Clive Byrne, Director of the National Association of School Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD ) has welcomed the creation of a ‘Centre for School Leadership’ which is to be headed up by Oranmore principal Mary Nihill who has been seconded from her position as Principal of Calasactius School in Oranmore.
Established for an initial pilot period of three years, with an investment of almost €3 million, the Centre for School Leadership (CSL ) will operate on a partnership basis between the Department of Education and Skills, the NAPD and the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN ). The aim of the Centre is improve the skillset of Ireland’s current and future school leaders by providing a range of coaching and mentoring services for newly-appointed and serving school leaders in Ireland.
Former President of NAPD, Mary Nihill, has been appointed as the first National Director for CSL, seconded by the Department of Education from her position as Principal of Calasactius School in Oranmore, Galway.
Mary will be joined by a Deputy Director of CSL for Post Primary Schools, Máire Ni Bhróithe, who holds the position of Education Officer with Louth-Meath Education and Training Board and is Principal of Rathoath Secondary School, Co. Meath. Anna Mai Rooney, Principal of St. Louis Girls School in Monaghan, has been appointed as CSL Deputy Director Primary Schools.
Clive Byrne, NAPD President, noted, “The creation of the CSL is timely. We are entering a period of huge change in the education sector. School leadership and appropriate management structures and training are critical to ensure that these changes can be implemented, and that schools can be run effectively and efficiently.
“This initiative will not only prepare future school leaders for their challenging role ahead but also provide ongoing support to them once they are in their roles. Currently many school principals are appointed without having access to a mentor or some form of a middle management structure, and often with little or no training for the role. This support service for school leaders at both Primary and Post Primary level puts in place a dedicated, coordinated structure for training and leadership programmes, which is well overdue.”
The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD ) is the professional association for secondary level school leaders in Ireland.
