2026 Retirements

Today we celebrated three colleagues who are retiring from Tannaghmore Primary School, Mrs Paula Harbinson, Mr Tony McConville and Mrs Siobhan Fegan. Two colleagues, Mrs Harbinson and Mr McConville are retiring after 34 years of service to our school.

Thirty-four years is an incredible achievement. When they first walked through the school gates, the world looked very different. It was 1992. The internet was something most people had never heard of, mobile phones were the size of bricks and if you wanted information, you actually had to go to a library.

Since then, our two colleagues have seen countless changes in education, survived every new initiative, every curriculum update and every staff meeting.

Between them, they have taught thousands of children. They’ve tied shoelaces, dried tears, found lost jumpers, answered impossible questions and somehow managed to keep smiling through it all. That’s a legacy few people can match.

We also said a fond farewell to our colleague, Mrs Fegan who is retiring after teaching our younger children, mainly in P3 for many years.

During her time here, Mrs Fegan brought warmth, patience, kindness and a great sense of humour to the classroom every day. Her P3 pupils have been lucky to have a teacher who cared so much about their learning and wellbeing.

Mrs Fegan as you begin your early retirement, we hope you get to enjoy some lie-ins, holidays outside of school breaks and never having to hear the phrase, “I’ve forgotten my homework” ever again!

Of course, retirement doesn’t mean slowing down. It simply means no more alarm clocks, no more reports and having to understand the latest educational buzzwords.

Paula, Tony and Siobhan, on behalf of the teachers, assistants, Karl, cleaning staff and dinner ladies, Mr Creery and Mrs Davey - thank you both for your dedication, friendship, kindness and the enormous contribution you’ve made to this school community. We wish you many years of health, happiness, adventure and well-deserved relaxation.

Enjoy every moment of what’s next—you’ve definitely earned it!