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MIC Thurles Summer School

Thurles Summer School 2025

We are delighted to invite you to join us at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) Thurles Summer School on 24 & 25 June 2025 at St Patrick’s Campus, Thurles. The theme for this year’s Summer School is 'Demystifying School Leadership in Primary and Post-primary Schools'.

MIC Thurles Summer School - 24 & 25 June 2025
MIC Thurles Summer School - 24 & 25 June 2025

Organised in collaboration with the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), this year’s Summer School is thoughtfully designed and aimed at school leaders, middle leaders, and teachers, particularly those with leadership aspirations.

One of the implications of the complex nature of contemporary school leadership responsibilities in the ever-evolving education landscape is that school leadership roles are perceived as daunting by highly skilled education practitioners who possess the ability to do well as school leaders.

This year’s Summer School 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 Summer School will also provide opportunities for school leaders, middle leaders, teachers and educational researchers to collaboratively explore, learn, and network for future collaborations. This will be achieved through series of panel discussions on related topics, educational research presentations, and teacher led project presentations.

You can register for the Thurles Summer School at the link below.

Register

MIC Thurles Summer School in action
MIC Summer School 2025

National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD)

The NAPD is very excited to collaborate with MIC Thurles for their Summer School 2025. This initiative 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. 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. 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.

 Rachel O'Connor, Deputy Director, NAPD

NAPD logo

Programme Schedule

Day One: Tuesday 24 June
1.30pm - 2pm: Registration
2pm - 2.30pm: Welcome Address & Opening Keynote - Dr Mary Nihill, Director of Leadership - Oide   

2.30pm - 3.30pm: Keynote by Dr Sharon Coffey, followed by Fireside Discussion

  • Paul Crone - Director of NAPD (facilitator)
  • Elaine Brady - Deputy Principal, St Wolstan's
  • Dr Finn O'Murchu - MIC Head of School (retired)
  • Dr Sharon Coffey - Principal, Kilkenny & Carlow ETB
  • Anthony Reynolds, Deputy Principal, Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny
  • Susan McGann, Principal, Galway & Roscommon ETB
3.30pm - 4pm: Tea/Coffee break

4pm - 5pm: Research Project Presentations by:

  • Sinead O'Mahony
  • Louise Plat
  • Paula Mangan

10 minute presentations + Q&A

Followed by Q&A/Fireside Discussion on Presentations

5pm - 6pm/7pm: Dinner/Evening Meal*

*Dinner/Evening meal to be paid directly to the venue.

Day Two: Wednesday 25 June
Morning Session: 10am - 12.30pm
10am - 11am: Excellence in Education - A Tipperary Education and Training Board Research Project
Followed by Panel/Fireside Discussion (School Leaders Tipperary ETB)
11am - 11.30am: Tea/Coffee break

11.30am - 12.30pm: Keynote by Orla Jackson - Leading Through Liminality
Followed by Panel/Fireside Discussion

  • Rachel O'Connor, Deputy Director NAPD (facilitator)
  • Regina Butler, Principal, Scoil Mhuire, Cork
  • Brian Goggins, Principal, Louth & Meath ETB
  • Orla Jackson - Oide Leadership
12.30pm - 1.15pm: Lunch, MIC Canteen
Afternoon Session: 1.15pm - 3pm

1.15pm - 2pm: Keynote by John Cullinane - Lived Realities of Principals in Primary, Post-Primary and Special School
Followed by Panel/Fireside Discussion 

  • John Cullinane (Post-Primary Principal)
  • Kevin Langton (Post-Primary Principal)
  • Tracie Tobin (Primary Principal)
  • Lorraine Lowry (Principal Special School)
2pm - 2.15pm: Tea/Coffee break
2.15pm - 3pm: Closing Keynote - Prof. Claire Lyons, Psychology of Gender in Leadership

Keynotes & Panellists

Keynotes and Special Guests

  • Dr Mary Nihill, Director of Leadership – Oide
  • Professor Claire Lyons, James Madison University, USA
  • Clodagh Kelly, CEO, Tipperary Education and Training Board
  • Dr Finn O’Murchu
  • Dr Sharon Coffey
  • Orla Jackson, Oide Leadership

Panellists

  • John Cullinane, School Principal
  • Kevin Langton, School Principal
  • Tracie Tobin, School Principal
  • Lorraine Lowry, School Principal Special School
  • Elaine Brady, Deputy Principal, St Wolstan's
  • Dr. Sharon Coffey, Prinicpal, Kilkenny & Carlow ETB
  • Anthony Reynolds, Deputy Principal, Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny
  • Susan McGann, Principal, Galway & Roscommon ETB
  • Regina Butler, Principal, Scoil Mhuire, Cork
  • Brian Goggins, Principal, Louth & Meath ETB
  • Thurles Summer School 2025
  • Programme Schedule
  • Keynotes & Panellists