At the Zoo in the 1960s: Seated, Nora Smith, Maura McCabe (Ardlow School) Rosie Farrelly, Kathleen Daly, Catherine McCabe. At back: Marie Taite, Agnes Farrelly, RIP, Breda Farrelly and Eddie Farrelly.

Cross National School celebrates golden jubilee

Published: Wed 8 Jun 2011, 9:30 AM

Last updated: Wed 8 Jun 2011, 1:33 PM

Cross National School is 50 years old and everyone including all past and present pupils, as well as parents and anyone who has any connections with the school, are being invited back to where it all started. There will be opportunities to revive lots of memories, a special presentation of hundreds of photos, some never seen before as well as plans to celebrate today's very vibrant school life. There will be an anniversary mass this Saturday, June 11 at 7.30pm, following by a social and get together in Cross Hall. Then on Sunday, the school will be opened to allow viewing of the rooms and changes that have taken place. The Parents' Association have also put celebration plans in place for present pupils. A booklet has been created and many former pupils contributed to the publication. The contributions make for great reading and seeing what other people remember of their time in Cross National School. Among the contributors were Gerry Sheanon, principal; Kevin Lynch; Paul Taite from BOM on new developments, and from past pupils, Noreen Porter, George Cox, Mary Lynch, Mary Clarke, Bridget Clarke, Bernadette Clarke, Fr. Pat Farrelly, Helen Farrelly, Carmel Daly, Breeda Lynch, Pat Fox, Martin Lynch, Kathleen Daly, Catherine Quinn, Annette Smith, Pauline Smith, Noreen Lynch, Betty Fitzgerald, Kathleen Lynch, Michael Keating, Catherine Allen, Thomas Traynor, Owen Farrelly, Noreen Allen, Thomas Fitzsimons, the Lynch Family, Enagh, Mark Smith, Brendan Cahill, Noreen Farrelly, John Taite, Breda Lynch, Noeleen Farrelly, Eileen Farrelly, Terry Farrelly, Patrick Farrelly, Yvonne Smith, Jenny McCabe, Keith McCabe, Eithne Sheridan, Anne Smith, Bernadine Murtagh, Tanya Gaynor, Aileen Lynch, Johann Farrelly, Ruiri Lynch, David Fox, Cora McCabe, Louise Murtagh, Kathryn Fox, Patrick Farrelly, Adrian Taite, Shauna Porter, Niamh Lynch, and Emily, Anne and Mary Logan. The publication also contains poems and photos from all eras including a report from The Anglo-Celt recorded the opening of the school in the publication of 18th February 1961. Speaking to The Anglo-Celt, Gerry Sheanon said that the biggest change that has taken place since the school opened is in the number of students who now go to third level education. While it was once the exception, it is now taken for granted that following the Leaving Cert, most students will progress to higher education courses. Mr. Sheanon says that compared to similar sized schools, Cross has had a relatively low turnover of teaching staff over the years. Mr. Reynolds, Rita Farrelly, Pauline Olwill, Catherine Fitzpatrick, Margaret Towell, Michelle Walsh, Olivia Hynds and Gerry Sheanon make up the list of permanent teachers who have worked here in the 50 years the school has been open. It is now a three-teacher school with one learning support person and Gerry has been principal for 26 years and an extension was built onto the school last year. There are just over 50 pupils enrolled in the school at present. Other changes that Mr. Sheanon notes are the changes in curriculum and technology. Computers and interactive whiteboards are now used in every classroom. Mr. Sheanon is urging all the community to join in the celebrations at Cross National School this weekend, to come along and reminisce and relive some of the best days of your life.