PDA EXECUTIVE OFFICERS€¦ · comhdháil bhliantúil PDA i Luimneach. 4 1 President’sT Message October 2014 Brian Ó Maoilchiaráin, PDA President. PDA EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Brian

A chara, tá súil agam go bhfuil ag eirí gomaith leat agus muid ag tabhairt aghaidhar scoilbhliain úr nua, guím chuile ádh ortféin agus d’fhoireann.

Colleagues, I wish you every success aswe commence a new school year, howquickly time goes. We have, under tryingconditions, managed our schools throughfive years of austerity and relentlesschange in work conditions. Firstly, CrokePark 1, followed by Croke Park 2 whichwas rejected to be later accepted asHaddington Road, and then the alreadydraconian cuts were compounded anddeepened by the FEMPI act. Secondly, theupward revision of the pupil teacher ratio(PTR) and the removal of the ex-quotaguidance allowance was a direct hit onsubject provision in our schools andcolleges. Lastly, repeated early retirementpackages lead to the premature departureof many of our more experiencedcolleagues - an arguably needless loss ofintellectual capital. Notwithstanding allthat and more, we have navigated to thepresent, we have, on shoestring budgetsand despite dismantled middle-management structures, stayed the courseso to speak.

PDA has continued to represent yourconcerns at regular meetings with TUI,ETBI, and also with DES officials.

The past year brought its challenges in theform of the Junior Certificate and indeedreliefs with the Haddington Roadagreement and consequent filing of welloverdue posts of responsibilities. Theproposed Junior Certificate reforms havebeen rejected by the teaching professionand indeed by the public. PDA inconjunction with NCCA had established anetwork group to assist ETB schools toplan for the introduction of the proposedreforms. A stay has been put on that mostworthwhile activity pending furthernegotiations on the initiative.

Middle Management

PDA recognises the significance of recentsoundings regarding a revision of thecurrent inadequate middle managementstructures. It is undeniable that principalsand deputies are overburdened andunder-supported. The requirements ofleading a school include fiscal,administrative, managerial, personnel andother tasks can overwhelm and limitprincipals’ time and focus on broaderissues such as leadership. In recentmonths PDA and TUI have established atask group to review the area of middlemanagement. When PDA met with DESofficials it was indicated that additionalresourcing through the posts structurewould be explored. The chief inspectorreported last year that the negative effectof the loss of middle management postswas evident. And as late as 6th Septemberthis year it was reported in the media thatDES officials had briefed newly appointedMinister Jan O’Sullivan that ‘someeducation cuts have pushed the system tothe brink’ and that the “degree of loss ofthe posts in many second-level schoolshas had a significant impact on theleadership of those schools”. Evidently, the current position is“unsustainable” and it is further reportedthat the department is committed to

engaging with the education partners onthe matter. A revision of middlemanagement structures is imminent; PDAwill firstly seek, and then represent yourviews in the negotiations.

PDA Reorganisation

PDA, in the near future, proposes toreorganise its areas to reflect the sixteenETB areas. The benefits of networking arewell documented and it is advantageous tous all, ETB principals and deputies, todevelop and strengthen our PDA localnetworks. Principals’ calendars are verybusy; I suggest PDA members arrangearea meetings to coincide with ETBprincipals and Chief Executive meetings. Ifurther believe it to be crucially important,especially so at the dawning of the ETBera, that principals and deputies cease thisopportunity to reorganise themselves thusensuring their voice is heard in this neweducation landscape. Ní neart go cur lechéile!

Conference

PDA annual conference is scheduled for12th-14th November in the Strand Hotel,Limerick. I encourage all PDA members toattend what promises to be an excellentconference with keynote speakers toaddress matters legal, challenges involvedwith curriculum reform and proposedmiddle management structures.Additionally, delegates will have theopportunity to avail of workshopsfacilitated by PDST, QQI, NBSS and NIPTpersonnel.

Finally, PDA wish Gerry Quinn well in hisrole as TUI president and look forward toworking with him constructively andpositively and acknowledge thecontributions of outgoing president GerryCraughwell. Tá súil agam tú a fheiceáil agcomhdháil bhliantúil PDA i Luimneach.

14

President’s Message

October 2014

Brian Ó Maoilchiaráin, PDA President.

PDA EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Brian Ó MaoilchiaráinPDA PresidentT: 091-874590

[email protected]áiste an Eachreidh,

Coiléar Bán, Baile Atha an Rí, Co. na Gaillimhe.

Gerry ConnollyPDA Vice President

T: [email protected]

Oaklands Community CollegeSr. Senan Avenue

Edenderry, Co. Offaly..

Kevin WhytePDA Past President

T: [email protected]

Mannix College,Charleville, Co. Cork.

Stephen GouldingPDA TreasurerT: 068-21023 [email protected]

Listowel CC, Co Kerry.

Brian Melia,PDA SecretaryT: 091-755464

[email protected] Community

College, Galway

PDA NATIONAL EXECUTIVE 2014 Jacqueline Nunan, Principal

Pearse CollegeClogher Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12.

T: 01 [email protected]

Michael Murphy, PrincipalWestport College of Further Education

Westport, Co. [email protected]

T: 098-25241

Eileen Delaney, Arch Bishop McHaleCollege, Tuam, Co. Galway

T: [email protected]

Adrian PowerBridgetown Vocational College

Co. WexfordT: 053 9135257

[email protected]

Nigel Quirke-Bolt, Deputy PrincipalCarlow Institute of Further Education,

Kilkenny Road, CarlowT: 059-9131187

[email protected]

Mr Michael Daly, [email protected]

Mr Tom Hughes, [email protected]

Mr Mattie Kilroy,[email protected]

Denis Magner,Tullamore College, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

T:041 9837105 [email protected]

Gerry Miller, Deputy PrincipalSt Conleth’s Community College

NewbridgeCo. KildareT: 045 431417

[email protected]

Eileen Mullaney, PrincipalColaiste Noamh Cormac,Kilcormac, Co. OffalyT: 057 9135048

[email protected]

To be appointed

Ms Mary Finnegan-Burke, PrincipalColáiste Dún IascaighCahir, Co.TipperaryT: 052-7442828

[email protected]

Vivienne Hogan, Deputy PrincipalEnnis Community College

Harmony Row, Ennis, Co. Clare. T: 065-6829432

E: [email protected]'

Tom Taylor, Deputy Principal,Sallynoggin College of Further EducationPearse St., Sallynoggin, Co. Dublin.

T: [email protected]

Stephen Goulding, Deputy PrincipalListowel CC, Co Kerry

T: 068 [email protected]

Sean Wynne, Deputy PrincipalDrumshanbo Vocational SchoolDrumshanbo, Co. Leitrim

T: [email protected]

Gerry Kelly. PrincipalSt. Colmans CC, Middleton, Co. Cork

T: 0214631696 / [email protected]

AREA 1Carlow, Laois,Kildare, Wicklow

AREA 2Offaly,

Roscommon,Longford,Westmeath

AREA 3

AREA 4Kilkenny, SouthTipperary,Wexford,

Waterford City& County

AREA 5Tipperary NR,Clare &

Limerick City

AREA 6Dun Laoghaireand CountyDublin

AREA 7Kerry,

Co. Limerick

AREA 8Sligo, Leitrim,Donegal

AREA 9Cork City &County

AREA 10Dublin City

AREA 11Mayo

AREA 12Galway City &County

DEPUTYPRINCIPAL

DEPUTYPRINCIPAL

ADVISOR

ADVISOR

ADVISOR

TUILIAISONOFFICER

PDA A4 News Sept 2014 D7_Layout 1 02/10/2014 16:26 Page 1

Colleagues, I would like to take thisopportunity to wish you well for the schoolyear which has just commenced.Undoubtedly the challenges for schoolprincipals and deputy principals haveincreased considerably as you, and indeed allmembers of TUI have suffered, and continueto suffer, professionally and personally as aconsequence of several years of austerity.The capacity of schools to provide highquality public education characterised byequity has been seriously undermined by thewaves of education cuts. As school leadersyou know this only too well. When theproblems arising from rapid social changesare factored in it is clear that you have had tolead and manage in particularly difficultcircumstances. You should be proud of yourwork. Naturally, all of us in TUI mustcontinue to assert our rights and those of ourstudents to a properly funded and organisededucation system.

Many of you have made importantcontributions to building progressivemanagement and leadership in your schools.In this regard, those who have played anactive role in resisting the scourge ofcasualisation deserve the highestcommendation from TUI. For anybody whohas not we would ask that you think againabout the damage that fractured andprecarious employment does to the lives andcareers of teachers and to the standing of theteaching profession. From the point of viewof students too this is important becausethey need and deserve stability in theirlearning.

The PDA plays an important and active rolein representing the views and interests of itsmembers and in that regard your nationaland local officers deserve thanks. Thenational officers of the PDA have, over the

summer, twice met with senior officers andofficials of TUI. These meetings wereconstructive and addressed mutualconcerns. It is clear, for example, thatprincipals and deputies are suffering fromwork overload. The expectations that you beschool managers, leaders and administratorsin the absence of adequate time, supportand resources, is unfair and wrong. The TUIhas consistently made this clear to theMinister of Education and Skills andDepartment officials. Over two years ago aTUI delegation, including officers of thePDA, secured an assurance, which TUIbelieves was given in good faith, that theDepartment would not make demands thatare beyond the capacity of schools toreasonably meet. However, additionaldemands have since been imposed, many ofthem emanating from the inspectorate.Consequently, since our last meeting, theUnion assisted by the PDA, has begun aprocess of identifying and documenting inchronological order the work andresponsibilities placed on principals anddeputy principals. This will assist in ourongoing representations to the Departmentof Education and Skills. Theserepresentations will include direct meetingswith senior officials. We will also raise theissue with the Minister at our next meetingwith her.

In the meantime however it is very importantthat you do not take on additional workwhich is properly the duty of a post-holder.This was not and is not now your work. It isnot part of your contract to take on theseduties. The revised TUI directive in thisregard is very clear and is designed toprevent any of our members, includingprincipals and vice-principals, from beingexploited. The Minister will have no reason

to remove cuts tomiddlemanagement if allthe work appearsto be doneanyway.

The mistakenapproach adoptedto date by theDepartment inrelation to changes at Junior Cycle is an issueof immediate concern to all of us. TUI standsfor the retention of national certification andexternal assessment. Our position onexternal assessment was mandated by anoverwhelming vote of members in Marchand was supported by some 66% ofmembers of the public, who expressed aview, in a national opinion poll in May. Theresults of this opinion poll were carried in afront page article in the Irish Independent.TUI is also against any attempt to stretchfurther the already undermined capacity ofschools to deliver services, indeed our viewis that the minister should address theproblem of current work overload. The TUIdirective in respect of this campaign must beadhered to and it may prove necessary toescalate the industrial action, mandated bythe ballot of members, if the Minister doesnot engage in meaningful negotiation. Pleasecontact local representatives includingmembers of the Oireachtas, or anyone whomay be helpful, to win support for ourposition.

Finally colleagues, I look forward tocontinuing to work with the PDA during thecoming year and hope that you all willparticipate in its vitally importantdeliberations.

32

JOIN PDA for €100 per year

Pay your subscription toyour Area representative or

Area treasurer beforeNovember 2013

Gerry Quinn,President TUI.

MESSAGE TO THE PDA

PROGRAMME O F EV ENTS

Area 7 - Kerry/Limerick Wednesday 12th November

4.00 - 7.00 pm Registration of Delegates9.00 pm Michael O’Sullivan – Humourfit

Humourfit was established in 1989 as a Theatre in Schools Project topresent an important issue such as bullying in a dramatic light to enhancethe life education skills of students. The theatre company has travelled the length and breadth of the countryperforming to audiences from 1st year’s right through to 6th years. It hasreceived huge plaudits from Departmental Inspection teams, Principals,teachers and students with many memorable dramas throughout thetwenty three years

10.00pm Social Evening of Music and Song

Thursday13th November9.00 am Registration and Exhibitors9.30 am Conference Motions and Secretary’s Report10.30 - 11.15 am Health Break and Exhibitors11.15 - 12.30 pm Official Opening and Pat O’Mahony

Pat O’Mahony, ETBI Education Research OfficerOriginally from a farming background in Co Cork, as ayoung teacher, armed with a degree in AgriculturalScience, Pat moved to Australia, where he taught in aninner city setting for eight years before taking over as AdultEducation Director with the main adult education providerin NSW. In the course of the following seven years he grew

the enrolments from 1,500 in 1982 to in excess of 22,000 in 1989. Onreturning to Ireland, he became inaugural Principal of St Joseph’sCommunity College Kilkee in January 1989 and, in 1992, he wasappointed Principal of Newbridge College in Co Kildare – a post he helduntil 2006. He has been Education Research Officer with IVEA/ETBIsince February 2007

12.30 - 1.00 pm Exhibitors1.00 - 1.45 pm Lunch1.45 - 2.30 pm PDA President’s Address - Brian Ó

Maoilchiaráin, Príomhoide 2.30 - 3.15 pm Q&A with TUI President and General Secretary3.15 - 3.40 pm Election of Officers and the Treasurer’s Report3.40 - 4.00 pm Health Break and Exhibitors4.00 - 4.35 pm Workshops - NIPT, NBSS, QQI & PDST

- see opposite for details

4.50 - 5.25 pm Workshops - NIPT, NBSS, QQI & PDST\- see opposite for details

5.30 - 6.00 pm Induction and briefing session for newly appointed Principals & Deputy Principals

8.00 pm Conference Dinner

Friday 14th November10.00 - 10.30 am Exhibitors/Conference Motions10.30 - 11.30 am David Ruddy

David Ruddy, Legal Advisor, PDST David Ruddy isPrincipal of Talbot Senior School in Clondalkin, Co Dublin.A native of Foxford, Co Mayo, he qualified as a barrister in1992. He is legal advisor to IPPN and has written 80 articleson topical legal issues concerning schools for theAssociation’s journal “Leadership +”. David is legal editor ofthe “Education Management Manual”published by

Thomson Reuters. He lectures on the legal modules on the masters in

Educational leadership programmes in Marino Institue of Education, andTrinity College. He also lectures on programmes for professional bodiessuch as the Law Society and the PDST. 11.30 am Health Break and Exhibitors12.00 pm Dr Padraig Kirk

Dr Padraig Kirk, Director, CPD for Junior CycleHaving obtained his Bachelor and Masters Degrees inEducation and Engineering from the University of Limerick,he taught engineering and technical drawing in O'FiaichCollege for seven years between 1993 and 2000. Heworked in the Department of Education in the Inspectoratefrom 2002 to 2009 and in 2009 he became CEO forLouth ETB.

1.0 - 1.45 pm Lunch 1.45 pm Conference Educational Papers and PDA

Organisation Review3.00 pm Close of Conference

Thursday 13th November - Workshops -NIPT, NBSS, QQI & PDSTBilly Redmond, National Induction Programmefor Teachers Billy Redmond qualified as a Home Economics and Religionteacher in Sion Hill, Dublin in 1994 and worked in StLaurence College, Loughlinstown. Shortly after he qualifiedas a Guidance Counsellor in University College Dublin andlectured part time with UCD education department. In 2006

he was seconded as a Regional Development Officer with the NationalBehaviour Support Service. He is currently working as the National Co-ordinator For Teacher Induction Post-Primary.

Mary Keane, National Behaviour SupportService Mary Keane is the National Co-ordinator of the NationalBehaviour Support Service (NBSS) and is seconded from StDominic’s College, Cabra where she is Principal. Previous toher current school, Mary has worked in ETB andCommunity and Comprehensive schools. She has served as

a council member on the National Council for Special Education and hasbeen an associate member on the Leadership Development for SchoolsSupport Service. She has also served on many local area communities fornational programmes including the Demonstration Programme forEducational Disadvantage and the 8-15 Early School Leavers’ Initiative.She was a founder member of ACE (Accessing College Education) forschools in the West Tallaght area.

Marie Gould, QQI Operations ManagerMarie Gould is a Provider Relations Manager in QQI. TheProvider Relations Section has been established to liaisewith the QQI business sections and with providers in theirtransition to QQI. Provider relations consult andcommunicate with providers on policy developments;contribute to provider quality and qualifications

enhancement activities; and maintain the sub-board governancestructures for provider services. She has specific responsibility forcoordinating the interface and engagement between QQI and public FETproviders including the ETBs and recognised Schools.

Anthony Kilcoyne, Professional DevelopmentService for TeachersAnthony Kilcoyne, Team Leader for School Leadership withthe Professional Development Service for Teachers willoutline the supports currently available to school leadersand aspiring school leaders. He will build on the theme thatone of the keys to school improvement is the professional

development of staff and that the school self-evaluation process is avehicle to lead learning in our schools.

Rachel Farrell, Deputy Director of ProfessionalDevelopment Service for Teachers Rachel Farrell, Deputy Director for Organisational affairswith the Professional Development Service for Teachers(PDST) will provide a comprehensive overview of PDSTsupports for leading learning. A programme of PDST’s face-to-face and on-line CPD events for the school year will be

provided to facilitate planning of strategic professional development in away that will avoid duplication and promote integration.

November 2014

LIMERICK STRAND HOTEL - 4 STAR

12th, 13th &14th November€89.00 Bed & breakfast - Single Occupancy

€99 Bed & breakfast - Twin OccupancyEarly booking advised.

Special conference rates are only availableby contacting hotel reservations directly.

Please quote “PDA” at time of bookingFor general enquiries or reservations:E: [email protected]

Tel: +353 61 421800

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