The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
STELLA SETTLING IN TO NEW PRINCIPAL ROLE
IT’S a new school year in more ways than one for Killarney Community College following the appointment of new principal Stella Loughnane.
Stella has spent the last eight years working as deputy principal and she now takes over the reins from outgoing principal, Fiona O’Brien, with the new deputy principal’s position being filled by Eilish O’Leary. Fiona has a new leadership role with the Junior Cycle for Teachers.
Originally from Beaufort, Stella qualified as an art teacher from the National College of Art and Design before going on to study for a Masters at Trinity College in Leadership and Management Education.
She lived in Dublin for six years and also taught second grade children in San Diego, California, for a time.
“It is an absolute privilege to be Acting Principal of the College at such an exciting and progressive time in Irish Education. We have recently moved to one hour classes, focusing on student centred learning, active methodologies which really means that the students’ involvement, the skills they develop, their participation and their own learning is paramount to everything we do here,” said Stella. Killarney Community College has also opened four new classrooms due to growing numbers and the plan is to build again in the coming years – all of which augurs well for KCC and for Stella with the future in mind.
“Every day in the college is busy and we are currently organising our school tour to Amsterdam. We are the only school, locally, to have a House System, and this week students are partaking in a fun run/walk to gain points for their House.
“Our parents’ council is also busy preparing for the college’s AGM, with this year’s keynote speaker, Susan Barrett, addressing our parents and any parent who would like to attend.”