15th January 2007 - Diary Note: IPPN Annual Conference Killarney, 25th to 27th January
The theme of this year's conference is "Changing Ireland".
The Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) is the professional association of Irish primary school principals and deputy principals. With over 6,000 members from over 95% of all primary schools, the IPPN, established in 2000, has grown to become the authoritative voice of school leaders at primary level.
The conference always attracts a large attendance and this year, 700 school leaders will gather for three days to hear inputs from leading commentators and to attend workshops on a wide variety of topics. There will be a special Press Briefing on Thursday at 1.00 p.m. followed by lunch. Please let us know of any special requirements you may have with regard to timing of live interviews or print deadlines. We have IPPN spokespersons available on a wide range of education topics including:
- Special Education Needs
- New Irish Children
- Small Schools, Rural Schools
- Educational Disadvantage
- Information and Communication Technology
- School funding
Media Contacts:
John Curran - PRO - 087 231 4259 and 087 296 9168- pro@ippn.ie
Seán Cottrell - Director - 086 6478717
Tomás O Slatara - President - 087 2420118
IPPN Support Office - 1890 21 22 23
Keynote Speakers:
Terry Prone will be the facilitator over the three days and the conference will be addressed by
- Mary Hanafin, T.D., Minister for Education and Science
- David McWilliams, Economist, Journalist, Broadcaster, Author
- Emily Logan, Ombudsman for Children
- Sorina Selaru, the perspective of a "New Irish" parent
- Tomas O Slatara - President IPPN
- Seán Cottrell - Director IPPN
- Fergus Finlay - Barnardos - will facilitate a workshop.
Workshops:
A variety of practical workshops are available for principals to broaden their knowledge and hone their skills in a number of professional areas:
- Multigrade Teaching - Practical Strategies - Noel Loftus
- Staff Meetings - A Practical Guide to Success - Cóilín Ã" Coigligh
- The School Plan - From the Shelf to the Classroom - Una Feeley
- Handling Challenging Situations - using emotionally intelligent techniques - LDS Team
- In-School Management- In the smaller school - Bernard McHale
- Curriculum Leadership - In a Changing
- Marie McLoughlin
- Coping with Change - Courageous & Principled Leadership - Fergus Finlay
- Cultural Diversity - Alvina Grosu
- Preparing for Retirement - the Principal's Perspective - Gus Murray, Jim Hayes
- Achieving Work/Life Balance - Ruth Handy
Timetable
Thursday, 25th January
12.00 Trade Exhibition Opens
13.00 PRESS BRIEFING
15.00 Conference Registration Opens
18.00 President's Buffet & Reception
19.30 Conference Opening - Terry Prone
19.40 Fáilte an Uachtaráin - Tomás Ã" Slatara, President, IPPN
20.10 International Confederation of Principals - Kate Griffin, President of ICP
20.20 Through the eyes of the Child - Emily Logan, Ombudsman for Children
21.00 Close
Friday, 26th January
09.00 Minister for Education - Mary Hanafin TD
09.40 Changing
- Seán Cottrell, Director, IPPN
10.10 Conference Exhibition & Refreshments
11.15 Concurrent Workshops - Session 1
12.30 Lunch / Exhibition
14.00 The Perspective of a New Irish parent - Sorina Selaru
14.15 GiorraíÂÂonn Beirt Bóthar:
Distributing Leadership Gerry Murphy, Marcella Ã" Conluain
16.15 Conference Exhibition & Refreshments
15.00 Concurrent Workshops - Session 2
19:30 Gala Dinner
Saturday, 27th January
09.00 Conference Exhibition & Refreshments
10.00 OECD - Improving School Leadership
Paddy Flood and Virginia O'Mahony
10.15 Primary Education - Sound Economics? - David McWilliams
11.15 Questions & Answers
Panel facilitated by Terry Prone
12.15 Conference Exhibition
12:45 Lunch
14:00 Conference Close
