In life my Helen Leonard

Helen Leonard, Weather reporter, RTÉ, talks about her schooling

Helen Leonard, Weather reporter, RTÉ, talks about her schooling

Where did you go to school?

Loreto Abbey, Dalkey, Co Dublin - for 14 years!

What was your best subject?

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Irish

Who was your favourite teacher?

I didn't have one in particular because I got on well with all of them. School was the best time of my life.

Who was your childhood idol?

I had pictures of Kylie Minogue plastered all over my walls (in her Neighbours and I Should Be So Lucky days) and now I still look up to her after her brave fight against cancer. But Take That were the real idols. My brother Gerard was someone I idolised in school too because he was so clever and used to help me with my maths.

Who was your best friend?

My best friend in school was Claire Kelly and she's still one of my closest friends. We were inseparable and went everywhere together.

What TV show/film most reminds you of your schooldays?

Neighbours and Home & Away were always talked about in school and it was criminal to miss an episode. Also Dempsey's Den was a big deal in school.

What song most reminds you of your schooldays?

Never Forget by Take That was a song we used to always sing. And then Happy Together was a song we sang in choir. I loved it with all the harmonies.

What food most reminds you of your schooldays?

Lamb chops and mashed potatoes was a real winter dinner and I used to love when my mom would cook that after school. She also made casserole on Saturday's, which was delicious. Sweetwise, fizzy cola lollies or fizzy cola bottles always remind me of school, along with United bars.

Would you send your children to the same school you went to?

Yes, although I'm sure some of the teachers that I loved will have retired by then but I loved it and it's a great school in a great location.

What was the best thing about your education?

Being educated while having the best fun ever and going on school trips. Also, the teachers treating us as equals rather than shouting at us to try and get us to learn.

What was the worst thing about your education?

That it ended when I was 18 and I had to go into the real world.