Certificate Evenings for National Pilot Project on Teacher Induction - Primary Strand, 2006

Certificate presentation evenings for participants of the National Pilot Project on Teacher Induction – Primary Strand were held in May and June at each of the four regions involved in the project this year.

Donegal was the first event on the calendar, and was held at the Silver Tassie Hotel, Letterkenny, on 30 May. There was a high attendance on the evening with most schools represented by principals, mentors and NQTs. Rosemary Dunne spoke on behalf of the INTO in the region, and in her capacity as assistant director of the Donegal Education Centre. Mary Burke, Co-ordinator of the project thanked all the schools involved in the Donegal region for their commitment and enthusiasm for the project over the year. Particular thanks was conveyed to Sally Bonner, director of the Donegal Education Centre and the staff of the Centre for their support over the year.

The Limerick evening was held at Mary Immaculate College on 7 June. Peadar Cremin, President of the College, welcomed the schools and stressed the importance of induction for newly qualified teachers in their first year of teaching. The INTO was represented by Gerry O Sullivan, regional education representative for the Limerick region.

On 14 June the Glucksman Gallery, UCC, was host to the Cork area reception. Angela Dunne, Vice President of the INTO, spoke of the importance of induction and how pleased the INTO are to be involved in the Pilot Project. James Mulcahy, Director of the Cork Education Centre mentioned the positive collaborative experience between the Education Centre network and the project team. Martin Lally, representing the DES, thanked the schools for their involvement in the project and stressed the value of the participants feedback at this crucial research and development stage.

The Dublin region was the final event, and on 19 June a reception was held for the participants of the project in St. Patrick’s College. The large crowd was addressed by College President, Pauric Travers, who spoke of induction as a very specific and challenging stage in the lifetime of a teacher during which the support for the newly qualified teacher is crucial. INTO President Denis Bohane recalled his own first year in teaching and reflected on how valuable an Induction Project would have been to him at that time. Mark Morgan, Director of the Project and Head of Education, St. Patrick’s College, thanked the schools involved and the project team for their contribution over the year. Other attendees included the Director of the Teaching Council, Aine Lawlor, Eileen Flynn, National Co-ordinator of School Development Planning, Eileen O Connor, Director of Drumcondra Education Centre. Teresa Casey represented the Induction Project – Second Level Strand.

The evenings afforded an opportunity for the project team to thank the participants for their hard work on the project over the year and to urge schools to continue with the project into Phase 5.

 

Last Updated: Thursday September 21 2006