Former headteacher returns to St. Mary's School after 40 years

Saturday 11 December 2021

A former headteacher – and mother of one of the island's most senior Education officials – has returned to her old school after around 40 years.

Pat O’Regan, who led the school in the 1980s, was back at St. Mary’s Primary School yesterday for the refurbished school’s official opening by Lieutenant Governor Sir Stephen Dalton.

He praised the updated school and congratulated those involved in bringing the refurbishment to fruition.

Ms O’Regan was accompanied by her son, current Group Director of Education Sean O’Regan (pictured together, top).

Another former head, Suzanne Conoops, who was also head of Plat Douet for four decades, was also in attendance alongside architect Mike Higginson, CYPES' Acting Director General Rob Sainsbury and Education Minister Deputy Scott Wickenden.

Pictured: Heads together - Mrs Conoops and Mrs O'Regan.

St. Mary’s £6.5m remodelling – which was designed by Jersey Property Holdings and delivered by Camerons – started in 2019. Work was due to end 

It saw the three listed buildings that made up the school are linked by internal corridors, and the expansion of classrooms and learning facilities.

Pictured: CYPES' Director General and the Education Minister speaking to a pupil.

Overall, the project increased the floor space of the school by 40% and enabled the school to open a nursery catering for up to 26 children for the first time.