Former Queen's University student teacher, Catherine Creighton, from Derryvore, Derrylin, has won the General Teaching Council for NI Student Teacher Award.

She was presented with her award at the annual Post-graduate Certificate in Education Prize-giving ceremony in the School of Education at Queen's.

Now a teacher of French, Catherine was chosen after a vigorous interview process.

"It's a great honour to accept this award", she said. "I will find it a huge confidence boost as I begin my career as a teacher and I will continue to strive to meet the needs of the pupils within my care."

Professor Tony Gallagher, the Head of School of Education at Queen's, remarked: "We are always impressed at the quality and commitment of our students on our PGCE and feel that they will make an enormously important contribution to the lives of young people when they start working as teachers. We are particularly pleased to recognise the achievements of our prize-winners who represent the very best from among an outstanding group of students."

Sally McKee, the Chairperson of the General Teaching Council (NI) commented: "The Council is very pleased to initiate this student teacher award across all our higher education providers. It demonstrates the excellence within, and our support for initial teacher education providers. It is also an acclamation of our faith in student teachers who are the future of the profession in NI."