maeve-mccarthy-principal-retnsIn this, my first official week as Principal of Rathfarnham Educate Together National School, I would like to introduce myself to you. My name is Maeve Mc Carthy and I have been working in education for more than 30 years. From 1988 to 2018, I was a member of staff of St. Pius X Girls’ National School in Terenure where I worked as both a class teacher and Special Education Teacher. During that time, I was seconded to the European School Culham in Oxfordshire for fifteen years, five of which were spent as Head of Primary. Earlier in my career, I also worked in Bhutan and Tanzania.

I was delighted to be appointed as Principal of RETNS this year. I strongly subscribe to the Educate Together values of child-centredness, democracy, equality and co-education and am very impressed with what I have learned so far about how these values are lived in RETNS. It is clear to me that the children of RETNS were very fortunate to have a dedicated and inspirational principal in Mary Carron who worked with a highly committed staff. I would like to thank Mary and all my colleagues who have helped me so much to begin to get to know our school and its culture.

 I look forward to taking on the role of principal this year, to working with my colleagues to ensure that each of your children has a happy experience in our school and achieves his or her potential as a learner.

For any parents who, like me, are new-comers to the school, I encourage you to become involved as much as possible in school life as ours is a school genuinely founded on partnership. Like all your children, I have much to learn this year and I look forward to getting to know you and your children and listening to your views too.

Best wishes to you and your children for a happy and successful school year.

Le dea-ghuí,

Maeve Mc Carthy