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MIC Thurles Summer School

About

We are delighted to invite you to join us at our Summer School in MIC St. Patrick’s Campus, Thurles on 13 & 14 June 2023, the theme of which is 'Celebrating 25 years of the Education Act 1998'. The focus is on conversations regarding the journey travelled and yet to be travelled in supporting the principles of that Act.

MIC Thurles Summer School returns this June with a two-day event featuring leading educationalists.

The purpose of this two-day event is to bring together educators, researchers, academics, and multiagency practitioners from Ireland and International educators who are interested in exploring how interagency collaboration can contribute to better support for diverse learners and their families in schools.

The MIC Thurles Summer School will open with a keynote from Chief Inspector Yvonne Keating. This will be followed by an overview of global education patterns as captured by Prof. Tom O’Donoghue and the conference will then open up into workshop style sessions on a host of themes with specific reference to the continuum of teacher education, inclusive practices, school leadership and a host of related topics.

Presenters & Panellists

The two-day event will open with Chief Inspector Yvonne Keating and other guests include CEOs, Arlene Forster, NCCA, John Kearney, NCSE and Lynn Ramsey, Teaching Council. Students, teachers and principals will be joined by others, including Mary Nihill, Centre for School Leadership (CSL), Sharon Cahir, National Induction Programme for Teachers (NIPT), Dr Pádraig Kirk, Oide, Áine Lynch, National Parents Council, as well as Mr Paul Crone and Rachel O’Connor, NAPD and by MIC Thurles Phd/ Master students, as well as Prof. Tom O’Donoghue, University of Western Australia.

MIC Thurles Summer School will take place on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 June 2023.

In becoming the first woman to hold the post of chief inspector, Yvonne took up her role as Chief Inspector in 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Education degree from Carysfort College, a Master of Education degree from Maynooth University, and the degree of Barrister-at-Law from the Honourable Society of Kings' Inns. Yvonne has also undertaken further studies in inspection and regulation at the Institute of Education, University of London, and leadership studies at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Tom O'Donoghue is Professor Emeritus of Education in the Graduate School of Education, the University of Western Australia. He is a native of Waterford and is an elected fellow of both the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and of the Royal Historical Society (UK). He specialises in the history of education in the English-speaking world, with particular reference to the history of teachers and the process of education in faith-based schools. Another strand in his work is concerned with examining the historical antecedents of various contemporary educational issues.

Dr. Lynn Ramsey was appointed Director of the Teaching Council in 2023. She previously worked as Director of MicroCreds - the Irish Universities Association's (IUA) national lifelong learning framework for accredited micro-credential qualifications. Lynn was Chair of the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, a Board Member of the Higher Education Authority and co-chairs the Bologna Follow-Up Group Working Group on Learning and Teaching. She holds a PhD in EU law from the University of Glasgow, a Masters of Education in Leadership and Management from Trinity College Dublin and has held academic and leadership positions in universities in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Arlene Forster is Chief Executive of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). A graduate of Stranmillis University College, Arlene began her career as a primary school teacher. She taught at all class levels, working in multi-grade and single-grade settings, and contributed to school and curriculum development as part of the middle leadership team. Having completed postgraduate studies in University College Dublin, Arlene joined the NCCA in 2001. Through her roles as Education Officer (2001-2002), Director (2003-2015) and Deputy CEO (2016-2020), she led work in areas such as curriculum review, assessment, reporting to parents, language, mathematics, science and the development of Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework. Arlene was appointed CEO in late 2020.

John Kearney was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the NCSE in 2022 and before that he was Chief Executive of Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board. John progressed the delivery of a multi-million Regional Capital Investment Programme having overseen significant increases in post primary enrolments. John fronted the partnering of further education and training services with employers to deliver targeted upskilling programmes, and has led the delivery of successful administration pilots with Education Shared Business Services. He has a wide-ranging wealth of experience in education developments at national level.

Programme Information

Day One: Tuesday 13 June
10.30am: Registration and tea/coffee, Foyer, MIC Thurles
11am: Opening Keynote Address by Yvonne Keating, Chief Inspector Department of Education
12pm: Reflections by Prof Tom O’Donoghue, University of Western Australia
1 - 1.30pm: Light Lunch
1.30 - 2.45pm: School Practitioner Panel Discussion on Initial Teacher Education and Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) with;

  • Sharon Cahir, The National Induction Programme for Teachers (NIPT)
  • Student Teacher/ Newly Qualified Teacher
  • Treoraithe/ Cooperating Teachers
  • Members of Senior Management and Professional Support Team
3 - 4pm: Panel Discussion with;

  • Dr Lynn Ramsey Director of the Teaching Council
  • Dr Pádraig Kirk, Director of Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) and Oide
  • Dr Michael Redmond, Director of Research and Development at JMB
Day Two: Wednesday 14 June
9.30 - 10.30am: Presentation by Hannagh McGinley, Traveller Culture and History NCCA
10.30 - 11.30am: In Conversation with;

  • Arlene Forster, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)
  • John Kearney, National Council For Special Education (NCSE)
  • Rachel O’Connor, National Association for Principals & Deputy Principals (NAPD)
11.30 - 11.45am: Tea/Coffee
11.45am - 1.15pm: Parallel Workshops on Current Research (choose 2 presenters)

  • Dr Nigel Quirke Bolt and Molly Daly Education Act and ITE Room G09
  • Dr Maria D Ryan Math's Anxiety Room G10
  • Dr Siobhán Kavanagh (Middle) Leadership Since '98 Education Act Room G05
  • Louise Platt The Future of Middle Leadership - Emerging Findings Room G15
  • Katie Chapple Student Voice Room G16
1.15 - 2.15pm: Lunch
2.15 - 3.30pm: Open Panel Discussion led by:

  • Bernadette Cullen, Tipperary ETB
  • Paul Crone, NAPD
  • Áine O’Sullivan, Association of Community & Comprehensive Schools (ACCS)
  • Mary Nihill, Centre for School Leadership (CSL)
3.30 - 4pm: Close of Conference with;

  • Caitlin Faye Maniti, President Irish Second-Level Students’ Union
  •  Evan Gorrell, Teacher Errigal College, Donegal
  •  Grace O’Reilly, Teacher Douglas Community School, Cork
  • About
  • Presenters & Panellists
  • Programme Information