Lorraine Cheadle, St Oliver Plunkett Nursery School

Subject or Primary school year: Nursery
Your place of birth: Belfast
Studied at: St Dominic’s Grammar, St Mary’s University College
First job: First teaching job was at St John The Baptist Girls
What it taught me: I was very lucky in my first teaching job to work under an amazing Principal and with a very experienced team of teachers who offered lots of encouragement and support to me as a newly qualified teacher.
Family/status: Married with 3 daughters
Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: Teaching is a very worthwhile career, every day is a learning day! Entering into a teaching career should be seen as a vocation, you will work very hard every single day but it is so rewarding when the children who have been entrusted to you make progress. Work life balance is very important so set yourself realistic goals, be organised and remember to have fun.

I was born and raised in the Lenadoon area of West Belfast and attended St Oliver Plunkett Girls Primary before moving to St Dominic’s Grammar in the mid 1980s. I always loved school and it was only natural once I completed my A Levels that I would pursue a career in teaching. I was very lucky to secure a teaching post as soon as I graduated from St. Mary’s and have been privileged to have worked in two primary schools in west belfast with staff who were very nurturing and supportive to me, helping me to develop and grow professionally and take on numerous leadership roles. I truly appreciate all of the opportunities ever afforded to me.
 I was appointed Principal of St Oliver Plunkett Nursery school in 2017 and am truly humbled to serve families of my own community. I enjoy coming to work each day, every day has a new challenge but I get great satisfaction knowing that I am supporting children and their families in my own area and hope that my passion and commitment is evident in everything that I do.