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Who's Who

Mrs Lyons became Principal in August 2017. She previously taught at Carrickfergus Model Primary School. Mrs Lyons is from Carrickfergus.

Mrs Beggs joined the Sunnylands staff in December 2018 after many years working in primary schools in the East Antrim area. Mrs Beggs looks after the specialist things in the office, such as paying bills and other important things.


Mrs McDowell joined the staff of Sunnylands in January 2013. As well as teaching P2 she co-ordinates World Around Us and teaches Irish Dancing.

Mrs Porter has taught in Sunnylands for all of her teaching career. She teaches P2, co-ordinates Art and Music subject areas, and trains the senior school choir for Primary 5-7.


Miss McConkey grew up in the Whitehead area and taught in Scotland for a year before joining the Sunnylands' staff in August 2014. As well as teaching P3 she teaches Drama, is the Special Educational Needs coordinator and part of the Senior Leadership Team.




Mr Smyth joined the staff of Sunnylands in September, 2013 after retraining as a teacher following many years working around the world as an engineer. As well as teaching P7 he co-ordinates Numeracy within the school and coaches both our junior and senior football teams.

Mrs Beresford has been teaching at Sunnylands for 20 years. She has previously taught P4, and this year will be working with small groups of SEN children. Alongside this she is the PDMU coordinator, runs our Shared Education programme and leads the school council.

Mr Murphy works alongside small groups of children to help them meet their potential.

Mrs McNeill supports learning throughout the school, leading our 'Reading Partner's' scheme. She also runs our successful Breakfast Club alongside Mrs Curry. Mrs McNeill also supports pupils who have English as a second language, and has training in this area.

Mrs Curry is a former pupil of Sunnylands. Mrs Curry for more years than she would care to mention has been our P1 classroom assistant. Since 2016 she has changed her role to be a Learning Support assistant helping boys and girls who need extra support in their learning. Mrs Curry also runs our popular breakfast club and is runs our Friendship Groups.

Mrs Campbell is currently working to support learning in Primary 1.

Miss Perry is currently working to support learning in Primary 2.

Mrs Lewis is currently working in the foundation stage of Sunnylands. She supports teaching and learning in the Primary 3 classroom.

Mrs Martin is currently working to support learning in Primary 3.

Mrs Connolly helps the pupils with their learning in the Primary 4 classroom. As well as helping pupils in the classroom, Mrs Connolly is a lunchtime supervisor.

Mrs Wharry is currently working to support learning in Primary 4.

As well as helping pupils in the classroom Mrs Peden is a lunchtime supervisor and looks after the Library and our popular Accelerated Reader programme. Mrs Peden leads our Roots of Empathy programme and takes boys and girls for Catch Up Maths.

Mrs Swain is currently working to support learning in Primary 5.

Mrs Kane has worked in different roles in Sunnylands over the past few years and is currently working in Primary 7 of the school as a Teaching assistant. She also leads the Ready to Learn after-school club.

Mrs McWilliam is currently working to support learning in Primary 7.



Mrs Boyd, and she is assisted by Mrs Clark, Mrs Hamilton, Mrs Harris and Mrs Purdy.
Sunnylands Primary School, 96 Sunnylands Avenue, Carrickfergus, County Antrim BT38 8JJ
Telephone Number: 028 93 362 333