Waterford's Waterpark College says goodbye to longest serving art teacher Ms Bríd Kenneally

After 30 years of teaching at Waterpark College, the school is saying goodbye to beloved art teacher Ms. Bríd Kenneally. The school estimated that Ms. Kenneally had taught thousands of students during her career!

To celebrate Ms. Kenneally’s retirement, the school organised a surprise party to thank her for her tireless care of the students. 

She was presented with a card, signed by all the staff and students at Waterpark College, by three students, Hanh, Zoe, and Lucy.

The students also made a touching piece of art for their art teacher to remember them by, each student painting their fingerprint onto a canvas, which was given to Ms. Kenneally by first-year students Smithbert and Mila. 

As well as a celebratory cake, Ms. Kenneally was presented with flowers from two former students, Kristine and Rebecca.

On the day, speakers gave tributes to the teacher. 

Mr. Hagan, Principal of Waterpark College, praised the retiring Ms. Kenneally’s “tireless care” of her students, and amusingly recalled tales of her endless creativity in accounting, finding ways to convince the school to enhance the art supplies by showing up with the receipts of her purchases.

Fellow teacher Mr Wheatley said she had three main principles, "work hard, show respect and have fun", while her pupils spoke of their teacher’s motivational spirit and the impact she had on students.

The results of her work could be found not just in the fondness her students have for her, by also the inundation of local, national, and international art competitions that her students’ work appeared in and won. 

The school said they had celebrated many prestigious wins in art competitions, including the Texaco Art Competition, Waterford Credit Union, Iverk Show, Waterford City - 40 years from now, European Union Environmental competitions, and the Purple Flag Mascot.

Ms. Kenneally will be succeeded by Ms. Lannigan who will take over the art classes in the school.