A former pupil has been appointed as a Laois secondary school’s first ever female Deputy Principal.
Carole Devine is the new Deputy Principal of St Fergal’s College in Rathdowney.
Her appointment received a warm welcome from students, staff, parents and the Board of Management.
Carole has the distinction of being the first female Deputy Principal in St Fergal’s and coincidentally on that note, her appointment was made soon after an enrolment of more girls than boys in First Year.
This has occurred for the first time in living memory and possibly ever.
A positive alignment of the stars appears to be emerging for this camogie and hurling stronghold.
Carole is a Ballacola native where she still lives with her family. Their confidence in the school is in evidence with her son who is entering his second year as a student there.
Carole is a past pupil of St Fergal’s where she has many happy memories.
Her teaching experience was in Coláiste Iosagáin in Portarlington where she gained a considerable level of school leadership and management experience.
St Fergal’s College has experienced a recent 10% growth in student numbers.
This is supporting an increase in the number of teachers and other valuable education resources. However, the school is retaining its reputation for having a family atmosphere, a value Carole wants to promote.
Carole said: “We decided to send our son to St Fergal’s because of its reputation for taking care of each student as an individual and facilitating a holistic education.
“I feel a special attachment with the school given my own days here as a student.
“I was thrilled to get the post of Deputy Principal here for reasons including its strong sense of community and its educational success.
”There is a commitment to the overall development of each student as well as a focus on success in exams.
“Having now worked here for a few weeks I can honestly say that the sense of community among our students as well as the welcoming, helpful, and inclusive environment is very real and apparent from the moment you walk through the door.”
Principal Gerry Quinn views Carole’s appointment as strategically important in terms of school development.
He said: “Carole has hit the ground running with her energy, enthusiasm and ambition for our school.
“Because of this and her wide range of professional skills, not least her inter-personal skills, I am confident that she will play a pivotal role in our plans for school development.
“We want to get the balance right between growth for additional school resources and our capacity to provide time for individual student care and support.
“Carole will use her many talents to achieve that vision.“
