Conference Programme

9:30 – 10:00 Registration Tea/Coffee

10:00 – 10:15 Welcome/Introduction

10:15 – 11.00 Keynote Speaker

Dr. Sinéad Breathnach

11:00 – 11:30 Tea/Coffee

11:30 – 12: 00 Keynote Speaker

Dr. Hillary Street

12:00 – 12:30 Plenary Session

1: 00 – 2:15 Lunch

2:15 – 3:15 Workshops

3:15 – 3:45 Closing observation by

Dr David Tuohy

3: 45 – A.G.M.

Elections

Leave the M7 at exit 12 (signposted Newbridge, The Curragh), then at roundabout take the 4th exit. At next roundabout take the 2nd exit for Newbridge

Continue forward into Newbridge and the hotel is straight on, approximately 1/2 mile along this road on the left hand side.

Contact Details

NSPI, National Conference,

Kildare Education Centre,

Friary Road

Kildare Town,

Co. Kildare

Web: http://www.nspi.ie/

Email:

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Saturday 21st April 2007

Keadeen Hotel,

Newbridge,

Co Kildare

Events:

·  Guest Speakers

·  Workshops

·  Establishing Networks

Closing date for applications March 14th 2007.

Dr. Sinéad Breathnach

Sinéad Breathnach has been National Coordinator of the School Development Planning Initiative (Post-Primary) since its establishment in 1999. She is on secondment from her position as Principal of St. Louis Secondary School, Carrickmacross. She was a member of the Council of Management of Catholic Secondary Schools and represented secondary-school management on the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) for a number of years. She is currently a member of the NCCA’s Senior Cycle Committee and chairs the Transition Unit Committee. She has a Ph.D. in education from the University of Dublin, Trinity College.

Dr. Hillary Street

Hilary Street is a Senior Associate of the London Centre for Leadership in Learning at the Institute of Education and author of the Primary and Secondary Leadership paper series for the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT). She is also a Trustee of the Villiers Education Trust whose mission is ‘to foster inspirational 14-19 learning and teaching in the UK.’

She has worked in Inner London as a classroom teacher; a head of department and a Local Authority Advisor, as well as being the London Co-ordinator of the Schools’ Council Industry Project and then Deputy/Acting Director of a comprehensive sixth form centre in inner London. She spent six years working in Hong Kong during which time she worked at the Hong Kong Open University and managed a project for ‘more able children’. Hilary works with the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors.

Dr.Pádraig Hogan

Pádraig Hogan works in the Education Department at NUI Maynooth. From time to time he also does some short periods of teaching at post-primary level on a part-time basis, both for staying in touch and for research purposes. He is leader of the TL21 project team.

Mr. Joe O’Connell

Joe O’ Connell is Director of Limerick Education Centre since 1998, prior to this he was Principal of a co-educational secondary school for 9 years. A graduate of UCG, Joe’s post-graduate research focused on juvenile offenders and their educational experience, he has also completed a post-graduate programme in professional studies (school planning) and is currently engaged in doctoral studies in educational leadership.

Since 1999 Joe has worked with various Department of Education and Science national support service teams in the area of group dynamics and the management of challenging situations. Joe represents the Association of Teacher and Education Centres on the Consultative Committee of School Development Planning.

Dr. David Tuohy

David Tuohy spent 10 years as a secondary school teacher before moving to the University sector. He has taught courses in educational management and leadership in UCG, St. Joseph's Philadelphia and UCD. He has worked as a consultant in England, Africa, Australia, and the US on various management projects. In 2000, he returned to NUI, Galway and was instrumental in setting up the Post Graduate Diploma in School Planning with the SDPI, to which he is still the Academic Advisor. In 2003, he left the University to set up his own consultancy business, SPELL Training and Development. He has published books and articles on a wide range of management and leadership topics.

Mr.Greg Smith

Greg Smith is a post-primary science and maths teacher. For the past two years he has been seconded to the Education Department at NUI Maynooth, Greg is the Research and Development Officer with the TL21 project.

Ms Mary Keane

Mary Keane is the National Co-ordinator of the National Behaviour Support Service for post-primary schools. For the past seven years she has served as Principal in St Dominic’s College, Cabra, Dublin. She was previously a Deputy Principal in Killinarden Community School, Tallaght, Dublin. Mary has served as a council member on the National Council for Special Education and was an associate member on the Leadership Development for schools support service.

Mr Joe Harrison

Joe Harrison began his career in education in 1977 as a business subjects’ teacher in Ardscoil Ris Limerick. In 1989 Joe was appointed Principal of St Joseph’s Secondary Spanish Point, and was seconded from this position in 2000 as a Regional Coordinator for the School Development Planning Initiative (SDPI) until 2004. In 2004, Joe was appointed as an Inspector of Business Subjects with the Dept of Education and Science. In November 2006, Joe was appointed as Principal of Calasanctius College, Oranmore, a large co-educational voluntary secondary school.

Ms.Aine Lawlow

Born in Tulla, Co. Clare, Aine Lawlor graduated from Mary Immaculate College in 1969, was awarded a B.A. in 1973, H.D.E. in 1974, Dip.Ed Admin. in 1987 and M.A. (1ST hons) in 1994. She was a member of the Dublin Primary Principals’ Network committee that organised conferences in 1998, 1999 and 2000 and subsequently served on the Irish Primary Principals’ Network National Committee. Aine Lawlor was appointed first Director of the Teaching Council in 2004. Aine’s career has been devoted to the promotion of teaching as a profession and to uphold standards of excellence in teaching.