Strong Tipperary influence at annual conference for primary school education leaders

The IPPN/Irish Primary Principals Network annual conference had a special Tipperary connection this year. Louise Tobin, Principal of St Joseph’s Primary, Tipperary Town, is the President of this national organisation representing over 6,400 school leaders, both Principals and Deputy Principals. Louise opened the conference welcoming over 950 Principals, guests and education stakeholders.

Louise also taught in Grange NS, Clonmel for over 20 years when Tom Slattery was Principal there. Tom was of course President of IPPN in 2005-2007, with history in the making to have two staff members from the one school heading this national organisation. Richard Carroll, a past pupil of Grange NS is the newly appointed Principal of Grange and was appointed to this position last year.

The theme of this year’s IPPN Conference was Empowering Effective Teaching and Learning and looked at the ever-changing role of school leaders seeking a return to the basics of leading teaching and learning.
There were over 55 Tipperary Principals in attendance at the conference and a special Tipp reception was held to mark Louise’s Presidency and the great Tipperary connections.

Tipperary’s National Council Rep Siobhan Verdon, Principal of St Michael’s JBNS, Tipperary Town, made a presentation to Louise on behalf of the Tipperary Principals; to recognise the contribution she is making to primary education during her presidency.
In Louise’s presidential address she highlighted the current issues in primary education, including workload and the impact it is having on the wellbeing of school leaders. Louise called for urgent investment in school leadership.

“We continue to see the top six negatives symptoms experienced by school leaders are almost double that of the healthy working population. This is not sustainable. This has serious implications for school effectiveness, outcomes for children and the implementation of sectoral priorities and initiatives. Our workload is increasing, discrete shared leadership time is virtually non-existent and our right to disconnect is impossible at times-when subs are needed for classrooms and crises happen, with six out of ten school leaders reporting they do not have a good work-life balance and not one leader was found to be flourishing psychologically,” President Louise Tobin stated.

Fethard players to stage production of play at Tipperary theatre venue

Juno and the Paycock

“We need urgent action to address leadership capacity, effectiveness and sustainability”, Louise continued.
School funding is also a big issue for primary schools and Louise called this out in her speech.
“I must mention the lack of funding for our primary schools which has placed huge pressure on so many of you to scrimp and save to pay the ever-increasing bills and buy necessary class resources. I visited many schools last year and I saw at firsthand the billboards outside schools for their Lotto, Split the Pot and other fundraisers. I know and have heard at first hand the worry and stress that this lack of funding is causing you. We in IPPN, sought 275 euro per pupil capitation funding in our pre-budget submission. While the budget did provide an uplift, it fell well short of that. So, we continue to have many schools struggling to manage their finances. This must be addressed urgently.”

Local Principal Claire Moloney, Scoil Mhuire, Newcastle described this year’s Conference as “ A place for headspace….it sparks something in me and reminds me why I’m in this job. Conference gives me a little lift and I go back to school feeling better”.
The conference was described as the best yet, with a super line up of speakers and a huge Expo showcasing the best in educational suppliers and resources.
“As President, I am thrilled with how our conference went this year. Our conference showcased the best in CPD, networking, well-being opportunities and resources for our schools in our amazing EXPO. Our members are already looking forward to next year,” Louise said.

Louise continued that she is really enjoying the second year in her Presidential role, attending meetings, visiting schools, travelling to conferences at home and abroad, engaging with members and supporting the great work of school leaders in our Primary Schools.