Although I attended Glenaan Primary School for only one year (1934-1935). My memories of the school and my experiences there are still rich and rewarding. At the time, my mother, father and I were living at Borbig-on a farm owned by my uncle Alex McKeegan. Down the "loneing" I would go from the farm to the main road ("Keep clear of the Gypsies" my mother would saywhen they were encamped there), thence up the main road a short distance and then left up the Glenaan Road to the school. The school then had an open fire-place between the primary and upper grades and even with a good fire going we primary students often wore our mittens on cold mornings. I believe there was a change in school masters about the time I was there and how impressed we were with the new master and his motorcycle! After-school visits to the mill and my uncle Francis McAuley's farm were often in order Our teacher of course was the indomitable Miss Duffy. To her I give much credit for starting my formal education so successfully. Miss Duffy was a good teacher and disciplinarian interested in having every boy and girl learn the content and skills she taught. I still recall that cold morning when my class was called before her for our catechism lesson, I missed a question and extended my open hand for the customary reminder from the bamboo rod. "Hugh, take off your mitten",said Miss Duffy, then I received my "whack"! By the way, one skill we were taught was knitting. Is it still included in the curriculum??? To the credit of Miss Duffy's teaching ability when we returned to the U.S. I was promoted to third year (3rd grade) after only two weeks in second year. The young nun in charge of second year said I had already learned all she would teach that year. Quite a compliment to Glenaan Primary and Miss Duffy! Two years in one! My subsequent education in the U.S. resulted in college and university degrees and a career that involved, at various times, junior high school teaching and admimistration, positions in state and Federal education offices, and a faculty appointment at a fine private university. But the undergirding for all of this was my first experience at Glenaan Primary School. On our return visits to the Glens I am happy to see the school continue and expand. Television and computers now link Glenaan Primary to the larger world of learning but fine teaching and attention to each boy and girl still is central to the success of the little school in the Glen. Congratulations on the 100th Anniversary. Ad multos annos!
Hugh F. McKeegan Professor of Education (Emeritus)
Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA , USA