New principal takes over at Saintfield High School

New principal takes over at Saintfield High School

8 February 2017

SAINTFIELD High School is dedicated to providing a rural voice for local children, according to its newly appointed principal.

Sarah-Lucy Hynds, the school’s former vice-principal, last week confirmed she had taken over as principal following the retirement of Vivien Watt.

Just days into her new role, she has spoken of the importance of continuing to celebrate the school’s rural environment during her tenure.

Miss Hynds, who first arrived at Saintfield High School as a teacher of drama and English over 10 years ago before being promoted to vice-principal in 2011, said she was thrilled by her new appointment.

A graduate of the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, she undertook an undergraduate degree at the University of Glasgow, before completing a PGCE at the University of Ulster and Masters in leadership and management at Queen’s University.

Promising to nourish the school’s traditional ethos, she said she would also continue to ensure children are best prepared for a rapidly changing high tech society. She said she intends to maintain her links with the classroom despite her promotion.

Saintfield High School was one of the first schools in Northern Ireland to deliver a GCSE in agriculture and land use with student Thomas Martin last year named top achiever in the subject in Northern Ireland. 

Miss Hynds said this nod to the rural community was a small part of what makes the village high school unique.

“We also offer a range of occupational studies, including horticulture,” she said.

“Saintfield High School offers a lovely rural voice for the children. We really celebrate that.

“We are a very traditional school with family values. We are respecting the past, as that is our firm foundation, but we are also looking to the future.

“We are preparing children for a changing society through the use of information computer technology.

“We also have a beautiful new sports hall, which we are expanding into the community.”

Undaunted by her new-found responsibility, Miss Hynds said she is driven to ensure the best possible educational outcomes for students and to foster the school’s culture of excellence as a learning environment that celebrates high standards.

“If that is your goal, and your inspiration is to motivate the children, this is the best place to be,” she said.

“I can navigate the ship and, as principal, I am mindful that standards cannot be jeopardised or compromised.

“We are dedicated to child-centred provision and it does not come easy to maintain those high standards.

“As the school approaches its 60th anniversary in 2018, it is essential that the high standards which currently exist in our learning community remain and are enriched.

“I am passionate about the future of Saintfield High School, and about inspiring the future of its successes and achievements.”