Fr John Joe Duffy has received a major award for his work within the community and local schools.
Fr Duffy received the Sr Eileen Randles Award at the Catholic Primary School Management Association conference held in Limerick last night.
The award is made in recognition of people who excel in Management Excellence in Education.
Fr Duffy has been involved in local education in Donegal for more than 20 years at various levels and across all sectors.
Sr Eileen Randles was a native of Kenmare and a leading light in education.
She was Loreto Principal and a former General Secretary of the Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA) and wrote the handbook that is widely used by Board of Managements all around Ireland today.
Among the many to congratulate Fr Duffy was Bishop Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe in Co Clare who wished him “heartiest congratulations.”
Fr Duffy with Minister for Education Norma Foley at last night’s conference at which he received the Sr Randles Award.
In accepting the award Fr Duffy paid tribute to Monsignor Dan O Connor, Diocesan Education Secretary Dublin and former CPSMA General Secretary who helped and guided him when Fr JJ began as a BOM chairperson in Glencolmcille 20 years ago.
He thanked Anne Fay, Chairperson of CPSMA and former President of the INTO 2012-2013 and the committee for making this award. He also thanked Minister for Education Norma Foley for her visits to Creeslough and appealed to continue to roll out the a programme of psychological services for pupils all schools which is being piloted at the moment.
Fr John Joe also paid thanks to Seamus Mulconry General Secretary of the CPSMA and the secretariat for all their support of our schools and in particular he thanked Rory D’Arcy, Education Executive.
He thanked all schools in Donegal and across the country for the vital role they play as communities within our communities. He mentioned the generosity of teachers, staff and parents who support the pupils of our schools and also of people who voluntarily give of their time in school management.
He also thanked all the partners in education and was delighted to see the new President of the INTO Dorothy McGinley, a fellow Rosses person at the CPSMA AGM. He also thanked the Revd. John Dean who was instrumental in the campaign to retain small schools.
Fr Duffy added that on a personal note he was delighted to see a beautiful painting by a child from Glenswilly NS displayed at the CPSMA AGM and which was included in the Annual report book.
