Leadership+ Issue 05 March 2001

In this issue . . .

Membership Application Form Conference 2001 - Report from Galway Candidates for Position of General Secretary of the INTO Where do they stand in relation to the needs of Primary Principals?

Membership www.ippn.ie Regional Meetings Letter to Boards of Management The Role of the Principal Expert Working Groups

Buíochas Thank you for your many messages and words of support following our most successful first IPPN Conference. The energy, enthusiasm and sense of hope, which people expressed at our conference in Galway, will be the fuel that will drive IPPN and inspire our National Committee to work for you, and our 3,312 colleagues, in a way that is so badly needed at this time.

Irish Primary Principals’ Network

Líonra Phríomhoidí Bunscoile Éireann

March 2001

Issue 5 Teachtaireacht ó’n Stiúrthóir Náisiúnta

A Phríomhoide, a chara, Seo chugat an cúigiú nuachtlitir de chuid Líonra Phríomhoidí Bunscoile Éireann. Ó’n uair go bhfuaireas an nuachtlitir deiridh i leith, bhí an choiste náisiúnta an-ghníomhach ar fad.

• Conference 2001: I.P.P.N. Galway can be duly proud of their organisation of Conference 2001. From February 15th – 17th 360 principals and 60 guests gathered in the Corrib Great Southern Hotel for a wonderful 21/2 days which included a stimulating and challenging address from Professor John Coolohan, NUI, Maynooth and a most timely and well received input from Dr. Maureen Gaffney. The conference was officially opened by Mr. Peter Baldwin, Asst. Secretary General, DES. In addition to presentations by I.P.P.N. President Jim Hayes and myself, there were 11 workshops and 4 seminars.

Unfortunately, due to unprecedented demand for places at this conference, more than 200 applicants were unable to attend. With this in mind, it has been decided to publish the Plenty to Discuss at Conference official conference report (text), with video files of the plenary sessions, on www.ippn.ie. The next Newsletter will contain Conference reports and photographs • Membership An application form for I.P.P.N. membership is included with this issue.The form is also available as a download from www.ippn.ie. Your membership is a vital vote of confidence in I.P.P.N. • www.ippn.ie This new website is intended to provide news, contacts and resources for Principal teachers at the click of a mouse. I would like to specifically draw your attention to a new e-mail discussion facility for Principal teachers, which will allow information to be shared, questions posed and issues raised, regardless of your geographical location. For instructions to subscribe to this mailing list, click on “mailing list” on the www.ippn.ie homepage • Regional Meetings Counties which have not had an I.P.P.N. Regional Network meeting to date will be facilitated between now and the end of April. You will be circulated with the details of your local meeting through your Education Centre. If you can assist with the organisation of a meeting in your county, please contact the I.P.P.N. office.

• Letter to Boards of Management I.P.P.N. will be writing to the Chairperson of each Board of Management to inform them about I.P.P.N. and it’s role as a professional association for principals. We will also be requesting Boards of Management to agree on a professional budget from their available resources “to ensure that the needs of personnel involved in management functions and staff development needs generally are identified and provided for”[See Education Act,part II, section 9(j)]. This should include professional expenses for principals such as I.P.P.N. membership fee, conference attendance fees, travel expenses etc. (See article in Newsletter, Issue 4).

• The Role of the Principal A number of private management consultancies are currently tendering to I.P.P.N. to undertake an external evaluation on the role of the Principal Teacher. The outcome of this evaluation will be communicated to principals when completed.

Is mise, le meas, Seán Cottrell

Expert Working Groups - Can You Help IPPN? A variety of Working Groups will shortly be established to assist the National Committee in developing policy and offering professional guidance on specific issues. If you would like to contribute on any issue, please contact our office by phone, fax or e-mail for further details. The sectoral areas are: - Teaching Principals - ICT - Integrated Special Needs - Special Schools/Classes - “An Even Break for the Disadvantaged” - Office Administration - School Finances & Budgeting - Professional expenses for Principals.

Candidates for Position of General Secretary of INTO All the candidates were invited to meet with IPPN. In this newsletter we print the responses of the six candidates with whom we met, to our questionnaire. On behalf of the National Committee, I wish to thank the candidates for the time they afforded us during a busy campaign.

Submitted by: Tom O’Sullivan - Limerick City Branch 1.

What is your understanding of the role of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network in Irish Education?

The IPPN has been developing in recent times as a support and resource for Principals on professional and related issues. I see it as a natural development, given the changing nature and complexity of the role of principal.

2.

How do you see the INTO and IPPN working together in partnership in the best interests of Principal Teachers?

I believe that regular, structured and appropriate consultation should take place at national level. I also think we should build close local links. Advancing the professional development of principals including induction, mentoring, career structure and accreditation - will be of mutual benefit.

3.

Principals, as INTO members, are very concerned that the benchmarking process must adequately compensate them for their ever-increasing workload, changing work practices and unprecedented levels of responsibility.

As General Secretary of the INTO, how will you address this issue on our behalf?

As a teaching principal myself I have a keen interest in ensuring the process works. The CEC is currently finalising our submission in consultation with members. The Benchmarking Report will be finalised just as the new General Secretary takes over (Summer 2002).

The task will be to ensure swift implementation of the awards. I think it is important to remember that as well as the Benchmarking Report, the full implementation of the Principals Review Group Report is also a priority.

Submitted by: Noel Ward - Tallaght Branch 1.

What is your understanding of the role of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network in Irish Education?

It is a positive support and professional development role.

2.

How do you see the INTO and IPPN working together in partnership in the best interests of Principal Teachers?

In the areas of support and professional development, I envisage co-operation and an expansion of INTO services. A clarification of respective roles will be necessary, and can be realised, in the matter of representation.

3.

Principals, as INTO members, are very concerned that the benchmarking process must adequately compensate them for their ever-increasing workload, changing work practices and unprecedented levels of responsibility.

As General Secretary of the INTO, how will you address this issue on our behalf?

Workload, change and increased responsibility are issues for all teachers but I accept that the particular concerns of Principals in this regard must be addressed and recognised. The INTO benchmarking presentation will pre-date the arrival of a new General Secretary, but a pay structure to attract and retain effective principals will remain a priority - an immediate concern is to end the payment anomaly between first and second level Principals.

Submitted by: Catherine Byrne - Dublin City North Branch 1.

What is your understanding of the role of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network in Irish Education?

I believe that the IPPN can and will provide a wide range of vital, practical supports to Principal teachers nationwide, particularly in the field of personal and professional development. It will make a valuable contribution to enhancing the role of the Principal as educational leader in the school. At local level, INTO members networking together will support each other professionally to benefit their schools and strengthen and copper-fasten INTO support for their concerns.

2.

How do you see the INTO and IPPN working together in partnership in the best interests of Principal Teachers?

As the INTO Official with responsibility for Principal Teachers and the Principals Fora, I have worked closely with representatives of IPPN over the last number of years. There is great potential for co-ordination and co-operation between INTO and IPPN and I look forward, as General Secretary, to exploring and developing appropriate structures and mechanisms to ensure maximum benefit for INTO members. I see three immediate practical ways in which the INTO and the IPPN can work closely together: • Regular representative meetings between IPPN and INTO at national level.

• Shared design and delivery of professional development programmes building on and developing the existing INTO model for professional development for Principal Teachers.

• Co-ordination of IPPN and INTO activities at national and local level, e.g. (IPPN and INTO Principals’ fora meetings on the same night 3.

Principals, as INTO members, are very concerned that the benchmarking process must adequately compensate them for their ever-increasing workload, changing work practices and unprecedented levels of responsibility.

As General Secretary of the INTO, how will you address this issue on our behalf?

I am acutely aware of the grossly inadequate levels of allowances for Principals in all categories of schools. I have indicated very clearly in my election literature “A Framework for Action” which was sent to every individual member on 8 January 2001 that I am committed to targeting principals’ allowances for a major increase through benchmarking. I will also endeavour to secure added promoted posts into the system and to secure significant increases in allowances for all promoted posts. Recent achievements in relation to Release Time for teaching principals must be advanced further. I am committed to securing release time for Deputy Principals in larger schools. I am confident that the benchmarking process will confirm that pay comparisons with general managerial positions in other sectors of the economy based on the workload and responsibilities of Principal teachers are fair, reasonable and justified. If benchmarking does not deliver a significant improvement in the salary levels of teachers, I am committed to taking whatever steps are required to secure recognition for the onerous and challenging responsibilities discharged by Principal teachers.

Submitted by: John Carr - Dublin City North Branch 1.

What is your understanding of the role of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network in Irish Education?

To contribute towards the formulation, articulation and implementation of policies relating to the continuing personal and professional development of Principal teachers including providing support networks at local, regional and national levels.

2.

How do you see the INTO and IPPN working together in partnership in the best interests of Principal Teachers?

Recognising that the INTO has professional and trade union responsibilities to its members, it is important that consultations should take place between INTO and IPPN on a regular basis concerning issues of mutual interest, including conferences, seminars and professional development issues.

3.

Principals, as INTO members, are very concerned that the benchmarking process must adequately compensate them for their ever-increasing workload, changing work practices and unprecedented levels of responsibility.

As General Secretary of the INTO, how will you address this issue on our behalf?

As a former Principal, I will be advocating to the CEC that the INTO should include the following in the Benchmarking Submission so as to attract and retain the highest calibre of Principal Teachers in the system.

• That the number of categories of Principals’ allowances be reduced, thus benefiting all Principal teachers.

• That the allowances for teaching Principals be increased significantly.

• That Principals’ allowances in respect of larger schools be equated with relevant management positions in the private or public sectors.

• That the anomaly between the schedule for primary and post primary Principals be eliminated.

• That realistic release time be available to teaching Principals with cover being provided in clusters by fully qualified supply panel teachers.

• That Principal Teachers be entitled to relinquish their principalships after an agreed period and retain their allowances, including pension entitlements.

• That Deputy Principal allowances be adjusted accordingly.

• That additional posts be created and that all postholders’ allowances be significantly increased to reflect the ever increasing responsibilities of the profession.

Submitted by: Sheila Nunan - Craobh Chualann Branch 1.

What is your understanding of the role of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network in Irish Education?

My understanding is that the IPPN is dedicated to the professional development of Principal Teachers, the raising of the status of the Principal and the creation of a network of collegiate and professional support at local, regional and national level.

2.

How do you see the INTO and IPPN working together in partnership in the best interests of Principal Teachers?

I see the INTO and the IPPN working together closely and effectively in the pursuit of shared goals.

3.

Principals, as INTO members, are very concerned that the benchmarking process must adequately compensate them for their ever-increasing workload, changing work practices and unprecedented levels of responsibility.

As General Secretary of the INTO, how will you address this issue on our behalf?

As Acting-Principal of a 7 teacher school, I have direct and personal knowledge that the current level of Principals’ allowances are totally inadequate. Securing significant increases in Principals’ allowances will be a clear priority for me. I am committed to securing increased allowances for all post holders and to further enhancing schools’ middle management structures by securing additional promoted posts.

Submitted by: Brenda Ní Shúilleabháin - Tallaght Branch 1.

What is your understanding of the role of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network in Irish Education?

To provide a safe forum in which Principals can share information, can initiate studies and can articulate the needs of a rapidly changing system 2.

How do you see the INTO and IPPN working together in partnership in the best interests of Principal Teachers?

As Principals are members of both organisations, IPPN will be a very useful resource to the INTO, helping in the identification of difficulties and in the organisation of solutions, and proposing, through the branch structure, the necessary motions for Congress.

3.

Principals, as INTO members, are very concerned that the benchmarking process must adequately compensate them for their ever-increasing workload, changing work practices and unprecedented levels of responsibility.

As General Secretary of the INTO, how will you address this issue on our behalf?

As the next General Secretary will come into office just as the Benchmarking Committee report falls due, she will have to deal with the outcome. In three lines, all I can say is that the General Secretary must consult the organisation on the recommendations, and act according to its wishes.

IPPN Contact Details Mr. Jim Hayes, President, IPPN, Scoil Oilibhéir, Ballyvolane, Cork.

Tel: 086 856 1466 email: president @ippn.ie Tomás Ó Slatara, P.R.O/Editor, IPPN, S.N. na Gráinsí, Cluain Meala, Co. Thiobraid Árann.

Tel: 087 648 6801 email: pro@ippn.ie

A Proud Moment at the Official Opening of the First I.P.P.N. Conference From left to right: Seán Cottrell, National Director I.P.P.N., Virginia O’Mahoney, Chairperson of the I.P.P.N. Conference Organising Committee, His Worship the Mayor of Galway, Cllr. Martin Quinn and Jim Hayes, President I.P.P.N.

Seán Cottrell, National Director, IPPN, Penrose Wharf, Cork.

Tel: 1890 21 22 23 Fax: 1890 21 22 24 email: director@ippn.ie