Management & Administration including Managing the Organisation

Self-awareness & Self-management Skills

Definition: The Principal promotes the building of a school community in its religious tradition and in accordance with the values of the school’s mission statement and expressed philosophy. As a significant occupational requirement of Principalship the successful candidate will be called upon to understand, protect and promote the stated characteristic spirit of the school. He/she will be committed to the demands implied in such protection and promotion. He/she will operate in accordance with the quality of action, function and presence laid down by the Board of Management on behalf of the Trustees, as necessary for the carrying out of this role.

Definition: The Principal creates and promotes a culture of improvement, collaboration, innovation and creativity in learning, teaching, and assessment, managing the planning and implementation of the school curriculum. He/she fosters a commitment to inclusion, equality of opportunity and the holistic development of each student through the formal Curriculum together with Co-Curricular and Extra Curricular subjects and activities, all of which are informed by and contribute to the school’s characteristic spirit.  He/she fosters teacher professional development that enriches teachers’ and students’ learning, promoting the achievement of high educational outcomes.

Definition: The Principal critiques his/her practice as leader and develops his/her understanding of effective and sustainable leadership. He/she collaboratively builds and maintains professional and respectful relationships with staff, students, parents, and other support agencies, including building professional networks with other school leaders. The Principal establishes, builds, and leads staff teams in all areas of school life. He/she promotes and facilitates the development of student voice, student participation, and student leadership. The Principal uses appropriate communication skills to empower staff to take on and carry out leadership roles. He/She appropriately anticipates, addresses, and manages the conflictual challenges that inevitably accompany this role. The Principal also encourages and fosters the building of leadership capacity among staff in all areas of school life that support the achievement of the school’s mission and vision as articulated by the Board of Management.

Definition: The Principal manages the school’s human, physical and financial resources to create and maintain a learning organisation, managing challenging and complex situations in a manner that demonstrates equality, fairness and justice. The Principal leads the school in on-going evaluation of the school’s activities and relationships in the light of its goals as established by the Board of Management and as identified as part of School Self-Evaluation (SSE). He/she uses a range of relevant planning and organisational techniques and systems to set priorities, goals and timetables that ensure effective use of time and resources. He/she establishes an orderly, secure, and healthy learning environment, and maintains it through effective communication. He/she develops and implements a system to promote professional responsibility and accountability.

Definition: The Principal demonstrates the ability to manage, lead and mediate change to respond to the evolving needs of the school and to changes in education including the legislative framework in which schools operate. This involves working with all stakeholders to communicate the characteristic spirit and guiding vision for the school and lead its realisation. The Principal leads the school’s engagement in a continuous process of self-evaluation and strategic planning. He/she builds and maintains relationships with parents, with other schools, and with the wider community.

Definition: The Principal demonstrates an awareness of his/her strengths and areas for improvement and has the capacity to manage them appropriately. The Principal receives and gives feedback; he/she models and promotes a culture of self-reflection. He/she attends to his/her own wellbeing as well as assisting others to attend to their own wellbeing. The Principal demonstrates the capacity to manage his/her own difficult emotions and is self-aware enough to know when to seek support particularly when dealing with challenging situations. He/she is able to motivate himself/herself and attend to developing his/her self-awareness and self-management skills.