July / August
2007 July / August
Finbarr O'Regan writes his final Organic Diary in this issue of Organic Matters. He will retire from teaching this summer after 44 years as Principal of Carnaun School.
During his years as Principal he guided the school from the agricultural rural model of the sixties to a modern outward looking one where pupils use cutting edge technology with the same ease that they go out to plant the school garden.
Finbarr has always believed in educating for life in the broadest sense as well as covering the prescribed school curriculum. In my early visits to the school I recall being amazed to see pupils complete Teagasc training modules and take a computer apart and put it back together again – successfully!
One of his great achievements is the way in which all subjects on the curriculum are integrated with the realities of daily living. Another unusual aspect of the school is the open door policy that invites in and welcomes the local community. This extended to the many international projects the school became involved in and it would be difficult to find a European country the school has not arranged reciprocal visits with at some time in recent years.
I became involved with Carnaun School when the 'organic' garden was planted some years ago. I am always impressed at the level of knowledge and understanding the children have regarding environmental matters. Many pupils go home to educate their parents and start up an organic kitchen garden, a practice lost for a generation. Not content with borrowing the phrase 'organic' Finbarr demonstrated his commitment to the organic ethos by applying for and receiving organic certification from IOFGA making Carnaun the first and only school in Ireland to achieve this so far.
The greatest testament to his achievement as a school principal are the hundreds of well educated, articulate and confident young people who have gone on to become successful in their chosen areas over the years.
All at Organic Matters wish him a very long and happy retirement.
Cáit Curran
