This week was a very bittersweet week in St. Anne’s as we say goodbye to our wonderful caretaker, Eddie, and wish him the very best on his retirement after 32 years with us. We celebrated all the wonderful work he’s done in that time for St. Annes.
To mark his last arrival, the students and staff gave him a guard of honour, from the gates into the blue yard. The cheers could be heard in Croke Park!
Later in the afternoon, the whole school gathered up in the hall, along with Eddie’s family, to sing him the school anthem. After the song the two sixth classes sang him a mash-up of some of his favourite songs. After the sixth class finished their performance, members of the student council presented him a piece of art and a book filled with messages from the students of St. Annes. Following that, the teachers played a slideshow full of photos and videos of Eddie and messages from the students of St. Annes. The Parent’s Association made a presentation to Eddie.
It was a very emotional day for all students and staff in the school . Eddie’s contribution to school life can not be overstated. He was a cheerful face that we all encountered each day, as he went about his work keeping St. Anne’s in great condition.
One of out 6th class pupils wrote a poem that sums up Eddie beautifully:
The Smile at the Gate
By Cormac
For thirty years, in rain and sun,
Eddie has greeted everyone.
You opened the gate, cheerful and true,
and our day always began with you.
You smiled and chatted, kind and bright,
You made the mornings feel just right.
You laughed and greeted young and old,
A caretaker more precious than any gold.
You fixed the doors, the lights, the floor,
You painted the walls, and so much more.
But what we’ll miss when you’re not here,
Is your happy smile, so warm and clear.
The blue gate now won’t be the same,
Without you there, without your name.
St. Anne’s will always keep you near,
Eddie, we’ll miss you year after year.
So thank you, Eddie, for all you’ve done,
For the kindness you shared with everyone.
Enjoy your retirement —you’ve earned it well,
With stories and memories we’ll always tell.
And so we say a fond farewell to Eddie. We hope he will always count St. Anne’s as home and visit us regularly.
