Deborah O'Rawe

All Saints College

School website: https://www.allsaintscollege.co.uk/
Subject or primary school year: Head of Science.
Your place of birth: Belfast.
Studied at: Queen's University Belfast.
First job: Floor staff at the Bot.
What it taught me: The importance of a smile and good communication.
Family/status: Engaged – getting married to Rory in June.
Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: Be the best you can because every day is different. Be kind and supportive to all pupils and colleagues and have high expectations. Our young people are the future, and it is important to support them individually to achieve their best.

From a young age, I always wanted to be part of the teaching profession. I went to St Louise’s Comprehensive College and I did work experience at some local primary schools, and from this I knew teaching was for me. I have an enthusiasm for Science, especially Physics, so my route was influenced by this. After graduating with a degree in Physics, I went on to gain my PGCE in Science, both from QUB, and I went into teaching in 2005. My first teaching post was a temporary role at Little Flower Girls' School and in 2006 I secured a permanent position at Corpus Christi College (which amalgamated to form All Saints College in 2019) where I have been happily working ever since.

I currently have responsibility of Head of Science and have previously been an Exams Officer. Our school is an amazing place to work; from my first day being introduced to all the staff I knew this was where I wanted to spend my teaching career. We are a family, and we work together to ensure our wide and diverse range of students achieve their best. Our students inspire me daily to be the best possible teacher and person that I can be. Outside of school, I love spending time with my fiancé, two future stepsons, the two dogs, Bailey and Ruadh, and our families. I enjoy spending time cooking, trialling new recipes and getting very honest opinions back.