Celebrations began with a flag raising ceremony where Fr Jerry raised our latest Green Flag that the school achieved for our endeavours in Biodiversity. Fr Jerry has always been a keen member of our green school committee and Biodiversity and care for our environment are topics that mean a lot to him, so it was very fitting that he would raise this flag for us. We then went on to announce the winners of our Halloween Fancy Dress competition.
In preparing for the day, the children painted pictures, wrote poetry, sang songs that reminded us of Fr Jerry and wrote about their memories of him. These were all compiled into a book of memories and the day involved sharing a selection of these with Fr Jerry.
There were presentations on behalf of the Parents Association and the Board of Management and many spoke of the obvious and profound impression that Fr Jerry has left upon us all.
The parents association then organised a small tea party for the adults and many parents very kindly sent in delicious sandwiches and magnificent cakes and bakes of all sorts. The children were treated to crisps and drinks by the Parents Association in recognition of all their hard work for the green flag, their costumes and the celebrations today.
On behalf of the Board of Management, the staff, parents and children of Tang National School we would like to say 'Thank You Fr Jerry' and we are forever in your debt for everything you have done for this school and our community over the past 16 years. We will miss having you around, your smile and the sense of joy and mischief you bring with you to every room you visit. We hope that the book of memories and the painting of our school, drawn by Benjamin, will prompt you to think of us, and perhaps say a prayer for us or plan a trip back to see us.