End of an era as popular Waterford Principal retires
.Mount Sion Secondary School Principal, Mr Edward Kennedy is pictured at his retirement function in the Tower Hotel with his family, present and former school staff, and representatives from the primary school.
The end of the academic year marked a historic milestone in Waterford for the Mount Sion community as they bid fond farewell to their esteemed Principal, Mr. Edward Kennedy.
A cornerstone of the school for 40 years, Mr. Kennedy retired after 33 dedicated years of teaching and a highly successful seven-year tenure at the helm.
Under his visionary leadership, the post-primary school experienced an unprecedented period of growth and transformation. Reflecting his immense ambition for the school, the student population doubled during his time as Principal, with the staff growing to a team of over 50 dedicated professionals.
A spokesperson said Mr. Kennedy’s legacy was defined not just by numbers, but by a deep commitment to inclusivity and the Edmund Rice tradition. Under his guidance, the school officially became a designated School of Sanctuary, fostering a welcoming environment for all.
"True to his student-first ethos, he also oversaw the opening of two specialised ASD classrooms, ensuring that every young person had the support needed to thrive," noted the spokesperson.
Perhaps the crowning achievement of his tenure, however, is the upcoming new school building; the planned state-of-the-art facility will stand as a lasting monument to his years of dedication and foresight.
At a special presentation, student representative Calvin Flynn spoke on behalf of the entire school community, paying tribute to a leader who always put others before himself.
"To Mr Kennedy, this was always more than just a job; he genuinely cares for everyone in our school," Calvin said. "He has always been exceptionally fair, honest, and filled with great ambition for us all. He always encouraged us to stay the course and complete our full six years of education."
Calvin also credited Mr Kennedy with building the school’s exceptional teaching staff, noting: "We have great relationships with our teachers, and we think that is because Mr Kennedy hired the best staff in the country."
To mark the occasion, Mr. Kennedy was presented with a beautiful, personalised commemorative box, handcrafted by Woodwork teacher Jack McGrath and school caretaker Frank Moran.
The bespoke gift contained tokens of appreciation for his retirement, including golf gifts and a classic Cross pen to use in his newfound spare time.
To mark this momentous milestone, the school staff gathered for a celebratory retirement function at the Tower Hotel on Friday, May 29.
"It was a wonderful afternoon of celebration, where the staff were joined by Mr Kennedy, his wife, and his family," said the spokesperson.
The event also welcomed a number of special guests who paid tribute to his remarkable career, including members of the Christian Brothers community, Pat McEvoy (Chairperson of the Board of Management), and representatives from the primary school, Principal Catherine Burke and Deputy Principal Tracy Barry, highlighting the strong bonds across the whole Mount Sion campus.
As the school community looks to the future, warm wishes were also extended to Mr Ciaran McGrath as he steps into the senior leadership role.
"The community of Mount Sion wishes Mr. Kennedy quality time with his wife and family, years of excellent health, and many happy days back on the golf course," said the spokesperson.
"As the student body reminded him: the door is always open, and he carries the spirit of Mount Sion and Edmund Rice forward with him into a well-deserved retirement."
