Donna Martin has been appointed as headteacher at St. Mary's Catholic Primary School.
Mrs Martin has worked in teaching for 20 years. She is Manx born and brought up within the Catholic faith on the island. She attended Rushen Primary School and Castle Rushen High School.
Mrs Martin has taught at Peel Clothworkers' since 2007 when she was appointed as Assistant Headteacher and then promoted to Deputy Headteacher in 2013. Over the past eighteen months she has been Acting Headteacher at Peel Clothworkers' and in post at St Mary's since October 2018. Her permanent appointment was confirmed following a rigorous interview process.
Mrs Martin said:
'I am very much looking forward to continuing to work with the parents, pupils, staff, governors and the church at St Mary's RC School. This is a really exciting time for the school with the new extension due to be completed by September 2019. I want to continue building on the strengths and lead the school in the next chapter of its journey achieving inspirational outcomes for all pupils within the Catholic community it serves.'
Tim Short, the former Headteacher at St.Mary's Catholic Primary School retired through ill health in November after 34 years of teaching service to the school, eight in the position of headteacher.
Geoff Moorcroft, Director of Education for the Department of Education, Sport and Culture, said:
'Despite having to fight a serious illness for the final five years of his career, Tim always served the school with loyalty and commitment. He has helped secure what will be a fantastic new extension for the school and feels the time is now right to let someone else take up the challenge of building a rejuvenated St. Mary's in the new accommodation. I'd like to offer the thanks of colleagues for his tenacity and his unwavering loyalty to the school.'
'Donna will be a great asset to St. Mary's Catholic School and we look forward to working with her going forward as she adjusts to her new role.'
