Strathearn, will say a sad goodbye to one of its longest-serving members of staff at the end of this term as Vice-Principal Lynn Myers MBE retires after 35 years at the school.
Now serving in her 36th year at Strathearn School, Mrs Myers was appointed teacher of Home Economics at the school in 1984, following a two-year tenure at Belfast Model School for Girls.
Over the next three decades she fulfilled several leadership roles – including Head of HE, Head of Key Stage 3, Head of Sixth Form and Teacher Governor – before being appointed Vice Principal Pastoral in 2015. In 2013 she was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen for ‘Services to Education and Youth in North Belfast’.
Strathearn Principal Nicola Connery said: “If I were to describe Lynn’s career in Strathearn in just one word, I would say ‘inspirational’ – because, quite simply, Lynn has been an inspiration to her colleagues and pupils in so many ways over the past 35 years.
“Whilst it is often said that some people were born to teach, it takes a very special person who can not only instil knowledge and inspire passion for a subject, but can also nurture self-confidence, reassurance and resilience among the girls in the way that Lynn does every day.
“As VP Pastoral she has provided a ‘safe place’ for hundreds of pupils and their families who have found the most amazing compassion, support and encouragement when they most needed it,” she continued.
“Lynn is a much-loved teacher, mentor, colleague and friend to all in the Strathearn community and will be greatly missed, but we look forward to remaining in touch with her in her retirement.”
Lynsey Mallon, Chair of the Board of Governors at Strathearn, commented: “Lynn’s tremendous impact has been felt in so many ways across generations of girls and their families over the past 35 years at Strathearn. As a school community, we are deeply indebted to her for her hard work, passion and dedication.
“Lynn leaves us at the end of this term with every good wish from her Strathearn family for a very well-deserved, happy and healthy retirement.”
When asked about her plans for the future, mother-of-three Mrs Myers said that, alongside continuing to work with her local community in North Belfast through her church, family time will be her first priority.
“I have been blessed with three wonderful daughters and hope to enjoy more quality time with them, as well as supporting my parents,” she said.
Reflecting on her time at Strathearn, she continued: “I have been so privileged to enjoy a long and very happy career at Strathearn, and especially to spend my final years at the school in a specialist pastoral role that I aspired to since my teaching college days.
“Strathearn really is a very special place where every girl is supported, encouraged and celebrated for being the unique individual that they are. But their outstanding achievement both in and out of the classroom is only made possible by the dedication of our magnificent teaching and non-teaching staff who, every day, give their all in living out our school motto: to encourage, empower and excel.
“I know that Strathearn will continue to have a very bright future and I look forward to watching its continued success in the coming years.”