API - Assistant Principals, Ireland

Discussing trends in Irish Primary Education and the impact these have on primary school middle leaders. Aim is to share advice, expertise and insights.

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

Are schools finding a deterioration in pupil behaviour? Would be interesting to hear from teachers what they believe the causes are and possibly what they have tried to improve behaviour? #edchatie #education

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

A terrible tragedy. Thoughts are with Aishling Murphy’s family, her colleagues, the pupils of her school and the community of Tullamore at this awful time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

@caitriona_hand @BillyRyanWex @Education_Ire This is great to hear @caitriona_hand about your situation. I do apologise if I caused any offence to anyone, it was definitely not my intention - on reflection it was poorly worded. Always room for improvement I guess! Every day is a school day.

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

Teachers: Have you been consulted by the @Education_Ire, principals or BOM on your thoughts for a safe return? As many also teach full time, is it not essential to hear from those actually in the classroom who have to deal with the daily fallout from staff shortages? 1/2

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

@BillyRyanWex @RodsMears No absolutely not. Intention was not to cause division or upset. And yes of course, all leaders ate entitled to downtime. As I said, I was just interested to see see lay of the land as all school communities are different. Wishing all leaders well in the challenges ahead.

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

Thank you for the many replies to earlier tweet. Unsurprising that many teachers feel let down by @Education_Ire 1/2

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

@RodsMears @Education_Ire Absolutely agree. And it appears that school management teams everywhere have worked tirelessly throughout this mess with a stick-together attitude that has undoubtedly been the bandage over the wound since Aug 2020.

[RhodriMears🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @RodsMears]

@APIreland @Education_Ire The last thing we need is uneccesary rifts opening up in school communities. Each and every member can write an email or pick up a phone to their respective union, patron and TD. We are all in this together.

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

The term 'stakeholders' seems to be losing meaning these days with certain government officials. Clarity needed? 2/2

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

The feedback on masks from new DE guidelines seems to be littered with confusion, frustration and sheer disappointment and a lack of leadership from the Department. Do you agree with these sentiments?

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

Wishing all leadership staff in schools good mental health as they work hard to support the families of their respective schools. Middle leaders will need to step up again and support their principal as the coming days are sure to bring new challenges. #edchatie

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

What are middle leaders thoughts on the Comhar programme? #leadership #edchatie #schoolleaders

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

@doreenbarrouil Thanks for your contribution @doreenbarrouil

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

With many leadership vacancies in country now, what role does the senior leadership team have in supporting those who are unsuccessful in an application/interview? Or is it simply a case of 'the winner takes it all' so suck it up and move on? #edchatie #Wellbeing #education

[Bláthnaid Pheigín Nic Cába @blath13]

Are you a primary teacher with an AP post? This questionnaire will be of interest @APIreland
https://t.co/TifarVRETy

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

@aoifeblood @blath13 Great idea for a survey. Would be particularly interested in how the pandemic has affected middle leaders' mental well-being.

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

@aoifeblood @blath13 This is a great idea! Always good to get feedback from across the board to see the lay of the land. Very interested to hear about middle leaders' mental health/wellbeing at the close of this year.

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

@MuinDee @ambaist Some suggesting that there be a post for each of the core subjects as a baseline? Thoughts?

[API - Assistant Principals, Ireland @APIreland]

As an AP1 or AP2, has your workload increased this year? If so, is it just down to Covid or are there other factors at play?