Irish Primary Principalsâ Network
LĂonra PrĂomhoidĂ Bunscoile Ăireann
December 2001 A PhrĂomhoide agus a Oide ThĂĄnaisteach, Approaching Christmas is a very enjoyable time of year but also extremely busy with so much packed into the last few days of term. Our Newsletter will give you an overview of what has been happening with IPPN since October and, hopefully, prompt you to take 10 minutes rest while you read and reflect on its contents. Many thanks for completing the Hay Questionnaire and I hope the reflective process required was beneficial in its own right. A special thanks also to all those who have volunteered to mentor newly appointed principals. Mo mhĂle buĂochais freisin to chuile dhuine a chabhraigh linn le cruinnithe timpeall na tĂre. Ag taisteal Ăł chontae go contae, is lĂŠir go bhfuil fuinneamh agus spiorad iontach le feiscint pĂŠ ĂĄit go bhfuil prĂomhoidĂ ânetworkingâ le chĂŠile. Nollaig faoi shĂŠan agus faoi mhaise, SeĂĄn Cottrell IN THIS ISSUE ⢠BENCHMARKING ⢠THE VALUE OF LEADERSHIP ⢠SUPERVISION ⢠⢠LEGAL DIARY - DISCIPLINE ⢠⢠EURO CHANGEOVER ⢠⢠SCHOOL ACCOUNTS ⢠⢠CONFERENCE 2002 ⢠⢠REGIONAL MEETINGS ⢠IRISH PRIMARY PRINCIPALSâ NETWORK, GLOUNTHAUNE, CORK.
Issue 8 BENCHMARKING
Earlier this year, IPPN established an executive sub-committee to research the Role of Principal in relation to the benchmarking process. On Monday, 26th November 2001, representatives of IPPN met with John Carr, Gen. Sec., Joan Ward, President, other INTO officers and officials to discuss a wide range of issues including benchmarking. Whilst we did not reach agreement on all aspects of this matter the meeting was extremely positive and indicative of the commitment in both organisations to co-operate in the best interest of principals. Following the meeting, the INTO requested the use of IPPNâs research document on benchmarking for principals to further enhance and strengthen their submission to the benchmarking body. This research has been presented as a position paper entitled âThe Value of Leadership?â and will be circulated to all principals in 2002. The IPPN National Committee is pleased to have this opportunity to support the INTO in their negotiations Pat Maher of Tipperary and Pat Kavanagh, and representation of Wexford, prior to the recent INTO/IPPN principals to the Public meeting on Benchmarking Service Benchmarking Body (PSBB). Principals throughout Ireland feel very strongly that benchmarking must deliver a radically improved salary commensurate with our leadership/management role. Such a salary structure must reflect not only the vast increase in workload undertaken gradually over the last 15-20 years but, more importantly, the level of legal responsibility and range of accountabilities that principals carry in what has become a very multi-skilled and complex role. It is vital to the future of the teaching profession that Principalship becomes a more attractive position for younger teachers. Serving the needs of leadership at this time of great change will actually stand to the long-term benefit of the entire teaching profession. While IPPN clearly does not have a remit for Industrial Relations matters, we have exercised our right to communicate a strong sense of expectancy that our union must deliver through benchmarking. IPPN support for the INTO in this regard is unequivocal. However, principals feel strongly that their role has been allowed to fall victim to chronic overload and added responsibility without corresponding reward. The benchmarking process must provide evidence that those days are over!