February 2, 2026
St Paul’s High School has successfully delivered its annual Year 14 Interview Skills Day, a key component of the school’s CEIAG programme designed to prepare students for Higher Level Apprenticeships, university progression and direct employment. The event continues to be one of the most impactful experiences offered to senior pupils as they take their next steps beyond post‑primary education.
The day began with the Young Enterprise NI workshop “You’re Hired!”, an interactive and highly engaging session introducing students to essential employability skills. The workshop focused on communication, personal presentation and confident interview preparation, setting a positive tone for the day ahead. Students participated enthusiastically and gained valuable insights that helped prepare them for their one‑to‑one mock interviews.
Following the workshop, approximately 165 Year 14 students completed a one‑to‑one mock interview with one of 50 volunteer interviewers representing a wide range of professional sectors. Each pupil received personalised, constructive feedback designed to build confidence, strengthen interview techniques and support future applications for apprenticeships, degree programmes and employment. The commitment, professionalism and generosity shown by the interviewers created an exceptional learning experience for every participant.
The school wishes to commend all Year 14 pupils for the professionalism they demonstrated throughout the day. Students arrived dressed in full interview attire and represented St Paul’s with maturity, courtesy and confidence. Their positive engagement and willingness to learn were praised by interviewers across all sectors. They should be incredibly proud of how well they presented themselves and their school.
The school also acknowledges the outstanding contribution of four Year 14 students — Ronan, Alanna, Kayla and Roisin — who volunteered their time to support the event. Their maturity, reliability and helpfulness were noted by staff and interviewers alike. Whether guiding guests around the building, managing schedules or assisting with organisation throughout the day, they played an important role in helping the event run efficiently and professionally.
A huge thank you is extended to Ms D. Grant (Director of CEIAG), Mrs C. Hughes (Student Voice), Mrs C. McCartan (Head of Year 14), Mrs O. McArdle (Head of Year 13), Ms Shauna McGinnis and Ms B Murphy for ensuring the success of this event. Special thanks also to our office staff, to Michelle Morgan for coordinating interview sessions in the library, to Dr Georgina Larkin for overseeing interviews in the Study and to Colm and Damien for setting up the halls. Additional thanks go to Jason and Peter for their invaluable IT support. The combined efforts were essential in helping the day run smoothly and professionally.
St Paul’s High School extends its sincere thanks to all interviewers, the Young Enterprise NI team, staff and students for their invaluable contribution. The commitment of employers, professionals and community partners continues to make the Year 14 Interview Skills Day one of the most valued and transformative elements of the school’s CEIAG provision.
Interviewers included:
Philip McEvoy (Accounting Technicians Ireland), Cathy Strain (Bank of Ireland), Aine Muckian (Danske Bank), Conor Shields (McConnell’s Distillery), Gerard McKeown (Aonach Mhacha), Luíseach Nic Thréinfhir (Aonach Mhacha), Mark Harte (Queen’s University), Anne Quinn (Croke Park), Sienna McGurgan (University of Bath), Jenny Loye Magee (Southern Trust – HSCNI), Roisin O’Hare (Education Authority NI), Naoimh White (Tiernan’s Solicitors), Roisin Downey (Bar Library), Gary Lavery (Alternative Heat), Réamonn Carragher (LoughBrook GxP Ltd), Clare Braham (H&S Auditor), Orla Donaldson (ASEE Group), Aine Ryan (ASEE Group), Peter McKinley (ASEE Group), Colm O’Hanlon (Inicio Interiors), Robbie Stinson (REGEN), Tracy‑May Kerrin (MJM Marine), Louise Canavan (Health Matters H&S Training), Ciaran Ferris (SAF Engineering), Aidan McKee (StratX Global Consulting), Aoibhin McKinney (First Derivatives), Joanne Marron (First Derivatives), Tyrone Irwin (S&W Wholesalers), Mark Sweeney (S&W Wholesalers), Danielle Murphy (S&W Wholesalers), Laura Cassells (S&W Wholesalers), John Murray (Businessman), Amy O’Hanlon (Belfast Trust – HSCNI), Tina Hughes (Southern Trust – HSCNI), Anthony Fearon (Southern Trust – HSCNI), Dr Briege King (DKIT), Joanne Grey (Healthcare Sector), Cormac Venney (HIP Psychology), John Reavey (John Reavey Productions), Laura Magee (St Mary’s University), Aoibheann Larkin (St Mary’s University), Turlough O’Hagan (St Mary’s University), Freddie Freeburn (Post‑Graduate Teaching), Louise Boyle (St Mary’s University), Lia Rice (St Mary’s University) and Grace Kelly (St Mary’s University).
Philip McEvoy (Accounting Technicians Ireland), Cathy Strain (Bank of Ireland), Aine Muckian (Danske Bank), Conor Shields (McConnell’s Distillery), Gerard McKeown (Aonach Mhacha), Luíseach Nic Thréinfhir (Aonach Mhacha), Mark Harte (Queen’s University), Anne Quinn (Croke Park), Sienna McGurgan (University of Bath), Jenny Loye Magee (Southern Trust – HSCNI), Roisin O’Hare (Education Authority NI), Naoimh White (Tiernan’s Solicitors), Roisin Downey (Bar Library), Gary Lavery (Alternative Heat), Réamonn Carragher (LoughBrook GxP Ltd), Clare Braham (H&S Auditor), Orla Donaldson (ASEE Group), Aine Ryan (ASEE Group), Peter McKinley (ASEE Group), Colm O’Hanlon (Inicio Interiors), Robbie Stinson (REGEN), Tracy‑May Kerrin (MJM Marine), Louise Canavan (Health Matters H&S Training), Ciaran Ferris (SAF Engineering), Aidan McKee (StratX Global Consulting), Aoibhin McKinney (First Derivatives), Joanne Marron (First Derivatives), Tyrone Irwin (S&W Wholesalers), Mark Sweeney (S&W Wholesalers), Danielle Murphy (S&W Wholesalers), Laura Cassells (S&W Wholesalers), John Murray (Businessman), Amy O’Hanlon (Belfast Trust – HSCNI), Tina Hughes (Southern Trust – HSCNI), Anthony Fearon (Southern Trust – HSCNI), Dr Briege King (DKIT), Joanne Grey (Healthcare Sector), Cormac Venney (HIP Psychology), John Reavey (John Reavey Productions), Laura Magee (St Mary’s University), Aoibheann Larkin (St Mary’s University), Turlough O’Hagan (St Mary’s University), Freddie Freeburn (Post‑Graduate Teaching), Louise Boyle (St Mary’s University), Lia Rice (St Mary’s University) and Grace Kelly (St Mary’s University).
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