IPPN

Published: 20 October 2022

There is a high volume of teachers being recruited for short-term teaching vacancies. Schools are reminded that the following information is required from the substitute teacher before they enter the classroom:

• A copy of their teaching qualification certificate(s)
• Teaching Council registration number
• Photo identification e.g. driving licence or passport (Details match Teaching Council Registration Number)
• Vetting Disclosure (Circular 31/2016)
• Statutory Declaration Form & signed Form of Undertaking (Circular 31/2016)
• PPS Number
• Contact details of relevant recent employers for independent reference check.

A reminder that the exemption of the ‘ 5 day rule’ for 3 and 4 year students expired on 30 June 2022 as per Circular 16/2022. Post-graduate student teachers who are registered with the Teaching Council using their primary degree are exempt from the ‘5 day rule’.

Published: 20 October 2022

School leaders who will be in an acting principal role for the duration or part of the 2022/2023 school year are asked to update Jackie O’Reilly (Jackie.oreilly@ippn.ie) in the National Support Office. Jackie will provide details of the supports and services provided by IPPN to support the acting school leaders in their role.

Headstart is designed specifically to bring IPPN’s supports and services directly to newly appointed and acting school leaders during their first year. Many of them will already have registered with Misneach and received a CSL mentor. Throughout the school year, Headstart facilitated by a dedicated team of experienced principals will inform, guide and support these school leaders. A dedicated email has been set up in order to provide direct access to information, professional guidance and support during the year.

One of IPPN’s most important messages is that you can do this job, you cannot do it all and you cannot do it on your own. Headstart will deliver resources, key messages and professional guidance to make this particular challenge less onerous and help to deliver better outcomes for the children and school community served by the newly appointed school leader.

An initial communication has gone to newly appointed and acting school leaders outlining the resources and supports planned for the year. If as an acting school leader you have not received an email from the Headstart Team, please email jackie.oreilly@ippn.ie to be included in this support service.

Published: 20 October 2022

IPPN input at Oireachtas Committee Debate on Mental Health Supports in Schools
Enda McGorman, principal of Mother of Hope SNS, Littlepace, Dublin 15 was the IPPN representative at the Joint Oireachtas Education Committee debate on mental health supports in schools (Tuesday, 18 October 2022). He and the other education stakeholders set out the challenges, potential solutions and discussed the matter in detail with the TDs and Senators on the Committee. IPPN sincerely thanks Enda for his superb input and for representing primary school leaders so passionately and eloquently.

Click here to view the video (the debate starts at 30:30)

Click here to view IPPN’s submission to the Committee

IPPN input at Oireachtas Autism Committee Debate on Autism Policy & Education
On 4 October, IPPN presented at a meeting of the Oireachtas Autism Committee and was engaged in robust debate with the politicians present. IPPN was ably represented by CEO Páiric Clerkin and Caroline Quinn, Leadership Support Team member and former principal of Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS in Johnstown, Killiney.

Click here to view the debate (Starts at 23:30; IPPN input starts at 01:50:00) 
Click here to view IPPN’s submission

Note: The Joint Committee on Autism was established in February 2022 to consider matters relating to the services and supports provided by the State for autistic people and will report to both Houses of the Oireachtas within nine months of the first public meeting.

Sincere thanks to those members who have provided input to IPPN on these topics in various surveys and fora. It makes submissions more compelling and complete when members from different types of school have helped to put shape to the description of the challenges and the proposed solutions. The new National Council committee for Advocacy & Communications will be a key way to gather information and suggestions from members in a timely manner in relation to future advocacy work.

Published: 20 October 2022

A parent comes to you with a complaint about an issue between their child and a teacher.

It has been well established that leadership is all about building relationships and good communication with all in the school community will determine the quality of those relationships. Having a professional conversation with staff is the first step in developing an understanding of how such a situation is managed. Thereafter it needs to be communicated/discussed with BoM and parent body.

Conflict occurs when communication breaks down, is poor, or not happened at all. As previously discussed, in order to create realistic expectations conversations are necessary. It will go a long way to ensure that each person understands their role and knows the procedures to follow in each case. It is always best to have these conversations when there is no issue needing resolution. The importance of having this conversation at a time when no issue exists, to ensure clarity, consistency of approach and giving staff confidence in the procedures, is essential preparation for an issue that can be complex and require difficult conversations.

“Let us find ways of working together to do what is best for your son.”
“We need to work together on this.”

It is necessary to keep using this kind of language in order to keep the focus on the child, who often gets lost in the process. Many of these issues are resolved amicably. However, there is also the danger that lack of clarity and understanding of the procedures can lead to entrenched attitudes among adults in seeking to resolve the matter. (Will be included in next week’s E-scéal)

Conversations at staff, Board and parent meetings could focus on:

• Procedures in place to manage parental complaints (Parental Complaints Procedures)
• Working through the procedures to ensure understanding
• Staff, parent and Board roles and responsibilities within those procedures
• Keeping the child at the centre of any discussion
• Understanding each other’s perspective
• Communication plan for all within the school community
• Resolving the issues at the earliest stage is vital. “Have you spoken with the class teacher?”

Ultimately, we need to keep reminding each other that parents need teachers, teachers need parents and the child needs us both.

As always, the Leadership Support Team is available to discuss issues of this kind and help in preparing you for these difficult conversations. Contact 021 4824070 or email advice@ippn.ie to arrange a call with a member of the team.