Ms. Abby O’Leary
French / Gaeilge / Drama
Abby graduated from University College Cork with a first class honours Bachelor of Arts Degree (French and Gaeilge) in 2020 and Professional Master of Education in 2022 also with a first class honours.
She is passionate about languages and communicative language learning and worked as an au pair in Bordeaux in France where she also studied at the Comenfrance - School of French.
Abby has a huge interest in drama and holds gold medals
in acting and musical theatre from the
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Abby brings this experience to our students each week
at drama club, which they thoroughly enjoy.
Mr. Adam Kelly
Art / Religious Education
Adam is a graduate of the BA (Hons) Art and Design Education (N.C.A.D), PG Cert in 21st Century Teaching and Learning (TCD), H.Dip in Theological Studies (SPCM) and currently studying a Postgraduate Diploma in School Leadership through UL. His previous teaching and class tutor experience include Loreto Abbey Dalkey, Dublin and Lea Manor High School, Luton, UK. Previous posts held include Head of Department, Digital Devices Coordinator and TY Work Experience Coordinator. Adam also worked as a part time Art Associate with the PDST offering CPD to second level Art teachers on the updated LC Art Specification in recent years and he is currently a Practical Art examiner of Leaving Certificate with the State Examinations Commission. Adam has a keen interest in all things creative and is the designer of our Le Chéile Chronicle, which is published twice yearly.
Ms. Aoife Barry-Murphy
Geography / Business
Aoife qualified as a Geography, Business and Economics teacher with a Bachelor of Arts from University College Cork followed by Professional Masters of Education (PME). She is currently studying a Postgraduate Diploma in School Leadership through the University of Limerick. She spent her first year teaching in Australia where she gained vast experience and knowledge of different education systems. She brought this knowledge and experience home in 2017 and took up her first Irish teaching position in Doon, Co. Limerick. She moved back to Cork in 2018 and secured a job in Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane where she remained for 3 years. At Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane Aoife also took on the roles of LCA coordinator and 5th year Year Head. In 2021 Aoife commenced at Le Chéile Secondary School, Ballincollig.
Aoife has a very keen interest in Sport, with a particular interest in camogie and football, being an active member of Cloughduv Camogie club and St. Vals football club.
Ms. Aoife Madigan
Accounting / Business / Mathematics
Aoife is a graduate of Mary Immaculate College,
St. Patrick’s Campus, Thurles in Business / Accounting Concurrent Education degree achieving 1st class honours.
She has also completed the Professional Diploma in Mathematics teaching from University of Limerick.
She received the excellence in Accounting award
from Mary Immaculate College
on completion of her undergraduate degree.
Aoife has teaching experience in secondary schools in Limerick but is very happy to move to Cork to join the Le Chéile team.
Her main passion outside of teaching is sport and fitness, having won All-Ireland and Munster medals
for underage girls rugby.
Aoife brings that experience to our extra-curricular programme at Le Chéile.
Mr. Cillian Brennan
Gaeilge / English / Music / French
Cillian Brennan is a teacher of Music, Irish, English and French. He first qualified with a degree in English and French from UCC and added to his portfolio with a Masters in French, degree level Irish and most recently a Music Qualification. He also holds a diploma in piano performance from Trinity College London.
Cillian is a teacher of eighteen years of experience. Prior to his appointment in Le Chéile Ballincollig, he worked in Coachford College for nine years as an Irish teacher. Before Coachford, he taught English, Irish, French and Latin Newcastle West, Mallow, Clonakilty, and Sidney Hill.
Cillian's interests are broad, ranging from the sporting to the cultural. In his extracurricular work, he has trained hurling, football and frisbee teams; he has organised choirs, bands and trad groups; he has taken charge of debating teams, talent shows and trips. This work arises from his own interests and hobbies which include, but are not limited to, music-making, storytelling, stand-up comedy, swimming, gardening, and baking.
Ms. Fiona Maher
English / History / CSPE / Digital Literacy
Fiona Maher is a dedicated English and History teacher with a passion for classroom technology and experience correcting state exams, she excels in guiding students toward academic success.
Fiona holds a Master’s degree in Education and earned her Bachelor’s degree in English & History and a Master’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Limerick. She is also Google Educator level 2 certified.
With extensive teaching experience, Fiona has worked in several Irish secondary schools.
Fiona contributes to the Irish education system as a state exam corrector for Leaving Certificate Higher Level English and has previously corrected Junior Cycle English as well.
With a decade of experience in Irish and international media, Fiona brings a unique perspective to teaching. She skilfully incorporates communication, critical thinking, and research skills into her methodologies, making historical events relevant through real-world examples.
Mr. George Carrington
Physical Education
George qualified with a first class honours BSc in Sports Science and Physiology. Following that he completed his Post Graduate Certificate in Education - Physical Education.
He has taught PE for 14 years at a large co-educational school in North London, delivering lessons to students aged 11-18 years. As Head of PE there, he introduced a new curriculum enabling students to develop their Physical literacy, whilst learning transferable life skills and concepts.
He has led teams to extra-curricular sporting success in sports including soccer, basketball, athletics, badminton, cricket, cross-country and trampolining.
For him it is important that PE stands for positive experiences amongst all our students. Alongside PE, he has led whole-school initiatives to develop leadership skills in students, to stretch and challenge our most able pupils, and to celebrate those making positive contributions both in school and in the local community.
Ms. Ipek Balcik
German / French
Ipek graduated from Trinity College with a BA in French and German in 2016.
During her studies she spent one year at a German university in Düsseldorf, where she researched intercultural literature, and also worked in a tourist residence in the south-west of France.
Ipek has worked as an English language teaching assistant in both Austria and Japan, which allowed her to improve her language and communication skills and travel the world. She completed her initial teacher education, the PME, in UCC, and graduated with a first class honours degree.
She has completed further professional development in creativity and innovation in education with UCD, and in restorative practice.
With passion for languages, Ipek has encouraged and supported our students to enter the All-Ireland Linguistic Olympiad and the Irish Translators’ and Interpreters’ Translation competition.
Ms. Kate McCarthy
Science / Biology / Physics / Maths
Kate brings experience in both science and mathematics to her teaching practice.
Holding a BSc in Science with specializations in Biology and Physics, alongside concurrent teacher education,
she takes pride in her commitment to continuous learning and professional development, ensuring she stays up-to-date with the latest educational approaches and resources.
She also holds a post-graduate diploma in the teaching of Mathematics from the University of Limerick.
Her goal is to create an engaging and enriching classroom environment where all students can thrive and reach their full potential.
Kate has a keen interest in all things horticulture and sport - in particular ultimate frisbee and Gaelic football.
Ms. Kelly O’Neill
Home Economics / Autism Class Coordinator
Kelly is a Home Economics teacher with a passion for inclusivity and well-being.
In 2018 she graduated from St Angela’s College, Sligo with a B.Ed degree in Home Economics and Economics. Since then, she has gained valuable experience teaching a diverse group of students both in Ireland and the UK. As a result, she has been able to develop a wide variety of methodologies, which have allowed her to educate a wide range of learners, as well as foster a fun, engaging and positive learning environment.
In 2023, Kelly completed a postgraduate course in Autism Studies with Middletown Center for Autism and Queen's University, Belfast.
Kelly has a very keen interest in all things baking and craft. Students thoroughly enjoy her lunchtime baking and craft clubs.
Mr. Liam Harrington
Technical Graphics / Woodwork / Maths
Liam graduated with an Honors degree from the University of Limerick with a Bachelor of Education in Materials & Architectural Technology.
He has a keen interest in Construction Studies, Technology, Carpentry, Graphics, Parametric Modelling, Design, Mathematics and Computer Coding.
He is also very much involved in sport, in particular GAA, Athletic Performance, Sports Nutrition, Strength and Conditioning.
He has previously worked in the United Kingdom for one year and in the United Arab Emirates for seven years teaching Design and Technology, Creative Design & Innovation and Mathematics.
Students of Le Chéile Secondary School
particularly enjoy Liam’s Coding Club at lunchtime.
He also motivates and trains our soccer team who competed for the first time in 2022.
Ms. Marian Tobin
English / History / SPHE
Marian graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and History. She continued her studies to pursue a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, Master’s in Education in Innovative Learning, Instructional Leadership, and Postgraduate Diploma in School Leadership. Marian has 13 years teaching experience including experience in England and Dublin. She taught at The Colne Community School and College England and at Lucan Community College Dublin. Previously, she taught in two other start-up co-educational secondary schools, in Adamstown, Dublin and in Edmund Rice College in Carrigaline. While in Carrigaline Marian was leader of teaching and learning strategy development; assistant to the management of the school's first Erasmus programme; and joint coordinator for the establishment of the First Transition Year programme.
Marian enjoys reading, writing, traveling, arts and crafts. Debate is a really important part of the classroom environment for her and for the development of important skills and she enjoys affording the students the opportunity to take part in school debates and competitions.
Ms. Stephanie Coffey
Religious Education / History / Additional Educational Needs Organiser (AENCO)
Stephanie holds Bachelor of Arts in History and Theology, a Professional Master of Education, Teaching English as a foreign language and recently completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs achieving a first class honours.
Stephanie previously taught in St. Aloysius College Carrigtwohill, Coláiste Choilm, and Midleton College. Stephanie loves music and singing with the ever expanding Le Chéile school choir.
She is passionate about her subjects and the valuable life skills they impart. It is important to her that all our students are given the opportunity to achieve to the best of their ability whatever that might be and that when they leave Le Chéile they are critical thinkers and independent and confident in their own abilities.