Brideswell's new principal: An interview with Orla Fogarty

Deciding on the right career to pursue can be a challenge for some people, but for Orla Fogarty there was never any room for doubt. She became a teacher because she simply couldn't imagine doing anything else.

"I was lucky enough to know that, even from primary school age," she says.

"I always geared myself towards it, by doing Honours Irish and all of the things you need to do. I won a scholarship to the Gaeltacht when I was in school, and anything related to teaching, like the Young Scientist competition, I would have been trying to do.

"And if you came to me today and said you can have any career you want, I’d still pick teaching," she smiles.

The Monksland resident is sitting in the staff room of Brideswell National School on a lovely, bright, autumnal morning. She recently joined the school as principal, succeeding Carmel Kelly who retired after seven years as principal, and 39 years in total at the school.

"Blessed" is how Orla felt upon being appointed to the role. "I feel absolutely blessed to be here. The teachers are just so hard-working and dedicated.

"I came in one weekend to do my own planning, and I found two teachers here, on a Sunday evening! Their dedication is unreal, and the standard of teaching and learning has really exceeded my expectations."

The school is, relatively speaking, just a stone's throw from where Orla grew up.

The Drum native was one of six children born to Tony and Kathleen McManus. A past pupil of Ardkeenan National School and St Joseph's Secondary School in Summerhill, she completed a degree in IT and Geography in NUI Galway, before going to England for her teacher training.

She went to college in Lancaster, not too far from Manchester, where one of her uncles was living. Orla was the only student from the Republic of Ireland on her course, and she never really took to life in England.

"I couldn't wait to get home, to be honest," she says. Nevertheless, she now sees how the English approach to primary education has influenced the new language curriculum and other recent initiatives in schools here. In more recent times, she completed a Masters in Educational Leadership through the University of Ulster.

The idea of becoming a principal had first been mentioned to her during her initial teaching job at a school in Portarlington in Offaly. Orla had lived in Tullamore for five years while working in Offaly, but as she was getting married and moving back to Athlone her then-principal, the late Rita Quinn, encouraged her to seek a principal's role.

"That was about twelve years ago and I didn't feel ready at the time, but since then, in doing my Masters, I realised that a good leader inspires another leader. She really was an excellent leader to try to bring out my leadership qualities, and I didn’t see that at the time."

In the subsequent years, Orla worked as a special education teacher and then as a home school liaison officer for clusters of schools in county Longford.

"That was a real eye-opener and really instilled confidence in me to lead meetings, chair meetings, and (work with) parents and local communities.

"It kind of opened my eyes to the reality of education – it’s not just the four walls of a classroom, it’s real life. I was in a disadvantaged school, so that kind of ignited a passion for child wellbeing and teacher wellbeing."

She and her husband Mike have two young children, Sean (4) and Amy (18 months), and she wouldn't have been able to take on her role in Bridewell without the support she receives from her family.

"It’s a huge commitment to be appointed a principal, and without them I wouldn’t be able to do it. But it makes it a lot easier when it's a fantastic school."

There are 58 pupils in Brideswell NS, including seven junior infants. The school has three mainstream class teachers, one full-time special education teacher and one shared special education teaching post.

Orla teaches the school's youngest pupils - the junior infants, senior infants, and first class.

"I do love teaching the infants and you can definitely see their progression. You’re teaching them how to read, how to write, and when you see progression it’s wonderful.

"And their innocence is just… my aunt said to me that I should write a book on the things that children say and I could retire early!"

The internet and modern technology has brought changes and challenges to many facets of life, including in schools. When asked about the issue, Orla says Brideswell NS aims to strike a balance which recognises the importance of technology while acknowledging its potential pitfalls.

Pupils are not allowed to bring their own phones into the school but are allowed to use the school's iPads and laptops.

"It’s a balancing act, because we’re big into STEM and promoting science, technology, engineering and maths.

"We have had a huge investment in IT from the Department and we are a 'digital school of excellence', which is something I inherited and the kids would be very much aware of it.

"It’s a real balancing act to bring them forward into the 21st century and yet keep them safe from cyber bullying and all of that kind of thing."

Extra curricular activities are encouraged at the school, with the pupils attending AIT for athletics and receiving coaching in sports such as basketball and gaelic games. The school's choir is also singled out for special mention.

"Our choir is absolutely amazing. They sing at local Mass and I had heard great things about them but when I went to hear them I actually had goosebumps!" says Orla. 

Outside of school, she enjoys keeping fit and socialising. "I'm part of the local 'mothers and others' gaelic football group, and I attend Toastmasters. I also love to travel and we still like to bring the children travelling as much as we can," she says.

Her ambition for the future of Brideswell NS is to maintain the high standards which have been set at the school.

"I’d like to maintain the current standard of teaching and learning," she concludes. "I think it’s so important that the children’s wellbeing is looked after and that they are cared for.

"Any initiative that comes on my desk, if it’s about teaching and learning, caring for them, and preparing them for life, I’ll take it on."