CIPSMA annual conference hosted by Church of Ireland Centre at All Hallows

On Saturday 2nd March, the Church of Ireland Centre at DCU All Hallows Campus hosted the Annual Conference of the Church of Ireland Primary School Managers’ Association (CIPSMA) on the DCU All Hallows Campus.

The theme of the conference was Who are we? Accounting for Ethos.

The conference was opened by the Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD. Also presenting at the conference were Rev. Canon Prof. Leslie Francis, Prof. David Lankshear and Jacqui Wilkinson.

They launched the Irish element of the ‘Student Voice’ project during the morning session. Delegates also heard from Bishop Ken Kearon who unpacked the Anglican understanding of school ethos. Sean Henry presented a paper about the place of diversity in faith school ethos.

Following a lovely lunch in the All Hallows Dining Hall, delegates had the opportunity to hear expert updates on both the changes to school admissions from Margaret Gorman of Eversheds and Child Protection and Safeguarding from Yvonne Keating, Assistant Chief Inspector of the Department of Education and Skills.

The three academic staff of the Church of Ireland Centre, Geraldine O’Connor, Jacqui Wilkinson and Anne Lodge, were delighted to welcome the delegates from our School Placement partner schools and to engage with the conference dialogue over the course of the day.