Our Team – More Information
Mr. Noel Loftus
School Principal
Bachelor of Education; Master’s in Education (Leadership), Dip. Education Management; Dip. Special Education.
Mr. Loftus became principal of St. Attracta’s N.S. in September 2018. Before then he worked full time with Department of Education and Skills (DES), Teacher Education section for four years. He worked full time with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment for six years where he had responsibility for assessment and reporting developments for the primary school level. His work was awarded two eGovernment Awards. He was also teaching principal in north Mayo. Mr. Loftus works as a part-time tutor with Mayo Education Centre, Hibernia College and the National Induction Programme for Teachers. He is a trained Droichead PST member and works with the Centre for School Leadership as a coach for newly appointed principals.
Ms. Ciana Callanan
Deputy Principal
cianacallanan@stattractasns.com
Bachelor of Education with Irish (MIC); Masters in Educational Leadership and Management; Dip. Education Management
Ms. Callanan became deputy principal of St. Attracta’s N.S. in September 2021. Ciana received her Bachelor of Education with Irish from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. On completion of her degree, she was awarded the Bonn Vere Foster Award for obtaining first place in Teaching Practice and Curricular Studies. Ms. Callanan was also a teaching principal in South Galway. She has previously worked with the Department of Education as a mentor and facilitator for the National Induction Programme for Teachers. She also completed her Droichead Professional Support Team (PST) training in 2021. She has lecturerd to Mary Immaculate College students in areas such as Multiclass Teaching, Múineadh na Gaeilge and Remote Teaching and Learning.
Mrs. Catherine Coyle
Special Education Teacher (Maths Recovery)
catherinecoyle@stattractasns.com
Mrs Coyle joined our staff in 1998. She graduated from the University of Liverpool receiving a degree in Education and Music. She recently completed a year of part -time study at St Angela`s College in Sligo and was awarded a post- graduate diploma in Special Education.
Mrs. Clare McBrien
Special Education Teacher (Reading Recovery)
claremcbrien@stattractasns.com
Ms. McBrien joined the staff of St. Attracta’s N.S after graduating from St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra. She has taught all classes and is currently a member of the school’s Special Education Team. Ms. McBrien is our Reading Recovery Teacher having completed specialised training for this role in 2013.