Cross and Passion welcomes new principal

Posted on the school’s Facebook site, Mr Paul McClean, who will take over in September, said: “Growing up in Lurgan as the son of two teachers (one of whom was a Principal), it may seem inevitable that I would follow a path into education. That said, all of my four siblings have pursued different career paths. I gained a degree in Queen’s University, Belfast, a Post-Graduate Diploma in the University of Ulster and subsequently trained as a teacher in Liverpool Hope University College. It was on this course that I met my wife who convinced me that North Antrim was a beautiful place to live and thankfully she was right.

“I began my teaching career in England, spending time teaching Mathematics in St Francis Xavier’s College in Liverpool. Since returning to Northern Ireland, I have taught and been Head of Mathematics, in a number of schools in both the Integrated and Catholic sectors. From 2009-2010, I worked as a Curriculum Support Officer with the NELB. For the last six years, I have been a Senior Leader in St Dominic’s Grammar School for Girls, a school where the pupils have achieved high levels of success and was recently awarded ‘Sunday Times School of the Year’.

“It is with great enthusiasm that I look forward to leading Cross and Passion College over the coming years and to meeting the pupils, parents, staff and wider community who have been so welcoming in their words and support since my appointment.”