Past Pupils section.......Where are they now?

During what time period did you attend Sacred Heart Secondary School?

I started in Sacred Heart in 2010 and sat my Leaving Certificate in 2016.

What did you do for work experience in 4th year? Did the work experience benefit you and help you choose your job preference?

I split my work experience between shadowing a solicitor, a radiographer and a primary school teacher. I did this because I had no idea of what career path I would choose and wanted to keep my options open. I thought work experience was great to get practical experience in the professions and it definitely helped narrow down my options. However, I credit my part time job for leading me to pursuing teaching as a career.

What did you do after leaving school?

I liked all of my subjects in school and always knew I enjoyed working with people so I put down a few health care and teaching courses on the CAO form and let fate decide where I would end up. Initially, I did a year of Nutritional Science in UCC. I really liked Biology in school and the books I read and social media accounts I followed in 5th and 6th year were based around food, exercise and healthy lifestyles. While this was a keen interest of mine, I discovered through my part-time job (teaching swimming and lifesaving) that education is what I am really passionate about and so I decided to change course. This was probably the scariest decision I’ve ever made but I was lucky that my parents supported me. I am now studying Primary School Teaching in Mary Immaculate College Limerick and which I really enjoy and have no regrets about making the switch from Science to Education.

Are you working /studying now? And if so where?

I am currently in my 2nd Year of the Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. At the weekends, I work part time as a pool lifeguard and swimming teacher in the Leisure Centre in Clonakilty and work as a Beach Lifeguard with Cork County Council during the summer.

What was your favourite memory of Sacred Heart?

I have so many great memories it’s hard to pick just one!  I think I’m going to have to say winning the School Bank competition in TY. Our entire year, the staff, students and community were involved from the onset so it was great to be acknowledged for the hard work and effort we put in. I think TY in general was a fantastic experience. I would definitely encourage students to get involved in as many projects as possible because you gain so many fantastic friendships and skills that will benefit you in so many aspects of life.

What advice would you give your 16 year old self?

I was 16 in 5th Year and I think that was a stressful time trying to balance academics, hobbies and social life. I would tell 16-year-old me to be as hard-working and as kind as I can be. There’s so much pressure on teenagers these days with thousands of college courses to choose from and I found this pressure quite daunting at the time. There will always be talk of “where the jobs are” and what job sectors need females etc. but I think if you study the subjects you like and are interested in to the best of your ability- you will find your way. Also, it’s important to note that the people around you are going through the exact same things as you so support each other and have a laugh while you’re around because the six years are gone before you know it!

If you could go back for 1 day, what would be the first thing you would do

I would grab all my friends and go to the ref for a cuppa and a catch up. It’s impossible to get everyone together in the same room once school ends so I would love the chance to do that all over again