CALLUM Hannigan has traded the seaside for the Fermanagh Lakelands as he takes up his new role as principal of Enniskillen Integrated Primary School. 

Mr. Hannigan, who was previously Vice-Principal of Mill Strand Integrated Primary School in Portrush, said he is "privileged" to join the school, where he "already feels at home". 

Indeed, for Mr. Hannigan, this new role is a homecoming of sorts. He first began his teaching career at Jones Memorial Primary School in Enniskillen, before teaching at top integrated primary schools in Omagh, Ballymena and Portrush. 

"It's great to be back at the lakes", he remarked.

"I really am delighted to back in Fermanagh, having started out in my teaching career in Enniskillen. 

"I am privileged to be appointed to such a great school. It has a great history in terms of where it has come from and where it is now, and it has flourished under the previous head teacher, Mrs. Kerr. 

"It is great to join such a welcoming family, and I mean that genuinely. Everyone from the staff, pupils and parents have been very welcoming. I feel at home, which makes my role that bit easier.

"Overall, I am excited to take the school forward in the next part of its journey."

Mr. Callum Hannigan. Mr. Callum Hannigan. (Image: File Photo.)

As Principal of Enniskillen Integrated, Mr. Hannigan will be at the helm of some 400 pupils and a team of 70 staff.

And while he admits this will be a challenge, the experienced educator said that he has never "shied away" from making a difference. 

"I am privileged to be given these opportunities, and I don't shy away from them," he explained.

"I am excited to take the school to the next stage of its growth. I have inherited an outstanding school, and it's about maintaining the basics and fundamentals, but also ensuring we keep core values and vision of the school at the heart of what we do."

Interestingly, Mr. Hannigan admits that he never thought he would become a teacher, let alone a Principal.

"I hadn't thought of teaching as a career initially, and I did three work experience placements in school with a GP, solicitor, and a school!" he recollected. 

"I loved being in the school out of all three, and my love of teaching grew from there. My family are all from a medical background, so it was a bit of a curve ball!

"Overall, I didn't forsee myself in the role of principal, but I suppose when I moved into those management roles and leadership roles, it seemed to fit for me."

He continued: "I love it, I have to say. It's a privilege to be in the job we are in, and while it's challenging, I feel that as long as you can say you have tried your best at the end of every day, you are on to a winner."

Mr. Hannigan added that despite taking up the role of non-teaching principal at Enniskillen, the most rewarding part of his job will always be "seeing children thrive". 

"The most rewarding thing is to see children thrive and be happy," he said.

"There is a lot of negativity and sadness in the world, but I feel we can still bring some kind of light, warmth and happiness to children. That's what gets me up in the morning.

"We, as educators, want to be that change, and to provide a positive, warm place for children to be, and for people to work at."