Mayo school principal departs role after a 'wonderful' 28 years
Regina Anderson with her family as she leaves St Louis Community School, Kiltimagh, to take up a new role with Mayo Sligo Leitrim Educational and Training Board. Picture: John Corless
COMMUNITY NOTES: KILTIMAGH - WESTERN PEOPLE (APRIL 28 EDITION)
A surprise gathering at St Louis Community School last week marked the departure of principal Regina Anderson (née Reape), bringing together staff, students, colleagues and family for an emotional farewell.
Ms Anderson leaves the school after 28 years to take up a new position with Mayo Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board.
Ms Anderson was joined at the event by her parents Mick and Mary, her husband Kieran, and children Aoife, Kayla, William, Eimear and Jamie, along with former colleagues and members of the school community. The occasion had been organised in secret by staff and student groups, with tributes and presentations forming part of the celebration.
In a short address to the gathering, Ms Anderson reflected on what she described as “28 wonderful years” in the school.
“Every day has been very enjoyable. I never woke up and said I don’t want to go to school today.”
She spoke warmly about her early days commuting to Kiltimagh, recalling the learning curve of driving from her home in Bonniconlon.
“When I started coming up to Kiltimagh, I had to learn to drive,” she said. “I wasn’t a very good driver. I used to park down past the school and walk up.”
Ms Anderson described the support she received when she first joined the school, recalling how welcoming colleagues made her feel.
“From day one I always felt I was really minded,” she said. “Teachers came up and said, ‘my name is so-and-so, if you need any help, I’m there’. I still remember those people to this day.”
She paid tribute to colleagues in the Home Economics department, and said the school community had supported her throughout her career.
“The staff in this school are brilliant,” she said. “They look out for you in ways you don’t always see.”
Reflecting on changes over nearly three decades, Ms Anderson said she had witnessed major shifts in education and society. Despite this, she said her experience remained overwhelmingly positive.
“Every day has been very enjoyable,” she said. “It has been nothing but support from staff and students.”
She also spoke about her recent decision to apply for a leadership role within the Education and Training Board sector, describing it as something she initially considered as a career option for the future.
“I had no plan to leave the school,” she said. “I just took a notion and applied. I didn’t even think I would get an interview.”
Ms Anderson recalled being offered the position following interview and taking time to consider the decision.
“I got the phone call to say congratulations,” she said. “I said I needed to think about it. In the end I accepted, but it wasn’t an easy decision.”
She acknowledged family influence in her career choices, particularly her parents and husband.
“My mother still says I shouldn’t be leaving Kiltimagh,” she said during her address.
She described her husband Kieran as “my third deputy principal,” paying tribute to his support at home.
Her children were also mentioned in her speech, with Ms Anderson remembering their humour about her career. She recalled her daughter Eimear’s comment that she might consider teaching but “would never be a principal”.
Ms Anderson described the students as the central reason for her work in education.
“You are the reason we come to school every day,” she said. “You have always been kind and respectful. I will miss you.”
She also thanked staff groups involved in organising the surprise, including chaplaincy teams, the student council and other student-led committees.
“That was a lovely surprise,” she said.
Tributes were also paid to senior colleagues, including deputy principals and leadership teams past and present, whom she credited with providing constant support throughout her tenure.
In closing, Ms Anderson said her time at the school had shaped both her professional and personal life.
“It has been a privilege to be part of this community,” she said. “I will miss the staff, I will miss the students, but I leave with nothing but gratitude.”
The event concluded with presentations from students and staff, marking the end of an era for a principal who has served the school for almost three decades.
