Fáilte Uilig

BRIAN O’DOHERTY

A Chairde,

Is cúis mhór bhróid dom fáilte a chur romhaibh, mar Uachtarán IPPN, go dtí bhúr gcomhdháil bliantúil. Nach iontach an rud é go bhfuilimid in ann a bheith le chéile sa seomra céanna tar éis dhá bhliain dhúshlánacha. Is deis é athcheangal a dhéanamh lena chéile mar líonra agus táimid fíor bhuíoch go bhfuil an t-iarracht seo déanta agaibh a bheith linn.

Our conference takes place as we continue to emerge from the pandemic and we are acutely aware of the challenges you have faced and managed in striving to keep your school communities safe. Not only have you demonstrated the capacity to pivot and adapt to a fundamentally different school reality but you have also dedicated yourselves to sustaining the wellbeing and morale of your school communities. There is little doubt that this has exacted a toll on your own wellbeing.

Indeed, as I write this, the world seems a more precarious place. We are watching distressing images on the news and on social media, as well as examples of incredible fortitude and resilience, in the face of unimaginable fear and uncertainty. The impact on children is profound and particularly upsetting.

Since March, you have been welcoming children to your school communities who have come to Ireland to seek refuge from the ongoing and evolving humanitarian crisis. You have sought to ease this difficult transition for these children into an alien school environment where language may be a barrier and trauma may be a factor. You have risen to this challenge, as you always do, in the best interests of meeting the needs of all children.

It strikes me that the leadership you have provided to your school communities, in this context, is very much in keeping with the kind of leadership we hope to explore over the two days of conference. The theme of the conference is REAL – Reflective, Empowered, Authentic Leadership. Never has such leadership been more acutely needed as we respond to world events and as we emerge from a pandemic that has impacted and shaped our leadership practice, out of necessity.

I hope that this will be an opportunity for you n to reflect on your own leadership practice n to feel empowered by being part of a network, where the wisdom and experience of the collective has the capacity to inform our individual practice, and n to be reminded that effective and impactful leadership is characterised by authenticity

Páiric, our CEO, and I look forward to updating you on developments and on IPPN’s ongoing work. A significant focus for us is the Sustainable Leadership project which is progressing well. Sustainable leadership is essential if school leaders are to remain professionally effective and personally fulfilled in the role. We will also hear from the Minister, the Chief Inspector and the CEO of the NCCA, Arlene Forster. We will also hear perspectives on leadership from contexts other than education in keynotes from Gary Keegan, leading high performance coach and CEO of Uppercut, and trailblazing Irish entrepreneur, Chanelle, Lady McCoy, co-founder of Chanelle Medical and current member of the Dragon’s Den panel.

The range of seminars on offer is designed to meet the diverse needs and interests of our conference attendees. I have no doubt you will derive much benefit from those that you attend over the course of the two days. We are indebted to our seminar facilitators for the quality of their inputs.

I would like to say a special word of thanks to our dedicated support office staff who have worked assiduously to organise this event. The goalposts may have been continuously moving but they demonstrated tremendous adaptability to get conference across the line. We are delighted to welcome Anton Savage back as our conference facilitator – he is the consummate professional. Thanks also to our Board of Directors, National Council and County Committees for their unstinting efforts and support.

Sincere thanks to our organisation sponsor Allianz, plenary sessions sponsor Wonde and all of our other sponsors. We are grateful also to all the exhibitors joining us in the Expo. Without the support of our sponsors and exhibitors, it would not be possible to run the event. The Trade Exhibition offers a great opportunity for you to engage with a wide range of school suppliers.

And finally, thanks to our friends at Fastlane AV for their expertise and technical support, Exhibit A for their skill and know-how and to the staff of Citywest for looking after us over the two days.

Bainigí taitneamh agus tairbhe as an gcúpla lá.

Le gach dea-ghuí