Mel Thornton – School Principal: I grew up in Galway and moved to Dublin to study at Caryfsort College. While studying there I met lecturer Áine Hyland, one of the original parents who set up the first Educate Together school in Ireland. This school was opened in Dalkey in the late 70′s.

I started my teaching career in St. Anne’s National School in Shankill, Co. Dublin. I gained invaluable experience working in such a vibrant school community and have fond memories of my years there.

I went on to do a post-graduate Diploma in Educational Administration at U.C.D. where I was again to study under Áine Hyland. Her work with Educate Together and her enthusiasm was inspiring and when I moved to Cork I was fortunate to find a teaching position in Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn , the only Educate Together Gaelscoil in the country.

While working there I became a director of Educate Together and I studied for my Master’s Degree in Education at U.C.C. My professor on this course was again Áine Hyland.

I spent eleven very happy years in Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn. It has a lively, enthusiastic school community; teachers and staff, parents, Board, Parent Association and of course, the fantastic children. I am proud to be associated with the school and I hope to maintain a close link with them into the future.

I was faced with a very difficult decision when the position of principal teacher of Carrigaline Educate Together National School was advertised in May 2008.Although I was very sad to leave the Gaelscoil, I was delighted to have been given the opportunity to be part of the development and growth of multi-denominational education in Cork. It is never easy to be involved in a new school. It is certainly a challenge; especially in the current economic climate. I am fortunate to have a hard-working Deputy Principal, a very supportive and professional Board of Management and a dedicated and committed Parent’s Association.

Christine Donnery – Learning Support/ Resource Teacher: I was born and reared in the Cork City suburb of Ballinlough. Having attended Our Lady of Lourdes N.S. and Christ King G.S.S., I moved to Limerick to attend Mary Immaculate College where I completed the Bachelor of Education course in 2005.

Having qualified, I began working in Scoil Mhuire, Ballyhooly, Co. Cork. I spent three happy years in the North Cork village where I was fortunate enough to work as part of a fantastic team of staff, parents and community. Due to the relatively small size of the school, I gained a range of experiences of school life including holding a post of responsibility and working as a member of the Board of Management.

From my experience of working within this vibrant community, having known people involved in Educate Together in Cork and recalling the ET Director, Paul Rowe, speaking when I was in college, I was very excited when I saw the position advertised for Carrigaline Educate Together N.S. I was absolutely delighted when my application proved successful and I enjoyed spending summer 2008 working with the start-up group in preparation for the school’s opening. I consider myself very lucky to work under the tutorage of Mel Thornton, whose experience within Educate Together is both varied and inspiring.

I spent many a day in Carrigaline during my childhood and adolescent years as my grandmother and aunts lived there having moved from the nearby village of Riverstick. For me, Carrigaline has always been like a second home and I hope to spend many happy years working as member of the CETNS team and giving to a community I value and treasure.

Grace Twomey  – Resource Teacher: I spent a very happy childhood growing up as part of the community of Carrigaline where I attended the local primary school. A few years ago, I moved to Douglas where I attended Our Lady of Lourdes N.S. and Christ King S.S. After completing my Leaving Certificate, I attended U.C.C. to pursue my love of languages, where I obtained a joint honours degree in Spanish and Irish. After that, I packed my bags and moved to Limerick to study in Mary Immaculate and completed my post graduate studies in education in 2007.

Since graduating, I have worked in Saint Patrick’s G.N.S and Beaumont B.N.S. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in both schools where I gained valuable experience, as well as establishing friendships with staff, students and parents alike. I developed an interest in the Educate Together ethos and I was extremely enthusiastic when I saw a position advertised for Carrigaline Educate Together and I was delighted when I was successful in obtaining the position of Learning Support/Resource teacher in the school.

Carrigaline has grown significantly since I spent my childhood here, but the friendly community spirit has remained and it is a pleasure to be back here again, working as part of the Educate Together team.

Deirdre O’ Hagan  – Mainstream Class Teacher: Hi everyone, I’m Deirdre. I attended Gaelscoil an Teaghlaigh Naofa  primary school. It was there that my love for the Irish language was born. I continued my education at Coláiste Dáibhéid, a Gaelcholáiste based at South Terrace, Cork City Centre. September 2002 found me packing my bags and heading for Limerick  to enjoy three years at Mary Immaculate College.

I qualified in 2005 and acquired a permanent job almost immediately in a suburb of Dublin’s fair city, Gaelscoil Bhrian Bóroimhe, Swords. There was an Educate Together school on the same grounds as us. Seeing that school celebrating festivals and teaching the children about various religions I gained a great respect for their ethos. Having enjoyed learning about different religious beliefs in Mary Immaculate while doing my diploma in religion, this neighbouring school in Dublin ignited my interest in Educate Together schools. Despite enjoying the experience in Swords, my home county was calling me and I decided to return to Cork.

Having an interest in both Gaelscolaíocht and educating together, I saw a job advertised for Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn, and decided that school would be ideal for me. I enjoyed three years there. When I was put on the panel (due to cut backs) and received the offer of a position at Carrigaline Educate Together N.S. I jumped at the opportunity. It was a bittersweet occasion leaving Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn. I was sad to be leaving the place that was my teaching home for three years but i was excited about the new adventures that lay ahead.

Here I am now and I have to say that my transition to CETNS has been a smooth and easy one. I look forward to being part of the growth and development of CETNS and I am excited about what the future holds for the school.  As the old Irish saying goes ‘Tús maith leath na hoibre’ and it looks like CETNS is off to flying start!

Siobhán Cronin - Resource Teacher: Hi, my name is Siobhán. I was born and reared in the Cork suburb of Ballinora. I attended Ballinora National School and then Ballincollig Community School. After my Leaving Cert I couldn’t decide whether to follow my interest in teaching or computers, but in the end I went to U.C.C. where I obtained an honours degree in Business Information Systems. Once qualified, I decided to travel for a few years, and I worked for I.T. companies in Boston and London.

However, it was while living in London that my desire to teach was reignited. I became involved with a charity that taught I.T. to children and this work inspired me to complete my postgraduate in primary education. I worked in a number of multi-denominational schools in London where I enjoyed learning about many different cultures and religions.

Upon returning to Ireland in 2008 I admired the multi-denominational, child-centred and democratic ethos of Educate Together schools and I spent two happy years in Griffeen Valley Educate Together School in Dublin. However, last year I decided it was time for me to move home to Cork, and I was delighted to be offered a teaching position in Carrigaline Educate Together. Everyone in the school community has been so welcoming and it is great to be part of a fantastic team of staff, parents and children.

Patrice Arrigan – Language Support Teacher: I grew up in Limerick and attended St Pauls N.S. and ArdScoil Mhuire Secondary School. After my Leaving Cert, I went to U.C.D where I obtained an honours degree in physiotherapy. While working in The National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dublin, I decided to pursue my love of teaching and went back to U.C.D where I worked as a tutor and lecturer and completed my Masters in Physiotherapy.

After this I travelled and worked abroad in many different countries including Africa, South East Asia, South America and Australia giving me exposure to and an understanding of cultural diversity. On returning to Ireland, I moved to Cork and started working in Cork University Hospital where I spent many happy years. My love for teaching was ignited again during this time and I decided to pursue it by attending Hibernia College. I have enjoyed many happy times teaching in different schools including Scoil Chríost Rí buachaillí and Scoil Mhuire Fatima in Cork. I was very excited when I saw the position advertised for Carrigaline Educate Together N.S. and I was thrilled when was successful in obtaining a job there.

Sinéad Purcell - Mainstream Class Teacher: I spent many happy years myself in my primary school -  Christ King Girls Primary School and continued a very happy education in Christ King Girls Secondary School. During the lead up to the Leaving Certificate I was finding it difficult to decide what route to follow – teaching or business. In the end I decided to attend UCC and obtained an honours degree in Business Information Systems. Following this, I was fortunate to spend a year working in IT in a Boston firm. However, it was while I was sitting in that cube that my mind began to wander back to teaching. I decided I could no longer deny my true calling! I packed my bags, returned to Ireland to complete a postgraduate course with Hibernia College, and have never looked back!

 Caroline O’Connor - Mainstream Class Teacher: Hi everyone, I was born and raised in Cork and attended Christ King Secondary School. I have always wanted to be a teacher but my path was not to be directly into teaching. I initially worked in the secretarial field and later studied  Auctioneering and Estate agency practice in C.I.T., however, my longing to be a teacher never left me and I embarked on a series of courses in Child Care with NCVA (now FETAC) to gain some precious experience to this end. Subsequently, I went on to study in U.C.C. and obtained a Joint Honours Degree in Geography and Gaeilge. From there I proceeded on to Hibernia College to achieve my goal, with a Higher Diploma in Primary Education and I must say I haven’t looked back since. 

 Hilary Manley- Mainstream Class Teacher: I’m from Carrigaline and went to the local National School, and Christ the King Girls’ Secondary  School in Turner’s Cross. After my Leaving Cert. I studied for a joint Honours degree in English, Sociology and Political Science at N.U.I. Galway.  When I finished my degree, I trained as an E.S.L teacher and also spent a year working and travelling in Australia.