New teachers for Wester Ross school clusters taking in Kinlochewe, Shieldaig, Bualnaluib and Poolewe primaries announced by Highland Council
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
TWO Wester Ross primary school clusters have new head teachers, Highland Council has announced.
Thomas O’Halloran and Natalie White will between then cover four primary schools in the area.
Both will take up their posts in early January next year.
Mr O’Halloran is cluster headteacher of Kinlochewe and Shieldaig Primary Schools.
He currently works at Applecross Primary School as the classroom teacher where he has enjoyed the outdoor opportunities and family environment afforded to the school.
He trained as a teacher in New Zealand and was a Maori language and traditional dance leader within schools there. Hetook the opportunity to build capacity as a volunteer in the Ministry of Education in the remote Pacific nation of Kiribati before moving to Scotland. Before teaching he was a qualified accountant with a side-interest in filmmaking, which he has loved bringing into his teaching.
He said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as headteacher of Kinlochewe and Shieldaig Primary Schools and I am excited to meet the pupils, staff, parents and wider community over the coming weeks. The schools have a fantastic reputation in their communities and I feel privileged to be a part of them. Our Highland schools offer wonderful opportunities for children and staff to learn in our beautiful local environment; which is rich in culture, nature and history.”
Ms White is cluster headteacher of Bualnaluib and Poolewe Primary Schools.
She currently works as an outdoor learning development officer in East Ayrshire Council across early, primary, secondary and special schools in the authority, delivering the Curriculum Outdoors Attainment Challenge programme.
Natalie previously worked as a principal teacher in primary and special schools, as well as a development officer for Education Scotland. Prior to teaching she worked for Sense Scotland, the National Autistic Society and had a two year sabbatical living on a boat in Greece.
She said: “I am so pleased to have been appointed as headteacher of Bualnaluib and Poolewe cluster and am excited to meet the children and their families. I am looking forward to working together with the communities, who have already made me feel so welcome.”
Cllr John Finlayson, chair of the council’s Education Committee, said: “I am delighted to welcome two new Head Teachers to our primary schools in the Wester Ross area. Both individuals have a strong background of experience and skills which they will bring to their schools in the new year. I am looking forward to working with them both when they have settled into their new roles.”
