Passion and pride in the parish
May 29, 2021
John Burns can look back on a lifetime of achievement as he steps down as principal of Barefield National School
THREE small classrooms, a prefab and outdoor toilets, classes of 45 children in a room meant for 20, stepping over school bags to correct children’s work.
The early days of John Burns’ professional life at Barefield National School, where he started in 1980, are a far cry from the modern, richly-resourced facility he retires from this Friday.
Now into his last week as principal, John recalled the days when white chalk and blackboard were his only teaching aids and the excitement he felt when the school first got coloured chalk.