Applied for Principalship when the Religious Order running the school decided that lay people should be given a greater role in the management and leadership of the school.
Describe a typical day?
There is no typical day in the sense that a knock on the door might mean a 30 second conversation or it might be a problem that would dominate the remainder of the week. The job entails huge interpersonal interaction, with a good deal of conflict management.
It involves a lot of administrative and organisational skills. It also provides opportunities for longer term planning and leadership.
The day starts at about 7.30.pm. and may not finish until late in the evening if there are Board meetings or meetings with the Parents Association.
What are the main tasks and responsibilities?
Principal teacher and leader of the team of teachers and other staff
De facto Manager on a day-to-day basis, answerable to the Board of Management of the school which meets once a month
Responsible to the Department of Education and Science for the administration of the school under the regulations of the Department
Responsible for ensuring that the ethos of the school is maintained for the Marist Brothers who are the owners and trustees of the school
What are the main challenges?
The variety of the job
Human nature
Ensuring that the school survives in the economic climate in which we find ourselves
Continuing development and school improvement
What's cool?
The opportunity to make a difference in the lives of over 400 teenagers each year.
What's not so cool?
A school is run on tight budgets and limited supports and this makes management difficult at times.
What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?
