Meet our Principal & Deputy Principal
Pádraig Conaty
Our Principal
Pádraig is the first principal of Harold’s Cross Educate Together Secondary School. His vision is of a school which provides outstanding teaching in a learner-centred and equality-based environment; a school where students can engage with a broad curriculum as well as a wide range of sporting and cultural extra- curricular activities in an atmosphere where kindness, effort and creativity are recognised and celebrated.
Pádraig comes to us from North Wicklow ETSS where he was deputy principal since the school opened in 2016. Working alongside the principal, Pádraig oversaw the school’s growth from a student body of 34 to a diverse community of nearly 400 students, teachers and other staff in just four years.
Prior to this, Pádraig worked as Head of Third Year in St. Andrew’s College, Blackrock, Co. Dublin where he taught English and also coordinated School Self-Evaluation, Green Schools Committee and the College’s Anti-Bullying Ambassadors Programme.
Pádraig graduated with a BA in English and Economics in University College Dublin (UCD) in 2003. This was followed by a Masters of American Studies also in UCD. In 2006, Pádraig completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education in NUI Galway. He was awarded a Masters in Education in UCD and also studied in the Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
Pádraig is passionate about innovation and creativity in education and has completed a postgraduate diploma in innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship in the Innovation Academy in UCD. More recently, Pádraig completed a coaching diploma accredited by the European Coaching and Mentoring Council.
Pádraig has also worked as a Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) English Associate supporting the provision of continuous professional development support for teachers of English and has supported the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) with their Junior Cycle English Quality Assurance process.
Pádraig is currently the Educate Together representative on the executive of the Principal and Deputy Principal Executive (PDA) and continues to engage with professional development and learning opportunities through Educate Together, the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), the Centre for School Leadership (CSL) & the Joint Managerial Body.
Mick Heffernan
Our Deputy Principal
Michael is the first deputy principal of Harold’s Cross ETSS. He joined the school from North Wicklow ETSS where he spent four years as an assistant principal and teacher of History and Business Studies.
During this time, Michael led two successful School Self-Evaluation processes, coordinated a number of year groups and led staff teams to improvements in areas such as differentiation and literacy. Interested in growth strategy, Michael recently worked with Dublin City University and a number of Educate Together secondary schools in developing and embedding aspects of school ethos.
Prior to this, Michael spent eight years working at two schools in London where he was the head of the History department and developed a level two inclusion programme creating a pathway for a number of students from GCSE to A-level.
A law graduate with a passion for lifelong learning, Michael also has a Masters in World History from Birkbeck College-University of London and a postgraduate Diploma in Education from University College Cork. More recently, Michael has trained as a facilitator in the Parents Plus Programme.
Meet our Teachers
Lorraine Galvin
Lorraine is the First Year Coordinator, teacher of Maths, Science and Home Economics.
A graduate of NUI, Galway and UCD, Lorraine has a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry and a Higher Diploma in Education. She has 20 years' experience teaching Science, Biology, Physics, Maths and SPHE. She previously taught in St. Louis High School, Rathmines. Lorraine describes herself as a lifelong learner and has completed the practitioner diploma in coaching and the Berry Street Education Model Course. She has also recently trained in restorative practice, developing the role of the year team and encouraging student voice in schools.
As First Year coordinator, she works closely with the class tutors to support the academic, social and emotional development of every student in the year group and generates a positive year group spirit that celebrates the school ethos.
Lorraine is a passionate follower of Clare GAA and loves reading and walking.
Ciara Mealy
Ciara is the Business and CSPE teacher. Prior to training in education, she worked in the Not for Profit industry for 11 years in marketing, fundraising and campaign management. She is passionate about bringing her subjects out of a textbook and into the real world using practical examples from her own career and the wider world.
Amy Kerins
Amy teaches Science, Maths and Home Economics at our school. Amy graduated from NUIG with a both a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology and Microbiology and a Professional Masters of Education. Amy is passionate and enthusiastic to ensure her lessons are student orientated through active learning, ensuring each student feels encouraged to achieve their full potential. She has a keen interest in exploring science beyond the classroom. She recently took part in the STEM teacher internship programme with DCU, seeking to further enhance her continuous professional development as well as develop innovative and creative lessons for her students.
Deirdre McGauran
Deirdre is teaching PE and SPHE and is a class tutor. She graduated from DCU with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with Biology. Deirdre is interested in all things health and fitness. She particularly enjoys swimming, both in the pool and the open water. Deirdre aims to provide her students with the tools and enthusiasm for lifelong participation in physical activity. Deirdre is involved with extra-curricular sports in our school and encourages student engagement both inside and outside of the classroom.
Claudia Murtagh
Claudia graduated from Maynooth University with a BA in Geography and Sociology, followed by Professional Master of Education in Geography and CSPE, which she completed in DCU. Claudia love to incorporate active learning in the classroom and has a great interest in Global Citizenship.
Leonna Condron
Leonna currently holds an Honours Bachelor of Music Degree from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, and has recently graduated from the University of Limerick with a Professional Masters of Education in Music. She is now undergoing the Associate Diploma of Musical Theatre with the Victoria College of Music and Drama, London. Leonna has studied a wide range of genres including Theatre, Classical performance, Popular singing, Gregorian Chant and Jazz. Her studies in vocal performance have awarded her with Distinctions and Honours from the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin. Leonna has completed several courses in SPHE, Mindfulness, Wellness and Working with Autism and Additional Needs.
Daniel Clark
Daniel is one of our teachers of English and CSPE. Both his undergraduate degree in English Literature and Professional Master of Education postgraduate were awarded by University College Dublin. As a teacher, Daniel is enthusiastic about keeping lessons student centred and encouraging students to participate in class. His recent teaching experience includes time with Loreto College Crumlin.
Gráinne McInerney
Gráinne teaches Visual Art and Ethical Education. She holds a BA in Visual Communications from DIT and a Professional Master of Education from the National College of Art and Design. She has taught overseas where her passion for teaching and equality in education was realized. Gráinne approaches education as a lived curriculum, looking to expand her students' ways of knowing beyond the classroom. She has carried out research on how the art and design curriculum can be used to disrupt traditional narratives with inclusivity underpinning her pedagogy. In 2021, she was jointly awarded the NUI Scholarship and Prize in Education and the ASTI prize for outstanding student performance in initial teacher education.
Gerard Vickery
Gerard has over ten years of experience in teaching Mathematics and a track record of encouraging and supporting students. He has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Mathematical Science, a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Medical Mechanical Engineering and a Professional Diploma in Education. He has taught students at all levels and age groups at 2nd level as well as mathematics to third level students studying engineering.
Niamh Denham
Niamh is our Autism Lead in The Grove Special Class
Niamh began her career as an Art teacher with a BA Hons in Fashion and Design and a Post Grad in Art & Design Education. Discovering her passion for Special Education, she went on to complete a Post Graduate degree in Special Educational Needs; a Post Graduate degree in Special Educational Needs for Autism Spectrum Disorder in St. Angela’s Sligo and a Post Graduate degree in Montessori from St. Nicholas Montessori College in Dun Laoghaire. Since then she had gathered a wealth of experience in Special Education working in a variety of settings including teaching students with EBD and as Autism coordinator establishing a special class in a developing secondary school.
Niamh is extremely passionate about inclusion and holistic child centred education and continues to upskill to ensure she is informed of best practice in teaching and learning for students with educational needs.
Laura Power
Laura teaches Spanish, History and SPHE and is also a second-year class tutor. She has a BA in International Relations from Dublin City University and graduated as a teacher from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Having spent the last three years teaching Spanish in Christchurch, Laura is excited to be back home and to share her passion for teaching language and culture to her students. Prior to becoming a teacher, Laura worked as a Programme Director working on humanitarian and educational projects in the Philippines, El Salvador, and Ethiopia. Laura is extremely passionate about bringing her experience, and authentic learning to the classsroom.
Emily O’Dwyer
Emily is an English teacher here at HCETSS. She graduated from Maynooth University with both a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Music and a Professional Masters of Education. In her classroom, inspiring a love of literature is her desire. Emily believes in equity in education and encourages students to produce their work in creative and individual ways. She has a love of the performing arts and music, both classical and Irish traditional. As a result of this her lessons are student centered and often theatrical where students can flourish and express themselves in a safe space.
Caoimhe McHugh
Caoimhe teaches Spanish, Business and Accounting. Prior to becoming a teaching professional, Caoimhe worked in the financial services industry. Caoimhe graduated from the University of Galway with a Bachelor of Commerce International with Spanish and a Professional Master of Education. During her studies, she had the opportunity to study in Spain at the University of Valencia. Caoimhe is passionate about instilling the principles of Global Citizenship Education into her teaching methodology, aiming to make it an engaging part of the everyday classroom experience.
Niamh Hogan
Niamh graduated from UCD with a Bachelor of Commerce, followed by a postgraduate qualification in Mathematics and a Professional Masters of Education. Niamh teaches maths, coding and applied technology. In the classroom she is passionate about making learning engaging for students through active participation and integrating technology in the learning process.
Aideen Kinsella
Aideen is an Irish teacher and 3rd Year class tutor. She has recently graduated from the Professional Master of Education programme in UCD and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree studying Irish and English in NUI Maynooth. She has taught English as a Foreign Language overseas and enjoys travelling, yoga and meditation. She uses both yoga and meditation in restorative circles within the classroom. She would like to continue her studies in a couple of years to become a Guidance Counsellor.
Shane Hynes
Shane teaches History, Geography and Classics at our school. He graduated with a BA Joint Honours from Maynooth University, following this he attained his Professional Masters of Education from Hibernia College. He has 3 years of teaching experience in variety school settings. He is enthusiastic about the use of active teaching methodologies within the classroom to promote student engagement and critical thinking.
Ryan McGill
Ryan is a teacher of History, Classical Studies, and CSPE at HCETSS. Both his Bachelor of Arts, Joint Major in English and History (Hons.), and recently a Professional Master of Education (Hons.), were awarded by University College Dublin. He is passionate about making students see the personal and professional opportunities that are presented to them in life with an enriching study of history. Ryan loves history, literature, languages, music and much more. He promotes the idea of learning for fun in my classroom.
Niamh Small
Niamh has come late to the teaching profession having previously worked in St. James’s hospital as a Pharmaceutical Technician in the aseptic compounding unit. She graduated as a mature student from Dublin City University in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in physical education with Biology. She will be teaching both Science and P.E in HCETSS. Outside the classroom Niamh has a huge interest in sport such as field hockey and soccer and also a keen interest in coaching.
Laoise Slattery
Laoise is a student of the Professional Masters of Education at Hibernia College, where she is studying to be an English teacher. Previously, she completed an M. Phil. in Creative Writing at Trinity College Dublin. She believes that creative writing is a hugely important part of the English curriculum and education in general, and volunteers for Fighting Words, helping out their primary and post-primary workshops and songwriting summer camp.
Suzanne Byrne
Suzanne, a graduate of UCD, has a BA and H Dip Ed in History and Greek and Roman Civilisation. Having spent 16 years in Corporate Finance Suzanne has spent the last 12 years upskilling in education she has a strong personal and professional interest in additional education needs, in particular, ASD.
Suzanne has taught JTEFL and has ACELS accreditation. She holds a QQI Level 6 in Early Childhood Education and a QQI Level 5 &6 Certificate in Inclusive Education, a National SNA Training Programme. She has also completed Lamh Module One training.
Last year Suzanne completed Year One of the BASM programme in Child and Developmental Psychology, at DCU and is currently studying for the Professional Diploma in Inclusive and Special Education, also DCU.
Having worked in all educational settings, Early years, primary school, and post-primary settings Suzanne takes a holistic view of the education process. As an advocate for Additional educational needs, she believes in guiding and facilitating positive holistic learning experiences for all students especially students with additional educational needs.
Conor Halton
Conor teaches Maths, Geography, Coding, and Graphics in HCETSS. Conor completed his Bachelor's degree in St. Patrick’s College after which he worked as a data analyst before returning to education and completing his Professional Master of Education in Hibernia College. Conor has a passion for teaching and tries to instill that passion in his students in the classroom with the use of engaging lessons and active learning.
Amie Hughes
Amie currently holds a Bachelor Degree in International Languages from Dublin City University and a Professional Masters in Education from Trinity College Dublin. Amie also had the opportunity of studying abroad at Bremen University, Germany. Amie is a passionate Irish teacher who aims to promote the language in a modern and fun way. Amie completed her primary and secondary education through Irish and frequently speaks Irish with her family and friends. Amie has completed training in Restorative Practice and believes in a holistic, child centred approach to both teaching and learning. Amie promotes inclusion, equity and respectful communication in her classroom.
Rhianna Costello
Rhianna is a teacher of English, CSPE and SPHE. Rhianna previously graduated with a BA in English and Sociology from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick and is now undertaking her Professional Master of Education in University College Dublin. Rhianna is passionate about teaching and strives to improve her student’s knowledge of their subjects in each and every class. Rhianna is excited to be teaching in Harold’s Cross Educate Together Secondary School and is determined to deliver quality education to all students through creativity and inclusion. Rhianna creates an enthusiastic classroom and enjoys interacting with the students to ensure that it is a positive space for the students to learn.
Jenny Tynan
Jenny is a teacher of English, History, Learning and EAL support. Jenny has taught in a variety of different schools and settings which provided great insight into meeting the needs of all students in the classroom and beyond.
Jenny chose to move to the diverse school community in Harold's Cross ETSS due to the ethos of inclusion and equality, where there is a clear emphasis on kindness and respect for all.
Jenny believes there is no one size fits all education or system, and the focus of her lessons are on students creating meaningful connections with learning.
In her spare time, Jenny loves travelling, reading, playing music and spending time with her family
Meet Our SNA’s
Danielle Scanlon
Danielle holds an BSc (Hons) in Applied Psychology, Diploma in Counselling skills and a FETAC (Level 5) Special Needs qualification. She has over 25 years' experience supporting children and adults with additional needs access education, healthcare, and employment. She has trained as a Mindfulness facilitator with Sister Stan in The Sanctuary, Stanhope Street, Dublin 7. She has a personal practice of Mindfulness and facilitates adults and children in Mindfulness training and practices. Danielle is an advocate of a world where everyone is included and provided with adequate supports to access education, healthcare and employment.
Miriam Quinn
Miriam has over 20 years’ experience working within the private sector and 15 years’ experience of volunteering with Dundrum Arch Club and Special Olympics. She has completed a Level 5 & 6 QQI awards in Childcare with SNA, is LAMH & Autism in Sport certified and is a Gaisce President’s Award Leader for TY students. Miriam holds a Bachelor of Financial Services from UCD.
Michele Gilmore
Michele holds QQI Level 5 and 6 Component Certificates in Special Needs Assisting and QQI Level 5 Certificate in Children with Additional Needs. She worked as a Customer Services Support and Sales Administrator before training as an SNA. Michele is excited to start in Harold’s Cross ETSS and believes that each student will bring their own set of attributes with them into the classroom.
Luke Hickey
Luke Hickey is a special needs assistant in Harold's Cross Educate Together Secondary School. He attained a level 5 QQI SNA qualification in the Progressive College. He has had this qualification since January 2023, before his current role he worked as substitute SNA and bus escort in Kildare as well as working July provision in 2023. Luke has a strong belief that all children should have equal opportunities regarding education and that proper support should be given to children who need it. Luke continues to study and upskill in his field whenever possible.
Meet Our School Administrator
Aleksandra Dempsey
Aleksandra is our school administrator. She holds a Master’s Diploma in International Business from Poland. Aleksandra has been working in the secondary school administration for the last 14 years, originally in Sandford Park School and most recently in Stepaside Educate Together Secondary School.