Gallen CS says farewell to former principal
Gallen CS bid farewell to former principal Ursula Finnegan at the end of the school year, ending an association with education in the Ferbane area stretching over two decades.
She served with great distinction and professionalism since first coming to teach in Ferbane in September of 1993. Mrs Finnegan was deputy principal of the then Ferbane Community College, and when both second-level schools in the Ferbane area amalgamated to form the new Gallen CS in September 2004 she was appointed to the role of Deputy Principal of Gallen CS, serving in that role alongside the then Principal John Irwin.
Her selfless commitment in that role helped the amalgamation of the two schools go smoothly and she made a big contribution to seeing the dream of a new school building for the Ferbane area become a reality. Sher served as deputy principal and as a career guidance counsellor until 2014, when she became principal of Gallen CS.
As principal and career guidance counsellor, she was naturally concerned that students did well in their final examinations but she also had a great understanding of the importance of the holistic development of students being able to make their own way in the world. In her role as career guidance counsellor, she helped shape students' lives in a positive way as she gave students the benefit of the expertise and insights she had gained in the area of career guidance.
Mrs Finnegan took great delight in the successes of Gallen CS in various extracurricular activities ranging from sport to science. She got particular joy in seeing both the Gallen CS Senior Ladies Gaelic Football team and the Gallen CS Senior Boys Gaelic football team win a memorable All-Ireland Schools Double in 2016.
As Principal she showed great leadership skills in this role. Her primary concern at all times was the welfare and betterment of all students and members of the school community in Gallen CS and she fulfilled this mission with great humility and dedication. She epitomised in her professional life, the beliefs of creidimh agus cultur, belief and faith, principles which form the core ethos of Gallen CS.
Ms Finnegan stepped down from the role of principal in 2019, and for the last two school years did invaluable work as School Chaplain in Gallen CS. She helped to implement many important school policies that are the cornerstone of Gallen CS educational policy today.
Her organisational skills and attention to detail were exemplary as these skills form a core part of modern management in the second-level education sector.
Ms Finnegan’s empathy for staff and students alike will be sorely missed.