Sad goodbyes as school shuts after 50 years

TWELVE-YEAR-OLD Abbangeal Venn has been able to keep a close eye on her brother, Ross, eight, during the school year.

She hadn't much choice they're the only pupils at St Catherine's Church of Ireland, one of the country's smallest schools.

But a new chapter in education has opened in their home town of New Ross, Co Wexford, with the closure of the 50-year-old school. Both students, who are Catholic, and their teacher Eleanor Masterson packed their bags and left the school for the last time yesterday.

Over the past half century, close to 200 pupils have been educated at St Catherine's. But falling numbers meant the school lost teachers over the years and was forced into a classroom at the local Catholic school, St Michael's.

It was a particularly poignant day for Ms Masterson, who has given more than 22 years service to the school.

Archdeacon of Ferns Rev Paul Mooney pondered on, what was for the community and the church, an historic and a sad day.

"The closure stems from falling numbers. The department stipulates the smallest number of pupils for any school is eight and we have had below this number

for the last two years," he said. The pupils' mother Mai Venn was also sad to see the school close.

"I am terribly sorry to see it go. I thought my last child, who is six, would have been able to receive his education here."

And while it was a sad day, the school's long and proud history was celebrated yesterday afternoon with a special closing ceremony and service of thanksgiving.