I am in this position since 1995 taking it on as a young enthusiastic 30 year old teacher. I qualified from Mary I in 1986 with an honours degree but spent 4 years subbing until I got a permanent job in 1990. Then in 1995 my principal retired due to bad health and as I was deputy I took on the role enthusiastically. I engaged with all agencies and brought our school building into the 21st century through the noughties.
But since 2010 the job has become impossible. Every week there is a new circular, a new policy a new directive New agencies to deal with NEPS, NEWB, Inspectorate, B.O.M ,to name a few. I had just got used to the revised curriculum and here we are again with the PLC and SSE. The most difficult job is dealing with all PLUS teaching. My first love was and still is teaching and the pupils. I don’t know how I have managed to still love it as I have had serious challenges in the last 8 years. Our enrolment has dropped due to living in rural area with very little employment .Also we have a lot of 2 teacher schools in the area fighting for the same pupils. This is an added pressure not mentioned to date PROMOTION OF YOUR SCHOOL now like a business. Scrambling for pupils leaving schools isolated from each other…in competition with each other therefore no comradery between staffs of neighbouring schools.
I would say my mental health has been affected over the last 8 years. I try to keep all going home family and school. I talk to family and friends who say DELEGATE…how can you with so little staff and resources. The Principal has to co-ordinate everything. I am attending CSL at the moment which is helpful but again giving up my free time. I spend every night at paperwork from September to June. By early July I can barely speak. I tend to be irritable with family and friends who with the best will in the world don’t undertand. I don’ t even understand, the level of burn out is colossal. I intend to get out of this position as soon as I can ..when I have 35 years service and am 55. I am 52 now…I don’t want to leave but I see no hope of improvement. I have 17 principal release days next year…totally inadequate to deal with all that I would like to do for my school. Every June a family leaves our school to go to a neighbouring school .My staff (4 in total) work so hard but when a family leave s the school for whatever reason , you and staff are the talk of the parish. Two years ago the local media got wind that our numbers had dropped and write an article about us on the Connacht Tribune. How public is that? It was a dirty tricks campaign as we found out later.
But September will come around again, my 23rd year a principal and no improvement. I congratulate you all for your energy and enthusiasm .I no longer have either but I am concerned for the future generations of Principals. My own daughter is in Mary I training as a teacher. I have told her to stay away from Principalship. I think she will as she has seen the toll it has taken on me over the years…with two miscarriages and lump on my breast.
I don’t know if this is a proper testimonial but this is where my head space is at the moment. Maybe I am not meant for this job but can’t get out of it.