Senior Classes Interview School Principal

* Noel Friel, Principal *

Q. Did you like school when you were young?

A. I did and I have many happy memories of my schooldays.

Q. Do you remember former students?

A. Yes, I think teachers generally remember their former pupils.

Q. How old is this school?

A. This school is about 50 years old but it was modernised and extended 10 years ago.

Q. What was it like when you were going to school?

A. The school did not have electricity, children went to school in their bare feet in summer and they carried turf to school to make a fire.

Q. What is the biggest change you have seen in education since you started teaching?

A. In my opinion it has to be the introduction of technology. Computers and ICT have brought the world to the classroom and the classroom to the world. The next significant change will be the introduction of the Primary School Curriculum (1999)

Q. Do you like being teacher and principal?

A. Yes. Teaching is a very demanding but rewarding profession but being principal adds immensely to the work load.

Q. How long have you been principal and did you ever teach in another school?

A. I have been principal of this school for 25 years and I taught in other schools before that.

Q. What changes have you seen in this school?

A. There have been many improvements over the years -the school extension, new ballcourt, computers, photocopiers etc.

Q. What subject do you like teaching best?

A. I suppose I am lucky in that I like all subjects and I do not have a particular favourite.

Q. Do you like working with children?

A. I like working with children and each day is a new and different challenge.

Q. Are you glad that this is a bully-free school?

A. Yes, I am, because a bully-free school is a happier place for everybody but we all must work hard to keep it that way. A bully-free school does not happen by accident.

Q. What is your favourite sport and what soccer team do you follow?

A. I like hurling and snooker and my favourite team is Man. Utd.

Q. What kind of music do you like?

A. I like all kinds of music but I prefer country, cajun and gospel music.

Q. Who are your favourite pop group?

A. Long-term it is Abba and presently it is the Spicegirls and REM

Q. What is your own favourite motto?

A. Never leave to tomorrow what you can do today.