Tipperary college Summer School explores school leadership in schools

School leadership in primary and post-primary settings was the focus of this year’s MIC Thurles Summer School, which took place on June 24 and 25.

Organised in collaboration with the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, the event brought together teachers, principals, deputy principals, and aspiring school leaders for two days of insightful discussion and professional development.

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Centred on the theme ‘Demystifying School Leadership in Primary and Post-Primary Schools’, the event offered a space to share leadership experiences and consider the challenges and opportunities facing school leaders today.

Across both days, attendees engaged with keynote presentations, panel discussions, and practitioner-led research, all with a practical focus on leading within the evolving educational landscape.

The event opened with a welcoming address by Professor Jennifer Johnston, Vice Dean at MIC Thurles and Professor Dermot Nestor, President of MIC.

This was followed by keynote presentations from Dr Mary Nihill, Director of Leadership at Oide, and Dr Sharon Coffey, Principal with Kilkenny and Carlow ETB, and a fireside panel featuring education leaders from across the sector.

Research project presentations from school-based practitioners provided further insight into real-world leadership practice.

Day two featured a range of contributors, including keynote speaker Orla Jackson of Oide Leadership and a panel discussion led by Rachel O’Connor, Deputy Director of NAPD.

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Later, attendees heard from school principals across primary, post-primary, and special school contexts in a discussion facilitated by John Cullinane, Principal of St Mary’s Secondary School Nenagh, followed by a closing keynote from Prof Claire Lyons, Psychology Department at James Maddison University, on ‘The Psychology of Gender in Leadership’.

Co-organiser Dr Tayo Adenusi, Assistant Professor of Education at MIC Thurles, said: “We are delighted to team up with a great organisation like the NAPD for the 2025 event. The MIC Thurles Summer School is aimed at school leaders, middle leaders, teachers, and educational researchers. It will offer participants multiple perspectives on leadership at all levels and will also provide a supportive environment to collaboratively explore, learn, and network.”

Rachel O’Connor also welcomed the partnership, stating: “This collaboration is particularly important as it fosters a new generation of school leaders who are well-prepared to positively impact their school communities and address the evolving challenges of education today. By offering a platform for professional development and open discussion, we aim to equip future leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate their careers confidently.”