So long, Mr Flanagan — you were a great teacher
ON December 9, one of the great Catholic school educators retired from teaching history and geography after 44 years — 38 of those at St Paul’s High School and Kavanagh College.
Shayne Flanagan has had a tremendous impact on a number of us lucky enough to grace the hallowed D21 classroom on the second floor of the Dominic block and be taught history and geography.
Often referred to as the Richie Benaud of history, and known for those fantastic denim jackets he wore, Shayne was old school, and that was just fine.
His iconic poster of the 1987 Rugby World Cupwinning team finally came down from his classroom wall after 33 years, and has been passed on to me for my son Jimmy to treasure.
Shayne, on behalf of all the pupils you have taught, past and present, we salute you and wish you all the very best in your retirement.
Michael MacKenzie
Mosgiel
Euthanasia
IT is not only religious people who are not happy with the End of Life Choice Act.
There are people who have no religion who value human life for its intrinsic worth and believe in protecting it.
Organisations like Age Concern have concerns at the abuse of older people by various carers and family members.
It appears that in some families an older person can be made to feel worthless and a nuisance with the implied wish that the older person would die. Mental abuse is harder to detect than physical abuse.
Physical pain may become worse if accompanied by mental pain/ depression. What protection is there for an older person who may be suffering from depression, especially when being made to feel worthless and a nuisance? After all, our society tries to prevent depressed younger persons from committing suicide.
Kathleen Kenrick
Roslyn
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