Past pupils of St George's School in Tubbercurry, County Sligo attended a Thanksgiving Service in St George's Parish Church on Sunday, 3rd November 2002 to give thanks for the 150 years of the school following its closure earlier this year. The school has a remarkable record of achievement in community service and Christian mission including the funding last year of six goats and three hives of honeybees for Africa. The school was closed by the Department of Education on 31st August 2002.

The special preacher was the Patron of the school, the Rt. Revd. Richard Henderson, Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry and the organist and choir from Seapatrick Parish Church, Banbridge, who formed a link with the school several years ago, provided the music. Canon Fred. Gillmor, rector, conducted the Service. Present were Mr. E. McGuinness and Ms. S. Conneely, School Inspectors, Mr. Jim Higgins, District C.E.C. Representative, Father Lynch, PP. Tubbercurry, many teachers and past pupils as well as people from the local community. Presentations from the Board of Management, pupils, parents, past pupils and parishioners were made to Rev. Doris Clements, the final teacher. Many tributes were paid for her work and the work of the school. Mr. McGuinness said that although the official title of the school was Tubbercurry No. 2 NS, it was always a number one school during his 24 years knowing it.

Enrolment figures had fallen sharply during the last three years and its immediate future was deemed untenable. This had always been a one-teacher school with enrolment varying from seven to low 20s all through the last century. Initially funded by the Church Education Society, the earliest record that is available locally of a school presence here was in 1853 when the Minutes of the Select Vestry referred to William Cullen, Master of the school. The same building was in use then. Divided in half, one part was used as the Church sexton's house, later to be the teacher's residence and the other part was the classroom. In 1900, a door was opened between these two sections allowing easier access for the teacher. In 1907, the 'schoolhouse' and the 'schoolroom' were converted into one large classroom for the cost of £50. That is how it has been to the present day. Extensive renovations were undertaken in 1979 costing £11,500. Since then it has been an attractive, well-equipped school and now will be a useful parish hall.

Teachers:

Records available show that only two male teachers taught here: William Cullen in 1853 and a Mr. Meagher in the 1880's. Female teachers did not remain long in service. However, that ended with the late Mrs. Coulter who taught here for 28 years from 1948 to 1976. Mrs. Doris Clements was appointed Principal in 1977 and remained until the closure this year, 25 years.

Other teachers:

• 1919 - Miss Milne
• 1919 - Miss Lindsay
• 1924 - Miss Connellan
• 1925 - Miss Hamilton
• 1927 - Miss Redmond who became Mrs. Caswell
• 1941 - Miss Craven
• 1945 - Miss McCarrick
• 1946 - Miss deBrun
• 1947 - Miss Kerr

Historical Snippets:

School fees were charged in 1880s ranging from 1 shilling (€0.06c) to £1 (€1.27) per year. Bookkeeping and Agriculture were taught.

Children attended school until age 16.

In 1901, Weights and Measures were purchased.

The school and teacher were insured for the first time in 1907 under the The Workmen's Compensation Act of 1906.

Heating was by turf fires for many decades, nine pony cartloads annually, paid by the Church until 1946 when each family was asked to supply a cartload annually. Electric storage heaters eventually replaced the stove and open fire.

Achievements:

Despite its low enrolment the school has had an excellent record, winning many awards at local, County and National levels. President Mary Robinson visited the school and this year the children and teacher were invited to Áras an Úachtarain to meet President Mary McAleese. Last year, the children funded six goats for Africa through Bóthar and this year, three hives of honeybees. They have been involved in the Cross-Border and cross-community Lough McNean Sculpture project as well as projects with local Roman Catholic schools. They took part in a Community Christmas concert in Kilmactigue Hall along with Castlerock NS, with whom they linked for Music, Sports and Swimming all year. They experienced different forms of pottery with Brigit Beemster and Paddy Rolston; took part in an Animation Workshop in the Model Arts Centre in Sligo and visited the Impressionists Exhibition in the National Art Gallery, Dublin. They won the Books for Schools token prize, an afternoon with Roy Keane, in Dublin and were County winners of the ESB Environmental Award in 2000. Last year, the school was awarded the Sligo County Council Chairman's Schools Award for community achievement and involvement.

It is sad that the school has been closed as it offered much to the parish and community.

Rev Doris Clements, Bishop Richard Henderson and David Boyers
(four generations of Boyers attended the Tubbercurry school)