Strabane Academy celebrates long services of staff members
Two members of staff at Strabane Academy are celebrating a combine 55 years of service to education.
A LOCAL school is celebrating two members of staff who have completed a combined 55 years of service to education.
Mrs Sayers has commenced her 30th year and Mrs Aiken her 25th year at Strabane Academy.
To celebrate the longevity of the dedicated staff members, the school’s PR prefect team conducted a series of interviews to get an insight into the inspirations, personal life and the reasons behind their drive to pursue a career in teaching.
The team then compiled a report on each.
Mrs Sayers - By Jenna, Sophie and Eire
This year, Strabane Academy proudly celebrates vice-principal Mrs Sayers and her remarkable 30 years in education.
Mrs Sayers' passion for teaching began in childhood.
She would play schools with her younger sister and always take on the role of teacher.
She was inspired by her Geography teacher, Mr Parkhill, and studied Geography at Queen's University Belfast before completing her teaching qualifications and beginning a career she believes was always "in her DNA".
During her time at Strabane Academy, she has witnessed many changes, including the move into the current school building.
Being involved from the planning stages to seeing pupils and staff finally come together under one roof.
This is one of her proudest memories.
What Mrs Sayers enjoys most is working with young people and watching them grow from Year 8 pupils into confident young adults.
She values the relationships built along the way, and the privilege of being a part of
Strabane Academy student lives.
One moment that particularly stands out is the story of her former pupil, Jamie McGuigan, who became a stem cell donor and due to this, helped save a life.
For Mrs Sayers, it perfectly reflects the kindness and character she hopes is inspired in every pupil.
If there was one piece of advice that Mrs Sayers would give to pupils today, it would be: “Your grades do not define you. Character, resilience, and kindness matter most.”
Congratulations, Mrs Sayers, on thirty outstanding years of dedication, leadership, and contribution to education.
Mrs Aiken - by Melissa and Matthew
Mrs Aiken, senior teacher for Curriculum Development, was first attracted to the job through a noble aspiration to make a real difference in children’s lives.
The idea of helping young people learn truly inspired her deeply, pushing her to gain a degree from Queen's University Belfast and then complete a PGCE at Coleraine.
After her qualifications, Mrs Aiken found herself right back at the Strabane Academy gates, a school where she had previously attended as a pupil - “it feels like I never left” she explained.
When asked about her greatest achievement, she described it as not a typical stellar
achievement made by a student she taught, but providing a safe place for struggling children to cry; offering support, advice and a listening ear to anyone who sought to be heard was heart greatest achievement.
“Be prepared to work hard, face challenges and learn from mistakes but always keep
pushing forward, even when progress feels slow," was a piece of advice from Mrs Aiken for all pupils, young and old, with the core message to “never give up on yourself.”
Twenty five years is no doubt a long time to stay resolute.
Mrs Aiken's motivation derives from the fact that “no two days are ever the same in teaching” facing constant new challenges to keep her sharp on her toes!
This milestone within her career is much more significant than the number of years but explains: "It is about the relationships I have built, the young people I have had
the privilege of teaching and the knowledge that, hopefully, I have made a positive difference to their lives.”
Now for some quickfire fun facts!
Q: Coca Cola or Pepsi?
A: Coca Cola
Q: Tea, coffee, hot chocolate or matcha?
A: Coffee, nothing beats a little lift and the end of the day
Q: Favourite colour?
A:Blue
To sum up her incredible 25 years in education with one sentence, Mrs Aiken would describe it as “a rewarding journey, filled with ever evolving challenges, but at its heart, remains the privilege of helping young people belong, achieve and aspire.”