(16 November, 2023) – Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB) this week held a special event for retired employees to acknowledge their service and thank them for their hard work and dedication in providing education services to the Kilkenny and Carlow region.
KCETB directors and school principals gave heart-felt citations outlining the stellar contributions of their former colleagues across Kilkenny and Carlow who were congratulated and presented with a piece of Kilkenny Crystal by KCETB Chairperson, Cllr Fergal Browne.
KCETB Chief Executive Eileen Curtis thanked all of the retirees for their dedication and service. “Throughout your careers you have shown dedication, passion and resilience, adapting to changing demands, sometimes in challenging times. You have embraced new technologies and methodologies, always playing your part in creating the inclusive culture of learning which is so important within our organisation”, she said.
“In your commitment to students and colleagues, you have regularly gone above and beyond the call of duty acting as their mentor and friend, often providing a listening ear or a quiet word of encouragement at just the right moment. But it is not only your professional accomplishments that we celebrate here today but also your kindness, compassion and empathy and your capacity to play your part in creating a safe space for students and learners and in supporting them so that they have felt valued, respected and empowered”, commented Eileen Curtis.
“KCETB is first and foremost a learning organisation. I firmly believe that it is a privilege to do the work that we do and to help shape the lives of young people and adults as they set out on their different paths. Our aspiration for all our students and indeed our staff is that they Flourish through Learning. You have helped shape people’s lives for the better, and that should always be a source of great pride to each one of you”, added Eileen Curtis.
Employing 1,377 people, Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB) is a leading provider of education and training in the south east, enabling 18,000 annual learners to reach their potential by offering education pathways in schools, colleges, training centres and community settings. KCETB’s remit includes the management and operation of 13 post-primary schools, two colleges of further education and training, an extensive range of adult and community education services across Kilkenny and Carlow, the co-ordination of youth services, and the promotion of music education through Music Generation.
Main image caption: KCETB this week held a special event for retired employees to acknowledge their service and thank them for their hard work and dedication in providing education services to the Kilkenny and Carlow region. Pictured are several Kilkenny retirees with their colleagues. Back, from left: KCETB Chief Executive Eileen Curtis; Eleanor Reddy (Grennan College); KCETB Director of FET Martha Bolger; KCETB Chairperson, Cllr Fergal Browne; Mary Birch (Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown); Mary Harding (Kilkenny Adult Education Service); KCETB Director of Schools, Dr Pauline Egan; Jim O’Grady (Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown). Front, from left: Suzanne Sheridan (Ormonde College of Further Education); Cáit Ní Mhurchú (Kilkenny School Completion Programme), Ann Naddy (Duiske College, Graiguenamanagh) and Rosemary Carroll (Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown).