Educate Together is delighted to announce Gemma Curry as the newly-appointed Principal of Newtownmountkennedy Educate Together National School, opening in August.
Gemma holds a Masters Degree in Education and Leadership from UCD, graduating in 2018. She was a founding member of staff of Esker ETNS in Lucan, Co. Dublin in 2007 and worked with a small team to build the school into the thriving school community it is today. She was appointed Assistant Principal in 2010 and Deputy Principal in 2017.
During her time at Esker ETNS, she worked as a mainstream teacher, Home School Community Liaison Officer and as a Special Educational Needs teacher. Gemma is a firm believer in the importance of the student voice and has been involved in many initiatives designed to empower students and provide them with opportunities for positive activism, having established and led the Student Council and the Green School Committee. Last year the school was awarded, ‘Irish Water National School of the Year, 2018’, for its work on water conservation. The school is now working towards its fourth Green Flag – for sustainable travel.
Gemma has been an ethical advisor with Educate Together since 2014 and works to promote the Ethical Education curriculum through the Educate Together network. Says Gemma:
‘My belief that small changes can reap great rewards is one which I strive to instil in the children with whom I work. For me, Ethical Education is the foundation for empowering children to become informed, responsible, global citizens. Citizens who celebrate diversity, value uniqueness and work towards positive changes in our society.’
Says Anne Gregory, Chair of the Newtownmountkennedy ETNS Start-up Group:
‘This is wonderful news for the town and community and we look forward to working with Gemma as this new school grows and flourishes not only in the months but into the years ahead.’
Says Niall Wall, School Manager and Regional Development Officer for Educate Together:
‘This is a fabulous development for the school to have recruited such a high calibre principal and we look forward to Gemma commencing and engaging with families towards building a wonderful school community in Newtownmountkennedy ETNS.’
Newtownmountkennedy ETNS will open to Junior Infants in August 2019 – find the online enrolment form here.
