Outstanding Tullamore teachers recognised on national level with prestigious award

Two outstanding Tullamore teachers have been recognised on a national level as Best Mentors

Sacred Heart School Science teachers, Ms Sindy Meleady and Ms Aisling Burke are no strangers to local and national media following their phenomenal win with their Robotics Team at the Vex Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas in May 2025.

As a result of their progressive work with their students and their cutting edge methods , both teachers were nominated and then shortlisted for the Business Post Women in STEM Mentor of the Year Award.

The presentations took place in the Mansion House on October 23 and there was strong competition in this sector as they were competing against Allianz Ireland, Fidelity Investments Ireland, Junior Einstein Science Club, Scifest and Trinity College Dublin.

Ms Meleady noted “When they called out our names as winners, we simply couldn’t believe it because the competition was amongst the best in Ireland.”

The Business Post noted that both Ms Melady and Ms Burke provided opportunities to young girls far beyond their remit, that their support for those mentees had been exceptional and the outcomes, simply staggering.

Ms Aisling Burke also noted, “had it not been for the support of school management and Offaly County Council, there is no way we would ever have been in the running for this award. We were resourced at particularly difficult times and sometimes it’s just the support on the journey that makes all the difference”

The ladies were joined by members of the school management team, members of Offaly County Council and Nigel and Sharon Reams, all of whom provided immense support over the last year.

CLICK ON THE ARROWS ABOVE OR NEXT TO GO THROUGH ALL THE PICTURES FROM THE PRESENTATION

However, this is not the only achievement of this duo as they ensured that the SHS is now the only all girls school who were selected to participate in the Passport for Inclusion in STEM. This means that TY and fifth year students may now complete a QQI Level 6 which means that if successful, SHS students will already have collected fifty extra points for their CAO before they even go into sixth year.

Both Ms Melady and Ms Burke are passionate about STEM carers for girls, the pathways can be opened for them and the opportunities and choices that are available to all.

Ms Sindy Melady, who was taught in the school for over 18 years said, “STEM careers are ideal for girls because these careers provide such variety, they are collaborative in nature and very solution focussed – something I see in my classroom every day. We’re just so proud to be able to bring this award back to Tullamore”