04th September
I would briefly like to introduce myself to all the education partners linked with St. Conleth's Community College; our students, staff, parents & guardians, Board of Management and our community around Newbridge and the local environs.
Thank you for the very warm welcome that I have received in Newbridge over the past month. The kindness, generosity and wishes of good luck in the new role have been warmly welcomed and I look forward to working in this great school going forward.
While it has been an extremely busy and exciting time in my professional life getting to know so many new faces, I have been totally energised by the welcome from previous Principal, Patricia O'Brien (I wish Patricia all the best as she retires from this position having worked so hard for the school and the community), our fantastic Deputy Principals Gary Evans, Deirdre Fitzgerald and Nicola Whelan and over the past week by our engaged, bright and wonderful students and our inspiring, caring and professional staff in St. Conleth's Community College. I would also like to thank our fantastic and utterly organised admin staff Joanna Cuddy & Celine Galligan and our driven and talented caretakers Paul Hinds and Ken Maloney. A thank you to our cleaning team who have ensured that the school looked immaculate upon our return.
Moving from my position within the Senior Leadership Team in Naas College, where I have spent the last 3 years of my professional life as Deputy Principal and prior to that Maynooth Post Primary School where I spent 8 years as Deputy Principal, has been challenging as I had invested hugely in the life of both these schools educationally, socially and in extra-curricular and academic areas. As I embark on the new role as Principal of St Conleth's Community College, I can definitely say that I am inspired and humbled to be taking on this very important role under Kildare and Wicklow ETB’s patronage. I will invest everything I have to continue to nurture and foster the best for this school. Working with the staff in our campus with the Second Level School and the PLC I want to ensure the continued growth of St Conleth's Community College going forward.
I am here to encourage, sustain and develop our staff to support, care for and invigorate all of our students to do their best daily and to grow and mature within a safe and friendly environment. It has been a pleasure to meet all of our student cohort and staff members over the past few weeks, and I look forward to meeting our parents and guardians and others in this lovely community around Newbridge over time.
We as a team in St Conleth's Community College will endeavour each and every day to provide an education centre that caters to the needs and demands of every student under our tutelage. Our school crest features an acorn. An acorn represents education by symbolizing potential, growth, and the journey from small beginnings to great strength and this is what we will offer our students.
Phil Blythe