Ms O’Connell-Cooper has taught at many schools (coincidentally she has taught at two other St Joseph’s!! -in Timaru and Queenstown). We are so lucky to have had her as our Principal for the last eight years. She helped us have many amazing experiences. She has always been supportive of this school and we are all going to be very sad that she is leaving us in a few days time.

People all around the school have lovely memories of Ms O’Connell-Cooper and they are really going to treasure those memories when she leaves. Here are some memories that children across different classes at St Joseph’s have told me about Ms O’Connell-Cooper

“The first time I shook her hand when I first joined the school. She had a wonderful smile and made me feel welcome to the school. When she announced that we would have a big learning centre that would be open to all classes. Every time I shook her hand when I got a certificate or award. She had that wonderful smile and made me feel more proud than I already was. Every time she saw me, she would either give me that smile or come and talk to me. The things she said were so nice and made me feel so good. The few times she would want a group (that included me) she always welcomed us in and talked with a smile. She also had humour and she made people so comfortable.

She always had that warmth around her. It didn’t matter whether I was happy, sad or angry, she would always make me feel good.

• Reuben Paul (year 6)

Mrs O’Connell-Cooper has been kind and caring since I first came into the school. She helped me in choir and Kapa haka to learn the lyrics and moves. She made me feel welcome when I first started school. She is always supportive, not only in learning but also everything else I do. She has made great changes to the school with the new Pompallier block. She is always kind and friendly to everyone and makes them feel happy.

• Savannah Blewden (year 5)

“Some of my best memories of Ms O’Connell-Cooper were her welcoming me into the school at my very first assembly. Her encouragement when she read my stories as a junior. Having fun and working alongside her at working bees. I cannot believe how brave she is to be leaving our school and we all hope she has a great journey ahead.”

• Daniel Cullum (year 5)

“My best memory was when Ms O’Connell-Cooper presented my certificate for cross country.”

• Hunter Johns (year 3)

“My best memory was when she welcomed me into the school because she looked so happy.”

• Merlin Thomas (year 1)

“My favourite memory was when Ms O’Connell-Cooper helped me with my reading when I was stuck.”

• Leo Chung (year 1)

“One of my favourite stories was when we had market day a couple of years ago and we both decided to support the “hair gel” stand. Mrs Pratt was helping on it and she really decided to give us the ” whole works” Our hair was standing on end, and it took us 2 days to get all the slimey gel out.”

• Erika Bon

“Whenever the children bring things such as story writing and pictures to show her, there are always lots of giggles both from the Principal and the children and they always leave with a smile on their faces, She has a ‘kind and loving nature’.”

• Julie Kelly

“You are a role model of kindness and caring. You are a brilliant leader. Your kindness to the staff, parents and students is always on display. I have learnt a lot for you. Thank you so much and I wish you the best of luck in your future.”

• Riok Kang

                                                                                                                                               

Valerie Broomfield and Anna Macnaught have told me what they enjoy working most about with Mrs o’Connell Cooper, some of her accomplishments and nicest qualities.

“I enjoyed how well Phil knows the students and parents at school. She obviously cares about the school.

Her greatest accomplishment is the new building and her great team who continue to get improved academic results year after year.

Her nicest quality is her calm and patient manner in ALL situations! We will miss her unwavering leadership and happy presence at school.”

• Valerie Broomfield (Past BOT member)

“I have been on the PTA for 6 years with Phil and I have been so impressed with how much commitment, humour and hard work she has in supporting our many PTA events. Whether it’s working the door at the many disco’s (always in dress up if that’s the occasion) to being the last one at Quiz nights or Christmas BBQs to help clean up and turn out the lights.  Phil has always been positive and enthusiastic about everything our committee do!

She has absolutely put her heart and soul into this school which is reflected in the lovely families and children we attract to St Joseph’s. Not to mention the enviable reputation our school has on the shore.

Perhaps one of her greatest achievements is transitioning the school from the old classrooms to new open plan building.

I am personally going to greatly miss her friendly, warm, open door policy, her ability to laugh when things get tough and her absolute tireless commitment to the school. It’s been an honour and pleasure to have known her and everyone on the PTA wishes her a relaxing and wonderful retirement!”

 

• Anna Macnaught (Chairperson Ptfa)

• Finally I would like to say that Ms O’Connell-Cooper has been a big part of my life and has helped me whenever I have needed it. She always helped me hit the vocal chords in choir and she helped everyone learn something new in the choir lessons. I remember when I started at this school I was really nervous but she has made me feel welcome, along with my teachers.

 

Whenever I had ideas and shared them with Ms O’Connell-Cooper she always listened to them and put a lot of effort into making those ideas happen. She always inspires me when she talks about the Mercy values, care, kindness and friendship every Monday at school prayers. Ms O’Connell-Cooper always acts kindly, always smiles and says hello to all of us. I admire the way she can help the juniors whenever they are stuck and make them feel happy. I remember when she came and visited our class to watch our prayers, she would always compliment us on how good they were.

I feel I am very lucky to have been part of the St Joseph’s community and to have had Ms O’Connell-Cooper leading our school.

We all wish Ms O’Connell-Cooper good luck on her journey ahead and we look forward to celebrating her last few days here at St Joseph’s.

We will all miss her and wish her all the best for the future.

Article written by – Skyler Anderson (Year 6)