UlsterNet.co.uk

Fivemiletown College vice-principal takes over helm at Omagh High

Thursday, 26 January 2012

Ian McConaghy, former vice-principal of Fivemiletown College, who has been appointed as the new principal of Omagh High School. SU0402CM

THE newly-appointed principal of Omagh High School says he is looking forward to ensuring pupils reach their full potential in a caring environment.
Ian McConaghy, who hails from Portadown, where he lives with wife Ruth and their three children, Amy (13), Matthew (11) and Isabel (8) will take up the headship after the mid-term break. He takes over the reins from Mr Lewis Love, who retired at the end of the calendar year.
Having started his teaching career as a lecturer in further dducation, Mr McConaghy took up a post in Fivemiletown College in 1998 teaching ICT and business studies, before becoming vice-principal of the school in 2006.
Expressing his delight at the new appointment, Mr McConaghy says that he has always had an 'interest' in school leadership.
“My interest in leadership was sparked by a secondment to the SELB CASS team as an advisory teacher. During this time, I was privileged to visit a range of schools and to work with teachers and principals in an advisory capacity. This gave me a valuable insight to the area of school leadership and deepened my interest in it."
The Portadown man says he will take 'many wonderful memories' with him from his time as a teacher and vice-principal at Fivemiletown College.
Reflecting on his tenure at the school, the father of three noted the new school build, his involvement with the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, LET and KEY programmes residentials, and school trips - most notably a sixth form trip to New York - as just some of his 'highlights'.
“This year the pupils raised over £10,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care and we celebrated this achievement at our Harvest Festival. This was a very satisfying last 'big' event to have been part of.
Pleasure to observe
“Of course, the pupils' academic success over the years has been a pleasure to observe and also to follow them in their careers and future success. One of our past pupils now teaches my own children and another past pupil, now a doctor, recently treated one of my parents in hospital. It brings home the need to make sure pupils are well educated," he said.
Continuing, he added: "My time in Fivemiletown College has been a fantastic experience during which I have learned much from many colleagues. I have worked closely with staff who gave their all for the pupils, going beyond the call of duty and who were totally committed to the welfare and success of all the pupils. This desire to see the pupils succeed and to do all possible to help them has been the ethos of Fivemiletown College and I will take that with me to my new post."
Looking to his future, Mr McConaghy spoke of how he is looking forward to working with the staff and pupils of Omagh High School and seeing the pupils reach their full potential.
He said: "I am thrilled to be taking up the post of principal of Omagh High School and I am looking forward to working with the staff there who have been most welcoming.
“Omagh High School has much in common with my present school, excellent academic results, a caring strong Christian ethos, committed staff and high expectations for all the pupils. I hope to continue the good work of my predecessors, in particular my immediate predecessor, Mr Love, who has just retired.
“I have always considered it as a tremendous responsibility and a great privilege when parents put the care and education of their children in your hands. As a parent of three children, I realise the importance of the task and consider it my raison d'etre to ensure the pupils in Omagh High School continue to get the best education, achieve outstanding academic success and receive the highest standards of care whilst there."

Subscribe to read full newspaper »

Send this page to a friend »