By Dionne Meehan
AFTER a long and dedicated teaching career, Múinteoir Síle Columb marked her final day at Scoil Chnoc na Naomh in Derryconnor last Friday.
Beginning her teaching career in Tallaght, Síle soon found herself back in her native county where she taught at Gortahork National School before joining the staff at Scoil Chnoc na Naomh in 1996.
Naturally, this was familiar territory for the Ardsbeg woman, who had once been a student there herself.
Múinteoir Síle Columb presenting a native mountain Ash to sixth class student Jamie Sweeney.
For almost three decades, Síle has put her passion for nature and the environment at the forefront of her teaching.
Each year, a nature table was a permanent fixture in her classroom and her students were encouraged to contribute to it.
This passion led Síle to set up an Environmental Committee comprising of one student from every class in the school.
Then, every Friday during assembly, the committee would present a lesson on a seasonal topic followed by a rendition of ‘Amhrán na Timpeallachta’, a song Síle wrote many years ago.
To honour all of this, the entire school participated in a nature walk last Thursday, and as the sun shone brightly, students and teachers alike embraced the wonderful world surrounding them.
In keeping with her environmental values, Síle was then presented with a beautiful bunch of flowers picked from the wild.
However, the celebrations didn’t stop there.
To mark Múinteoir Síle’s final day on Friday, a special Mass was celebrated by Parish Priest Donnchadh Ó Baoill.
Parents, grandparents, and past pupils all gathered to give her a heartfelt send-off.
Pupils at the school provided beautiful music while the school principal spoke kind words, promising to continue to care for the environment in her absence.
In keeping with her environmental values, Síle was then presented with a beautiful bunch of flowers picked from the wild, a handmade McNutts recycled blanket and a gorgeous Johnny Boyle painting.
Parish Priest Donnchadh Ó Baoill presenting Síle with a gorgeous Johnny Boyle painting.
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