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It was a special day for St Paul's High School, Bessbrook yesterday 24 April when the school's first principal and a former art teacher made a visit to present a pencil drawing of the ‘old St Paul’s’.
Michael Warde was principal of the school an incredible 30 years from it opened in 1966 until 1996 and she was accompanied by Maureen Smyth who taught art at the school. The pencil drawing was done by Mrs Smyth’s son, past pupil Andrew Smyth.
Current principal, Dáithí Murray welcomed them to the school along with some staff who taught there during Mr Warde’s time, and some staff who were past pupils during his many years at the helm. Chair of the Board of Governors, Mrs Eileen Fearon, was also there.
The library at the school was named in the former principal's memory and the drawing will be displayed there in the appropriately named Michael Warde Library.
Mr Warde was very pleased to be introduced to pupils on his walkabout and praised staff for ‘keeping the atmosphere in St Paul’s alive.’ He eagerly sought out images of his own children on the walls for winning team netball and soccer accolades. Mr Warde also said he always appreciates past pupils approaching him and marvelled that the ‘bold ones’ always made time for him.
