Eileen is just extraordinary

By Tammy Lynn

CAMBRIDGE House head-teacher, Eileen Lisk, is in the running for the title of Extraordinary Woman of the Year!

Mrs. Lisk, who is also President of Ballymena Professional Women’s Club was nominated by fellow member, Marlene Adams, who praised her incredible work ethic and drive.

Marlene said: “Eileen was born and bred in Belfast, and educated in a non-selective secondary school, she worked hard to gain 11 ‘O’ Levels and 2 ‘A’ Levels as well as taking further examinations in Music Theory and Violin.

“During this time, she took part in a range of clubs and activities available to her such as School Choir, Orchestra, Badminton, Swimming, Public Speaking, Orienteering, Drama, 1st XI Hockey team and after so much effort, eventually became Head Girl.

“She attended Queens University to study English, French and Economic History before going on to gain her teaching qualifications with Commendation. She then spent 17 years in NI first Community School as an English, Media and Drama teacher while at the same time working in Further Education as well as undertaking 5 Examinership roles. She undertook the roles of Year Head and School Counsellor whilst working for one year as a Primary School Drama Officer.

“After taking up a new position as Head of English, Media and Drama, she then became Vice Principal for Curriculum, Girls welfare and Staff Development. Eileen also gained a Post Graduate Diploma in Education and Masters Degree through part-time study before becoming Head Teacher at one of the largest co-educational post primary schools in NI and has within six years managed to develop it into one of the most oversubscribed schools in NI with a total restructure and a pastoral care system which has since been used as a model of excellence.

“She has gained Investors in People in 2005 and 2009 while developing a visionary Building Leadership Capacity programme for both staff and students. Her most recent venture is completing a Doctorate in Education. Eileen’s incredible work ethic and drive is inspirational to both her staff and students.”

Eileen herself said that she was “delighted to have been nominated for the award and to discover that she was one of the final three nominees in the United Kingdom.”

She also said that she would be attending the awards in Nottingham and that she was extremely pleased to have been given this opportunity to represent Cambridge House Grammar School at such a prestigious event.

If Eileen wins her category, she could then scoop the coveted Extraordinary Woman of the Year Award 2010, given to the most outstanding woman from all five categories.

Extraordinary Women of the Year organiser Vicki Espin said: “We have again been amazed at the outstanding level of nominations this year. All of these women are extraordinary talented in their own rights and have all achieved in so many different ways. It’s going to be a tough decision for the judges.”

Extraordinary Women is a non-profit organisation, so, after covering costs, all funds raised at the event will go to the NSPCC, their chosen charity for 2010.

The Extraordinary Women conference and awards ceremony is to be held at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham on Tuesday 18th May, 2010.

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