Elizabeth Dickson OBE
Elizabeth Dickson, who served as Principal at Friends' from 2001 until her retirement last summer, has been awarded an OBE for services to education in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
Unstinting in her commitment, Elizabeth Dickson began her career at Friends', which spanned 35 years, as an English teacher, and took on various roles during her time at School, including Year Teacher, Timetabler and Vice-Principal. She led the school with clear vision and integrity through a period of significant change in the early 2000s and played a key role in shaping the school's recent history, cementing its fine reputation across Northern Ireland. Her commitment to excellence was recognised by the Sunday Times, who named Friends' the Northern Ireland School of the Year in 2011, and by the ETI who judged the school Outstanding in its Inspection in 2014.
As a member of the Religious Society of Friends, Elizabeth Dickson cherished the School's Quaker heritage and ethos, encouraging pupils to become involved in service to others and to develop a sense of community. Since her retirement, she has continued to be involved in Quaker Service, which does valuable work across the Greater Belfast area.
A familiar face at the side of the sports pitches on Saturday mornings, Elizabeth Dickson supported every aspect of school life. She knew and valued her pupils individually and followed their successes with keen interest. She served as Chair of the Lisburn Area Learning Community and, up until her retirement, was Clerk to the Quaker Heads in Britain and Ireland. Her extensive knowledge, wisdom and kindness were reassuring to all those with whom she worked.
Elizabeth Dickson said she was surprised and delighted by the award.
“Everyone in the family is very pleased and proud and husband, Moore, and children Andrew and Katie are looking forward to the presentation in London.
“It was a fantastic privilege to spend my entire teaching career at Friends’ School and when I began teaching English there in 1980 I never thought that I would spend the next thirty-five years in the School, including fourteen as Principal.”
Elizabeth Dickson said that what is so special about Friends’ is its clear sense of identity and ethos and she felt that she had been very fortunate to be part of a community where good relationships were so important and everyone worked so closely together.
“This award is a recognition not just of my role, but of the part played by all - pupils, staff, parents and Governors. It has been lovely to receive so many messages of congratulations and it’s definitely a shared honour.”
Indeed, the Friends' Twitter feed @FSLnews has been busy since the news broke on Saturday, with parents and pupils past and present taking to social media to add their congratulations. “Fantastic news Mrs Dickson! They could not have picked a more capable and deserving recipient than yourself. May this be a telling reward for your invaluable services to Friends’ School Lisburn!” “Congratulations Mrs Dickson, you truly deserve this! Every good wish is being sent to you from someone who left 22 years ago.”
