Mrs Julie Devlin, the Head of Careers at St Louis Grammar, was thrilled to have her former student, Mrs Leanne Devine (formerly Cunningham), deliver an exceptional presentation on a career in hairdressing. Leanne shared her journey from her early training days with Peter Mark to managing a Peter Mark salon in Sligo, and eventually establishing her own salon, 'Headoffice,' in Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia. Her life in the hair industry has been filled with travel, adventure, and success.

During her presentation, Leanne captivated an audience of 25 Year 10, 11, and 12 students. She shared memorable experiences from her time in Sligo, where she provided services to the family members of the popular band Westlife and even attended to the former president of Ireland, Mary McAleese. Leanne takes immense pride in continuously educating herself and staying up to date with the latest methodologies in the hair industry. She emphasized the importance of education and hard work for achieving success.

As a successful businesswoman, Leanne manages a prestigious salon with a staff of 15. Despite her busy schedule, she maintains a strong connection to her roots and frequently visits her family home in Brackenagh. Leanne encouraged the students to seize the numerous opportunities available in the hairdressing field and highlighted the global recognition of qualifications offered by institutions like Peter Mark, Academy Hair, and Beauty Training School, and the SRC Newry. She also advised those interested in makeup to expand their skills by incorporating nail and brow techniques, thus increasing their employability.

During this option week, Leanne's comprehensive overview provided valuable insights for students about to embark on their GCSE studies. She stressed the importance of having a foundation in business and IT skills for those pursuing a career in the hair industry. Leanne showcased her own website and emphasized the significance of maintaining a strong social media presence in a competitive marketing landscape. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of financial management skills for running a successful business.

Leanne, who former attended St. Columban’s College, where Mrs Devlin was her teacher, is a proud Mourne woman, who has always maintained strong links with the area even though her life is now well settled in Australia. She wished all the students the very best of luck in their future endeavours and encouraged them to pursue their passions with dedication and enthusiasm. Her presentation left the students with plenty of food for thought as they consider their own career paths.

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