IPPN

Published: 24 April 2007

The First National Primary Principals' Conference to be held in Ireland took place in Cork in October 1994. It was organised by an active group of local Principals who met regularly for professional support and who were acutely aware of the changing role of the Primary School Principal. Principals from all over Ireland attended the conference, entitled "Talking Heads", at the Imperial Hotel. The then Minister for Education, Niamh Bhreathnach, opened the conference. The feedback was so positive that the southern capital hosted two further successful conferences in 1995 and 1996. Between the second and third conferences, the Cork committee developed the concept of a local Primary Principals' Network and so the third conference in 1996 was organised by the Cork Primary Principals' Network.

A meeting was arranged between members of CPPN and a group of Principals in the Leinster region to discuss the possibility of holding the next conference in Dublin. As a result of this meeting held in St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra on March 3rd, 1997 the Primary Principals' Network (Eastern Region) was formed and this group organised the 4th National Conference for Primary Principals in the Grand Hotel, Malahide, Co. Dublin. Like their Cork counterparts, the Eastern Committee went on to organise three conferences in all.

At the 5th National Conference held in Malahide in February 1999 a proposal to form a National Principals' Network was accepted by attendees at the closing session. Following this session, which was facilitated by Dr. Ciarán Sugrue, Education Department, St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, an ad-hoc group was formed and this group arranged to meet in Kildare Education Centre on March 20th, 1999. It was at this historic meeting that the Irish Primary Principals' Network - IPPN - was founded. The attendees at that meeting, hosted by Anne Kelleher, Director, Kildare Education Centre, were: George Barry (Tipperary), Ciarán Boland (Cork), Isbéal Brennan (Kilkenny), Seán Cottrell (Cork), Larry Fleming (Offaly), Jim Hayes (Cork), Raymond King (Kildare), Moira Lynch (Westmeath), Pat Meagher (Tipperary), Paul Murphy (Tipperary), Una McNamara (Dublin), Tomás Ó Slatara (Tipperary), Maurice Whelan (Galway) and Damien White (Offaly). All present consented to be on an interim national committee while Jim Hayes, Raymond King and Tomás Ó Slatara were prevailed upon to act as interim President, Secretary and PRO respectively.

Over the following weeks and months, IPPN delegations met with the Minister for Education and Science, officials in the In-Career Development Unit of the Department of Education and Science, the Primary Management Bodies, Education Centre Directors and all the other partners in Irish Primary education. Meetings were held also with our counterparts at second level, NAPD, whose advice and support was greatly appreciated.

At the early National Committee meetings, much time and consideration was devoted to debate on the overall structure of IPPN as a professional association - a relatively new concept in education - as well as the drawing up of a draft constitution and appropriate guidelines for Primary Principals' support groups.

The Minister for Education and Science of the day, Mícheál Martin T.D., was very supportive of IPPN from the outset and his department manifested it's support by offering to arrange for the secondment of a Principal teacher to act as a National Director of the Network.Mr. Seán Cottrell was subsequently appointed as National Director in October 2000.

IPPN was officially launched by the then newly appointed Minister for Education and Science, Dr. Michael Woods T.D. in Dublin Castle on February 10th, 2000. The first National Conference under the official IPPN banner was held in February 2001 in the Corrib Great Southern Hotel, Galway.

Since its foundation, the Irish Primary Principals' Network - Líonra Phríomhoidí Bunscoile Éireann - has become a key part of the educational landscape of this country, providing leaders in primary education with dedicated professional representation, a range of practical supports and services and opportunities for professional development.

Jim Hayes, Founding President, IPPN

Published: 23 April 2007

IPPN Support Office
Richmond
Glanmire
Co Cork

T45 P406

Freephone: 1800 21 22 23
Int Tel: 00 353 21 4824070
Email: info@ippn.ie

Directions to the Support Office

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Published: 23 April 2007

The role of Principal as administrator, manager and leader is not only a position of great responsibility, but also one that is immensly challenging and rewarding.  At the time of your appointment, it is understandable to feel a little overwhelmed at the high volume of information and initiatives requiring your response. 

IPPN Member Supports and Services are designed to meet the spectrum of your professional needs in your role as school leader. IPPN has designed an array of innovative programmes promoting leadership, learning, advocacy, training and the sharing of best practice among principals.

Mailing list

newprincipals@ippn.ie - this mailing list has been set up especially for all Newly Appointed Principals. On this mailing list you will be able to contribute to the debate, seek advice, pass on useful information and interact with your colleagues. Apart from some members of the IPPN Executive, who have agreed to facilitate this mailing list, the only contributors will be Newly Appointed Principals.

Online training course
Ciall Ceannaithe - IPPN's online summer course Is a highly practical step-by-step course built on the collective wisdom and experience of seasoned principals.  The course is designed to professionally support Newly Appointed Principals through the first day, first week, first month and first year of their Principalship.  It is also very suitable for teachers and deputy prinicpals who wish to one day undertake the role of principal or as a refresher course for experienced principals who wish to reflect on their current practice.  Ciall Ceannaithe for Newly Appointed Principals, which is available in July only.  
Click here to view info on our Ciall Ceannaithe Course 

Principal’s Information Management System (PIMS)
This is a desk diary that will provide your school with a comprehensive information management system.  Click here for all sections of PIMS

Click here for further information on any of the above supports and services or to register your details with the IPPN Support Office 

Published: 23 April 2007

IPPN Membership Online Application

IPPN Membership Application Form

    Please note that membership of IPPN is an appropriate expense payable by your Board of Management DES Circular 14/02.  

As the demands on school leaders increase, IPPN continues to provide school leaders with essential services, which are constantly adapted to meet changing needs. Based on your feedback through regular surveys and consultation with County Networks, IPPN is unique in its capacity to reflect the day-to-day reality of schools to national decision-makers.

IPPN has provided enhanced professional development including county-based seminars, annual conferences for principals and for deputy principals, professional briefing days, blended summer schools and online courses, and a suite of supports designed for new principals including Ciall Ceannaithe and ‘Headstart’ training and mentoring, and dedicated support. We have also developed capacity in relation to advocacy and research, with dedicated staff to undertake research into key aspects of leadership as well as the preparation of position papers and submissions to influence education policy at national level.

As the professional body for school leaders, IPPN relies on the support and commitment of members like you in order to be able to continue to provide supports and services and to represent you as a school leader.

Membership Fee:

• Administrative Principal & Deputy Principal - €290
• Teaching Principal & Deputy Principal - €250

In two-teacher schools, the second teacher is entitled to membership under the DP role

Full Membership for serving Principals & Deputies

Note that the Department of Education stipulated in Circular 14/02 that it considers the fee for membership of IPPN to be a valid Board of Management expense.

If needed, download this Membership Letter for your Chairperson.

Membership Renewal Options

• Online Payment - Renew your membership using the payment link below. Once payment has been completed, download and print the form below, amend where necessary, return to the IPPN Support Office, Glounthaune, Co Cork by post.
• Direct Debit - If you choose to renew your membership by Direct Debit, please complete the mandate on the membership form.
• Cheque & Application - Cheques should be made payable to 'IPPN' and sent to: Membership, IPPN Support Office, Glounthaune, Co Cork.