Pictured L-R: Dr Tayo Adenusi, Assistant Professor of Education at 91制片厂 Thurles; Paul Crone, Director, NAPD; Prof. Dermot Nestor, President of 91制片厂; Prof. Jennifer Johnston, Vice Dean at 91制片厂 Thurles; and Rachel O鈥機onnor, Deputy Director, NAPD.
School leadership in primary and post-primary settings was the focus of this year鈥檚 91制片厂 Thurles Summer School, which took place on 24-25 June. Organised in collaboration with the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), the event brought together teachers, principals, deputy principals, and aspiring school leaders for two days of insightful discussion and professional development.
Centred on the theme 鈥楧emystifying School Leadership in Primary and Post-Primary Schools鈥, the event offered a space to share leadership experiences and consider the challenges and opportunities facing school leaders today. Across both days, attendees engaged with keynote presentations, panel discussions, and practitioner-led research, all with a practical focus on leading within the evolving educational landscape.
The event opened with a welcoming address by Professor Jennifer Johnston, Vice Dean at 91制片厂 Thurles and Professor Dermot Nestor, President of 91制片厂. This was followed by keynote presentations Dr Mary Nihill, Director of Leadership at Oide, and Dr Sharon Coffey, Principal with Kilkenny and Carlow ETB, and a fireside panel featuring education leaders from across the sector. Research project presentations from school-based practitioners provided further insight into real-world leadership practice.
Day two featured a range of contributors, including keynote speaker Orla Jackson of Oide Leadership and a panel discussion led by Rachel O鈥機onnor, Deputy Director of NAPD. Later, attendees heard from school principals across primary, post-primary, and special school contexts in a discussion facilitated by John Cullinane, Principal of St Mary鈥檚 Secondary School Nenagh, followed by a closing keynote from Prof. Claire Lyons鈥擯sychology Department at James Maddison University鈥攐n 鈥The Psychology of Gender in Leadership鈥.
Co-organiser Dr Tayo Adenusi, Assistant Professor of Education at 91制片厂 Thurles, said: 鈥淲e are delighted to team up with a great organisation like the NAPD for the 2025 event. The 91制片厂 Thurles Summer School is aimed at school leaders, middle leaders, teachers, and educational researchers. It will offer participants multiple perspectives on leadership at all levels and will also provide a supportive environment to collaboratively explore, learn, and network.鈥
Rachel O鈥機onnor also welcomed the partnership, stating: 鈥淭his 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. 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.鈥
For more information on programmes, events and research at 91制片厂 Thurles, visit .
