There are times in your life when you go through an experience that has a huge impact on your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Columba 1400 had that effect on me three years ago and continues to do so.

The week’s residential should be a must for all head teachers. You come away from Staffin, with an incredible feeling of purpose, knowing who you are and why you are here and with an increased energy and enthusiasm to learn more and be of greater service to others, not just in our school context, but also in the wider community and beyond.

I met and worked with incredible people over the week. You get to know the whole group well, especially your trio group – and our trio friendship continues.

It was a very humbling, thought-provoking, creative, emotional experience. I felt and still feel a sense of calm, appreciation and wonder for all things.

My personal reading, post Columba, continues and I grow as a person, with deeper understanding.

Columba has helped me focus on the positive and cope when things go ‘pear-shaped’. I understand more about how people behave in a certain way and I realise that I can facilitate change through helping others empower themselves.

Coaching and the Columba 1400 experience has helped develop my leadership and has had a positive impact on our school at all levels. Self-evaluation responses and educational services audits also provide evidence of this. I have continued with my journals and will continue to use the principles of Columba 1400 as I move to a new area and a new school, with exciting new challenges.

I feel very privileged to have attended Columba 1400 and I thank everyone involved in this amazing initiative for allowing me to take part. It's an incredible 'journey'.

Yours sincerely

Irene Thomson - Columba graduate April 2005