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Former Friends' pupil to be new Wallace head

Portadown head to take up new post in August

Deborah O'Hare.A FORMER Friends' pupil is to be the new Principal of Wallace High School. Local woman Mrs Deborah O'Hare is currently Head teacher of Portadown College but will take up her new post in August in succession to Mrs Anne McBride, who is to retire after nine years in charge of the Clonevin Park school.

Mrs O'Hare made history three years ago when she became the first woman Principal at Portadown College.

In a letter to parents and students at the College this week, she said: "It is appropriate I inform you that I shall be moving to Wallace High School next academic year to take up the post of principal there. During the three years I have had the great privilege to lead this school; I have been supported by a dedicated, expert and enthusiastic teaching and non teaching staff, mature, reflective and engaged young people and communicative, appreciative parents.

"My colleagues in the local Junior High Schools and Craigavon Senior High, in particular the principals, have been wonderfully collegial. I am proud of what we have achieved together in these three years."

Mrs O'Hare is one of just five principals to have served at the College since it was formed in 1921. She has had the shortest stay, however, with the other principals ending their teaching careers at the school.

Before moving to Portadown College, Mrs O'Hare was vice-principal at Antrim Grammar School.

jenny.monroe@ulsterstar.co.uk

Ulster Star
10/04/2009