Community & Business
1 December, 2022
Legends of St Patrick’s Ready to Retire
Two generational teachers from St Patrick’s School, Mary Donnelly and Lesley Telford are looking to new horizons and different challenges as they embark upon that elusive gap year or should we say, retirement.
Over a combined period of 60 years, both ladies have had instilled a love of learning in hundreds of students from the Allora district.
At the heart of Mary Donnelly’s expertise in the classroom is her ability to foster and build respectful and professional relationships with all of her students.
It is this genuine and authentic relationship that has improved the engagement levels of all her students over the course of her career which has been extensive.
Her longevity and enthusiasm in the Year 5 and 6 classrooms at St Patrick’s is testament to this fact.
She will be greatly missed by both teachers, students and parents who often talk about the ‘Mary Donnelly’ experience where students are not only educated but thoroughly engaged by her wit and intelligence.
Lesley Telford’s connect-ion with St Patrick’s began in the early 1980’s when she commenced as the school’s private music teacher.
After 24 years as the school’s music teacher, Lesley feels that the time is right to move on.
Lesley is extremely proud of her contribution where the music program has expanded to include the recorder, marimba, ukulele and various choirs.
To quote one of Lesley’s past students. “We thank you for your time and effort put into organising our music sessions. We’ve learnt not to blow too hard on a recorder or we’ll make deaf people even deafer”.
On behalf of the St Patrick’s Parish and School Community we wish both of you good health and eternal happiness in the next phase of your lives.
Because ultimately, it is the St Patrick’s way of life.
-Keith Blaikie, Principal
