AFTER almost 30 years as principal of Ballinamallard Primary School, John McCrea is this week embracing retirement.

Acknowledging the “quite frightening” reality that he has been at the helm of the school for 28 years, Mr. McCrea said he believed “the time is right” to say goodbye.

“I have found in life that there are often times when things just seem right,” he said.

“This is one of them, for a whole host of reasons.

“The children are what make a school. While I have been privileged to be able to work alongside brilliant staff, both teaching and non-teaching, the main memories will be of the children and the times we have shared.

Prior to his post in Ballinamallard, Mr. McCrea taught for just over ten years, initially in Castle Donington, then in Ashby de la Zouch, both in Leicestershire.

Reflecting on his career he remarked that he was glad to be able retire, but it wasn’t without some regret.

“While I will miss the children and the fun with the staff, I’m glad to be able to retire while there is still a bit life in the ageing body!” he said.

“Keeping busy will be no problem. As we are in the process of completing the building of our new, hopefully energy efficient home, with a garage long enough to fit my sailing boat, there will be a whole garden to plan and build.

“This along with Enniskillen Light Operatic Society, Fermanagh Choral Society, sailing and teaching sailing, helping look after mother, grandchildren in Geneva and a few other wee things that I might get roped into, I’m sure there will not be much spare time to fill. I might even get to visit my son’s in-laws in Thailand.” Married to Helen for nearly 37 years, Mr. McCrea says he has been blessed with three children.

“I am proud of my three lads. Not many can boast of a snowboard instructor, commodity broker or risk manager, and zoologist-turned-chef in the family.

“I have two grandsons. The eldest just turned six and is already speaking three languages and now being educated in his fourth, French.

“I thank God that we are all in good health.” Mr. McCrea took the time too, to consider the education sector he was stepping away from in Fermanagh.

“The primary children of all sectors in Fermanagh are blessed with dedicated teachers,” he said.

“They are also fortunate in having access to good post primary schools where the children are central. I do however feel that the system we have is wrong when each year there are children who are labelled by some as failures, just because they do not get into a particular school. All children, in whatever school, should be held in equal worth by society, but this is perhaps something which we as adults need to take on board.

“I have been so fortunate to meet so many genuinely good people during my working career in education. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their support in whatever role they have played, been be it parental, educational, in the field of sport, medical and all others such as Fermanagh Trust. Thank you, and keep up the good work,” he added.