Marie Lindsay, the former principal of St Mary’s College
Marie Lindsay, the former principal of St Mary’s College, has won the award for Lifetime Achievement.
Marie retired from the Northland Road school earlier this year.
The judges said of her: “Marie Lindsey has devoted her 35 year career as an educator to inspiring generations of young women in the city of Derry and beyond.
“Her leadership of St Mary’s College has had a life changing impact on her pupils, their families and the wider community, and the school is recognised as one of the highest performing all ability secondary schools in Northern Ireland.
“This outstanding journey is underpinned by the innovative ways that Marie engaged pupils, parents, business and educational communities and empowered staff in driving continuous improvement, embracing the Shared Education Programme aimed at overcoming religious and cultural divisions in Northern Ireland.
“In the most challenging of circumstances Marie has built an enormous strong and resilient school community.”
Michael Allen, the principal of Lisneal College, has been received the award for Headteacher of the Year in a
Secondary School.
The judges said of him: “Michael Allen’s commitment, leadership and inspiration to all stakeholders has been nothing less than outstanding every day since.
“His powerful vision and strategic approach now means that Lisneal College is not just a name recognised locally but globally.
“Michael at all times puts the needs of his students first in everything that he does and is a wonderful role model for everyone within the entire school community with his work ethic, strong value system, accountability and professionalism.
“Michael’s outstanding leadership has resulted in a dramatic increase in school enrolment and he has taken the College’s provision to the next level.”
Other local winners include Aine Mellon, from St Patrick’s & St Brigid’s College, Claudy, who has won an award for Excellence in Special Needs Education and Ruth Riley, from Ballykelly Primary School, for Teaching Assistant of the Year.
The winners have now been shortlisted to win a Gold Award in their category, in a programme which will be broadcast on the BBC later this year.
In Mayor this year the then Mayor Brian Tierney made a presentation to Marie Lindsay, former Principal, St. Mary’s College, Derry, on the occasion of her retirement and recognition of her contribution and commitment to education. Included is Marie’s husband Collie.
The Silver Award winners are being honoured as part of the wider celebrations for ‘Thank a Teacher Day’, a national campaign to honour and recognise school staff for their incredible work.
Michael Allen, principal of Lisneal College in the Waterside
“Today we say thank you to the teachers who have helped our young people navigate these most difficult of times, and who will continue to inspire countless young minds over the coming years.”
Sharon Hague, Senior Vice President of Schools at Pearson UK, said: “After a year like no other we want to take today to say thank you to all the incredible school staff who have kept children and young people learning despite unprecedented challenges.
“We hope the celebrations today show how much you are appreciated, and that your hard work has not gone unnoticed nor unrecognised.”
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