Julie Browne
Year Head – First Year
Subjects – Maths, Science, Climate Action
Julie began her teaching career in Jobstown, Tallaght, where she worked both in Mainstream Education and with Forás and the JLO in the local Schools Completion Programme. She joins us from another local start up school where she has worked for the past 7 years as part of the middle management team, and is delighted to bring this experience and knowledge to Gorey ETSS.
She is extremely passionate about STEM and her aim is to have everyone enjoy the subjects regardless of ability, whilst offering a learning experience of the highest academic standard.
Julie is currently completing her Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (#MIEExpert) to ensure meaningful use of digital technology in the classroom. She will be part of the Digital Strategy Team and will train and mentor our student digital leaders, as well as offering practical help to parents so they can be more involved in the child’s learning. Julie will also deliver the Climate Action short course, an area that she feels we are all working on together to achieve a very worthwhile goal.
Amy Hickey
SEN Coordinator
Subjects – Technology, Graphics
Amy graduated with a BDes in Industrial Design and worked in Design for a number of years before returning to study to complete a PGCE in Design & Technology from University of Wolverhampton. Amy taught in the UK for several years before returning to Ireland to work in Education Centres and Schools in Co. Waterford. She has completed an MA in Management & Education from WIT and more recently a Graduate Diploma in Inclusive Education, Learning Support and Special Education from DCU. Amy is passionate about Design and about Special Education Teaching. Amy will be the school Special Education Needs Coordinator.
Casey Cotter
Class Tutor
Subjects – Science, Climate Action, Ethical Education
Casey graduated from University College Cork with a BScEd in Chemistry and Science. She will be one of our Class Tutors to the First Year group. Casey loves Science and teaching students all about our environment, our planet and the planets around us. She will also deliver the Climate Action short course and aims to get all students involved in our schools environmental and sustainability projects. Casey also loves reading, nature and sea swimming and is really looking forward to meeting all the students in September.
Elizabeth Whelan
Droichead Coordinator
Subjects – Art, Music, Artistic Performance
Elizabeth graduated from NCAD with a BA in Art and Design Education. She also holds a variety of other qualifications including a Higher Diploma in Music from UCC, a Higher Diploma in Applied Irish from NUIG, a Masters in Journalism and Digital Media from Independent College Dublin as well as a teaching Diploma in Speech and Drama from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Elizabeth is a lover of Gaeilge, having taught in Gaelcholáistí for more than ten years. She is also a strong advocate of the Arts working with students and local artists on national projects such as Creative Engagement, Junk Kouture and Scléip.
Mervyn Moloney
PR, Extra Curricular Coordinator
Subjects – Business Studies, History
Having completed BBus in Recreation & Leisure Management, Mervyn went on to graduate with an honours Bachelor of Business from Cork Institute of Technology, where he then subsequently returned to graduate with an honours Master of Science in Marketing Practice.
He more recently graduated from University College Cork upon completing the Professional Master of Education course.
Mervyn will be teaching Business Studies and History, and he will also be part of the school PR team.
Mervyn is an accomplished Gaelic Footballer and Soccer player, having represented Wexford at all underage grades. He is passionate about sporting pursuits and activities outside the classroom and as such he will be our schools Extra Curricular Coordinator.
Helen Bolton-Lee
Class Tutor
Subjects – Irish, English
Helen is our Irish and English teacher in Gorey ETSS. She hails from Monamolin in County Wexford. Helen studied Irish, English and French at UCD and has completed her Professional Masters of Education in Maynooth University.
Helen believes that the classroom should be a fun and positive environment for a student where one does not only develop subject knowledge but also learns how to be a good, well rounded citizen. She has a particular interest in Wellbeing and has completed her PME research project on this.
Outside of school, Helen loves all things knitting and crochet. She is an avid reader, musician and part-time farmer at home. She has also recently joined a ladies football teams. Helen is looking forward to bringing these interests to extra-curricular life at Gorey ETSS and is looking forward to being part of such an innovative and creative school community.
Caitlin Ring
Health and Safety Officer, Covid Lead Worker
Subjects – Home Economics
Having qualified from St. Angela’s College, Sligo with a B.Ed in Home Economics and Religious Education, Cáitlin led the Home Economics Department in Avondale Community College (ACC) for five years before joining the Gorey ETSS team. Her passion for sustainable education also lead Cáitlin to foster the Green School’s Programme and guide her team of students to the schools first green flag. Cáitlin’s heart lies within the area of nutrition and culinary skills.
Throughout her time in St Angela’s, Cáitlin worked as a pastry chef and commis chef in a commercial kitchen, allowing her to further hone her skills within the subject area. Collaboration with the wider Home Economics community is important to Cáitlin, who serves on the ATHE as a joint-branch representative for the Wicklow, Wexford and South Dublin area. Cáitlin’s students have had the opportunity to participate in the Healthy Home Chef Competition with Neven Maguire and the Kenwood Young Baker of the Year Competition. Under Cáitlin’s mentorship, her students reached the national finals of The Apprentice Chef Competition in conjunction with Waterford IT and IT Tralee.
Cáitlin is strongly involved in the coaching of camogie and LGFA teams, while also has an avid interest in aquatic and equestrian sports. Health and Safety is paramount to Cáitlin, who is trained in first aid, fire safety and is also a qualified CPR instructor. Cáitlin is looking forward to sharing her love of Home Economics with the students of Gorey ETSS and building relationships with the local community.
Thomas "Tucker" O'Brien
Special Needs Assistant
Thomas or “Tucker” as he is better known, holds a level 6 qualification as a Special Needs Assistant (SNA), as well as a certificate in behaviour technician from Queens University in Belfast. He also holds numerous certificates in autism and behaviour from his time studying at Middletown Centre for Autism in Belfast. Tucker has a huge passion for developing students, in all aspects of their education and overall development. He has a wealth of experience, working in both mainstream classes and ASD units over the last number of years.
Outside of the classroom, Tucker is immersed in soccer. He is a qualified coach with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) as well as the FA in England. He is also currently studying for his academy head coach licence with the English FA. Tucker has put his qualifications to use, coaching soccer in various schools, as well as delivering the “Buntus Sports Programme” to all primary schools in Co. Wexford.
Tucker loves to develop kids through education, sport and is always on the lookout for that next Roy Keane! He is looking forward to working with all the students of Gorey ETSS and to help support them through their school journey, by creating a compassionate and happy environment.
Billie Murray
Guidance counsellor
Billie is a highly experienced Guidance Counsellor having worked in various schools in both the UK and Ireland. Billie graduated with a joint honours degree from Trinity College. She furthered her studies in both Strathclyde University where she was awarded a distinction in her PGCE and later in UCD where she graduated with honours in Guidance Counselling.
She is passionate about helping students to achieve their best and to learn the strategies to thrive, both academically and emotionally, in an ever changing world. Billie is a keen reader and musician, she also enjoys travel, art and spending time with her dogs.