New principal looking forward to the ‘challenge’ at Oakwood IPS

THE new principal of Oakwood Integrated Primary School has said she is “looking forward to the challenge”, following her appointment last month.

Mrs Claire Howe, who was Oakwood’s acting principal since February 2010, was appointed as the new principal in March following a rigorous interview process, before she officially took up the post in April.

Her appointment comes following the retirement of founding principal, Olwin Frost, in December 2010.

Mrs Howe said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed principal of this outstanding school. I have the support of a fabulous set of pupils, parents, staff and governors who make up the Oakwood team. I feel that ‘Our Vision’ of ‘working, learning and playing together for a better tomorrow’ is fundamental to all that we do at Oakwood.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of taking the existing outstanding practice to a new level in the years ahead for the benefit of each and every one of our children,” she added.

Mrs Howe studied English at Stranmillis College from 1989-1993. She completed her third year teaching practice at Eden Primary School, Carrickfergus and went on to be appointed Primary 5 teacher there following her graduation in 1993.

At Eden Mrs Howe was heavily involved in cross-community work with their five partner schools.

She also gave presentations on behalf of the North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) and The Heartstone Project regarding the school’s good practice and her coordinator role in Education for Mutual Understanding.

She completed her Masters in Education in 1998, with her dissertation being based on her work with The Heartstone Project.

Mrs Howe was delighted to be appointed Vice Principal of Oakwood Integrated Primary School in 2001. She was one of the first one hundred candidates to complete her Professional Qualification for Headship (NI) in 2002.

Related topics: