biology, later Assistant Principal Pastoral Care 2014-2022

Taught in the school for 32 years from September 1990 to August 2022

Memories:

Beautiful journey to and from work over Barnailt as the seasons change.

Location of school, nestled in Claudy surrounded by the Sperrin mountains.

View from back of school over the chapel, Cumber woodland and beyond.

Claudy people the community and surrounding areas: Businesses and business owners, Desmond’s factory, locals, clergy, Father Brennan, Fr McEldowney and Father O Kane. Local road names and their pronunciations.

SPB College:

Highlights- Loved working with teenagers. The blend of rural and not so rural pupils was a great mix, all starting out as wee Year 8’s. moving through the turbulent teenage years only to have to head on at 16. Loved the day-to-day chat and banter with the pupils during supervision duties, of which there were many. Chats about Gaelic clubs, matches, rivalry: the football results: how the lambing season was progressing :types of cars, prices of cars, tractors: plans for the Balmoral Show, to name but a few topics.

Curriculum:

Over the years we had to adapt to the many changes in education as governments came and went. Throughout it we focussed on getting the best for each and every pupil through motivating, encouragement and sometimes plain pushing and pressure (not always appreciated!). The highlight of course was August and the looks on pupils faces when opening results, achieving success and having choices.

School and Staff:

In SPB all the adults worked closely together: ancillary staff, office staff, classroom assistants, teachers, canteen and cleaning staff, BOG, PTFA, parents/guardians to provide a safe, caring environment for the pupils, to enable them to achieve their full potential.

Extracurricular:

School trips I assisted with: YE Key Programme, residentials in Corrymeela Ballycastle x3, Delphi x2, Barcelona x3, Paris x3, Valkenburg x2, Austria Skiing x1.

Other highlights and memories:

The tug of war at each annual sports day (hotly contested); school shows and talent competitions; the annual Christmas bazaar, arranging and visiting pupils on work experience. Visits to Robinson Sand Pit, Banagher Dam (walking with pupils through the tunnel within the dam wall), spring in Cumber woods, field studies and cumber play park.

Along with the many fond memories, when you spend 22 years in the school you love, there were many sad and challenging times. Be it illness, accidents, bereavement, tragedy, these never leave you. I remember well the community spirit and resilience shown by everyone as we worked our way through these times.

Finally, I wish SPB every continued success. What you have is good and can only get bigger and better.