Leadership+ Issue 54 January 2010

ISSUE 54 ● JANUARY 2010

+ Leadership THE PROFESSIONAL VOICE OF PRINCIPALS

Your School Website – How to get it done!

Frost Protection for Schools Conference 2010 preview

Suffer Little Children IPPN has been part of the DES process to review and update the Children First Guidelines. A key plank of our submission is that the ‘guidelines’ must be placed on a statutory footing, so that they are no longer just ‘guidelines’, and as a consequence, make the use of the procedures obligatory.

With thanks to

Sponsor of IPPN Publications

Áine Lawlor Director of the Teaching Council A Principals’ Support Group can make a real difference

Providing Cost-Effective I.T. Solutions for Schools…

BlueKop provides schools in Ireland with affordable computer equipment and relevant software solutions together with a reliable and easily managed support and advice system which gives control back to the school.

Providing this service is not part of our business, it is 100% of our business.

Desktop computers at discount rate of €180.00 incl. vat. Laptop computers at discount rate of €250.00 incl. vat. Additional discounts available for orders of 15 units or more.

We also have a range of new and refurbished grade A flat screen monitors with 15”, 17” and 19” screens available. Please call us for further details and prices.

Please visit us at the IPPN Conference in January, stand no.74, where we would be delighted to discuss your requirements, or just to meet and have a chat.

We would like to thank you for your valued custom in 2009 and we look forward to being of service to you again in 2010.

www.bluekop.ie Ph: 01 4800560 Support Costs and delivery charges on request Contact: Declan Cahill at declan.cahill@bluekop.ie or direct on 01 4800560 Ray Church at ray.church@bluekop.ie or direct on 01 4800560

Suffer Little Children

by Seán Cottrell and Pat Goff Most parents will experience at some stage or another, the trauma of ‘losing’ their toddler in a shopping centre, at a match or any public place. Thankfully such incidents almost always end well, often through the observance and care of some helpful stranger.

Think for a moment, that instead of discovering that your five year old is ‘lost’, you find out that your child has been sexually abused and the perpetrator is someone that you know well and had fully trusted. The expression ‘your worst nightmare’ is often used rather flippantly but is indeed appropriate in the circumstances outlined. Three reports – Ferns, Ryan and Murphy have graphically described and brought into the public domain, hundreds, if not thousands of the worst nightmares that anyone can imagine.

On reading these reports it is difficult to find language to describe one’s feelings. It is little wonder that the children who were targeted for this abuse, found it impossible to make sense of what was happening to them, or to tell anyone about it. Without reading the reports, it is completely impossible to comprehend the impact of their contents. Words that come to mind are; shocking, repulsive, horrific, nauseating and deeply upsetting. Despite all this, you as Principal must read them.You must be upset by their contents. It’s only then, that you can be fully capable of playing your vital role in making sure that nothing like this ever happens again.

Principals and teachers are ‘in loco parentis’. For all intents and purposes, you are acting as the child’s parent while they are in the care of the school. Every morning when parents drop their children to school, they do so within the parameters of a relationship which they have developed with you and your staff. This relationship is built on various expectations and understandings, including respect, professionalism and trust. Most of the time parents are not consciously thinking these thoughts as their children are dropped and collected at school. In recent years, schools have made vast progress in the areas of supervision, dealing with bullying, playground safety and so forth. In a recent survey of 650 Principals we discovered that; 98% of respondents have up-todate Child Protection Policies and procedures in place, where staff are aware of the policy and are actively participating in implementing the guidelines.

These percentages are very high. In any other survey researching compliance with matters such as Enrolment, Health & Safety, Code of Behaviour, they would be highly impressive statistics. However, the question that must be asked is, how on earth in 2010 could even 2% of schools not be fully compliant with this, the greatest of all responsibilities?

IPPN has been part of the DES process to review and update the Children First Guidelines. A key plank of our submission is that the ‘guidelines’ must be placed on a statutory footing, so that they are no longer just ‘guidelines’, and as a consequence, make the use of the procedures obligatory.

Having said all that, Ferns, Ryan and Murphy have taught us clearly that it only takes one person to fail in their duty to do the right thing and the ‘grand plan’ for child protection comes apart at the seams. We know now that educated, intelligent and experienced people made disastrous choices and displayed flawed judgement when they failed to put children first in Director: Seán Cottrell director@ippn.ie President: Pat Goff president@ippn.ie Editor: Damian White editor@ippn.ie Assistant Editor: Brendan McCabe Assistant Director:Virginia O’Mahony Advertising: adverts@ippn.ie Irish Primary Principals’ Network, Glounthaune, Co Cork

T: 353 21 452 4925 F: 353 21 435 5648 The opinions expressed in Leadership+ do not necessarily reflect the official policy or views of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network ISSN: 1649 -5888 Design: Brosna Press • 090 6454327 • info@brosnapress.ie PAG E 3

order to avoid ‘public scandal’, protect personal reputations or defend the power of their institutions.

Nothing short of prosecution, conviction and sentencing through the courts will satisfy the survivors of abuse and their families. Justice must be served to those who are found guilty of abusing children, to those who prioritised the protection of others over the protection of children, and to those who had the opportunity to protect children, who did not act, and knowingly put more children at risk This is not a ‘witch hunt’; it is about justice and closure for all those whose dignity has been damaged beyond the basic norms of any society. In our schools when it comes to Child Protection, Principals as Designated Liaison Persons carry a great responsibility in this role. Chairpersons of Boards of Management and Patrons of schools also carry great responsibility, given the power they wield in school governance, and their employment of the Principal and other staff. We know from Ferns, Ryan and Murphy that failures occur at all levels.There is now an urgent imperative that an independent, transparent audit is conducted of these three roles in every school in the state. Regardless of circumstances, anyone whose actions or in-action as the case may be, who has failed to protect even a solitary child, must be investigated and held to account by the judicial system of our state. Saying that we are doing the right thing is no longer good enough; we must do it, and be seen to do it.

IRISH PRIMARY EDUCATION MANAGEMENT MANUAL RELEASE 7

DUE OCTOBER 2009

Irish Primary Education Management Manual helps you with the numerous legal and compliance queries you face daily. It helps you ensure that your school is complying with the law in all areas.

This essential manual was first published in 2002 and has been updated to reflect changes in the law on a yearly basis ever since.

The 2009 update (Release 7) will publish in October.

The Irish Primary Education Management Manual is endorsed by the IPPN, and was originally edited by David Ruddy.

If you have not yet subscribed to the 2009 release please call us to ensure you don’t miss out.

If you are not sure if your copy is up to date don’t forget we offer a Contents Replacement Service which is a fast and cost-effective way to update out of date manuals.

New subscribers: save 25% when you start your subscription before 30 November 2009. You can also avail of our no-risk free trial.

Call us on 01 662 5301 to find out more.

Round Hall, Thomson Reuters, 43 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2.

T: 01 662 5301; F: 01 662 5302

Legal Diary

by David Ruddy, B.L.

‘Principal dismissed for alleged bullying is awarded €55,000’ GERTIE MCNERNEY V THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT OF ST PATRICK’S PRIMARY SCHOOL DROMARD, MOYNE, CO LONGFORD. EMPLOYMENT APPEALS TRIBUNAL DECISION 2009

unable to find a basis for a resolution and he recommended that the Board deal with the issues involved. The Chairperson wrote to the Principal in August 2006 advising the Principal that ‘The bullying/harassment cases taken by the staff had been substantiated. The issue of disciplinary action is now being considered’.

Facts The school Principal had been a teacher at the school since 1965. She was appointed Principal in 1996. She was dismissed in 2006. As Ms Mc Nerney had completed 41 years service, she was awarded a full pension and lump sum gratuity.

The school was a four teacher school with 83 pupils.

At the same time as the bullying/harassment process commenced, the Principal lodged a complaint against the Chairperson and the Board of Management itself. The Board engaged an Independent Tribunal to investigate the allegations made by the Principal against the Chairperson and the Board. The tribunal investigated the allegations made by the Principal and held that the grievances were not substantiated and consequently were rejected.

A number of complaints were made regarding the Principal. Two parents made complaints in relation to issues concerning the allocation of learning support provision for their children.

The rest of the teaching staff individually complained that they were subjected to bullying and harassment.

The Chairperson of the Board of Management gave evidence to the effect that relations between the Principal and the Board of Management had broken down. He claimed that the Principal failed to provide information requested by him for the Board. In particular, he alleged that the Principal did not make the Board aware of an extra allocation of 7 hrs learning support by the Department of Education and Science. It was claimed that this learning support allocation was not availed of by the school. The Board wrote to the Principal in June and October 2005. The October letter was a formal warning to the Principal.The Board wrote again to the Principal in January and May 2006, the second letter being a final warning.

After the final warning the investigation of the parents’ complaints was suspended pending the investigation of the bullying/harassment complaints.The Principal was the object of each complaint. The bullying/harassment procedure was invoked by the remaining three teachers on the staff. This was referred to mediation. The mediator reported to the Board that he was

The Board wrote a second letter in August 2006 and stated that it had concluded that the bullying/harassment of the three teachers constituted misconduct on the part of the Principal. The Board concluded that, in view of the two previous warnings and the finding of bullying against the Principal, the employment relationship was irreparably destroyed. The Board advised the Principal that it had decided to seek the consent of the Patron to facilitate the Principal’s dismissal. Pending the outcome of the Patron’s decision in the matter, the Principal was placed on administrative leave with full pay. The Board also informed the Principal of her entitlements under the ‘Maynooth Statutes’. This process was concluded and affirmed the decision of the Board.

The Principal stated that she did not enjoy the support of the Chairperson or indeed the Board itself. Ms McNerney rejected the following four complaints made against her: (1) She could not understand this complaint as the learning support teacher was employed on the urging of the former Chairperson exclusively for learning support and was to remain in that position until he retired.

(2) This was about complaints from two different parents. The Principal stated that the allocation of learning support hours was PAG E 4

an issue for the special needs organiser and not for her.

(3) The communication of the allocation of extra hours was a matter for the Department of Education & Science and they were responsible for the confusion.

(4) In relation to the allegation of bullying, she claimed that she was confronted by the other three members of her staff at her door. She initially had no union representation. A meeting to try to sort out the issue was ‘loud’.

She was not allowed to bring her solicitor to the meeting. She was also refused an opportunity to cross-examine the staff members.

In her submissions, the Principal stated that there should have been an alternative finding to dismissal. This was not considered at any stage.

The process was unfair. There was no appeal mechanism available. This was contrary to Statutory Instrument 146/2000. There was a perception of bias and impartiality.

Equality Authority Decision Despite its best efforts, the Board of Management of the school embarked on a process that was fundamentally flawed from the outset. The initial complaints did not merit a finding of misconduct. Such a finding was disproportionate and probably arrived at in very difficult circumstances.The difficult relationship between the Board and the Principal should not have coloured the manner in which the complaints were dealt with in this case. The dismissal is deemed to be unfair in all the circumstances. However, the Principal had contributed significantly to the difficulties. Her behaviour was unreasonable and contributed to the breakdown in relations. Ms McNerney was awarded €55,000 compensation. The hearing lasted four days.

Observation This case dispels the notion that it is virtually impossible to sack a teacher or indeed school Principal. Dismissal is only deemed fair for misconduct. This case is unusual in that the

dismissal was not for the more common findings of child abuse or theft/fraud which constitutes dismissal. There was no question of this in relation to the school Principal.

Ironically there appeared to have been no formal complaints for almost forty years. The Board erred in not offering the Principal an opportunity to up-skill. They should have advised the Principal of the consequences of a possible finding of mis-conduct.

‘SEPARATED PARENT CHALLENGES PARENT TEACHER MEETING POLICY OF PRIMARY SCHOOL’ A V A PRIMARY SCHOOL EQUALITY TRIBUNAL DECISION 2009 Parents’ Case A separated parent challenged the decision of a school to give separate parent/teacher meetings for both parents. The mother of the pupils refused to participate in any joint meeting. The father claimed that this practice was unlawful as it excluded him as a non custodial parent from his position as joint legal guardian of his children. He referred to the school policy on Custody/Separation and the provision for parent/teacher meetings. This policy offered the option of separate parent/teacher meetings to separated parents if they so desired. The father’s position was that the school should allocate a time for the parent/teacher meetings and invite both parents to attend, as it does in all other situations.

If one parent chose not to attend then that was their problem. He submitted that the meeting should proceed and no alternative date should be offered to the parent who chooses not to attend. He claimed that it is not in the interests of pupils to have two separate meetings as there is potential for conflicting reports/conclusions to derive from the discussions at two separate meetings. He also questioned the school’s policy on 1) Sending notes home 2) the releasing of pupils for collection from school to non-custodial parents 3) the requirements for enrolling pupils in the school.

The School’s case The school totally rejected the allegation that it had discriminated against the father in relation to parent/teacher meetings. It only offered separate parent/teacher meetings once it was known that the pupil’s mother would not attend the joint meeting. The school could not compel both parents to attend the one meeting. The school submitted that if they did not offer separate meetings in the circumstances it would be open to a charge of discrimination. The teachers had a structure in place to ensure that the issues discussed would be the same for both parents.

Equality Tribunal Decision The school did not discriminate against the father.The school’s policy is reflective of its role and its duty of care for the pupils. The policy was fair to both married and separated parents.

It allowed everyone to meet with the teachers in the school and discuss their children.

Observation This case, despite the positive result, must have been utterly frustrating for the school concerned.They were most progressive in what they had offered in terms of their Custody/Separation policy. However this case highlights the fact that unreasonable demands made of schools will not be entertained. In fact it would be good policy for all schools to adopt the formula of this school in relation to the conduct of parent/teacher meetings as part of their Custody/ Separation policy.

‘MALE TEACHER FAILS IN DISCRIMINATION & VICTIMISATION CASE AGAINST A PRIMARY SCHOOL’ JAMES MARTIN HENDERSON V BOARD OF MANAGEMENT OF SCOIL IOSAGAIN EQUALITY TRIBUNAL DECISION 2009 Teacher’s Case Mr Henderson was an unsuccessful candidate for a teaching post in the above school in two separate competitions in 2005 and 2006. He claimed that he was discriminated against on PAG E 5

gender grounds in the 2005 competition, and was victimised in the 2006 competition. He was the only male candidate in the first competition in which female candidates were successful. In the second competition two other male candidates were successful. Mr Henderson lodged a complaint after the first competition and claimed that he was victimised as a result of this complaint in the second competition. It was his contention that victimisation arose from what he felt was a general lack of transparency of the appointment process. He also submitted that a friend had told him that if he had not made the complaint, he might have been successful in securing a position.

School’s Case In relation to the claim of gender-based discrimination it was admitted that he was the only male candidate in a field of otherwise female candidates. However, Mr Henderson was unable to demonstrate that he had significantly different qualifications relative to the successful female candidates. In the marking sheets 10 additional points were awarded to each candidate who had successfully completed their probation as a primary teacher. He, unlike the successful candidates, had not completed his probation.

He further admitted to performing poorly in his interview, which was reflected in low marks in this area.

Equality Tribunal Decision The school did not discriminate against Mr Henderson in relation to the first competition in 2005. He also failed on the allegation of victimisation as he was unable to refer to an identifiable adverse reaction of any kind that was directed against himself, by anyone associated with the school.

Observation The school in this case could successfully defend the legal challenge on the basis that it had adhered rigidly to procedure. It is essential that all notes and marking sheets are retained in the event of a dispute in relation to the selection process.

Latest News NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION IPPN invited all the Education Partners to discuss: ● Budget Dec 2009 and its possible implications for primary education ● How to positively influence government decision-makers in relation to the Budget.

The following organisations chose to participate: ● An Foras Pátrúnachta ● Church of Ireland Board of Education ● Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta Teo ● Educate Together ● Gaelscoileanna ● Irish National Teachers’ Organisation ● Irish Primary Principals’ Network ● National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education ● National Parents’ Council – Primary.

After our meeting a joint statement was drafted and agreed following circulation. This was issued as a press release ‘Pre-Budget Statement by the National Alliance for Primary Education’ issued on 2nd December last.

IPPN SUPPORT OFFICE The new IPPN Support Office building in Glounthaune, Co. Cork will soon be completed.

We hope to move in early February after Conference 2010.

RECENT EVENTS IPPN delivered presentations at recent LDS Forbairt and Misneach programmes.

In collaboration with LDS, three training seminars for Mentors were organised in Clare, Wexford and Kildare Since October, IPPN has held meetings with the INTO, CPSMA, DES/TES, the NPC, NAPD, the National Alliance for Primary Education, ICP, ESHA IPPN were represented at a number of events including ● ESRI & UCD Religious education in a multi-cultural society seminar ● Inventory of school accommodation review group ● Peer Learning Activity on school attendance ● 10 years of equality legislation ● DES review of school transport

● ● ● ● ● ● ●

DES on-line courses review Walk Tall seminar DEIS symposium Education through the spectrum (Autism) Growing up in Ireland research seminar ESRI and NCSE seminars ISME, INTO and NCCA, NABMSE and Gaelscoileanna annual conferences.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS 2010 IPPN Annual Principals’ Conference takes place at City West Hotel & Conference Centre, Co. Dublin from Thursday 28th to Saturday 30th January 2010. Keynote speakers include ● Colm O’Gorman,Amnesty International ● Fergus Finlay, Barnardos ● Ferdinand von Prondzynski, DCU ● Don Thornhill, National Competitiveness Council of Ireland Your School & The Law seminars take place in Limerick on 27th Feb and Kilkenny on 27th March.

Further details and application forms for these events are available on www.ippn.ie.

www.ippn.ie Resources The following resources have been added to www.ippn.ie since the last issue of Leadership+. To access these, log on to the site with your username and password and go to the relevant section as noted below.

PRINCIPAL ADVICE SECTION Inclusion ● Enabling, Hearing and Giving Weight to Students?Views of Special Schooling in 21st Century Ireland (a thesis by Colman Motherway, DP).

School Policies ● Class Allocation Policy – Multigrade Policies.

Administration ● Primary Grants Calendar 2009/2010 ● Principal’s Report to the BOM. Human Resource Management ● Suggestions in relation to reviewing posts of responsibility.

Recruitment ● Teachers ● Sample interview questions for teaching posts ● Ancillary Staff ● Sample Contract – Part-time Cleaner ● ISM Team ● Suggested Duties for any post of

responsibility ● Suggested Duties for Deputy Principal post.

Parents & Pupils – Swine Flu ● A dedicated webpage for resources relating to Swine Flu including: ● Template letter to parents ● Dept of Public Health contact information ● Lesson Plans re. preventing the spread of the virus ● DES guidance and information sheets.

School Development & Curriculum Planning ● Christmas Play, Carols, Concert Ideas ● Hints and Tips for the promotion of Irish ● Spanish Plan ● Swine Flu lesson plan for Junior Cycle ● Swine Flu lesson plan for Senior Cycle.

RESOURCES SECTION ● Leadership+ section hosts electronic copies of the current and past issues ● E-scéals section holds all e-scéals sent to members and are displayed in date order ● PIMS 2009/2010 has electronic copies of all the sections within the PIMS folder and can be printed off to supplement the hard copies you received NEWS & VIEWS SECTION ● The Education News section provides a ‘one-stop shop’ for all education-related

PAG E 6

news articles from a variety of sources including national and regional newspapers, Education Partner websites, TV and Radio channel websites… An RSS feed can be set up from the homepage of www.ippn.ie should you wish to avail of this facility. ● See also the Today’s News section on the homepage for the latest articles.

EVENTS SECTION IPPN Conference 2010 ● Dedicated webpages for Expo Visitors and Conference Attendees, both can be accessed through the homepage ● Link through to the Seminar Registration website to book your place at the seminars of your choice ● Book of Condolences for Gearóid Sullivan, Principal of Lissycasey NS, RIP ● County Network AGM - presentation slides ● Principals’ Professional Briefing Days presentation slides.

PRESS RELEASES SECTION ● 9th Dec – Response to Budget Dec 2009 ● 2nd Dec - Pre-Budget Statement by the National Alliance for Primary Education ● 27th Oct - Teacher Unemployment

Buying for Schools €17m to be cut from schools budget!

by John Curran In the current economic climate, headlines like this are not surprising. We are bombarded with calls about how much we need to save in the public sector and how much we cannot afford to continue on the way we are.

All of us are looking for ways to reduce costs and to make whatever money we do have stretch further.

Did you know that YOU manage a public service budget of over €175 million? That’s right.

Between all of us who are reading this, we spend over €175 million every year. There are 500,000 pupils in our schools. The capitation grant is €200 per pupil and the ancillary services grant is €151.

Not counting other sources of funding, schools between them spend at least this amount on everything from heating, electricity, telephone, cleaning, insurance, IT equipment, stationery and…toilet paper!

Between us, we are probably responsible for making buying decisions and signing cheques for over €250 million every year. That is a significant amount.

If you were told that the capitation and ancillary services grant was to be increased by 10% or even 15% next year, you would probably not believe it.

If you were told that YOU could increase your budget for running your school by 10% or 15%, you would still not believe it. Yet this is possible.

Imagine if instead of going out to buy 10 boxes of A4 copier paper, you were going out to buy 10 tonnes? Or, if instead of going out to buy 3 laptops you were buying 3,000? Do you think you might be able to get a better price? Do you think a 10% or 15% discount might be possible?

That is exactly what IPPN does when it goes out shopping on your behalf. For oil, electricity, telephone services, IT equipment, etc. When

IPPN negotiates a better price for something for schools, we go out to the major suppliers and tell them that there are 3,300 Principals in schools who buy what they are selling. And we look for the best price and service available for you.

Some suppliers would rather schools continued to purchase individually, thus allowing them to charge higher prices to a fragmented group of over 3,000 buyers. However if we organise ourselves to negotiate lower prices and better services as one group representative of 3,300 schools, we could contribute over €20 million by way of increasing our budget and getting more for our money. It is the same as saving the country €20 million.

By getting organised and buying together, we can make a massive saving to the exchequer and the headline might read…‘Primary Principals save €20 million in the budget’.

IPPN’S GOLD SPONSOR &

PREFERRED SUPPLIER FOR YOUR PHOTOCOPIER, MULTI-FUNCTIONAL DEVICES, PRINTERS & FAX REQUIREMENTS

BRANCHES IN: PLEASE VISIT US AT

STAND NO. 54 AT THE FORTHCOMING

IPPN CONFERENCE IN CITY WEST HOTEL FROM

IBS Proud sponsor of

28th – 30th JANUARY 2010 • • •

•

Guaranteed 2-hour service response time.

65 strategically located Service Engineers.

Strong commitment to the Environment – all products include Energy Star, Blue Angel Marks & RoHs compliance.

As a proud sponsor of IPPN, IBS offers fantastic discounts to IPPN members.

Cork Dublin Limerick Galway Laois Sligo Donegal Waterford IBS - Proud sponsor Belfast of Derry

For information on any of our products, please call IBS on Free Phone 1800 23 00 00 or log on to www.ibs.ie Please come and visit us during exhibition times and we will gladly discuss your printing requirements with a view to HELP SAVE YOU MONEY

PAG E 8

ICT Tips Your School Website – How to get it done!

by Seaghan Moriarty Many schools are already using their website to achieve strategic objectives: ● Communication with Parents & Community (school policy, admin documents, newsletter, calendar etc.) ● Communication with teachers & pupils (Teaching resources, staff email, pupil blogs) ● Pupil Publishing (Projects, photo galleries, class web pages).

Have you been putting off updating or upgrading your school website because it seems a minefield of technical decisions? Below is a 3-step approach which may help.

STEP 1 – GATHER CONTENT You can use much of the content from your existing website, and don’t be afraid to look at other school websites to see what they are doing.

Essentially, you’ll need to gather/decide three things: ● The structure/menu. Write four or five headings and under each, list titles for your pages ● Which functions? calendar, gallery, staff login, newsletter, RSS feeds, slideshows, FAQ, search facility, other? ● What ‘look’?Your logo may dictate your website colours; you should also decide other elements such as drop-down menu, slide-show on the front page, page layout, etc.

ask colleagues what they have found. ● Updating? Who on the team will update what pages.

STEP 3 – ENSURE USABILITY Whichever approach you decide, ensure that you create an easy to update website. Most modern websites don’t need any software – you can log in to your website, update pages/menus/images and click ‘Save’.

Crucially, this avoids the ‘old chestnut’ of relying on one technical person with specialist software and expertise to update everything. With an easy to use/update website, you, your secretary and your teachers can work on the website and in this way it will develop into an organic learning process for all involved. Pupils can also publish class projects, sports and curricular photos, audio files, video interviews – the sky’s the limit!

Bail ó Dhia ar an obair, and don’t forget that a great source of support is the mailing list networking@ippn.ie. We are really lucky to have wonderful expertise among members who continue to give help, support and encouragement. Míle buíochas!

STEP 2 – CHOOSE YOUR TEAM ● Unless you have a passion and expertise for web design, gather a small team to help you make these decisions and most importantly, decide who will do them ● Hosting? Where/how to host your website and domain name ● Which technology to use and who can use it? Scoilnet Blogging, Wordpress, traditional websites e.g. WebX5, or a CMS Content Management System. Don’t listen to anyone who says ‘this way is easy’ – difficulty is a factor of the person who will be implementing! Instead,

Moresoft prides itself on providing the type of I.T. support services that most people want - certainty with a human face. So whether its Managed Services, I.T. Support, System Design Implementation, Hosted Services or Hardware and Software sales, you’re covered. ‘ So call us now and see what we can do for you.

Tel: +3531 2160902 | Fax: +3531 2160908 | Email: sales@moresoft.ie

PAG E 9

Support Services - Human Faces

Frost Protection for Schools Guidelines courtesy of Allianz

Schools, because they are unoccupied at night, at weekends and during holiday periods, are prone to suffer frost damage during severe or prolonged cold weather.

Many schools in the past have been caught off guard and suffered burst pipes, causing flooding to classrooms and the collapse of ceilings, damage to furniture and equipment etc.The cost of repair in many cases can be very substantial.

A surprising aspect of many of these claims is that many of these schools had only been built in the last five to ten years and should, therefore, have had adequate insulation for pipes. Poor or no insulation of the cold water supply to storage tanks in attics and central heating frost thermostats incorrectly set or turned off were the main contributory factors.

Where the heating system is used, internal doors should be left open to protect unheated or poorly heated compartments, but always subject to applicable fire safety rules and regulations Here are some precautions you should take to avoid frost damage to hot water heating systems, water services and also subsequent water damage to buildings and contents, during such weather: Ideally, heat should be maintained in the building during periods of severe cold weather. (a) If the heating system is fitted with a frost thermostat, ensure that it is correctly set, i.e. 35° F or 2° C if located indoors, or 32° F or 0° C if outdoors. Test its effectiveness by setting it at the current temperature. If the system does not start up, have it checked by an engineer.

N.B. If a frost switch is fitted, this puts either the frost thermostat, or time switch in control of the heating. There is no

protection unless the switch is in the 'Frost' position. (b) If the heating system in the school has no frost thermostat fitted, the system should be started manually and checked periodically by a responsible person and, kept running long enough to keep temperatures in the building and the boiler room at a safe level.

Remember to protect your oil supply against freezing. Precautions listed above will be ineffective if the oil is frozen and cannot reach the boiler. This may happen if temperatures of 12° F or -9° C prevail. The oil supply pipe can be protected with weather-proof insulation and a tarpaulin cover will provide emergency protection to the tank.

Make sure that all tanks and pipes in the roof space and all external vent or expansion pipes are well lagged or insulated.

Where the heating system is used, internal doors should be left open to protect unheated or poorly heated compartments, but always subject to applicable fire safety rules and regulations which should take precedence.

Make sure all radiators are turned on.

If air vents in the boiler room are closed off, leave sufficient opening to allow an adequate supply of air for combustion.

If the system is not to be kept running during periods of severe cold, the entire system (including the boiler) must be drained.

Remember to open radiator vents to ensure complete drainage.

Where the system is drained or the building is otherwise unheated, all sanitary and domestic water services should be drained, by shutting off at the main and running and flushing off all water in pipes, tanks and cisterns. In these circumstances, outside toilets and pump houses should be similarly protected.

PAG E 1 0

Make sure that all tanks and pipes in the roof space and all external vents or expansion pipes are well lagged or insulated.

NOTE: When a heating system is drained, switch off at the main switch and place a prominent notice on the switch stating SYSTEM DRAINED - DO NOT START. The information provided in this article is intended for use as a guideline only in assisting schools to assess their preparedness for frost conditions during severe or prolonged cold weather and to encourage appropriate preventative measures.

!" #

$

% &%

2010 ANNUAL CONFERENCE SPONSORS:

President’s Reception

Gala Dinner and refreshements

IPPN Annual Principals’

CONFERENCE

Publications Sponsor

2010

PRIMARY EDUCATION – A H U MAN RIG HT OR A PRIVI LEG E?

Thursday 28th – Saturday 30th January 2010 IPPN’s Annual Principals' Conference 2010 will be facilitated by Olivia O’Leary.

Conference Keynote Speakers for 2010 include: ● ● ● ● ●

Batt O’Keeffe, TD, Minister for Education & Science Fergus Finlay, Chief Executive, Barnardos Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director, Amnesty International (Ireland) Don Thornhill, Chairman of the National Competitiveness Council of Ireland Ferdinand von Prondzynski, President, Dublin City University

This year’s Seminars include : ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Teachers’ Health & Welfare - Fitness to Work/Medmark Service SEN – A practical guide to the Whole-school approach Dealing with Challenging Behaviour New Codes of Behaviour 2010 - Assisting Schools Child Protection in Action Induction of Newly Qualified Teachers Incredible Years Programme - a whole new approach to discipline Staff Motivation – Yes We Can!

Gala Dinner Entertainment with Oliver Callan writer & star of RTE’s Nob Nation!

Citywest Hotel To avail of this Conference Rate, please contact Central Reservations on 01 401500, Ref. No. (ippn10) or visit their website www.citywesthotel.com • Rates available from 27th – 31st January Rate Single BB €100.00 • Rate Double BB: €100.00

For full Conference details log onto www.ippn.ie PAG E 1 1

List of Conference 2010 Exhibitors 1. TEXTAPARENT.IE Stand No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 & 12 13 16 18 19 22 & 35 25A 25B 26 27 28 29 30 & 31

32 33 34 36 & 37 38 39 & 40 41 42 43 45 46 47 48 49 50 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 & 75 61 63 & 72 64 65 66 & 69 70 74 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 84 85 88 89 91 92 93 94

Exhibitor IPPN / Textaparent EMS Copiers (services) Ltd Scholastic Ireland Forbes Furniture IMEX Interactive Allianz Food Dudes Healthy Eating Programme Roadmaster Quill Ireland Direct Ltd Databiz Solutions Screen Flex Ltd Software Asset Management Ireland JD Resources Resources 4Learning Ltd. Star School Promethean An Mála Mór Edware Sord Data Systems Public Sector Retirement Advisors Kickstart Publications Toomey Audio Visual An Gúm / An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta is Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) CJ Fallon Limited Don Keating Wholesale Dogs Trust Tricky Tricksters Magic Castle Lennox Laboratory Supplies Ltd Carambola Images Ltd JustRewards.ie Microsoft Ireland Hitachi Interactive Solutions K Sport The Teaching Council Mark Éire Learning Horizons Moresoft Computers Ltd Shaw Scientific Irish Business Systems CEOL Ireland Simply Music Energy Saving Systems Masterkabin County Photos SOS Group Forbo Ireland Go Interactive / EdPax School Services Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd Prim-Ed Publishing Ltd Schools Websites BlueKop Ltd. Link Community Development Liosdoire Computers World Maps Lets Go Summer Schools Scoiltel Energia Living Shamrock Mecon Water Management Ltd. Educational Company of Ireland WESCO Memory Lane Photography Dancin' Time GreenIT Azzurri Sport Spraoi!

Textaparent.ie is IPPN’s fast, reliable and costeffective text messaging service for schools. The service enables schools to instantly communicate with large groups of people including parents, staff and other school groups so that your schools message is received regardless of the whereabouts of the intended recipient. The service is also far more cost effective than photocopied notes, letters or phone calls and messages can be sent from any PC or PDA, no matter where you are.

Log onto www.textaparent.ie, call the IPPN Support Office on 1890 21 22 23 or visit IPPN at Stand no. 1 for further details.

2. EMS COPIERS For all your Digital Document and Print Solutions, EMS COPIERS is the number one choice in the market place and particularly in schools today. Our professional sales team which now includes among its personnel Pat Burke-Walsh, former Principal of St. Peter Apostle S.N.S, Neilstown, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, will through consultation identify your requirements and advise on the correct and most cost efficient hardware and software solutions for all your documents and print requirements.

Contact: EMS Copiers Services Ltd, Unit 40, Canal Walk Site 21, Parkwest Ind. Estate, Nangor Road, Dublin 12.

Or email: sales@emscopiers.ie John Cahill Managing Director: 086-2414181 Pat Burke-Walsh School Sales Consultant 087-1335633

5. IMEX INTERACTIVE IMEX Interactive – proud sponsors of the Conference President’s Reception IMEX Interactive Simple Solutions. Real Results.

Imex Interactive is a solutions provider for smart schools. Our dedicated education team will be on hand at this years conference to guide you through our wide range of products for classroom and campus wide use.

Visit our stand and see the New IMEX Touch Interactive Whiteboard System and avail of our special promotional pricing for the IPPN Conference. We will also be displaying our range of Digital Projectors, Visualisers and voting systems.

Contact: 1800 420465 • Email: sales@imex.ie

6. ALLIANZ Allianz as leading school insurer in the country and Platinum Sponsor of IPPN have served the insurance needs of schools throughout Ireland for many decades. The Allianz Custodian School Protection Policy has been updated consistently to take account of the changing and developing insurance requirements of schools. Our current school protection policy together with our Pupil Personal Accident policy (20% discount available on-line) ensures that your school has the most comprehensive protection available in the market.

We will be delighted to assist you with any queries you may have.

Contact - Alan Black Tel: 087-9938227 • Email: alan.black@allianz.ie Web: www.allianz.ie/schools

PAG E 1 2

10. DATABIZ SOLUTIONS Databiz Solutions provides a range of computerised systems for primary schools in Ireland including: ● DataBiz NS ATTENDANCE – records pupils’ attendance, calculates attendance totals and percentages and generates reports on high absentees as required by the NEWB. ● DataBiz NS ADMIN – stores all details required to automatically generate the October returns.

Also generates mailing labels, class lists etc. ● DataBiz LIBRARY – Used in over 100 schools in Ireland. ● DataBiz BOOK RENTAL – a new system designed to help schools administer book rental schemes.

Visit Stand No. 10 at conference or: Phone: 091-556755 / 091-555149 / 087-7761405 E-mail: info@databizsolutions.ie Web: www.databizsolutions.ie

18. RESOURCES4LEARNING ● Distributor of TouchIT Technology products and accredited reseller for eBeam. ● Interactive whiteboard: 78” TouchIT • eBeam ● Full installation: wall or ceiling mounted projector, sound system, cabling and onsite training. ● Tablet/Slate: Have full control of your computer from anywhere in the classroom €130 ( inc VAT) ● Student Response System (voting system): Allows students to participate by responding to questions on the board. Collect real-time data through Questions and Answers . The results are stored for further analysis/printing at a later date. 24 user system. €800(inc VAT) Contact: John Hughes Tel: 061 398 747 Email: john@resources4learning.ie www.resources4learning.ie

32. CJ FALLON IPPN’s official conference publications sponsor.

CJ Fallon has been setting the standards for Primary and Post-Primary textbooks for more than 80 years in Ireland. Our emphasis on quality over quantity has stood to us…every title that we publish has been thoroughly planned, researched and designed. Our English, Irish and Mathematics textbooks are the most widely used in Irish Primary Schools and our ‘Quest’ series for SESE is also very popular. CJ Fallon also produce the most popular assessment tools, namely Micra-T and Sigma-T. We are also actively developing interactive learning resources; we are proud to be bringing an Irishcurriculum version of Riverdeep’s world leading mathematics software to the market this year, we have interactive exercises available for Bun go Barr and we have relevant web links with every topic covered in the Quest series

39 & 40. CARAMBOLA DEIS: Carambola successfully delivered over 7,000,000 individually labelled healthy lunch bags since 2003.

SCHOOL BOOKS: Carambola first sold schoolbooks in 2009. Instantly became the number 2 online-only book sales company.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS: launch 2010.

LUNCHBOX PRODUCTS: healthy lunchbox products in family size packs launch 2010.

CARAMBOLA MOMS: Agency program launches 2010. Local women will work as agents marketing Carambola’s 3 school essentials ranges. Local parents get more choice, better service and lower prices.

REBATES: Carambola gives a percentage of every euro spent back to local community.

More info? Click: www.Carambola.ie Txt: IPPN10 to 087 254 4494 • Call: 1850 812300

45. HITACHI INTERACTIVE SOLUTIONS View the latest Hitachi Starboard™ interactive solutions including Hitachi’s FX-Duo series interactive whiteboards, ultra short-throw, short-throw and standard projectors. All Hitachi Starboard™ interactive whiteboards are supplied with 5 years warranty whilst projectors are supplied with 3 years warranty including lamp. Lumens visualisers will also be onhand which can be easily integrated with your interactive system or alternatively used for standalone applications. Lumens visualisers are supported by the manufacturer’s 5 year warranty. Hitachi Starboard™ interactive solutions are available nationwide through an authorised Dealer network.

58. MASTERKABIN Established in 1991, Masterkabin are Munster’s leading provider of Modular, off site and portable building solutions. This year we have launched a new fast track permanent solution. A typical Masterkabin Permanent 80M2 classroom can be supplied and installed ready for occupation within one month from our arrival to site. The building has a concrete floor, rendered exterior, a pitch roof with an attractive tile finish. Connection to your permanent heating system is also possible. Call to see an example of what we can do for your school at stand no 58.

Masterkabin, Killountain, Innishannon, Co. Cork.

Tel: 021 4775555. Fax: 021 4775562.

Email: sales@masterkabin.ie • www.masterkabin.ie

59. COUNTY PHOTOS County Photos – More Choice for Parents, less work for you!

With over 30 years of experience supplying high quality, affordable portrait and class group photography to primary Schools, County Photos is now one of Ireland’s leading school Photography Service providers.

Our hassle free proof ordering system gives parents a wide variety of choice and eliminates any unnecessary administration for the school staff.

Come visit our stand and have your picture taken free of charge by one of our photographers!

54. IRISH BUSINESS SYSTEMS LIMITED IBS is the largest Distributor in Ireland for photocopiers, multi-functional devices, printers, faxes and document management solutions.

IBS, as Gold Sponsor of IPPN since 2008, and preferred Supplier for printing, copying and fax facilities for schools, is delighted to announce that we will be located at Stand No. 54 at the 2010 Annual Conference. On display will be our new range of products with special offers for IPPN members. ● Guaranteed 2-hour response time ● 37 years expertise ● 65 strategically located Service Engineers ● ISO 9001:2000 Quality Assured Company ● Strong commitment to the Environment including Energy Star, Blue Angel Mark and RoHS compliant ● Branches in Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Galway, Laois, Sligo, ● Donegal, Wexford and Waterford

61. FORBO IRELAND Forbo Ireland are manufacturer’s of all types of floor coverings for use in school, colleges and universities.

We manufacture Marmoleum, Artoleum, Surestep, Flotex, Coral entrance matting and Nuway entrance systems. Marmoleum/Artoleum are made from natural raw materials and are sustainable and fully biodegradeable products.

They come in a range of over 160 colours and are suitable for use in classrooms, corridors and general purpose rooms. School crests can also be cut out in Marmoleum and laid as part of the design of the floor.Forbo Ireland offer a full technical advice service to schools that are considering using our products.

Please contact 01 2898898 or email info.Ireland@forbo.com for further details.

Contact: Freephone 1800 23 00 00 • www.ibs.ie

74. BLUEKOP 55. CEOL IRELAND Ceol Ireland’s Stage One Programme enables teachers of Junior cycle to: ● Teach music with the greatest of ease and confidence ● Thoroughly engage children in achieving fluency in the language of music The Programme features: ● 30 Week by week, scripted lesson plans ● DVD professional development pack ● Resource materials, CD of songs and CD of listening and movement activities Programme can also be obtained in Irish for Gaelscoileanna. Visit us at Stand 55 and enter the Ceol Prize Draw to win a Ceol Stage One Pack.

For more info visit www.ceolireland.ie

Let’s Go! School Tours run nationwide. We provide an expertly organised programme of thrilling and exciting activities. Our qualified teaching staff will challenge, educate and entertain your pupils in a safe environment. Choose from venues in Dublin, Meath, Galway, Mayo, Waterford, Kildare and Cork. Some of the unique and exciting activities we offer include Zorbee Ball Roll, Bungee Trampoline, KMX Karts, Climbing Wall, Wrecking Ball, Wobbly Ladder. The emphasis is on having lots of fun, fun, fun! During the summer months Let’s Go! run multi activity summer camps nationwide.

Tel: 1890 538746 • info@letsgo.ie • www.letsgo.ie

80 SCOILTEL

48. MARK ÉIRE Good air quality greatly helps learning.

'Schools of the future' authorities highlighted this as an urgent requirement. CO2 levels in classrooms have been found at 4000 ppm (parts per million), whereas 400 ppm is normal outdoors. By improving the indoor environment, students performance levels improve. We at Mark Éire BV, producers of heating and ventilation equipment, have the complete solution with the MHR Unit. We presently produce the MHR Global for Banks, Offices, Conference Rooms etc., where people need to be alert at all times .

Please visit us at out stand no.48. We will be delighted to answer any questions you may have.

79. LETS GO! SUMMER SCHOOL

Bluekop, an IPPN Partner and Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher , provide schools with affordable computer equipment, software solutions, IT support and advice.

We provide: ● Desktop and laptop computers. ● Guaranteed minimum specification, including Microsoft XP Pro operating system, suitable for teaching and administrative environment. ● Flat screen monitors at discounted prices. ● Free consultation service with customers. ● Custom built units to meet specific requirements of schools. ● Time based online support. No annual support contract. ● On-site support service with charges agreed in advance.

Contact: Declan Cahill or Ray Church 01- 4800560.

Visit our website, www.bluekop.ie or www.ippn.ie for more details.

PAG E 1 3

IPPN’s landline telephone service.

This landline telephone offer provides packages to suit your school’s requirements: ScoilTel bundle: Our bundles allow you to tailor a package based on your schools current spend. We have a range of bolt ons available from 200 minutes of national calls right up to 1000 minutes and mobile calls from 50 minutes to 1000 minutes. These bolt ons are guaranteed to provide you with savings from 15% up to 40% when compared to eircom. Enquiries: 1890 701 801 W:www.puretelecom.ie • E: scoiltel@puretelecom.ie

81 ENERGIA Energia, Irelands leading energy supplier are continuing to partner with the IPPN in delivering a very competitive price offering to our members. Energia are now delivering this competitive product offering through its GREEN RENEWABLE Portfolio, assisting IPPN members in reducing their CO2 emissions and ensuring they are maximising their electricity savings in 2010. If you would like to avail of the savings and green renewable offering, please contact Energia Sales Office at 091-384138.

85. THE EDUCATIONAL COMPANY OF IRELAND The Educational Company of Ireland is Ireland’s leading publisher of school textbooks and resources for the Irish Curriculum. Edco have published a wide range of highly successful primary programmes, including Sunny Street/Streets Ahead, Maith Thú!, Sin é!, Window on the World and Let’s Make Music. Edco recently launched www.edcoDigital.ie – an online site offering teachers access to a range of our Primary textbooks in digital format. Register Now at www.edcoDigital.ie.

For further information please contact us at The Educational Company of Ireland Tel: (01) 4500611 • e-mail: info@edco.ie website: www.edco.ie & www.edcodigital.ie

94. AZZURRI SPORT IPPN’s sportswear partner.

Azzurri, a Waterford based company, is a producer and distributor of quality sports and leisurewear throughout Ireland and is an Official Supplier of sports kit to several leading clubs and counties.The benefits of ordering with Azzurri are clear: ● IPPN's competitive discounted rate ● A wide range of quality performance products including Playing Kit, Leisurewear, sports equipment, school jackets, tracksuits and polo shirts ● A dedicated customer service team ready to take your calls and deal with your enquiries ● A quick and efficient delivery service ● GAA licensed Kit ● AZZURRI CE approved hurling Helmet Phone: 051 850066 email: sales@azzurri.ie

EDUCATION EXPO

2010

IPPN’s Education Expo is Ireland’s longest standing and largest annual Education Trade Exhibition.

Running parallel to IPPN’s Annual Principals’ Conference for the past nine years, this year,

Education Expo 2010 invites all Teachers, Principals and Parents to visit.

WHERE:

CITYWEST CONVENTION CENTRE, SAGGART, CO DUBLIN WHEN:

THURSDAY 28TH – SATURDAY 30TH JANUARY 2010 With over 95 participating exhibitors, there will be thousands of products on display. This is a tremendous opportunity to purchase resources with Trade Expo Discounts. It is also an excellent hands-on opportunity to view and test the latest technologies and products entering the market.

ENTRY IS FREE Visit www.ippn.ie for Opening Times and a Directory of Exhibitors

A service from IPPN A simple web-based system that allows you to quickly and easily send instant text messages to specifically targeted groups of people within your school community – parents, members of staff etc.

TextaParent.ie allows you to instantly convey messages such as: ● ● ● ●

Emergency Closure of School e.g. pandemics such as swine flu Last minute changes e.g. cancellation of sports day Celebration announcements e.g. victory in sports final Timetable change e.g. early closing for staff meeting.

Over

800 IPPN member schools are now using this service regularly

Advantages: ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

A simple process on a user friendly site with outstanding customer support Store the mobile numbers of your contact groups within your secure account No set-up costs or monthly standing charges More cost effective and efficient than photocopied notes & telephone calls TextaParent.ie does not charge recipients of messages Messages can be sent from your PC, Laptop, PDA or Mobile Phone once connected to the internet Text messages cannot be left at the bottom of a bag!

Call the IPPN Support Office on 1890 21 22 23 to register an account

Visit us at Conference Expo Stand Number 1 for further details PAG E 1 4

Mentoring Newly Appointed Principals

by Virginia O’Mahony One of the most valuable professional supports offered by IPPN to Newly Appointed Principals (NAP) is the mentoring of the NAP by an experienced Principal during the first year of their Principalship. If the NAP wishes to avail of mentoring, this arrangement is put in place by the local Mentor Organiser in the County Network.

If you are a Newly Appointed Principal, and you have not yet availed of the mentoring service, please contact the IPPN Support Office at 1890 21 22 23 or email support3@ippn.ie.

IPPN Conference 2010: On Thursday, 28th January, prior to the opening of Conference, there will be a training seminar for Newly Appointed Principals and their Mentors from 9.30 am to 11.30 am. This session is jointly organised by IPPN and LDS and is ideally suited to both NAP and Mentor attending together as professional partners. Further information can be had from support3@ippn.ie.

New look for www.EducationPosts.ie website Over the past few months www.EducationPosts.ie has been redeveloped to improve the user-friendliness of the site and to simplify the recruitment process even further.

Improved Resources on www.EducationPosts.ie: â—? As an IPPN member, you have exclusive access to the TextaSub facility to notify job-seekers of substitute teaching vacancies â—? TextaSub can now only be accessed from the Advertise a Post section of www.EducationPosts.ie. You will need to enter your IPPN username and password to access the facility. â—? You can find out the status of your advert through the new View Advert Status screen within Advertise a Post menu â—? Teachers wishing to register their availability for TextaSub alerts must now provide a valid Teaching Council Teacher Registration Number which is checked against the Teaching Council database.

Over the next months we will be further refining the website. We would be delighted to receive your feedback which you can send to project@ippn.ie.

! "

#

#

$ %

& '

!

%

! $ % & ' ($& )*+

, - . !

, -

. ! $& )*

!

! $& )* / 0 %

! """

# $% $ PAG E 1 5

Q&A Áine Lawlor Director of the Teaching Council

1. What has been the Teaching Council’s greatest achievement so far?

To date, the council has had many achievements which are very significant for the profession. It has established the first comprehensive Register of Teachers in the State with 68,000 currently registered and, it maintains the register to safeguard standards of entry to the profession. As part of that process, it has arranged the Garda vetting of more than 21,500 teachers and assessed more than 5,500 qualifications. It has published Registration Regulations to ensure entry standards to the profession at primary, post-primary and further education levels and has begun to review and accredit programmes of initial teacher education, to ensure that student teachers are well prepared for entry to the profession.

It has published the first written Codes of Professional Conduct for Teachers and, as part of its role in promoting teaching as a profession, commissioned and disseminated a DVD, ‘Croí na Múinteoireachta’ which recognises the commitment and professionalism of teachers and the valuable role they play in our society. It has awarded almost €240,000 in research bursaries as part of its research brief, and has commissioned two separate pieces of research on teacher education.

The council is currently preparing a policy paper which will set out its vision for the continuum of teacher education from initial teacher education to induction and continuing professional development. As Director of the council, I believe that it has made substantial progress in the short time since its establishment.

2. Will budgetary cuts affect the work of the Teaching Council?

The work of the council has not been curtailed as it is self-financing, its income being derived primarily from registration and renewal fees. However, as a statutory

body, the council is obliged to comply with government policy in relation to recruitment and the recent moratorium has affected the staffing plans of the Teaching Council. This may impact on the work of the council going forward.

their relative positioning in terms of line management/accountabilities and so on. In what way does the Teaching Council differentiate between the role of Principal Teacher and the role of teacher both in terms of the Act and its implementation?

The Council is very aware of the impact of the levies on the take-home pay of teachers and Principals and keeps budgetary costs under strict control.

3. How can the Teaching Council justify an €90 annual membership fee at a time when Principals’ and teachers’ take-home pay has been reduced, and will almost certainly be reduced further?

As I mentioned in my answer to your last question, the Teaching Council is selffinancing and this underpins its status as an autonomous regulatory body.

The council is very aware of the impact of the levies on the take-home pay of teachers and Principals and keeps budgetary costs under strict control. The fee of €90 was calculated based on projected expenditure for 2008 and 2009 and will remain at €90 in 2010. This fee is far lower than average when compared with the fee charged by other professional bodies in Ireland. In addition, the Teaching Council fee may be claimed against tax as a work expense leaving it close to €52 per annum or €1 per week for those paying the higher rate of tax.

All areas of income and expenditure are detailed in the council’s audited accounts which are published on its website and circulated to all schools as part of the council’s Annual Report.

4. Sections 22 & 23 of the Education Act (1998) are clear in their definition of the roles of teacher and Principal and

PAG E 1 6

The council’s functions and powers are set out in the Teaching Council Act, 2001 and the act does not differentiate between Principals and other teachers.That said, the council is very conscious of the significant leadership role of Principals and values their contribution to enhancing understanding of the Teaching Council’s role and fostering positive attitudes to the council among their staff.

5.

The Teaching Council is currently designed to provide dedicated representation/membership to all the Education Partners even extending to groups such as IBEC. However, IPPN does not have even one seat on the council. Do you think the council would benefit from having dedicated representation of Principals through their professional associations - IPPN & NAPD? The bodies which nominate members to the council are prescribed in the Teaching Council Act, 2001. However, a number of the 22 teacher members of the council (of whom 16 are elected by registered teachers and 6 are nominated by the teacher unions) are, or have been, Principal teachers so the particular perspective of the school Principal is very much represented during council deliberations. Furthermore, the council has actively engaged with Principals, both at an individual level through their schools and at a collective level through the IPPN and the NAPD. Both bodies have been invited to all Teaching Council events and consultative fora and the council values their input. I was delighted to facilitate a session at the recent NAPD Conference and I would welcome an opportunity to

do this also at the IPPN Conference in January 2010.

6. What services, supports or functionality does the Teaching Council offer Principals over and above those which it offers teachers generally?

The Council is very conscious of the significant leadership role of Principals and values their contribution to enhancing understanding of the Teaching Council’s role…

There are many areas of the council’s work which I believe should be a great support to Principals such as the Codes of Professional Conduct, the Register of Teachers, the Research Bursaries and Fitness to Teach when that section is commenced. Also, the council has always responded positively to requests from Principals to present to their staff on the work of the council or the Codes of Professional Conduct.

7. What role will the Teaching Council have in relation to DES Circular 60/2009?

DES Circular 60/2009, based on Section 24 of the Education Act, 1998, relates to the disciplinary procedures to be used by school authorities when dealing with issues of professional competence and conduct. It relates solely to the employer-teacher relationship. The council’s role in relation to matters of fitness to teach is a separate one and will be addressed when Part 5 of the Teaching Council Act, 2001 is commenced.

It concerns the teacher as a member of a profession rather than an employee in a school. Procedures under Section 24 must normally be exhausted prior to a Teaching Council Investigating Committee inquiry.

8. Every new agency is designed to enhance our education system.

However, each new initiative leads to an increase in the workload of Principals. What is the Teaching Council doing to make sure that it doesn’t add to the administrative burden on Principals?

The council is very cognisant of the large administrative workload borne by Principals and the volume of information which is sent to schools each day. In order

to make sure it does not add to that workload, the council recently introduced the Teaching Council Contact Person initiative. Every school has been invited to nominate a registered teacher who will act as the main point of contact between the council and the school. The council is very pleased that more than 900 contact persons have been nominated to date and briefing sessions are being organised for them.

9. If you were Minister for Education, what single change would you most like to make to the teaching profession that would have a long term positive impact on our over all education system?

I’d like to address the continuum of teacher education as there is scope for development there, particularly in the areas of induction and continuing professional development. I believe that the Teaching Council is, and will be, the driving force for change in this area and in all professional matters related to teaching.

I would like to thank the IPPN for giving me this opportunity to address your questions. I would urge all Principals and teachers to engage with the council as their professional body.

Would you like to do something completely different next summer?

The Global Teachers Programme is a programme for teachers and principals, centred around a five-week placement in a school in Uganda

Work in a Ugandan school

Share skills

Change lives

Have the experience of a lifetime For more information, please visit www.lcd.ie, email info@lcd.ie, text GTP INFO with

your contact details to 087 9697623 or phone 01 2841414 Registered Charity No. CHY 17232 PAG E 1 7

Supplier of all-weather surfaces for games, athletic running tracks, and wet pour safety surfaces for playgrounds.

Tel. 061 395786 info@mcsweeneysportssurfaces.ie www.mcsweeneysportssurfaces.ie

The Blarney Golf Resort & Spa, Co. Cork is offering IPPN members exclusive rates on breaks and the opportunity to win a two night break in every edition of Leadership+ this year.

The Blarney Golf Resort & Spa facilities include: • 62 Luxurious Hotel Bedrooms • 56 Self Catering Lodges which include 2 En-Suite Bedrooms, fully serviced, Large Living room and full integrated kitchen • State of the art gymnasium

• 18 hole Championship Golf Course Co-designed by Major Winner John Daly • 20 metre swimming pool, steam room, sauna & Jacuzzi • ‘Spa’ including 5 treatment rooms & Yon Ka Therapies

COMPETITION: To be in with a chance to win a fabulous 2 Night break for two people with dinner on evening in the AA awarded Iniscarra restaurant simply answer the following question: Q. Which of the following is not a keynote speaker at IPPN Conference 2010?

Answer A. Ferdinand von Prodzynski B. Fergus Finlay C. Jerry Flannery Answers by e-mail to adverts@ippn.ie. Please include your answer (A. B. or C.), your name, contact details and roll number.

Competition deadline Friday 29th January 2010.. Winners will be notified by phone and announced in the next issue.

Congratulations to Ursula Coffey, Holy Cross Mercy NS, Killarney., winner of the fabulous prize of a two night luxury break to Blarney Golf Resort & Spa in the last issue of Leadership+.

• • • •

Inniscarra Restaurant Cormac’s Bar Lions Den Bar Conference Facilities for up to 300 people.

Book dinner for 2 persons in the AA Rosette Inniscarra Restaurant and stay overnight for free.

Don’t delay in booking this unbeatable offer. Book now by contacting us on 021 438 4477 or book online.

For more information and reservations please contact: Conor O’Toole @ +353 21 438 4477 or conor.otoole@blarneygolfresort.com PLEASE QUOTE IPPN WHEN BOOKING.

A Principals’ Support Group can make a real difference

By Virginia O’Mahony, Assistant Director In the early nineties, I first became aware of the existence of Principals’ Support Groups. In the absence at that time of any form of training, Principals were meeting in informal groups to provide professional support to each other. I joined a support group then and it became a very significant part of my professional life for more than ten years. The friendships formed within that support group remains strong to this day. So how do support groups work and why are they so positive for Principals?

Support groups form the basic cell structure of IPPN. Principals’ Support Groups have been very successful and many enjoy the support of the Local Education Centre, which provides or pays for a meeting room. Some support groups meet in each other’s school on a rotational basis. Every support group has its own dynamic and its own characteristic spirit.

The most commonly shared practices of a successful support group would be as follows: ● A support group comprises a small group of Principals, normally between eight and twelve members, that meets once a month ● It can be helpful to have a fixed day for the meeting, e.g. the first Tuesday of the month.

Some groups like to meet immediately after school, others prefer a later time in the evening ● One member co-ordinates the date and venue of the meeting by text or email.This simple responsibility can rotate among the members ● No formal agenda is required ● No minutes or reports are written ● No external speakers are invited ● A topic may be selected by consensus as the focus for the next meeting ● Each meeting is used to also discuss a variety of current issues as required by Principals

● Some meetings can focus on the sharing of resources on a particular topic, e.g.

Enrolment Policy, Code of Behaviour, Health and Safely Policy, Curricular plans ● Successful support groups ensure that a high degree of confidentiality and discretion is an absolute requirement. It is helpful to state at the outset that no individual should be identified in the course of discussions. Principals must feel safe to share with colleagues, in the knowledge that what is discussed at the support group meeting remains absolutely confidential within the group ● A regular social dimension is an essential part of a support group’s success. Many groups meet once or twice a year for a meal together.

Principals are obliged to attend many meetings for which they have to spend time and effort in preparation. Most meetings produce work for the Principal afterwards. Support group meetings are not like other meetings.The Principal can expect support, collegiality, dialogue and empathy from fellow Principals within the group. You come away from support group meetings enriched and encouraged. Support groups break the isolation that can be part of the role of the Principal and in addition, members often support each other between meetings. Many professions successfully follow this method of professional support among their members.

If you would like to join a support group, you can contact your IPPN County Network Committee – details of which are provided in this issue. They are currently looking at developing further support groups in a number of locations in your county. Alternatively, you can contact me at assistantdirector@ippn.ie or the IPPN Support Office at 1890 21 22 23 and we will be happy to put you in touch with the Support Group Organiser in your county.

Ar scáth a chéile a mharaimid!

Principals’ Support Groups Should you wish to get involved in a local support group in your county or an adjoining one, please contact a member of your County Network Committee. Further information can be had by contacting Virginia O’Mahony at assistantdirector@ippn.ie or the IPPN Support Office at 1890 21 22 23, where you will be put in touch with your local Support Group Organiser.

PAG E 1 9

L]d VgZ HXd^aIZa VgZ HXXd^aIZa

A:I NDJG H8=DDA 7J9<:I <D ;JGI=:G½ â&#x20AC;&#x153;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe how easy it was to switch to ScoilTel. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great to see the end of a monopoly and the beginning of lower charges for hard pressed school budgetsâ&#x20AC;?

HXd^aIZa 7ZcZ[^ih/ IZa 7ZcZ[^ih/

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gerry Murphy, Principal, St Josephs NS, Dundalk, Co Louth.

AdXVa GViZ CVi^dcVa GViZ KdYV[dcZ GViZ D' GViZ BZiZdg GViZ

'%#.+ +#-&)#,* '+#'. )*#), -#(. &+#*('#,+ -%#)% &*,#-%

'%#.+ *#%% &%#%% &*#,* ')#%% ,#,* &*#%% '.#,% ,'#*% &(,#*%

Â&#x2122; 7Z[dgZ ndj hl^iX] HXd^aIZa XVc egdk^YZ YZiV^aZY VcVanh^h Z ndj hl^iX] HXd^aIZa XVc egdk^YZ YZiV^aZY VcVannh^h ]^\]a^\]i^c\ i]Z hVk^c\h ndj l^aa bV`Z# ]i^c\ i]Z hhVk^c\h ndj l^aa bV`Z#

HVk^c\h % (-

Â&#x2122; 6 h^c\aZ! ZVhn id gZVY W^aa [dg XVaah! a^cZ gZciVa VcY WgdVYWVcY \aZ! ZVhn id g d ZVY W^aa [dg XVaah! a^cZ gZciVa VcY WgdVY d WVcY P^[ gZfj^gZYR ^gZYR

)- +, -.

- && &% && &*

#%)', X #%,%- X

#%'.* X #%'.* X

)* &)%

#&-%' X

#&+ X

&(

#&,() X #'&#-+ X

#&+ X #&+ X

- (,

W^aa^c\ VkV^aVWaZ V Â&#x2122;:bV^a W^aa^c\ VkV^aVWaZ iZY VXXdjci bVcV\ZbZci! heZV` id V a^kZ V\Zc ci VcY Â&#x2122;9ZY^XViZY VXXdjci bVcV\ZbZci! heZV` id V a^kZ V\Zci VcY cdi V bVX]^cZ# Ndjg XVaa l^aa 6AL6NH WZ VchlZgZY l^i]^c (% bVX]^cZ ]^ # NNdjg XVa d aa l^a a ^aa 6A a 6AL6NH WZ Vch NH W lZgZY l^i Y ^ii]^c (% i]^ (% hZXdcYhh Xd^aIZa VXXdjc d i bVcV\Zg l^aa Vhh^hi l^i] 6AA Zcf fj^g^Zh Â&#x2122;Ndjg HXd^aIZa VXXdjci bVcV\Zg l^aa Vhh^hi l^i] 6AA Zcfj^g^Zh l]Zi]Zg W^aa^c\! cZl hZgk^XZh dg ^[ ndj VgZ gZedgi^c\ V [Vjai# Zg W^aa^c\! c cZl hZgk^XZh dg ^[ ndj VgZ gZedgi^c\ VV [Vjai#

6aa eg^X^c\ ZmXajYZh K6I '&#*

E6N 6H NDJ <D G6I:

7JC9A: E68@6<: G6I:

8DBE6G: I=: H6K>C<H / :^gXdb HXd^aIZa A^cZ GZciVa AdXVa$CVi^dcVa b^ch '%% )%% ,%% &'%% BdW^aZ b^ch *% &%% '%% *%% &%%%

HXd^aIZa ^h >EECĂ&#x2030;h aVcYa^cZ iZaZe]dcZ hZgk^XZ id bZbWZgh# >c ^h >EECĂ&#x2030;Ă&#x2030;h a h VcYa^cZ iZaZe]dcZ hZgk^XZ id bZbWZ Zgh# >c deZgVi^dc h^cXZ '%%* i]Z hZgk^XZ d[[Zgh hVk^c\h d[ je id )% dc h^cXZ '%%* i]Z hZgk^XZ d[[Zgh hVk^c\h d[ je id )% Pid bdgZ i]Vc )%% hX]ddaĂ&#x2030;hR l]Zc XdbeVgZY id Z^gXdb# Z i]Vc )%% hX]ddaĂ&#x2030;Ă&#x2030;hhR l]Zc XdbeVgZY id Z^gXdb b# HXd^aIZa ^h edlZgZY Wn EjgZ IZaZXdb l]d VgZ &%% >g^h] ^h edlZgZY W Z n EjgZ IZaZXdb l]d VgZ &%% >g^h] dlcZY deZgViZY VcY egdk^YZ hZgk^XZh id i]djhVcYh d[ deZgViZY VcY egdk^YZ hZgk^XZh id i]djhVcYh d[ gZh^YZci^Va XjhidbZgh VXgdhh >gZaVcY VcY Wjh^cZhhZh hjX] Vh i^Va Xjhidb bZgh VXgdhh >gZaVcY VcY Wjh^cZhhZh hj jX] Vh HZiVciV Hedgih! IgdXV^gZ VcY Hbni]h Idnh# Hedgih! IgdXV^gZ VcY Hbni]h Idnh#

Id h^\c je dg id gZXZ^kZ [jgi]Zg ^c[dgbVi^dc dc i]Z hZgk^XZ je dg id gZX Z Z^kZ [jgi]Zg ^c[dgbVi^dc dc i]Z hZgkk^XZ h^bean XVaa HXd^aIZa dc &-.% ,%& -%&# DcXZ ndj XVaa i]Z XVaa HXd^aIIZa dc &-.% ,%& -%&# DcXZ ndj XVaa i]Z HXd^aIZa iZVb i]Z hl^iX] ^h hZVbaZhh# iZVb i]Z Vb i]Z hl^iX] ^h hZ X] ^h hZVbaZhh#

;dg bdgZ ^c[dgbVi^dc dc Vcn d[ djg egdYjXih dg hZgk^XZh eaZVhZ Yd cdi ]Zh^iViZ id gbVi^dc dc Vcn d[ djg egdYjXih dg hZgk^XZh eaZVhZ Yd c cdi ]Zh^iViZ id

XdciVXi jh dc &-.% ,%& -%& VXi j jh dc &-.% ,%& -%&

CjYf ,$$ =DDB aYa CjYf ,$$ =DDB aYaVYf gW\cc`g UfY U`fYUXm G5J=B; aVYf gW\cc`g UfY U`fYUXm G G5 5J J=B; acbY m VcY [cbY [fYY Yb l^i] :cZg\^V! >gZaVcYĂ&#x2C6;h aV Vg\Zhi acbYm VcY [cbY [fYYb l^i] :cZg\^V! >gZaVcYĂ&#x2C6;h aVg\Zhi ^cYZeZcYZci ZcZg \n hhjeea^Zg VcY egdjY >EEC eV VgicZgg# ^cYZeZcYZci ZcZg\n hjeea^Zg VcY egdjY >EEC eVgicZg# K\m gk]hW\ mcif gW\c cc`Ă&#x2021;g Y`YWhf]W]hm hc 9bYf[]U U3 K\m gk]hW\ mcif gW\cc`Ă&#x2021;g Y`YWhf]W]hm hc 9bYf[]U3 Â&#x2122; <jVgVci Â&#x2122; <jVgVciZZY hVk^c\h d[ je id &% dc ndjg ZaZXig^X^in Xdhih VcY ZZY hVk^c\h d[ j je id &% dc ndjg ZaZXig^X^in Xdhhih VcY \Vh ^[ Veea^XVWaZ dcXZ ndj hl^iX] # \Vh ^[ Veea^XVWa Z dcXZ nndj hl^iX] # Â&#x2122; I]ViĂ&#x2C6;h V hVk^c\ d[ Ă´(%% eZg nZVg WVhZY dc V heZcY d[ Ă´(!%%% Â&#x2122; I]ViĂ&#x2C6;h V hVk^c\ d[ Ă´(%% eZg nZVg WVhZY dc V heZcY d[ Ă´(!%%% =Vhha =VhhaZ [gZZ hl^iX]^c\ Ă&#x192; 6c :cZg\^V gZe l^aa gZVY i]Z bZiZg [dg Â&#x2122;Â&#x2122; Z [gZZ hl^iX]^c\ Ă&#x192; 6c :cZg\^V gZe l^aa gZVY i]Z bZ ZiZg [dg nndj VcY iV`Z XVgZ d[ i]Z hl^iX]^c\ egdXZhh [dg ndj dj VcY iV`Z XVgZ d[ i]Z Z hl^iX]^c\ egdXZhh [dg ndj C di]^c\ X]Vc\Zh " cd cZl l^gZh dg bZiZgh Â&#x2122;Â&#x2122; Cdi]^c\ X]Vc\Zh " cd cZ Zl l^gZh dg bZiZgh Cd Cd XdccZXi^dc dg gZYZbei^dc [ZZh Â&#x2122;Â&#x2122; XdccZXi^dc dg gZYZb bei^dc [ZZh Ndj l^aa WZ jh^c\ dj l^aa WZ jh^c\ [fYYb fYbYkUV`Y Y`YWhf]W]hm VcY ]Zae^c\ Â&#x2122;Â&#x2122; d [fYYb fYbYkUV`Y Y`YWhf]W]hm VcY ]Zae e^c\ egdiZXi i]Z Zck^gdcbZci eg diZXi i]Z Zck^gdcbZci :cZg :cZg\^V hjeea^Zh ZcZg\n id '* d[ >g^h] Wjh^cZhhZh ^cXajY^c\ Â&#x2122;Â&#x2122; \^V hjeea^Zh ZcZg\nn id '* d[ >g^h] Wjh^cZhhZh ^cXajY^c\ 7ZlaZnĂ&#x2C6;h BdgVc =diZa \gdje! >VgcgdY :^gZVcc VcY 8dg` 8djcin 7Z laZnĂ&#x2C6;h BdgVc =di h BdgVc =diZa \ Za \ \gdje! >Vgcg dje >VgcgdY :^g dY :^gZVcc VcY 8 ZVcc VcY 8dg` dg` 8djcin djcin 8djcX^a ZiX# 8 djcX^a ZiX# : cZg\^V ]Vh VagZVYn Xdbb^iiZY dkZg Ă´& W^aa^dc ^c gZcZlVWaZ Â&#x2122;Â&#x2122; :cZg \^V ]Vh VagZVYn Xdb bb^iiZY dkZg Ă´& W^aa^dc ^c gZcZlVWa l Z VcY XdckZci^dcVa edlZg \ZcZgVi^dc XVeVX^in VcY X dckZci^dcVa edlZgg \ZcZgVi^dc XVeVX^in

Ka_f mh af eafml]k Ka_f mh af eafml ]k

XVaa/ $-% ',( %'* dg k^h^i kkk"YbYf[]U"]Y XVaa/ $-% ',( %'* dgg k^h^i k kk"YbYf[]U"]Y 9bYf[]U ! h\Y YbYf[m gidd`]Yf k]h\ Vf][\h ]XYUg" 9bYf []U ! h\Y YbYf[m gidd`]Y Yf k]h\ Vf][\h ]XYUg" 7VhZY V\V^chi :H7 VcY 7dgY <{^h ejWa^h]ZY eg^XZh# 7V

9jWa^c " 8dg` " <ValVn " 7Za[Vhi " DbV\] 9jWa^c " 8 dg` " <ValVn "" 7Za[Vhi " DbV\]

PAG E 2 0

Principal in Profile Peter Creedon Currently, I am Principal of St Aidan’s Primary School, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.

There are 832 pupils on roll. The school is multi-cultural with a total of 32 different nationalities at present. The school has DEIS Band 1 status. There are 64 teachers on staff, which is made up of 36 class teachers, the remainder being Learning Support, Resource, EAL and Special Class teachers. We also have 5 SNAs, one secretary and one caretaker.

Where did you do your teacher training?

I began my teacher training in St Pat’s in 1978.

What attracted you to the role of Principal in the first place?

No one thing attracted me to the job. After nine years teaching in St Thomas SNS, Jobstown, Tallaght, I relocated to Co Wexford and applying for a Principal’s post seemed like a logical career move at the time.

How long have you been Principal?

I was a Teaching Principal in Clonegal NS, Co Carlow, from 1990 to 1994 after which I assumed my present role as Principal of St Aidan’s PS. So I am a Principal for nearly twenty years, which is a little scary.

What do you particularly enjoy about the role?

I enjoy watching an idea or suggestion being adapted and developed into a successful intervention to support the teaching and learning in the classroom.

If you had to pick 3 things that you would say to a new Principal to get them on the right track in their school, what would they be?

Always remember that the most important resource in the school is the staff. Sometimes we can get distracted by all the various demands that come through the school gate, and forget that a Principal’s most important role is to support our teachers in the school.

You need to ensure that there is a correct balance between work and home. It is all too easy to allow an open-ended job like ours to consume all our time and energy. Remember we work to live, not live to work.

Make a plan, which is the easy part, and stick to it, which is not so easy! It is important that the staff agree on a realistic strategic plan and that it then guides the school’s and Principal’s work into the future.

What steps did you put in place to optimise the effectiveness of your In-school management team?

Due to school size, I am fortunate that the school has an administrative Deputy Principal.

We share the management and administrative duties between us.

In order to ensure that everyone has a voice in the running of the school, each Assistant Principal, of which there are 12, has a number of teachers assigned to them whom they meet on a regular basis. Issues emanating from these meetings are then brought to the bi-monthly meeting of senior management. If it is possible they are dealt with there but if they pertain to school policy then decisions are left to the main staff meeting.

How have you achieved a successful relationship with your Board of Management?

Our board has been very supportive to the school. I meet with the chairperson on a regular basis and we discuss matters pertaining to the management of the school. The fact that the chairperson is the school chaplain and is regularly in our classrooms enables him to see the work in the school and how his and the board’s support benefit the school.

What strategies have you put in place in working with your school’s Parents’ Association and the parent body generally?

The Parents’ Council meet once a month and I attend their meetings. I do so, as I feel it is much easier to deal with issues that may arise when I am there personally. It also helps in developing a positive relationship between the Parents’ Council and the school. Our Home/School/Community Liaison post has been of great assistance over the years in developing positive home/school relations. The ability of the co-ordinator to visit parents in their homes and listen to their concerns and problems has, in my experience, greatly strengthened the trust between individual parents and the school. It has also contributed positively to the standing in which the school is PAG E 2 1

held in the community. Like all schools, we have an open door policy and constantly encourage parents to come to the school and discuss their issues with the class teacher or myself. However, with the door being open, we also expect parents to come to the school when we may have issues to discuss as well.

Any highlights to date?

As in all schools, there have been lots of highlights and a few disappointments down the years. The school has been fortunate to have achieved success in lots of areas - local, county and national. Of course, each success was celebrated appropriately.

What has been your greatest challenge to date and how did you manage to turn it around?

In 2004, the school was granted DEIS Band 1 status; this resulted in the numbers of teachers in the school increasing dramatically. While the extra staffing was and is very welcome, there was a danger that such a large staff would become fragmented and the school would lose its cohesion. Our solution was to change our learning support from classroom withdrawal to in-class support. This was an enormous change for everyone, but a number of years later, it is evident that this co-operative teaching has greatly increased the level of collegiality and collaboration in the school, as well as enhancing the teaching and learning in the classroom.

Which professional or personal development programmes or events have you valued the most in relation to your role as Principal?

The Cumasú programme run by LDS for Principals of DEIS schools has been very beneficial for me. The focus was on Principals sharing good practice and practical advice.

Much of this information is now in practice in our school. I also find the networking mailing list very useful though I have to admit to being more a ‘lurker’ than a contributor. As Frankie Byrne used to say ‘these problems may not be yours today, but they could be some day!’ Finally, our local Education Centre has provided numerous courses over the years which I have found to be both informative and beneficial to me in my role as Principal and, given that my wife is the Director of our Centre, I can go home now after giving it a plug!!!

A Survey of the Health and Wellbeing of Principals in 2009 There is growing concern about the health and wellbeing of Principals, not only in Ireland, but internationally also. Reliable data is now required if the issue is to be seriously addressed.

IPPN has decided to take the opportunity of participating in an international survey to assess the extent and effects of work-related factors on the health and wellbeing of Principals. The survey has been designed by the International Confederation of Principals and the data collected will be used as a basis for advocacy with governments and employers and as a lever to improve working conditions for Principals.

The survey aims to: ● identify the impact of the school leadership role on the Principal’s psychological and physical health ● ascertain the main stressors impacting on the day-to-day reality of school leaders ● gather accurate data on Principal health and wellbeing in Ireland ● identify factors which motivate Principals to continue leading their schools.

We would really appreciate if you can give the 15 minutes required to complete the survey.

IPPN will be able to access the Irish data from the survey and use it in our on-going advocacy to address our health and safety concerns for Principals. Just as you are concerned for the welfare of children and teachers in your school, it is only fair that your own health and wellbeing is also protected. Please note that any information you give to the survey is captured anonymously and saved for statistical analysis only.

We thank you for your co-operation given the many demands on your time and energy.

To complete the survey go to www.icponline.org and follow the links to School Leader Welfare Survey 2009.

The Teacher Resource Company

Have you just received your ICT grant?

For all your audio visual and teaching needs and the Best Value Lo-call 1890 92 99 59 today s $ATA PROJECTORS s )NTERACTIVE 7HITEBOARD s 6ISUALISERS s )NFRARED SCREENS s )NFRARED 0ORTABLE SLATES

from <565 from <1,250 from <99 from <1,500 from <275

Lo-call 1890 92 99 59 today to find out more

Are you looking for software for your Interactive Whiteboard?

Easy to use interactive software covering all curriculum areas visit www.prim-ed.com to find out more CAN BE USED ON

INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARDS

PROJECTORS

PAG E 2 2

COMPUTERS

Leadership in Action Bryan O’Reilly I’ve been a primary school Principal since 1989, when I started in Edmondstown National School, when it was a three teacher school. A stint was spent in the NCCA playing a leadership role in curriculum development. I subsequently moved to my beloved Scoil Mhuire in Ballymany in Newbridge.The leadership stint at NCCA, where I initially served as an INTO representative and subsequently as an education officer, gave me an insight into leadership in an alternative setting besides a school.

Leadership is like being on the frontier, profoundly challenging and potentially fatal.

However it is also deeply gratifying to have other human beings look to one for advice, support, help, succour and a little bit of ‘Custerism’. Poor General Custer found out to his cost that human beings do not appreciate their leaders being too far ahead of them though.

Practical examples of human needs encountered are; simple requests from the senior infant children to have the rows with their companions sorted out; the father who is in constant conflict with his five year old whose behaviour is very challenging and for whom strong arms tactics have failed; the colleague who has a conflict with another colleague, is embarrassed about it and needs advice on how to manage it. Leading in these situations for me is always a privilege first. As well as that, it is also addictive and downright draining.

I recall doing one of the first management training courses for teachers run by Seamus O’Cannain in Blackrock Education Centre. A presenter from the IMI made the statement that ‘Many teachers die at forty, but struggle on for the salary and pension until sixty’. Since passing the forty mark and now the fifty mark, I check

regularly to make sure that the essential qualities of leadership are not dead yet.

My way of maintaining and recharging the leadership batteries is to seek new challenges in alternative settings, in the areas that are precisely the most challenging. I became a Jenny Moseley facilitator in the Circle Time Model when discipline for pupils was a challenge. See www.circle-time.co.uk. Subsequent to the course, the ‘discipline problem’ was renamed a ‘Behaviour Management Problem’. It was really liberating to learn that I was not responsible for the behaviour management of pupils and adults in the school community. Each person from the youngest to the oldest is responsible for his or her own behaviour. As well as enjoying the training I was relieved of a great burden.

My training as a mediator for the INTO national panel of mediators was another milestone in keeping my leadership abilities alive. Mediation is a process in which an impartial and independent third party facilitates communication and negotiation and, promotes voluntary decisionmaking by the parties to a dispute to assist them to reach a mutually acceptable solution. See www.themii.ie. Working with colleagues who have been deeply affected by intense and sometimes prolonged conflicts has been greatly insightful and once again a privilege.

In 2006, I became a member of the Mediator’s Institute of Ireland. It proved to be a fascinating experience in several respects. Meeting a whole range of different professionals from solicitors to nurses to community activists, to facilitators gives one a perspective on the world that is different to the school perspective. Being involved in leading an organisation as diverse as this one, whose

business is mediating conflict, while it changes and evolves and has its own conflicts, was enormously insightful and has given further pulse to this fifty plus teacher.

My most recent sortie into the life-giving frontier has been developing a set of conflict coaching skills under the tutorship of a lady called Cinnie Noble. See www.cinergycoaching.com. She has developed a model called the ‘Merry go round of conflict’ in which she first describes the aspects of every conflict that a human being has. It starts with a ‘precipitating event’ when one is ‘triggered’ in some way. You know that feeling when someone ‘gets to you’. This has an impact on each of us emotionally. The experience runs around in our heads and hearts. We make assumptions and interpretations about the other person’s actions and thoughts. Because our value system has been challenged in some way, we find such incidents upsetting and, depending on how seriously we view the challenge,it can be very difficult for us to deal with. Eventually a boundary is crossed for the person in some form or other such as an outburst in front of another colleague. There are then consequences and reactions which lead to a dispute or a pattern of behaviour that is negative.

We then return to being triggered and the circle simply continues. Coaching people through the ‘merry go round’ really helps them to manage their conflicts constructively. Such a skill set has been very enriching for me as a professional.

I no longer have the fear of ‘dying’ at forty. I’ve mastered the trick of getting alternative stimulation to feed the leadership tank. I am looking forward to maintaining the wide range of interests, and to leading for as long as my maker requires it.

Your School and the Law 2009/2010 David Ruddy, BL and Principal of Talbot Senior School, Clondalkin, in conjunction with IPPN, is facilitating and presenting a series of one-day legal seminars entitled Your School & The Law. Following a successful first event in Dublin in November, the next seminars will take place on ● Saturday 27th February, Greenhills Hotel, Limerick ● Saturday 27th March, Ormond Hotel, Kilkenny.

The keynotes and Q&A sessions will be delivered by the following speakers: David Ruddy, Emer Woodfull and Denise Brett.

The seminars will address the following issues: ● Teaching Contracts/ Employment Law ● Anti Bullying and Misbehaviour in Schools ● Revised Code of Behaviour/Enrolment Policy & Section 29 Appeals ● Current Legal Issues.

PAG E 2 3

The seminars will be of interest to all those involved in primary and second-level education, including Teachers, Principals, Board of Management members and Parents.

For any queries, please contact IPPN on 1890 21 22 23 or by email to support@ippn.ie.

Application forms can be downloaded from the Events section of www.ippn.ie.

Education. Covered by Allianz.

When it comes to day-to-day school management, class preparation and extra-curricular activities, www.allianz.ie/schools is always ready to help out. Created by Allianz, Ireland's leading insurer of schools, this unique website provides a wide range of information and assistance for teaching professionals and managers in Ireland. Visit the website and you'll find we've really done our homework, with detailed information on every aspect of school insurance, including teachers liability, pupil personal accident and use of teachers' cars.

Log on to www.allianz.ie/schools to find detailed information on school insurance and see why it is top of the class.

Allianz, Allianz House, Elmpark, Merrion Road, Dublin 4. Ireland. Tel: (01) 613 39 66.

Fax: (01) 613 36 30. Email: education@allianz.ie Website: www.allianz.ie/schools Allianz p.l.c. is regulated by the Financial Regulator.