February 2024
of this project. This support network is invaluable to me as a teaching principal in a small school. One thing that really surprised me was that the meetings were a cluster-led approach. Our opinions mattered and we got to choose areas that we felt were a priority and what would work well for us. This has definitely led to greater ownership of the project. An area that the Wicklow Cluster identified was exploring the role of middle management. The aim of bringing members of the middle management team together was to share experiences and expertise as well as build relationships across schools. The cluster schools middle management DEIRDRE WALSH teams came together and looked at SCOIL MHUIRE NA NÁIRD, SHILLELAGH wellbeing in our schools. They looked at wellbeing from three different I joined our cluster just recently as there perspectives: the pupils, the staff and was a change of principal in Scoil Mhuire the parents/school community. The na nÁird. I was worried about entering team worked collaboratively to create into the cluster at a late stage. My surveys appropriate for each group. fears were quickly allayed after the first They have set up a WhatsApp group meeting with the other two principals in to support each other in their posts of our cluster. Elaine and Linda made me responsibility. A huge bonus of joining feel very welcome and brought me up to the Small Schools’ Project was being able date with the project. Having come from to keep our 4th mainstream teacher for a teaching principal position in another the duration of the project despite being small school in County Carlow, I could ai170419332521_SC IPPN Advert Jan_Feb Final for Print.pdf 1 02/01/2024 11:02:05 below the threshold. In August, as part quickly see the advantages of being part that I think will be very beneficial into the future. I would love to see each small school getting a full time SET. I think this would be the single biggest help to every small school and would also take away that stress and worry associated with the hours being assigned every couple of years and the scramble to find a school to cluster with. Overall, I am finding the Small Schools Cluster project to be a positive one and I would like to say thank you for listening to us!
of Croke Park hours, the staff of all three schools engaged with STEM training through an educational charity, Kinia. The training helped in the development of Robotics, Renewable Energy and Podcasting. All the schools received a fantastic bundle of resources and science kits to help implement the teaching of the programme. The funding towards our administration system Aladdin is a huge plus. I am looking forward to starting our next initiative - Coaching. The aim of the Coaching sessions is to engage in selfreflection and examine our strengths, weaknesses, values, and leadership beliefs. An important part of the project is making sure that any projects or trials benefit the whole school community. To ensure everyone is benefitting from the project, some other suggestions made by our cluster include establishing support for our school secretaries and local training for our new Board of Management. Since joining the project, I have definitely experienced improved support and that we as principals of small schools are being listened to. I am enjoying being part of a wonderful cluster and support network.
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