Citywest Educate Together N. S.
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ALLOCATION FOR THE 2022/23 SCHOOL YEAR

EARLY INTERVENTION CLASS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

Orla Traynor is the teacher for the Early Intervention Class for Children with Autism.
​The ANAs working with the children in Orla's class are Siobhán Naughton and Lisa Healy.
James Salmon is the bus driver for Orla's class and Marsha Hogan is the bus escort.

Orla Traynor, Early Intervention Class Teacher

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​Orla completed her Bachelor of Education degree in St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra in 2012. She joined the staff of Citywest ETNS in September 2015, having previously taught in two other Educate Together schools in Dublin. She also spent a year teaching in her native county of Cavan.

​Orla coordinates our extensive After-School Activities programme and is a member of our First Aid team. She was delighted to work with Siobhán and Lisa in opening our first ever Early Intervention Class for Children with Autism.

Siobhán Naughton, Additional Needs Assistant in Orla's Class 

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Siobhán qualified as a Montessori teacher in 2009 and since then she has worked in childcare and Montessori teaching. More recently, Siobhán gained a Fetec Level 5 Certificate in Additional/Special Needs.  She gained experience of working with children with autism while working in Citywest ETNS for July provision.

Siobhán enjoys working with children of all ages. Siobhán worked in our school as bus escort and school secretary for 6 months in 2016 before joining our SNA team in 2017. In recent years, Siobhan worked with our primary-age class for children with Autism and she is very excited to help develop our first Early Intervention class.


Siobhán is on our First Aid team.

Lisa Healy, Additional Needs Assistant in Orla's Class

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Lisa completed a FETAC Level 6 qualification in Additional/Special needs in 2014.  In her spare time, she volunteered as a ladybird guide leader for three years and also volunteered with Down Syndrome Ireland Kildare Branch for a year helping out with the Early Development Group back in 2015.  She recently enjoyed getting back in touch with the Kildare branch helping the children ranging from 5-11 years with games/activities and day trips while volunteering at their summer camp in 2019.
Lisa developed a keen interest for Irish sign Language and completed a ten-week ISL introduction course in 2014.  She went on to learn Lámh signs completing her Module One course in 2015 and gained a QQI Level 5 certificate Using Lámh in a Total Communication Approach in October 2016, learning over 500 signs.
Lisa worked in Saplings Special school for children with Autism and complex needs since September 2015 and valued her time and experience working with children aged between 5-18 years before joining our team in June 2020.

James Salmon - Bus Driver for Orla's Class

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We are delighted to welcome James to our community as the new bus driver for the children in Orla's class!

JUNIOR INFANTS

Junior Infants class teachers are Sharon Nolan and Ruth Maxwell. 
​The ANA working with children in Junior Infants is Louise Maguire.

Sharon Nolan, Junior Infants Class Teacher

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Sharon graduated from Froebel College in 2009. As well as working in schools in Dublin, Longford and most recently Lucan, Sharon spent 4 years working in England. Sharon has particular interests in play-based learning, inquiry-based learning and additional needs support.

Sharon joined the staff of Citywest ETNS in August 2019 and is delighted to be teaching Junior Infants this year!

Ruth Maxwell, Junior Infants Class Teacher

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Ruth graduated from St. Patrick's College in 2006 and taught in St. Louis' Infant School in Rathmines from that time until August 2017 when she joined the staff of Citywest ETNS.

​Her particular interests are Maths, sports and well-being, including physical, emotional and social well-being.

Ruth taught on our support teaching team for the last two years, with a large focus on supporting children of higher ability and on creating community by working on special projects with children from various class levels across the school all together. Ruth is excited to get back into the classroom for the 2019/20 school year.

Louise Maguire, Additional Needs Assistant for Junior Infants

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Louise has a variety of experience in education and care, from teaching genealogy as an adult education class to being bus escort for a primary school and on to working in a rehabilitation centre. Louise joined our staff on a permanent basis in 2017. Louise is on our First Aid team.


SENIOR INFANTS

Senior Infants class teachers are Laura Mannix and Deirdre O'Connor.
​​The ANA working with children in Senior Infants is Dorothy Donnelly.

Laura Mannix, Senior Infants Class Teacher

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Laura graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Irish and Spanish from Trinity College before completing a Professional Masters of Education (Primary) at Marino Institute of Education. Laura joined our staff on a permanent basis in 2017.

Laura developed her interest in the Educate Together ethos and Learn Together curriculum through completing an advanced school placement in Citywest ETNS as well as choosing Educate Together as the primary topic for her Masters dissertation.

Laura maintains a particular interest in Gaeilge, SPHE and Arts Education and enjoys employing active, engaging methodologies to enhance teaching and learning. Laura particularly enjoys working with younger children and promotes learning through play in her classroom.​

Deirdre O'Connor, Senior Infants Class Teacher

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Deirdre studied Education in St. Patrick's College of Education in Drumcondra. She has a deep interest in the Educate Together ethos and returned to St Patrick's College in 2014 to study Ethical and Multi-denominational Education. 

She has worked in many different kinds of schools in both Kerry and Wicklow. Before joining Citywest ETNS in September 2015, she worked in Greystones Educate Together N.S.

She loves Art, English and learning about other cultures. She also really enjoys working with children who have Additional Needs.

Dorothy Donnelly, Additional Needs Assistant in Senior Infants

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Dorothy holds a Fetac level 6 in Childcare and a level 3 IVQ  Specialist Advanced Diploma in Teaching, Training and Assessing Learning. She has worked in the Early Years sector over period of years. Dorothy enjoys working with children. In her previous positions, she worked as a Senior Early Years Educator in a ECCE room and in the same role working with Toddlers.

​Dorothy worked at our school as ANA and bus escort for July Provision in 2017 and joined the team permanently in November 2017. 
She is also on our First Aid team.


CLAIRE'S CLASS

Claire Healy is the teacher for our primary-age autism class.
Children in this class also spend time learning in their mainstream class. Children in Claire's class are attached to Junior Infants, 1st Class, 4th Class and 6th class. 
​The ANAs working with children in Claire's class are Marie Murphy-Bohan, Elizabeth McGrath and Niamh Lawler.

Claire Healy, Class teacher

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Claire has been teaching in Citywest ETNS since our first year of operation, 2012/13. She particularly enjoys working with younger children and loves to use music and song to enrich her lessons and add to their meaning. 

She also enjoys teaching P.E. and S.E.S.E. as part of her favourite subjects on the curriculum. 

Claire is a nominated Fire Marshall for emergency evacuations at our school. 
She is also on our First Aid team.

Marie Murphy-Bohan, Additional Needs Assistant

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Marie graduated from DCU with a B.A. in Personal and Professional Development.

​Before coming to Citywest ETNS in December 2014, Marie worked for 14 years as an ANA/SNA in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, supporting children in mainstream pre-schools and primary schools as well as in classes for children with autism and classes for children with Severe and Profound disabilities.

Marie is also on our First Aid team.

Elizabeth McGrath, Additional Needs Assistant

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Elizabeth has her FETAC level 6 in Special Needs Assisting. Elizabeth subbed as an ANA in our school, before joining Claire's class last year. She also has lots of experience working in childcare. 

Elizabeth is delighted to be working with the children in Claire's class again this year!



Niamh Lawler, Additional Needs Assistant

Check back soon to read a little bit about Niamh!

FIRST CLASS

1st class teachers are Sarah Cunningham and Rafe Garland.
The ANA working with children in 1st Class is Denise Mahon.

Sarah Cunningham, 1st Class Teacher

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Sarah trained in Froebel College of Education, graduating in 2011, and holds an additional post-graduate certificate in Ethical and Multi-denominational Education.
She has experience in several special needs schools, working with children with moderate and severe/profound intellectual disabilities. Sarah joined the staff of Citywest ETNS in September 2016.
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Sarah promotes play-based learning and structured play within her classroom. She has personal interests in mindfulness, music, drama and visual art, which she likes to integrate into her daily lessons. She promotes positive behaviour support methodologies and considers the holistic development of children to be central to their success in education.


Rafe Garland, 1st Class Teacher

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Rafe has recently completed a Professional Masters in Primary Education with Hibernia College. Prior to qualifying as a teacher, he spent 5 years working as a specialist multi-sports coach for Primary aged children. He has a passion for sports and he loves to travel and experience different cultures.

Rafe likes to keep all his classes as active as possible, it's important to him that children are engaged and enjoy their time in school. His thesis focused on wellbeing in the classroom, his biggest priority is that all students feel safe and welcome in his class.

Denise Mahon, Additional Needs Assistant for 1st Class

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Denise qualified as a SNA/ANA in 2007. She worked in a secondary school for 11 years. 

During her time there she helped to assist the Leaving Certificate Applied Students with their tasks, exams, reports, projects and IT skills. Denise spent time volunteering in her local primary school assisting the teachers and students with their summer camps. 

Denise received her level 8 degree in Business Management in 2018. Denise enjoys working with children and was delighted to join the Citywest ETNS team in August 2020. 


SECOND CLASS

Lucy Thompson 

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​Lucy graduated from DCU Institute of Education in St Patrick’s College with a Bachelor of Education in 2022. She is an enthusiastic and outgoing person, and is very excited to begin her teaching career in Citywest Educate Together NS. 

Lucy has a strong interest in science, and loves carrying out fun and interesting experiments with children in the classroom. She is also passionate about fitness and well-being, and is keen to bring this interest into the classroom. Lucy is delighted to be teaching Second Class this year!


Aisling Connell 

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Aisling graduated with a Bachelor of Humanities from St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra before completing her Postgraduate Certificate in Education at St. Mary's University Twickenham, London in 2012. 

Aisling has had professional experience in several aspects of education in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.  She uses a holistic approach to education and feels this is extremely fundamental when developing students into life-long learners. Aisling puts an emphasis on student's physical and mental well-being as a vital part of their education. Throughout her career, Aisling has focused on creating safe and inclusive environments, giving students the opportunity to feel both valued and engaged with their learning.

Aisling is interested in Maths, ICT and the wider curriculum.  She has a particular interest in Literacy, as she studied English as part of her undergraduate degree. She enjoys planning creative and engaging lessons for her students. Aisling is delighted to join the team at Citywest Educate Together National School. 


THIRD CLASS

3rd class teachers are Martha Whelan and Amy Slater. 
​The ANA working with children in 3rd Class is Tara Rubotham.

Martha Whelan, 3rd Class Teacher

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Martha graduated with a BA in English and Archaeology and an MA in Film Studies from NUI Galway before going on to complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Education in Greenwich University. She spent 5 years working as a class teacher in London before joining us in September 2016.

Within teaching, Martha is particularly interested in English, Art and Maths. Having studied archaeology, she also has a keen interest in history. Martha loves bringing learning to life through planning creative activities and projects.

Amy Slater, 3rd Class Teacher

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Amy completed a Professional Masters of Education with Hibernia College in 2018, having previously achieved a BA degree in Gaeilge and Human Development in St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra and worked in a naionra (pre-school through Irish) for 2 years. As well as speaking Irish, she is a fluent speaker of French, being of French descent.

Amy loves to travel and to explore different cultures. She has visited many countries worldwide and spent 6 months working as a childcare practitioner in Australia. 

Amy undertook a teaching placement with us during her final year of training, before joining our staff in August 2018.

Tara Rubotham, Additional Needs Assistant in 3rd Class

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Tara has Fetac Level 5 and Level 6 qualifications in Additional/Special Needs. She has previously worked in a school for children with additional needs, ranging in age from 5 years to 18 years. She also has experience in mainstream classrooms and in classes for children with autism.

Tara loves working with children and is delighted to be part of the Citywest ETNS community. Tara joined our school in March 2016. Tara is also on our First Aid team.

4th CLASS

4th class teachers are Sarah O'Tierney and Aisling O'Neill. 
​The ANA working with children in 4th class is Linda Daly.

Sarah O'Tierney, 4th Class Teacher

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Sarah graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science degree from University College Dublin before completing her Postgraduate Certificate in Education in the University of East London in 2011. She previously worked in St. Patrick’s NS in Wicklow Town and Greystones Educate Together NS. Sarah joined the staff of Citywest ETNS in September 2016.

Sarah has a keen interest in literacy and S.E.S.E. in the classroom. She is also very interested in art, having previously completed a Diploma in Interior Design.
She loves travelling and has been lucky enough to experience lots of different cultures around the world. She particularly enjoyed her time in Uganda where she spent time volunteering with a children’s charity.

Aisling O'Neill, 4th Class Teacher

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Aisling completed her Bachelor of Education degree in Dublin City University in 2019. 

Aisling is passionate about Art and creative writing and has a particular interest in Maths. During her time in college, she wrote her dissertation on negative student attitudes toward Mathematics. 

Aisling loves creative and active learning. Aisling joined the Citywest ETNS team in January 2020.

Linda Daly, Additional Needs Assistant in 4th Class

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Linda has a Fetac level 5 qualification in Additional/Special Needs. She has worked with children with additional needs for over ten years, seven of which were spent in Newbridge. Linda has experience in mainstream classrooms and in classes for children with autism. Linda has been working at Citywest ETNS since January 2016.

Linda really enjoys working with children and finds this work rewarding. 


Linda is also on our First Aid team.


5th CLASS

5th class teachers are Olya Khimchenko and Deirdre Boyle.

Olya Khimchenko, 5th Class Teacher

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Olya received her degree in Social Care Practice at IT Tallaght and moved to the UK in 2014. She completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Education and Masters in Education, with specialism in Leadership and Management, at Brunel University London. She worked as a mainstream class teacher in London for 3 years and then eventually moved back home. Her latest teaching role was as a Support Teacher.
 
Olya is originally from Ukraine and is fluent in Russian and Ukranian languages. She really enjoys fitness and always encourages children to stay active and focus on their wellbeing. She also loves cooking and eating tasty food.
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Olya is excited to be part of the team at Citywest ETNS and contribute her passion for teaching to our school.

Deirdre Boyle, 5th Class Teacher

Check back soon to learn about Deirdre!

6th CLASS

The 6th class teachers are Aoife Blood and Catherine Reynolds.
​The ANA working with children in 6th class is Emma Coyle.

Aoife Blood, Assistant Principal and 6th Class Teacher

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Aoife joined the Citywest ETNS team in September 2013. She holds a degree from University College Dublin, in Modern Irish and German. She gained her Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Education from Froebel College.

Within the classroom, Aoife has a particular interest in local studies and history. She loves to expose the children to learning outside of the classroom as often as possible.

As Assistant Principal, Aoife supports Caitríona and Anita in leading and managing the school on a day-to-day basis. Aoife was on leave from our school from March 2019 to August 2020 to work in Educate Together National Office, developing an ethos guidance document for Educate Together schools.

Catherine Reynolds, 6th Class Teacher

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Catherine graduated from St. Patrick’s College Drumcondra with a Bachelor of Education in 2022 with a first class honours in Visual Art. She is energetic, enthusiastic and really excited to start her career in Citywest Educate together. 
Catherine has a keen interest in Art, Sport and Wellbeing, playing camogie from a young age up to Senior level with Faughs GAA. More recently she has competed at a national level in Crossfit. Her main passion is musical theatre. As a member of the Rathmines & Rathgar musical society, she is keen to bring music and fun into her classroom and to encourage confidence and creativity in the children in her class. She is thrilled to be teaching sixth class this year.

Emma Coyle, Additional Needs Assistant for 6th Class

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Emma has a Fetac level 5 qualification in Early Childhood Care and Education. She has been working in this area on and off for the past 16 years.  Emma loves working with children and before joining the Citywest ETNS community, she worked as pre-school teacher. She joined our team in September 2015.

Emma is also on our First Aid team. Emma supports children in both 5th classes.

SUPPORT TEACHING TEAM

Anita Collings, Deputy Principal

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Anita joined the team at Citywest Educate Together in September 2013, after spending 5 years at Galway Educate Together. She also spent 2 years teaching in the UK. Anita is Deputy Principal of the school, and supports Caitríona in leading and managing the school on a day-to-day basis.

Her particular areas of interest are English, physical activity and health and well-being in children. She has a particular interest in oral language and interpersonal communication.  She encourages the children to focus on growth and development and supports them in finding their potential. 


Anita supports the children in their learning as a support teacher in the school. She works with staff to develop key learning programmes for children with additional needs. She also introduced and co-ordinates our team teaching programme, which every child takes part in and benefits from. 

Anita led the piloting of the school’s Home Learning Enrichment Programme. This model of learning takes place in senior classes and aims to ignite children’s passion for learning. The programme gives the child the autonomy to plan and present a project to their classmates. Parents play a key role by supporting their child at home.

Anita is the Deputy Designated Liaison Person for Child Protection for our school.

While Caitriona and Anita are the Designated Liaison Team for Child Protection in the school, all adults in the school community - staff, parents and others - have responsibility for ensuring that every child is safe, both at school and at home, and physically as well as emotionally. We take Child Protection issues very seriously. Child Protection is discussed at every Board of Management meeting.

Emma McDonald

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Emma is a graduate of Saint Nicholas Montessori college in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. She graduated last year with a BA honours degree in Montessori and Special Education. She worked as a Special Needs Assistant before completing her teaching degree. She has vast experience working with children with additional needs; she has taught in special education schools in both Kildare and Waterford.

Emma is delighted to be joining the Citywest ETNS team and is looking forward to the year ahead!

Jacqueline Diciolla

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Jacqueline recently received a first class Honors Degree in Early Childhood Education and Care from South East Technological University. She has previously worked in the Early Years service and as and SNA. Jacqueline has a passion for art, design and creative play. Her dissertation was based on investigating creative play in the development of young learners.

Previously, Jacqueline completed a diploma in Interior Design in Ashfield college and still has a love for this area. Jacqueline is thrilled to join the staff of Citywest ETNS in August 2022 and is looking forward to working with children across the school.

Ruth McEvoy

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Ruth graduated with a Bachelor of Education from St. Patrick's College Drumcondra in 2013. She worked in Mullingar Educate Together for 7 years, before joining the team in Citywest Educate Together in August 2020. 

Ruth has a keen interest in history, having achieved first class honours in the subject alongside her degree in Education. She enjoys using hands-on learning and discussion in lessons, and values student expression and input in her classroom. Her particular interests are in the areas of positive behaviour management, literacy and language skills.

Aisling McNamara

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Aisling graduated with a Bachelor of Education from Mary Immaculate College in 2008. She worked in St. Luke's National School in Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15 from 2008 to 2015, before joining Citywest ETNS. St Luke's is a developing school where Aisling taught multi-grade classes, single-stream classes and support.

Within teaching, Aisling has a keen interest in literacy, oral language and athletics. She also loves to travel. 

Aisling is one of our Additional Educational Needs coordinators and she works with Anita to oversee AEN in our school. 

Jenna Boland

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Jenna received her Bachelor of Education degree from the Frobel Department at Maynooth University in 2014. She joined the team at Citywest ETNS in 2014 for 3 wonderful years, before moving to Abu Dhabi where she has spent the past 4 years teaching at international schools.  
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At school, Jenna's favourite things are SESE, topic based lessons and Storytime. She also enjoys the creative arts, dancing and having a bit of fun. 

SCHOOL SUPPORT TEAM

Caitríona O'Reilly, School Principal, She/her

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Caitríona has a wealth of experience, with two decades of teaching experience, including six years as Deputy Principal of Newbridge Educate Together NS in the early years of that school and more recently leading Coralstown N.S. in Co. Westmeath as Principal. 

Caitríona is proud and honored to have been chosen as the first Principal of Citywest ETNS and entrusted in 2012 with the important task of leading the setting up of our school from scratch. 

​Caitriona is Secretary to the Board of Management of Citywest ETNS. She is the Designated Liaison Person for Child Protection in our school and is on the Child Protection team for our school along with Anita. Caitriona is a nominated Fire Marshall for emergency evacuations at our school.

​Caitriona is a mentor for Newly-Appointed Principals with the Centre for School Leadership and a group mentor for Recently-Appointed Principals with IPPN. She completed a full term as Director on the Board of Educate Together from 2017 to 2020. Caitriona is a mum of four children, aged 5 to 14. She is an advocate of attachment parenting and restorative practice. She loves to travel and is a life-long learner.
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Nicola McClurg, Full-time School Secretary 

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Nicola joined the staff of Citywest ETNS in January 2014. ​

​She plays a key role in keeping the school running smoothly. She has many years of secretarial experience and has worked in law firms and a third level college.  She enjoys interacting with the children and meeting the parents.  She does a great job in keeping our school organised. ​

Nicola is also on our First Aid team.


Romy Martin, School Administrator

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Romy qualified as a Additional Needs Assistant in 2006. She worked for 7 years in a school for children with additional needs from the ages of 5yrs to 18yrs.

​Romy joined the staff of Citywest ETNS in January 2016 and worked in our primary-age autism class from then until June 2021.  During this time, Romy also worked as a part-time administration assistant for the school; taking care of enrolments, Garda Vetting and other admin tasks which didn't get done during the school day. Romy is a full time administrator since September 2021.


​Romy is also on our First Aid team.

Larysa Khudenko, Part-time Cleaner

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Larysa joined the staff of Citywest ETNS in October 2017.

​Larysa works with Dave to keep our school clean.

​Dave Cawley, School Caretaker

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Dave has a carpentry trade background with a diploma in construction studies from GMIT. He  worked in London for two years before backpacking around Australia and living in Sydney for eleven years and then returned to Ireland. Over the years he has held a variety of positions in construction and facilities/ maintenance.

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