By Sarah Curran
MEET the incoming acting principal of Regent House School, Julie Haugh.
Having spent over 10 years as a vice principal at the school, Mrs Haugh will be stepping up to the top of the class in September, when she takes on the role of acting principal.
She will take over from the current headmaster, Michael Carville, as he ventures to Abu Dhabi on a career break.
Honoured to take on the role, the 46 year-old said she feels privileged
to lead the grammar school, preparatory department and preschool in the next phase of its century long tradition and ‘build on the strong foundations laid by Michael Carville and his predecessors’.
“I would like to sincerely thank the staff, pupils, parents, the senior leadership team and governors for the kindness, encouragement, and support I have received since arriving over 10 years ago.”
Mrs Haugh began her education at Kilkeel High School, before moving on to study at Queen’s University in Belfast and Leeds University.
“My 23-year teaching career has been built on senior leadership roles across four different schools,” she said, noting how she had served on the senior leadership teams of two schools in England before moving home to Annalong.
She continued: “Following my role as assistant principal at Victoria College Belfast, I then moved to vice principal at Regent House School.
“While I’ve enjoyed every step of my journey, Regent House is where I’ve truly felt at home. I have been made so welcome by the community, and it has been a privilege to work so closely with such supportive staff and families.”
Reflecting on her love of teaching, Mrs Haugh, who currently teaches A-level Geography and GCSE agriculture, said she enjoyed developing relationships with pupils in the classroom and inspiring them to further study her subjects.
“I think that in itself is one of the biggest compliments you can have as a teacher,” she said.
Based on the core principles of ‘respect, high expectations, and support’, Mrs Haugh said her vision for the school’s future was to foster an ‘inclusive, high-achieving, and
nurturing community that empowers pupils to reach their full potential and provide them with opportunities both inside and beyond the classroom’.
“A school where everyone is valued, everyone is supported and everyone succeeds,” she said.
Mrs Haugh said she believed learning could take place both inside and outside the classroom.
She said: “While classroom lessons help pupils build strong academic skills, activities such as sports, music, trips and clubs support the development of confidence, teamwork, creativity and lifelong friendships.
“By providing a wide range of opportunities at Regent House, we all aim to help
every pupil grow into a well-rounded, confident and motivated individual.”
Having spent over a decade at the school, Mrs Haugh reflected on some of the unforgettable trips she has led with Regent House School, highlighting visits to the Bornean rainforest, the Inca Trail in Peru, and Mount Meru in Tanzania as some of her ‘most memorable moments’.
“These trips had a significant impact on pupils by building confidence, resilience, and independence,” she said.
“Being challenged in unfamiliar environments helped them develop teamwork, leadership and problem- solving skills, while also creating lasting memories and friendships.”
Mrs Haugh continued: “I am incredibly proud of the pastoral systems and supports we have embedded across our school, and of the people who bring them to life every day.
“Our Mental Health Teams demonstrate outstanding devotion to pupil wellbeing, delivering targeted support programmes, mentoring others, and ensuring students feel heard, valued and supported.
“Alongside them, our Student Leadership Teams lead with empathy and purpose, modelling positive behaviour, championing charitable initiatives, and strengthening our sense of community.”
The incoming teaching lead said she felt ‘incredibly fortunate’ to work alongside ‘dedicated and hardworking staff ’.
“Their dedication, professionalism, compassion and commitment are evident every day,” she said. “Through high-quality teaching, tailored guidance and attentive pastoral care, staff ensure that every pupil is encouraged to reach their full potential. In Regent House we take pride in the positive relationships between staff and pupils.”
She continued that she was ‘inspired’ by the pupils of Regent House and their hard work, resilience and enthusiasm for learning.
Mrs Haugh said: “Whether in the classroom, on the sports field, or in extracurricular activities, our pupils consistently strive to do their best. It is a privilege to watch them grow, achieve, and overcome challenges with such determination.
“Their passion for excellence makes this school community vibrant and extraordinary, and I am so proud to be a part of their educational journey.”
Looking ahead to September, Mrs Haugh said: “I am committed to building on the school’s strengths while creating opportunities for every pupil to thrive academically, socially, and personally. My focus will be on fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where high expectations and care go hand in hand.
“I am excited to continue to work alongside the community as we provide ongoing support to our pupils and help them both in and beyond the classroom.”
