'Success for All' is the mission for the new principal of St. Thérèse’s Lenamore

The butterflies in her stomach quelled as soon as the bell rang for the start of her first day, and she got on with the task at hand. 

Nerves are normal on someone's first day.

And this was no different for the new principal of St. Thérèse's Lenamore, Miss Catherine McCaul, on September 1. 

However, as soon as she welcomed her staff back from a summer break and saw the smiles on the children as she greeted them ahead of a fresh school year, the butterflies disappeared. 

Miss McCaul has been loving every moment since. 

She said: “Seeing and hearing the children back in the school is brilliant.

“When you walk into St.Thérèse's you immediately know and feel what it is all about, and that goes for anyone.

“You are always welcomed with a warm hello in the corridor, be that from staff or child; it is a really special place.

“We care and nurture all those that come through our doors, as we want to bring them on in every aspect.

“It has been great so far, and I’m still smiling.

“And I had a great role model, to be fair; our previous principal, Karen Boyd, retired. She had a reception with the Mayor of Derry last week.”

Miss McCaul has been part of the St.Thérèse's community for the past 10 years, joining the school as a primary seven teacher before becoming vice principal in April 2022, working as SENCO lead for the school for the past eight years. 

She believes this role has managed to allow her the chance to form incredible relationships with the families in the school and the wider Galliagh community. 

And the newly appointed principal loves the community that she has been adopted by over the years. 

She said: “I’m only 39, so I am in a very fortunate position to have been in this school as long as I have. 

“I would have had no interest if the same position had been offered to me in a different school, because St. Thérèse's is the place where I should be. I know that deep in my heart.

“The people from Galliagh and the surrounding areas are fantastic people, and their support makes this school what it is: unique. 

“The support from the community is unrelenting to ensure the children of this school receive the best education, and they trust us to do that to the highest standards.”

While the school is like every other school across the city as they look to provide the children the opportunity in terms of academia, St. Thérèse’s wants to celebrate the unique qualities and attributes of every child. 

The school located in Galliagh has excelled in sports and arts, as they proudly believe in their school ethos.

Miss McCaul said: “We have awards handed out every month for literacy, numeracy, and art, to name a few. 

“But academia isn’t every child's strong point, and we want to celebrate the strengths of each of our students.

“It is not just about who gets the top marks; it is ‘success for all', no matter what your strength is, we will find it, extract it from you, and nurture it so you can reach your full potential.

“One of our past pupils, Trent Doherty, plays for Liverpool. He was a great pupil and a lovely person, most importantly. 

“We have had many successful past pupils; he is just one example. And he has thrived in sport, and we want everyone to succeed.”

Miss McCaul admits that there can be difficulties faced by all schools within the UK, including budget constraints. 

However, she knows her staff and the community work hard to provide the best for the pupils of St. Thérèse’s. 

She said: “The role has got harder, especially with cuts to funding and within budgets of the schools.

“But I want to help children achieve their full potential, and for some that means extra assistance through an additional adult or resources to do that.

“Within our ethos at our school, it is to look after one another and to do your best to achieve. 

“When you hear their laughter around the school, their work on display, and as they sit as proud as punch wearing the St. Thérèse’s uniform, you feel fulfilment in the job you have done.”

A new principal means a fresh start for any school, but Miss McCaul is looking to carry on the values and ethos that have fostered the warm and welcoming community within St. Thérèse’s.