Terrace Ladies Group

Giving thanks

When I sat back and thought about what I would write for this reflection, all I could think about was the wonderful journey our whole family have had at Terrace. I am one of the lucky ones, as our journey isn’t quite over yet. We have two more years to go with Eamonn graduating in 2021 and Diarmuid in 2022.

Having a son leave school is certainly joyous, but also tinged with sadness.  Sadness, because you lose that sense of a close-knit family being there every day, sadness because you know that the safety net won’t be there anymore and sadness because their world, and our world, will now change forever.

Through the sadness though there is joy and happiness for the opportunities ahead of our sons, and the people who have helped lay the foundation for the years ahead. The people they have met along the way, the teachers who have enriched their lives. We give gratitude to those who gave up their time coaching, mentoring and lighting the flame of curiosity to where they are today.

While every family’s journey is different, but I think I talk for the majority when I say that it has been a blast. I will never forget my sister in law’s calming voice as I once asked her advice.  Finbar was doing so much, and I was having trouble keeping up. I was worried for him that he would unravel and fall in a heap. She said "Let him do it all. It is the only time in his life he will be able to take it all on and enjoy it". From that day on we did and guess what? He didn’t trip, he didn’t fall, and neither did we. He learnt a lot about himself and so did we. Standing here today I can say, hand on my heart, these last very short (I still cannot believe it) eight years have been the best.

I have made friends I will treasure forever, and I have learnt so much. I like to think we have all added to the richness of Terrace by being a part of its history. In all my school years, I never felt the same sense of belonging and love I feel as a member of the ‘Terrace Family’.

Today is a day for giving thanks. In saying that, I would like to give thanks to Terrace and all it stands for, for its traditions and I look to the future with a sense of wonder and awe at the endless possibilities for the future Terrace Gentlemen.

Thanks to Dr Carroll and the College Leadership Team for their ‘can do’ attitude that has guided us through uncertain times.

Thanks to each and every member of both the teaching and non-teaching staff at Terrace, none of this would have been the adventure it was without your enthusiasm and yearning for excellence in our gentlemen.

Thanks to our Terrace Family who, without knowing it, are the best life counsellors - where else would you be able to experience free therapy sessions while selling sour straps and pythons, cooking burgers, welcoming new parents to the College, setting up for concerts, sorting stinky lost property or chair stacking in the Campbell centre? Over the years people have commented that the way we come around each other at Terrace would never happen at any other school.  Terrace is truly unique.

Finally, but not the least, thanks for the Terrace Gentlemen who have passed through these gates in years gone by, for those who will pass through for the last time today and for those who will do the same in years to come. They have been given a unique gift – the gift of a good education and a sense of social justice.

We are truly grateful. For those whose chapter ends this year, remember you will always be part of our family, the Terrace Family.

Oh, what a week!  Congratulations to those families who have now entered a new phase as of today.  We will miss you around the halls and canteen of Terrace but hope to see you back at one of our many Terrace Family events in 2021.