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Paddy Leonard, 28 Jan
The recently appointed principal of St Josephâs Boysâ School in Creggan
wonât accept any second-best billing for the school, looks you straight
in the eye when saying she believes her boys can achieve anything
before adding that she has âthe best, most dedicatedâ teaching and
non-teaching staff in Derry.
The new principal clearly wants to send out the message loud and clear
that only the best for her boys will do. And she also makes it clear
that the odd setback is no excuse for failure.
Mrs. Deane, who only took over the job in September of last year,
wanted it put out there very firmly that itâs not how you start but how
you finish that matters.
She points to herself as an example as she failed the eleven plus. But
it was not the negative, she suggests, that so many believe it to be.
âPeople should remember that this is an examination that proves very
little.
âIn my case, when I went to St. Ceciliaâs I was offered an outstanding
education underpinned by aspirational guidance and leadership. I am
live reflection of what St. Ceciliaâs can offer and the achievements to
be attained from a secondary education.
âI ended up going to UCD, then on to the University of Ulster and now
here I am twenty plus years on principal of St Josephâs, a school I am
very proud to be principal of.â
Her own experiences have shaped her views in that she believes school
is not all about academic achievement but also about preparing pupils
for life outside, for careers and to succeed in the workplace.
School is about adding value to family, community and the wider world
around each boy.
She commented: âBefore they even come here St Josephâs builds
relationships with the feeder primary schools.
âWe get to know the boys, we get to know their parents, we get to know
what kind of things they are interested in.
âI am Derry girl myself in that I was reared in Park Avenue attending
the local primary school St. Anne's so I have always walked to school
in my own community. I am part of this community. I know this community
and feel privileged to lead a school invested in the community.
âOur objective, and itâs a realistic objective, is to maximise the
potential of every pupil who comes through our doors, and we are
succeeding.
âOur pass rates are 88% from A* star to C at GCSE leading to high
A-level outcomes. Expectations are exceptionally high as driven by my
predecessor, Mrs Martina Mc Carron.â
When asked what itâs like being a female principal of an all-boys
school she laughs before answering - âItâs my superpower!â
She goes on to explain: âThere are 620 boys here. Being a woman and a
mother of three boys myself I feel I have empathy and I believe the
boys respond to that.
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âI see myself as a person who wants to nurture them, to get them to be
the very best they can be. I engage with them and I like to think they
respect me for that - that they appreciate I am invested in them, that
I want the very best for them.â
In fact, that is one of the key things she kept referring to during
this interview â respect. For both pupils and the school staff the
concept is vital.
âIn the morning I have what we call âmeet and greetâ where teachers
gather to meet their students as they come in. In the evening we have
âend and sendâ where staff are there to see them off the premises. I
want the teaching staff and non-teaching staff to encourage and reward
positive behaviour.
âWhile we donât accept bad behaviour, I think teachers and non-teaching
leading by example are key - no raised or aggressive voices, no
sarcasm, clear instructions, always operating under the philosophy of
in loco parentis meaning in place of the parent.â
Mrs. Deane is at pains to point out that old perceptions need to
change.
For example, the school has just received ÂŁ220,000 to upgrade its 4G
football pitch. This will open doors for boys who want to pursue
careers in subjects like Physical Education and Sports Science at third
level.
Mrs. Deane continued: âOur infrastructure is worth shouting about. Our
computer suite is state-of-the-art. As is the Technology and design
department hosting additional programmes in STEAM.
âOur Art studio is superb with a vibrate moving image art suite. As
well as the core subjects like maths, English, Science and RE we have
access to the full entitlement framework for A level.
âAlongside our two new autism specific classrooms ensuring a diverse
and inclusive learning and teaching environment.â
Mrs Deane keeps a close eye to the skills in demands barometer and is
keen to introduce new curriculum that is relevant and meets the boys
needs.
âOne new initiative is LLS, which is a three A level Sports Course
giving our boys an opportunity to perform sports at a high level but to
also continue their academic education,â she said.
Situated right in the heart of the community Mrs. Deane was anxious to
pay tribute to the various local organisations who have supported the
school over the years.
âI am a member of the Proud Creggan Committee, and we work with various
groups like the Bogside Brandywell Health Forum, the Old Library Trust,
the Rosemount Resource Centre, St. Mary's Youth club and are ably
supported by our Catechetical parish. Fr Paul Farren and the St.
Eugeneâs Parish are invaluable support and guide.
âAnd I am always grateful to the board of governors, chaired by Mrs
Siobhan McIntyre, for their unceasing support. They are brilliant.â
Whatâs it like to be responsible for all the staff after almost 20
years on the staff in St Josephâs Boys school.
âItâs exciting, itâs challenging, the hours are long â I start at
8.00am with the âBreakfast Clubâ where we provide up to 100 breakfasts
â and itâs often after 6.00pm when I get home.
âI have a personal assistant, Lisa Grant, who is amazing. She sets
everything up as we not only have the 620 pupils but also 42 teaching
staff and 45 non-teaching staff. All that needs structure.
âSure, I am the principal, but the day I think Iâm the smartest person
at the table I am in the wrong room.
âI am the principal, but this is a real team effort.
âIâll take counsel and advice from the people in the room. But I have
to say I love it, and I would like to think as principal I can make a
difference.â
Finally, at the weekend she says herself and husband, Robert, who does
everything!, have a busy weekend with their three sports mad boys -
Hugo (20), Bobby (18) and Ethan (14).
âI spend a lot of time standing at the side of football pitches
watching games. Itâs full-on but I enjoy it!â