Waterford principal takes up national leadership role

A school principal in Waterford has been appointed to a prestigious national leadership role with the Edmund Rice Schools Trust.

Ardscoil na Mara principal, Pádraig Cawley will take leave from the school to take up the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Trust.

The community in the Tramore school extended its "warmest congratulations" and good wishes to Mr Cawley as he takes up his new appointment.

A spokesperson for the school said Mr Cawley served as principal since 2014 and played a central role in the development of Ardscoil na Mara from its earliest days. 

He became principal following the amalgamation of two long-established Tramore schools, CBS Tramore and Stella Maris, and led the new school community through more than a decade of significant growth, development and change.

"During his time as principal, Mr Cawley has overseen many important milestones in the life of the school," said the spokesperson.

"These have included guiding the school through a major extension project, responding to the unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, and leading the continued development of teaching, learning, student support and school life."

The spokesperson said that under Mr Cawley's leadership, Ardscoil na Mara has grown "into a thriving educational community with a strong reputation for providing a high-quality, inclusive and caring education" to the young people of Tramore and the surrounding area.

Mr. Cawley will take his extensive experience in school leadership into a significant national role with the Edmund Rice Schools Trust.

As Chief Executive, he will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across the Trust’s network of approximately 96 primary and post-primary schools and associated educational projects. 

The role includes supporting school leadership and governance, developing the long-term strategic direction of the Trust, strengthening its mission and ethos, and representing Edmund Rice Schools Trust with key stakeholders across education, Government and the wider Edmund Rice community.

The position also carries responsibility for supporting strong governance throughout the network and for ensuring that the mission and educational tradition of Edmund Rice continue to remain at the heart of the Trust’s schools and projects.

Speaking on behalf of the Ardscoil na Mara community, Acting Principal Aoife Denton paid tribute to Mr Cawley’s contribution to the school.

“Mr Cawley has given exceptional leadership to Ardscoil na Mara since its foundation," she said.

"He has guided the school through an extraordinary period of development and has always had the interests of our students, staff and wider school community at the heart of his work," she added.

Ms Denton went on to comment: “There is a great sense of pride within our school that he has been appointed to such an important leadership position within Edmund Rice Schools Trust.

" While we will undoubtedly miss him greatly, we know that the experience, energy and commitment he has brought to Ardscoil na Mara will now benefit schools throughout the Edmund Rice network."

“On a personal level, it is a great privilege for me to step into the role of Acting Principal and to continue building on the strong foundations Mr. Cawley has established," said Ms Denton.

As part of the leadership transition, Ms Denton will take up the position of Acting Principal. 

The existing Senior Leadership Team, which includes Deputy Principals Brendan Cahill and Sharon Power, will also be joined by Ms Una Lonergan, who will take up the role of Acting Deputy Principal.

The school community expressed its sincere gratitude to Mr Cawley for his years of service, dedication and leadership and wished him every success and happiness as he begins this new chapter.

"Although his new position will take him beyond the gates of Ardscoil na Mara, the school is proud that one of its own will now play a leading role in supporting the future of Edmund Rice education nationally," said the spokesperson.