Ciara Gribbon

St Bernadette's Nursery School  

www.stbernadettesnurserysch.co.uk

Subject or Primary School Year: Nursery

Place of Birth: Craigavon

Where you studied: Queen's University Belfast and Liverpool Hope

What was your first job? Retail

What did your first job teach you? The importance of hard work, teamwork and helping others. 

Family/Status: Three children aged 3, 8 and 12. Married to Stephen Gribbon.

Best advice you would give to someone thinking of a teaching career:  It is the most rewarding and fun career. When you see the progress the children make each day and knowing that you helped them achieve their goals is such a privilege. Every day is different and I am grateful to work with nursery children as they are filled with such joy, curiosity and happiness, it is such a special age. I think it's important to be kind at all times, you never know what a child is going through at home and how important it is to provide a safe and happy environment. 

Ciara has worked within the nursery sector for 18 years, with seven as a nursery principal in St Bernadette's Nursery School and 11 as a nursery teacher. She says she is grateful to work in St Bernadette's Nursery School as it is such a kind and nurturing school, where the staff are so dedicated and love the children as their own. The school was extremely successful in its recent inspection in October because staff work so well as a team and have a great bond. The staff are a family and all equally passionate about providing the best experience for all children, while helping them to be the best they can be.

St Bernadette's is a forest school and believes strongly in outdoor education which has helped the children to thrive.

Ciara loves Gaelic football and supports Armagh and tries to get to every game. She is a member of her local Gaelic club and her children all play for them so she tries to volunteer as much as possible. She also loves to read and enjoys attending her local book club.

Ciara's three children and her cockapoo keep her active and she loves to spend as much time as possible outdoors.