Le Chéile Leadership Team
Marie-Thérèse Kilmartin
Chief Executive Officer
began her career as a teacher of Religion and Gaeilge in Coláiste Bríde, Clondalkin, having graduated with a Baccalaureate in Theology and Arts from Pontifical University, Maynooth.
She subsequently became TY and Programme Coordinator, before becoming Principal of Coláiste Bríde in 2003.
As Principal of Coláiste Bríde, she completed a new school building project, led her school community through two WSE-MLLs (2010 and 2019) – both to a highly effective standard and the development of systems and structures to support the development of a senior leadership team.
Her further studies are in areas of education management and leadership, school development planning, work and organizational behavior and most recently high performance leadership. Her personal motto is Ancora Imparo …. I am still learning (Michelangelo)
During her time as Principal, she has also represented JMB/AMCSS on the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Consultative Forum and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. She also was a member of the JMB/AMCSS Council representing Region 2 and has been on the NAPD Executive.
Marie-Thérèse is passionate about leadership development and has worked as an Associate with PDST Leadership, JCT Leadership and Centre for School Leadership. In addition to being a CSL Mentor. In recent years she became a tutor on the University of Limerick, PDSL course for primary and post-primary aspiring leaders and has worked with CEIST on their middle leadership programme.
Through building a culture of collaboration, curriculum innovation and leading change Marie-Thérèse has brought many new opportunities and forged networks for Coláiste Bríde in her role as school leader.
Marie-Thérèse has been invited to present at national and international conferences in areas such as ICT, Wellbeing in the Workplace, teaching and learning and ethos development. In March 2021, she was appointed by Archbishop Dermot Farrell, to the Building Hope Task Force of the Dublin Diocese. Marie-Thérèse Kilmartin can be contacted: [email protected]
Tony Lee
School Governance and Leadership Development Officer
Tony Lee has joined the Le Chéile team as School Governance and Leadership Development Officer. Tony has been principal of St. Aloysius College, Carrigtwohill for fourteen years. Previously he was Principal in Scoil Mhuire, Kanturk and Deputy Principal in Nagle Community College, Mahon, Cork. Tony started his career as a teacher of Physics, Science and Maths in Mannix College, Charleville before moving to Nagle Community College in 1984, firstly as a teacher and then being promoted to Deputy Principal there in 1999. Tony has been a Council member of AMCSS/JMB from 2009 to 2012 and then served as Vice President from 2012 to 2015. He led the work on developing the new proposed middle management structures, which were agreed in principle by the management bodies of the ETBI and Community and Comprehensive Schools sectors as well as the JMB. Tony can be contacted: [email protected]
Thérèse Davey
Administrative Officer with the title Executive Secretary.
Having studied Hotel Management in GMIT, Thérèse worked with Forte Hotels in England specialising in HR. Returning to full time studies in the University of Huddersfield, Thérèse completed a Cert. Ed. to teach Hotel Management in Further Education. Returning to Ireland, Thérèse worked in a diverse range of HR & Training positions including, working with CERT, opening a new hotel in Derry, setting up and managing an Adult Education Project and as Conference & Banqueting Co-ordinator in the Slieve Russell. People In Need Co-ordinator for Sligo, Tidy Towns’s Adjudicator , Accounts Admin. and crewing for a hot Air Balloon are some of the additional skills sets Thérèse can add to her CV along with completing a Diploma in Pastoral Theology in NUIG St. Angela’s (the first Theology Course outside of Maynooth).
Thérèse has both organised and presented at both Adult and Youth Retreats and Faith events, has enjoyed MC’ing at Sports Star Awards and Concerts and contributed to Radio Shows on RTE along with presenting a weekly Tip’s Spot on Spirit Radio since it started.
Completing a Facilitator’s Course in Maynooth has enabled Thérèse to deliver Accord’s Marriage Preparation courses which she enjoys. Moving to Dublin, Thérèse worked in the Research & Development Department in DIT, working on projects and events and managing Doctorial Student’s finances and funding applications.
Thérèse joined the founding Le Chéile Executive Team in 2009 and has shared an enjoyable journey on the learning curve of School Patronage since. Working for Le Chéile Schools Trust remains her greatest privilege, sustaining the rich heritage of the Congregations and supporting our schools around the country as part of the Executive Team, allows her to be part of the unique, Le Chéile community.
Thérèse can be contacted on 01 5380104 or e-mail: [email protected] .
Pat Flynn
Property Advisor
is joining the Le Chéile team on a part time basis as Property Advisor from November 2021. Pat will be assisting with all matters Property and School Building related. Pat worked as a teacher of Woodwork and Construction Studies in Firhouse Community College (1986-2002), and St. Colmcille’s Community School Knocklyon (2002-2005). He was appointed Principal of Tullow Community School (2005 – 2011). In 2011 he was appointed as the first Principal of Kildare Town Community School, a new school formed through the amalgamation of the De La Salle Secondary School, the Presentation Secondary School and Kildare Vocational School. As Principal he led the development of the new school and its move to the new school building constructed under Public Private Partnership. Pat is currently Chairperson of Blakestown Community School.
Pat can be contacted: [email protected]
Claire Kilroy
Ethos Leadership Officer
graduated with a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Home Economics & Biology from St Angela’s College, Sligo in 2004. She started her career in Mount Sackville Secondary School Chapelizod and subsequently made the move back to Galway. Claire spent 10 years in The Mercy Secondary School, Tuam, Co. Galway, the final two years she was Acting Deputy Principal. In 2017, Claire moved to Microsoft Showcase School Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Claregalway where she was appointed into the position of Deputy Principal and took on the role of Ethos Co-ordinator of Galway Roscommon Education & Training Board (GRETB).
In 2014 Claire completed a Post-graduate Diploma in School Leadership with Maynooth University and progressed to study a master’s in education (M.Ed.) with NUIG where she investigated through action research “How to Lead a Practice of Teacher Peer Observation”. Claire also has a diploma in Public Relations. Claire is a tutor on the University of Limerick Post-graduate Diploma in School Leadership (PDSL) and has mentored newly appointed Deputy Principals with the National Association of Principals & Deputy Principals (NAPD). All of this experience has encouraged Claire to write various articles for the NAPD Leader on issues such as “Building a collaborative school culture”, “How to successfully PR a school” and “Implementing a process of Teacher Peer Observation”. She has facilitated workshops based on these writings with various education centres over the past few years.
As part of her Deputy Principal role Claire has years of experience leading Special Educational Needs and promotes an inclusive environment, she has overseen the establishment of ASD and MOGLD classes. Claire is a Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert and has led various Erasmus+ projects for her school, creating links with partners in other countries through schools and universities. Claire has volunteered in the past for the charity “Global Schoolroom” and travelled to India to deliver a UCD accredited Education programme to Indian teachers.
Claire is passionate about education, ethos, values, leadership, excellence in teaching and learning, collaborative practice and student voice. Claire can be contacted at: [email protected]
