Former deputy principal of Bandon Grammar described as 'gentleman, gifted teacher’ following his passing

A former deputy principal at Bandon Grammar School has been described by a colleague as ‘a true gentleman’ and a gifted teacher, following his passing.

Seán Crowley, who was the chief advising examiner for mathematics at Leaving Cert level when he retired in 2023, after 50 years of service, from the State Examinations Commission, was a teacher in the Bandon secondary school between 1973 and 2015 and was later the school’s deputy principal.

According to Bandon Grammar School assistant principal, Trevor Collins, Mr Crowley was a “very capable man, who always put the children first” and someone for whom the word ‘integrity’ was an apt description.

“He was very much a talented sportsman: He played for Cork’s senior football team, and he gave a huge amount in terms of getting kids to get involved in athletics,” said Mr Collins.

The school, on its Facebook page, described Mr Crowley as a “gifted maths teacher with an infectious energy and enthusiasm for school life”, who had “made an immense contribution to the development of the Bandon Grammar School and its community”.

“Seán was a superb sportsman and coached hockey, rugby and athletics teams to provincial and national success,” the statement read. “Seán’s leadership skills were recognised on a national level and he served on the executive of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals as a wonderful mentor and confidante to so many.”

The school extended its sympathies to Mr Crowley’s family.

His funeral took place in St Patrick’s Church in Bandon today.