Bernadette McCARTHY

Our thoughts are with Bernadette's family. She was a greatly respected Headmistress, of whom we were very fond. RIP

I worked at DESS from 1985 until 1994 and from the initial interview until my final day in Dubai, Bernadette McCarthy was a lady I admired, respected and called a friend. She was a strong woman who encouraged the children and staff in her school to work hard and strive for success.
In my class, the children were always delighted when Miss M cCarthy popped in for a visit. She made them smile!
Bernadette inspired me to set up my own nursery school when I returned to Scotland.
My sincere condolences to Bernadette's family at this sad time. Good bye Miss M cCarthy. I will treasure the memories!

Our deepest condolences to Bernadette’s family on her passing. She was a remarkable woman and an energetic force at DESS, gaining the respect and admiration of many of us parents. A legendary figure with an irrepressible sense of humour and a heart of gold, she gave her utmost to the school and, we hope, was proud of what she achieved. Rest in peace, Bernadette.

Bernadette was a wonderful, unique, witty and caring person who made an impression on everyone she met. She was an icon in Dubai and she was very proud of DESS, just as we, the parents, were proud to have our children at the school. She was a remarkable person and the best I have even come across in the teaching profession. We are so happy that our son had this wonderful experience at DESS. Such a sad loss. RIP Beradette

Bernadette McCarthy was a warm, funny and formidable, I have nothing but find memories of her tenure as headmistress of DESS. It's a testament to her indelible character that her passing is being felt from Dubai to Cork and many places in between. May she rest in peace.

Our sincere condolences to the family of Bernadette McCarthy's. Our daughter Jessica went to DESS from1988 - 1990 and our son Oliver from 1996 - 1998. Fond memories of a great headmistress.

Bernadette McCarthy's charisma as Headmistress of DESS was unmatched. She made a lasting impression on me and I will have fond memories of the time I spent with her for the rest of my life. I was never afraid to be sent to the Headmistress' office because I knew that although I was in for a disciplining, I'd be leaving with a handful of sweets - I thought I was being sent to see my friend! Bernadette was a force of nature and the impact she has had on everyone she met, from Dubai to Cork, is a testament to how special a lady she was.

Very sorry to hear of Bernadette's passing. She was great fun and regaled me with stories of my grandfather Edmund and grandmother in Youghal last summer. May she rest in peace. ailbemillerick@gmail.com

RIP Bernadette.
A special headmistress with a twinkle in her eye,who cared for all the children in her school.
Her kindness & support to the family of a young boy who was tragically knocked down & killed outside the school will always stay with me .
She was a good disciplinarian & stood no nonsense with children & parents alike,she would always ensure any child who had been sent to her in trouble went back to her at the end of the school day to talk things through & not to part or go home with bad feelings.
Thinking of all her family today.
Pam, John, Clare, Julia & Bryce Malcolmson.

So sorry to hear of Bernadette's passing. Our children Sean and Zara enjoyed seven wonderful and happy years at DESS. I remember being 'given the tour for prospective parents' by Bernadette and being thoroughly impressed, not only by the school but by the lady herself! At the end of the tour she summarised by saying - and I'm paraphrasing here - this is what our school's about and what we can offer your child. If you choose to go elsewhere so be it and good luck to you, but if you choose DESS we'd be delighted. She was very proud of her school, and rightly so. Formidable, legendary, charismatic, committed and caring and an inspiring Headmistress. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this difficult time. RIP Bernadette.

You were headmistress to all my children and we all adored you - you were simply the best! Strict and fair! My hero!

The Board, management and staff of DESS expressed their deepest condolence to the McCarthy’s family.

Ms McCarthy was headmistress of Dubai’s oldest British curriculum school from 1977 to 1997 and was the driving force behind the school’s insistence on high standards. She saw generations of expatriate and Emirati children through the school, many of whom still recognise their debt to the legendary headmistress.

Ms McCarthy was highly respected in the Dubai community as her leadership took DESS to be the first school of choice for many parents, including from the emirate’s leading families and a wide range of expatriates, basing her skills on the motto “Manners Mayketh Man”.

“Bernadette was a wonderful human being, and a great friend to the end. She was a legendary headmistress and when ever we think of expatriate pioneers in education in Dubai, we think of Bernadette McCarthy. She made a genuine difference for the better to the lives of so many,” said one long term expatriate much involved with the school.

One of the highlights of her time as headmistress was when Britain’s Princess Anne visited DESS in 1987. Another alumni still remembers that the most important lesson she learnt at DESS when she was there between 1979 to 1986 “was to have respect for one another, respect for ourselves and how to embrace self-confidence. This was imparted to me by the then head mistress Miss McCarthy. She was an amazing lady who had time for everybody.”

Sincere condolences to Bernadette's family.I taught at DESS from 1988 - 2014. My two sons and I had the privilege of her influence, guidance and affection for many years. She supported me and my family through some difficult times, as she did with so many others. As others have said, Though a formidable presence, she had a very large heart and knew every child by name - a value I learned from her. Such a sad loss. Our thought are with her family and friends.

I always admired Bernadette enormously. She was a wonderful Head to my three sons,Dominic,Tim and Luke and she maintained an interest in them over the last 20 odd years. As a Head teacher myself now, I know that there are not many other Heads of Bernadette 's calibre. She was a very special person. My prayers are for her family at this sad time. May her soul rest in peace. God bless you all.

I taught at DESS from 1986 - 1996 and Bernadette was an inspiration to all, a friend in need, and an encouraging presence to pupils and staff. She didn't suffer fools gladly but she was extremely kind under her rather forbidding exterior and I can still see her gliding into assembly, shaking each child's hand as they left and how they responded to her. She epitomized the very best of her profession and will be very fondly remembered by those who came under her sway. God bless. RIP.

Bernadette was one of the most inspiring people I had the privilege of meeting during our early days in Dubai in the mid 80's. I am proud that my children (Leonora and John-Warwick) took their first steps in education at DESS under her guidance and proud too that she provided such wonderful encouragement to me personally as I took my first steps as a head teacher. To this day I remember well her walking around the classrooms and corridors every morning greeting all the students and staff, and remarkably knowing the name of every parent she encountered. Her personal touch was her hallmark. May she rest in peace.

You taught me a good strong firm handshake which I use to this day!

"Not like a wet fish!" You used to say.

Lots of memories.

Rest in Peace

Our sincere sympathy goes to Bernadette's family as they try to come to terms with her passing. An amazing lady, a wonderful Headmistress who knew every child and every parent by name. Her legacy is evident in the many comments made by so many former pupils and ex parents who have such respect and feeling for her. We were fortunate to have our children Gareth and Lindsey as her pupils from 1977 - 1989 and I was still a member of staff when she retired in 1997. It was a long and happy association and friendship and one which all of us fondly remember.

I met this remarkable woman when I became Deputy Head of Dubai College in 1993 and she terrified me! I had the difficult task of telling her which of her cherished pupils had failed to obtain a place in D.C.....she always managed to convince me I was wrong! I got to know and value her as a dear friend who never failed to ask about my daughter who had been at DESS for just one term.The world is a poorer place without her.Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this sad time.

We would like to send our condolences to the whole family of Bernadette on her passing.
We shall always remember her as an indomitable lady who made a great difference to the education of our sons Ross and Nathan. We know that our experience is not unique and there are a great many other children across the world who have benefited from her teaching.
She will be sorely missed we are sure.
She was one hell of a lady.

Our sincere condolences to Bernadette's family on her sudden passing. She was a lovely lady who showed such kindness to our three children, Tom, Angelina and Michael during their time at DESS....so many happy memories of school concerts, swimming galas and sports days with Bernadette's always present encouraging all and with a special place in her heart for her Irish students.

Bernadette McCarthy was headmistress to our son Christophe (who passed away in 2010) and was at the school for a couple of years in the 1990's. How I remember having to go to her office every day for some time to collect him after school because she absolutely wanted him to wear DESS sandals and he refused... it was a tug-o'war that went on and on. She never gave up (he did not either), and so many other fond memories. She was a fantastic head and a nice lady. RIP.
Prayers with the family at this sad time.

Our condolences to Berrnadette's family. She is remembered by us as a wonderful person and headmistress. R.I.P

My three sons went to DESS between '86-94 . A great headteacher whose belief in the children was paramount. Likewise the motto ' Manners maketh Man', I have used many times in my years of teaching. X

I had the privilege of getting to know Bernadette through my work at the palace. She had many of their children in her school and we were all very grateful for the love and care she took of them all.
I got to know her as a friend and she will be much missed by all. RIP xx

Fondest memories of a wonderful lady. Inspired many children including our three, Lauren , Gareth and Leanne. Sincere condolences to her family. Janine and Ian.

Bernadette was headmistress when my two children attended DESS 1979- 1983. She was a fantastic head and a lovely lady. RIP

What an inspirational woman. My brother, Liam Ball, and I attend DESS from 1986 and our family have very fond memories of her. I have passed on her motto to my daughter who often gets complimented on her good manners. "when Irish eyes are smiling" yours, Miss Macarthy, always were xxx

My deepest condolences. Miss McCarthy was an incredible headmistress to me for four years. I worked as hard as I could every week so I could be one of the lucky ones to go to her office to be praised. I was the first flautist to play in a concert at DESS and she never stopped reminiscing about it with me right into my adulthood. That's what made her so special, she cherished her students achievements. The out pouring of messages from her former students just shows what a truly amazing person she was who touched so many lives. One in a million.

a truly remarkable woman who has left behind such fantastic memories of school years for so many .
You and your family are in our thoughts x

The memories of my time with British Airways in Dubai when there was always a welcome
at school for me at any time. We think of you often Miss McCarthy and often talk about you and
will continue to do so. Our thoughts are with your family at this sad time for them, and my prayers are with you. May your rest in peace.
Sandra Owen

I truly feel Bernadette McCarthy had a real hand in shaping my character as a youngster. She was a strong woman who wanted to do so much and you never wanted to disappoint her. You waited for her smile of approval. She was and remains a very important figure in my life and I am blessed to have met her. She will always be remembered by those who attended DESS under her leadership and the school wouldn't be what it is today without her! You will truly be missed, and I will never forget you. We will be thinking of the McCarthy family at this difficult time.

Love Dom, Tim, Luke and Linda. xxx

Sincere condolences from the Griffiths family. I had the absolute pleasure to work at DESS with Bernadette from 1986-1994 first as a class teacher and then as Music Specialist. She encouraged and inspired me to follow my musical path, which I still do passionately to this day. She literally changed my career and for that I am eternally grateful. She was a dear friend and mentor not only to me, but also to my three children, Rachel, Jane and Gareth who all attended DESS and still remember her very fondly. RIP Bernadette. Gone but not forgotten.
Maggi Griffiths, Saffron Walden. UK

Ms McCarthy made me a better person. Being in DESS from 1989-1991, she had taught me the importance of respecting others, looking them straight in the eye, opening the door for them and to always make sure to give a firm handshake. I will never forget her kindness and her strength. She made me believe I could accomplish anything I set my mind to. My sincere condolences to the family, Ms McCarthy you will be sorely missed.

My sincere condolences. I had the pleasure of being at DESS from 86-90 when Ms McCarthy was headmistress. She was a wonderfully formidable woman who taught me respect, and kindness and most importantly the phrase 'manners maketh the man' and how to shake hands firmly and not like a wet fish! She is fondly thought of still to this day and will be sorely missed from every corner of the globe. Because her reach was that far and that strong. Sallyanne Tong. Dublin, Ireland.

A true legacy and great character which touched and coursed the lives of thousands during her years at DESS.
My sister and I were at DESS from 85-93 and was the greatest headmistress. Will always cherish her/school motto "manners Mayketh Man". My mother and Sister are in Co Kildare Ireland and I know live in Southwest UK.

From Adam, Stephanie Smith, David Smith and Lynne Hudson.

RIP