The Londonderry Chamber has wished Marie Lindsay congratulations on her recent retirement as principal of local school St Mary’s College.

Marie joined the college in 1985 and taught science for 21 years before taking over as principal in 2006.

During her time as principal, St Mary’s was involved in the first formal Shared Education Programme with Lisneal College. In 2006, the school was awarded Specialist Status in Science and continues to promote STEM subjects and career paths and opportunities.

In 2016, Marie was named Principal of the Year at the Foyle Blackboard Awards. In 2018 she was also inducted into the international Business Excellence Institute Hall of Fame in recognition of her dedication to education and her pursuit of excellence and her “sustained, outstanding contribution to her community”.

Derry Chamber Chief Executive Paul Clancy paid tribute to Marie, and said: “On behalf of the Chamber, I would like to congratulate Marie on her long and fantastic career and wish her a long, happy and healthy retirement.”

“Marie has been a close friend of the Chamber and her dedication to education in the city has produced skilled and well-rounded young people who are ready for the world of work and meaningful employment. Her status as an educational leader in the North West has resulted in strong links with the local business community here and she has worked exceptionally hard to boost the education and skills of our future workforce. In particular, her work in the field of STEM has presented science and maths as viable career options for young girls and women, who have been traditionally underrepresented in these fields.”

“Marie’s retirement will leave a huge hole in our educational sector here in the North West and she will be a big miss for our students and our businesses alike. I would like to wish Marie a happy and well-deserved retirement and thank her for her fantastic efforts over the past 35 years for the entire North West.”