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How do you replace a Sister like Maria?
Singing and strumming her guitar alongside smiling children, Sister Maria Cormack has often been compared to her namesake from The Sound of Music.
But the truth is as a Leeds United season ticket holder who used to ride to school on a motorbike this chirpy nun is far more interesting than the musical character.
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So it's little wonder students and teachers at St Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School, Yeadon, are sad to see her go after 34 years teaching there – during which she has found herself educating the children of her former pupils.
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Headteacher Tom Robertshaw said: "Maria is our star – a true sister to all of us and we will miss her dearly."
Sister Maria was 18 when she moved from County Tipperary, Ireland, to join the Sisters of Mercy Convent in Yeadon.
In 1976, after studying teaching at Fenham College, Newcastle, she began working part time at both St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Otley, and St Peter and Paul, and decided the most efficient way to travel between the two was on a Honda 90 motorbike.
The year-six teacher said the other nuns didn't think it was particularly unusual – and even took turns practicing how to ride it.
But it raised a few eyebrows among pupils, who were thrilled by her unconventional mode of transport.
"They were absolutely amazed, they couldn't believe it because of me wearing the habit and veil and then turning up in a helmet and jeans," she said.
She started working full time at St Peter and Paul in 1978 and in 1982 made a record of holy songs with a group of pupils, to commemorate the
visit of Pope John Paul II to Britain that year.
Although she no longer plays the guitar, or wears her habit to work, or rides a motorbike, her young students are still impressed by her footballing knowledge and love of the beautiful game.
She started out travelling to Manchester United games but soon transferred her allegiances to the more conveniently located Elland Road and Leeds United.
She has been a season ticket holder for around a decade and as none of her fellow nuns shares her interest, attends matches on her own – proudly clutching her Leeds scarf.
But her dedication to her vocation has seen her miss a host of match-winning goals because of leaving the ground early to get to 5pm Mass at St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Hunslet.
She said: "Every time I've come out early they have always scored."
Over the years the religious education co-ordinator has prepared children for the Sacraments and led the school in gaining various awards.
In June Ofsted judged the school "outstanding" in its religious inspection.
A mass celebrating her retirement was held at St Peter and Paul Church, Yeadon, when she was presented with the Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice, the highest award the Catholic Church can bestow on its members.
She is planning a trip to Ireland to see her family and take a spirituality course before returning to the parish of Belle Isle, Leeds, to help its parishioners during her retirement.
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -9 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
