New principal takes up post at CBS Primary
The new principal of Mitchelstown’s CBS Primary is delighted to be taking over the running of one of the town’s busiest schools.
Bernard O’Connell has left his post as principal of Ballyporeen National School and has begun the huge task of working in the Brigown institution.
He spoke to The Avondhu this week, as he sent his best wishes to his predecessor Mary O’Callaghan and also sent a message of gratitude to the people of the town.
Bernard, who came late to teaching, having worked as an accountant, spent some of his childhood in Mitchelstown as his father worked for a local bank.
“I live in Limerick city and went into teaching as a mature student when I was thirty. I had an accountancy background before that. After I qualified, I went subbing and ended up in Tipperary mostly, which ultimately led me to Ballyporeen,” he explained.
“I went out working in Clonmel and then came back as principal in 2013. I’ve been principal in Ballyporeen for the last six years. I applied for CBS Mitchelstown as it has such a great reputation and it is a much larger school than Ballyporeen.
“I thoroughly enjoyed Ballyporeen and I left it with such a heavy heart but I wish them all the best for the future. I am enjoying it and getting a great impression so far here.”
ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN
His choice to pursue his vocation as a teacher came late and he explained how he made the decision to pursue his passion.
“I realised that working in an office was grand but it wasn’t really fulfilling, so I looked at teaching which was always in the back of my mind.
“I did subbing to get a feel for it and I loved it so I never looked back. I think it is a privilege to be a teacher. I learned that I have had a very varied teaching career, I have thought all ages including adults.
“I have four children myself so I have been surrounded by children the last decade. It is very vocational but it has become very professional also with a lot of paperwork, but at the heart of it is teaching the children and that should never be forgotten under that mountain of paperwork.”
Bernard said he was now looking forward to getting to know the pupils of CBS Primary and their parents.
“I would hope as the community get to know me, which is tricky because of Covid and hopefully we will have as normal a year as possible and over the coming months and years, as parents get to know me they will find I am very approachable,” he explained.
“I want to be very visible and they can catch me in the morning or at the end of school or by appointment. I am always open to hearing from them, good or bad. I know as a parent what it is like to worry about your child's progress in school,” he added.