It was an emotional occasion in St. Peter’s Church of Ireland Church in Portlaoise on Thursday as a long serving teacher retired.
Jayne Breslin was honoured for her services to Maryborough NS at the school’s annual end of year service.
Jayn, nee Reid who is originally from Donegal, arrived in Portlaoise in November 1997 and began teaching in the school then.
She was joined at the celebration on Thursday by her husband Marcus, who owns Breslin’s Pharmacy in Parkside, and her children Mark, Andrew and Emily. Her other daughter Lily could not be present.
Former teachers and colleagues were also present – including two former principals: Dinah Kingsley and Valerie Whittle.
The service began with a welcome from Rev Alec Purser and a violin recital with John Davidson.
3rd and 4th class performed with recorders and ukuleles while 5th and 6th class combined to sing ‘Forever Young’.
Following that, current principal Brid-Ann Buggie, addressed those in attendance and told them how important it was to have music and song on this day in honour of Jayne Breslin.
She said: “We thought it was appropriate to have all of the music and the singing because when I think of Jayne Breslin, the teacher, I think of all the small children that she taught in junior and senior infants, but then the music as well.
“And the violins that were being played here today, they were actually purchased by Valerie and Jayne.
“So I just think there’s something very special about that, that the children in Maryborough National School are now playing the same instruments that the Breslins and the Wheaton’s and the Shaw’s and all the different families played.
“We wouldn’t have that only for Miss Breslin and Miss Wheaton.
“So I would just like to formally thank Jane on behalf of the Board of Management, but also on behalf of the staff, the children and the families, for your years at Maryborough National School.
“This is certainly not a goodbye, this is a best of luck.”
Jayne took a career break from Maryborough six years ago and qualified as an art therapist.
She now works in that role for the Department of Education and former principal Dinah Kingsley wished her well with that as she recalled their time together.
She said: “When Jayne arrived in 1997, she fitted in smoothly into our two-teacher environment in Maryborough. And just to use that old cliché, the rest is history.
“It became apparent from the start that Jane was a hard-working, dedicated teacher, very conscientious, always trying to find ways of helping each child reach their full potential.
“She was constantly upskilling herself, doing courses, the online trend had started then, I didn’t know anything about it, and attending conferences and seminars.
“Her preparation and her attention to detail was, and still is, exemplary.
“Jayne has endless patience, a really important asset in a classroom. Her room always had a busy buzz and an atmosphere of warmth.
“I was just from chatting with someone about today’s event, a recently qualified young teacher, who said she was inspired to be a teacher by having Ms Breslin as her teacher in junior and senior infants. And that is a compliment.
“In the 90s, there was very little help available in primary schools, especially in a small one like ours.
“No SNAs, no secretary, cleaning a couple of times a week, and very few visitors. Jayne was invaluable to me as principal, and willingly offered her assistance with any school-related issues, and not alone that, with many chores outside the teaching and classroom.
“Anybody who knows anything about primary schools will know that there are many lists, and there are lists about lists.
Lists for books, lists for books, money collected, school outings, who has paid, who has not.
“Back in those days, we used to have strawberry and plain milk. Whatever bit you ordered, you were supposed to have, but some people said, no, I ordered plain, I ordered strawberry, they got sick of it.
“But Jayne sorted them all out. These are mundane, but very time-consuming jobs.
“We were able to go into a few drama activities, and here again, from organisational skills and creativity, organising people to paint the backdrops, costumes, etc., all came to the fore.
“And all around us, especially me, was in chaos. She kept us all calm. How much extra did she get paid? Nothing.
“Just my expressions of gratitude. I have very happy memories of working with you, Jayne, in Maryborough.
“We had some challenges, as every school does, but we were always there to support each other.
“Our friendship has continued, and I always look forward to meeting with you, catching up on your family news, as well as work.
“While we are celebrating Jayne’s teaching life in Maryborough today, Jayne, yet again following much study and hard work, has gone down another route in helping children with difficulties.
“And by all accounts, the work in the schools she’s attending is invaluable.
“I wish you the best for that. I wish you and your family, Marcus, Mark, Andrew, Lily and Emily, every blessing in the future.”
Check it out some pictures in this article and below from Jack Whelan.
