Teacher Larry ‘the best ever’ retires after 37 years at school
By Aideen O'Flaherty
WATCH:
HUNDREDS of pupils, parents, staff and past pupils of Scoil Maelruain Senior School in Tallaght formed a guard of honour at the entrance of the school on Friday morning, for the arrival of teacher Larry Broderick – who was working his last day before retiring after 37 years at the school.
A video of the guard of honour was posted on The Echo Facebook page last week, garnering over 66,000 views, with hundreds of people sharing their memories of being taught by Mr Broderick, describing him as “the best teacher” they ever had.
Larry Broderick with Scoil Maelruain senior school principal Caitriona Hogan
Mr Broderick’s teaching career began in 1977, when he was a secondary school teacher in Moyle Park College, and he then “fell into” primary school teaching while working in a school in Bray and, after attaining a primary school teaching qualification, then worked in St Dominic’s National School.
After a year-and-a-half in St Dominic’s, the Clondalkin man then took up a teaching post in Scoil Maelruain.
Reflecting on his first day of teaching in the school where he would go on to work in for over three decades, Mr Broderick said: “I started working in Maelruain’s the week before Christmas, after I’d left Dominic’s.
“It took me a few months to settle in, because I don’t really like change, but once I got into the groove of things it was great.
“The children and staff that I worked with, we’re all a big family. I’ve never seen cross words between two teachers in the school, and you’re happier going into work when everyone gets on well – and that filters down to the children too.”
Mr Broderick is fondly referred to as ‘Larry the Legend’ by his colleagues, who will miss him but who are grateful for the impact he’s had both on the pupils and fellow staff members of Scoil Maelruain.
Larry Broderick with some staff members from Scoil Maelruain on his final day at the school
“Larry was a teacher way ahead of his time,” said principal Caitriona Hogan. “His main goal was to make learning fun for each and every pupil in his care, [through] nature walks, trips to the Dodder, trips into town, poetry, runs around the estate – with all the kids following their Pied Piper.
“Drama was an integral part of every lesson. He was passionate about sport and trained many a good runner, footballer and hurler.”
Ms Hogan added: “Larry had a genuine love for children, never once forgetting a name. He always made time to stop and chat to everyone. He left an indelible mark on every pupil he worked with.”
Mr Broderick is passionate about sport, and coached former Ireland and St Patrick’s Athletic footballer Keith Fahey when he played for the school’s under 11’s GAA team, and he said he is looking forward to retiring and spending more time in Croke Park, which he described as being like “a cinema” to him.
“I’m keeping myself busy,” he said. “I’m a carer for my mam, so I’m looking after her, and I have a mobile in Wexford. There will be a big void in my life, but I’m hoping I’ll get to do a day or two of subbing in Maelruain’s in the future.”
When asked what he’s most looking forward to about his retirement, he said that it “will make going to bed on a Sunday night easier!”
