Hi everyone, I am a native of Belfast, educated at Queen’s University where I first completed a BA Honours in English Language and Literature and following this my PGCE in English, Drama and RE. I hold a Masters of Education in Leadership and Management received from the University of Ulster and my Professional Qualification in Headship (PQH NI) from the Regional Training Unit (RTU).
My first teaching appointment was as a teacher of English and Drama in De La Salle College, Belfast, a large (1200 pupils) all boys, non-selective and all ability comprehensive school. In De La Salle, I held many roles – Head of Drama, Teacher Governor, Head of Year, Leader of Staff Development and Teacher Tutor, Key Stage 3 Manager, Deputy Principal and Acting Principal. During my time in De La Salle College, I successfully led the school through the Investors in People Award and the Inclusion Quality Mark.
I was appointed Principal of Lismore Comprehensive, Craigavon, a large (1200 pupils) co-educational, non-selective and all ability comprehensive school in December 2013 and took up post in April 2014. During my time at Lismore, I successfully led the school through its first full inspection in 9 years and a Sustaining Improvement Inspection 3 years later. I introduced the Inclusion Quality Mark to the school and the school was also announced for a capital build, the development of which I led until taking up my current post.
I was appointed Principal of St Ronan’s College, Lurgan, a large (1750 pupils) non-selective, co-educational voluntary grammar school in January 2020 and took up post in March 2020 two weeks before the first Covid-19 related lockdown. St Ronan’s College was awarded ‘School of the Year’ in 2023 by Families First, which was also the first year the College was announced Centre of Excellence as part of the Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM) award. I have led the College through our new Capital Building Programme which was completed in early August 2025 and we successfully and excitedly opened for the start of the new school year, and it is wonderful for our students and staff to now work and learn in a state of the art school on a single College campus! The building programme was one of the largest public sector building programmes in the North of Ireland.
I have also held the offices of Chair of the Craigavon Area Learning Community, the Chair of the the Catholic Principals’ Association and committee representative on the Post Primary Principal’s EA Southern Region Association, elected Post Primary Principal on the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) and Regional Treasurer of NAHT (NI). I am currently a member of the DE Principals Practitioner Group and Catholic Heads Association. I am a Fellow of the Chartered Council for Teaching (FCCT) and an Associate Education Adviser (AOEA).
I have been working in education at post primary level for over 30 years. In terms of leadership, I have held a number of leadership roles building my experience and understanding of whole school leadership along the way. I am now in my third principalship. I love how educational leadership creates influence over the ethos and culture of schools, ultimately to benefit as many young people as possible and at the same time identify, create and develop the educational leaders of the future.
I am passionate about reading, lifelong learning and the pursuit of educational excellence as a means to removing social and other barriers for young people.
I also enjoy the theatre, cinema, singing, sewing and relaxing with my family.
Fiona Kane 