Irish Remick Leaders

Last summer, I had the good fortune to spend four incredible weeks on the beautiful campus of Notre Dame, as part of The Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program. One of a cohort of 40 students in our year, I lived on this elegant campus, in a Christ centred and child focused learning community. Remick helped me to understand that our Catholic identity as a school is the lived expression of our Vision and Mission, and gave me practical ways to inspire my school community to actively live the Gospel.
 
In Remick I discovered a unique combination of spiritual growth, and formation, coupled with excellent professional development. All of this was parcelled in a community of learning, faith and friendship. Remick friends are friends for life. I lived, worked and prayed in community, and felt a real sense of being part of something special. My learning was supported, beyond measure, by the exceptional faculty staff. They model the Remick values they teach; leading with zeal, with joy and a consummate professionalism I strive to emulate. I came home from Remick with a renewed sense of vigour and energy for my role as a Catholic school leader. I also came home with a clear framework, based on my own unique context, to lead the development and communication of the Catholic mission of our school. Having completed other post graduate studies in leadership, none compare to The Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program. I am so grateful for all it has given me, it is the gold standard in Catholic Educational Leadership. If you get an opportunity to participate in this wonderful program, don’t hesitate to take part. 

- Clíona Galvin, Principal of Scoil Mhuire Senior School, Newbridge & Member of Remick 22

If you would like more information about the Remick Leadership Program, please continue to the following: https://ace.nd.edu/programs/leadership

Each year in the fall, the Remick Leadership team hosts a conference, ACE Leadership Conference, to provide an opportunity to learn from other Catholic school leaders from across the world, and gain insights into the challenges and issues leaders might face in their work.

A reflection from the 2023 ACE Leadership Conference

by Lorraine Henry, Principal of Scoil Mhuire, Clarinbridge, and Emerging Leaders Fellow Cohort 2

As an ACE Ireland Emerging Leader, I have had some very rich learning experiences with my cohort in the past year so I was delighted to be part of a group of Irish and Scottish leaders who on completion of the Emerging Leaders Fellowship were given the opportunity to travel to the University of Notre Dame in October to attend the ACE leadership Conference.  Over the span of my teaching career and time as a school leader, I have attended many educational events. The  ACE Leadership Conference was undoubtedly one of the most influential to me in my role. I can say this based on two crucial elements. 

Firstly, it was clear from the types of workshops that were made available to attendees, that there was a clear emphasis on enabling principals to leave each workshop with strong priorities to work on. The variety on offer gave opportunities to participants to choose workshops based on their current needs but always with a focus on celebrating our Catholic culture.

Secondly, the Ignite Talks brought all the attendees together and were delivered with such passion by the speakers. The atmosphere created in the talks helped fellow principals and me to deeply reflect as leaders and managers in our school. The overall goal of the conference to build capacity for sustainable leadership while developing our school culture was certainly achieved. I felt nourished both professionally and spiritually to ignite my staff and children having listened to the speakers.

We were looked after so well with lovely food and a well-organised schedule. Both of these factors allowed the attendees to share perspectives and experiences while breaking bread together. I would love to attend this conference again and would recommend the entire experience to any principal interested in celebrating and building upon their faith development in their school. I thank both ACE Ireland and CPSMA for investing in my development as a school leader. I am now pleased to be on the leadership team for ACE Galway Gatherings and look forward to sharing my learning.