The Mary Immaculate College (MIC) Thurles Summer School will return from 24-25 June this year in collaboration with the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD). The theme of this year’s event is ‘Demystifying School Leadership in Primary and Post-primary Schools’.
The complexity of modern school leadership in today’s constantly evolving educational landscape often makes leadership roles seem overwhelming to even the most capable educators who have the potential to lead effectively. This event is designed to provide opportunities for school leaders across the education spectrum to share their leadership experiences while also providing a space for aspiring school leaders to learn and explore some of the realities of leading a school.
The event will open with a welcome address and keynote, followed by panel/fireside discussions. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with research through poster presentations and dedicated sessions for research project presentations. The programme also includes teacher-led project presentations; contributions from Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB) and school leaders, and a school leadership workshop.
In announcing this year’s Summer School, Dr Tayo Adenusi, Assistant Professor of Education at MIC Thurles co-organiser, 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, Deputy Director at NAPD also welcomed the partnership and how it “presents a valuable opportunity to demystify the role of principal for aspiring leaders, providing them with insights into the complexities and responsibilities of school leadership”.
Rachel added: “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.”
Registration is now opened for the two-day on-campus event. You can find further information on the MIC Thurles Summer School here or register for your place here (www.mic.ie/thurles-summer-school/registration).
