As the principal of St. Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen, John Jones, bids farewell to the school which has been part of his life for the last 35 years, The Examiner spoke to the much-loved educator, who told us of his pride at being at the helm of the progressive school and how now is the “right time” for him to hand over the reins.
Mr Jones has spent his entire teaching career at St . Joseph’s, having been appointed “without interview” by then principal, Bernard Crilly, back in 1983 – ”Although, as Bernard liked to remind me, they started interviewing candidates for roles after my appointment!” jokes the outgoing principal, who is renowned for his exuberance and warm personality.
In reality, John’s gift for teaching was recognised at an early stage and his appointment to St. Joseph’s directly from teacher-training college was also based on the strength of glowing references he received, in particular from Canon Dallan, Principal of St.Joseph’s College of Education, regaling Jones as “an excellent character – full of joi-de-vivre”. Indeed Mr Jones’ zest and enthusiasm has pervaded throughout his career and he is lauded as a man who fosters great relationships with both staff, pupils and parents.
“I’ve been a one school man. I started here in September 1983 after a year of substitute work in Newry and South Armagh. I applied for the job through an ad in the paper and I’d hardly been to Crossmaglen in my life,” says the Newry man, who remains fiercely proud of his Derrybeg roots.
Immersing himself in his south Armagh family, John rose through the school and spent 11 years as Vice Principal alongside revered former Principal, Kevin Scally, before taking over at the helm five years ago.
Recognising the unique feat of a 35 year career in one school, Mr Jones told The Examiner that after more than three decades serving the community of south Armagh at St. Joseph’s, “I definitely have green and yellow blood in my veins.”
“I was accepted into the St. Joseph’s family and the south Armagh community as a blow-in from the very beginning of my career. It’s been like a second family to me, I really have been adopted by the community and feel privileged to have worked with and served the youth of south Armagh for the last 35 years,” said the outgoing principal, who has seen generations of local families pass through the school during his time.
Reflecting on his years working with the area’s children, Mr Jones says he has loved being involved with young people and hopes his legacy is one of being child-centred. “I think it’s important in this job to have a sense of humour and able to laugh at yourself too,” says the much-loved principal, who many would say embodies those qualities.
“As a local family school, I’ve always strived to know each child individually by their name,” he says, admitting that he regularly scours through his photo book and makes it his business to to speak to a child whose picture he has not recognised and “to call them by their name.”
“I think it’s so important that children don’t feel like they’re just a number,” he says.
Elaborating on his decision to retire early from a role he so clearly relishes, he told us, “I think the time is right. I had it in my head that when I reached a certain age, I would know when to stop.”
“I think that it’s a good time both for me and the school. St. Joseph’s is in a very good place and we have a great team here. With the school’s new build around the corner, it seems like a natural hiatus to hand over the mantle to the next principal, who I’m so delighted is going to be leading the school through such transformation.”
Describing his worthy successor, Marie Millar, as a “dynamo”, Mr Jones praised her “total commitment to her students and to the school.”
“It is the icing on the cake that Marie has been appointed principal,” he said.
“She is young and dynamic and is immersed in St Joseph’s, having arrived here on her very first teaching job 24 years ago!”
On the much-anticipated new build for the school, Mr Jones says,
“My mantra to the students has always been ‘let’s put St.Joseph’s on the map’ – and the new build is certainly going to help do that. It is no more than the children of south Armagh deserve, a brand new state-of-the-art building and facilities which will only further enhance and develop the educational experience at St. Joseph’s.”
“Crossmaglen has been demonised in the past but the progress made over the years in St.Joseph’s has helped to change that.”
The retiring principal has always championed the cause of all-inclusive comprehensive education and is immensely proud that the school is now one of the most academically successful all-inclusive schools in the north, consistently achieving GCSE and A level results above the national average. Outside of academics, St Joseph’s continues to have success on the sporting field and in music and the arts.
“I think our education goes beyond the yardstick of GCSE and A-Level league tables though,” says John.
“We strive to fulfill the potential of every child and, as a non-selective, co-educational school, we don’t judge people by exams at 11 and yet we are bucking the trend in that we’re doing very well in both GCSE and A-Level” he adds.
“We currently have 611 pupils and that figure will grow next year – with 124 going into first year in September. The introduction of A-Levels by my predecessor, Kevin Scally,was a game changer for us and I would love to see the numbers to grow so that A-Level provision can be increased.”
An initiative which Mr Jones is particularly proud of is the Shared Education project which sees collaboration between St Joseph’s, St Paul’s, Newtownhamilton High and Newry High schools.
“The project has been instrumental in knocking barriers down and has enriched the education of the children from all the schools involved,” he says.
“It is monumental that the children of Crossmaglen, Bessbrook, Newry and Newtownhamilton now travel to each other’s school for collaboration. Our agriculture classes are like a rainbow of uniforms and it is great to see it.”
Memorable highlights for the popular principal include being winched off a boat into a helicopter to accompany a sick student during a school trip to France, and his introduction to the school – playing a lead role in The school’s production of the Sound of Music when the student actor took ill. “A great way for the children to see another side to you, “ says John, whose sense of fun has pervaded throughout his career.
“I’ve also made lots of great lifelong friends and the people of south Armagh have been very good to me. For parents, the most important people in their lives are their children and I’d like to think we’ve nurtured and cared for all our students. The great strength of this school is the relationships we have with the children, which are just phenomenal.
“I’ve always insisted on high standards of discipline, of academia, to bring a child to their full potential. The discipline in our school is very good and it’s down to our dedicated staff and the co-operation of our students.”
Mr Jones credits his dynamic and visionary senior management team and teaching staff for enabling the wonderful achievements of the school in recent years and particularly remembered key figures over the years such as principals Bernard Crilly, Frank McCreesh and Kevin Scally, as well as Brid McMahon, Gerry Brown, Maura Comiskey, Maire Mulligan and Maria Hamill.
He paid particular tribute to the “epicentre” of the school, his PA, Majella Hatzer, as someone instrumental in his role and the daily running of the school, and revealed that she had been named as “the person who really runs St.Joseph’s” by a visiting student from Newtownhamilton High!
“Outside of St.Joseph’s, Hugh Mallon (former principal of St.Joseph’s Boys’ High School in Newry) has been a big influence on me, mentoring me and offering guidance. I have really benefitted from his wisdom and his experience over the years.
“I am forever indebted to Bernard Crilly for giving me the start in my career and to the people of south Armagh for accepting me so wholeheartedly,” said the Newry man.
“Having spent 35 years of my life in this community, I feel like half a native. I’m a Down man, but you could say after being at St.Joseph’s in Crossmaglen for more than three decades , my heart’s at home in Ireland in the County of Armagh!”
“It is the end of the most amazing chapter in my life and I hope I’ve helped made a difference to the lives of children in south Armagh. I look forward to watching the school’s progress as it undergoes its transformational new build.”
For now a month long holiday with family in Australia beckons as well as a pledge from avid football fan John to see his beloved Leeds play more often.