The Board of Management is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Darren Byrne to the role of Deputy Principal; he takes up his position following on the appointment of Mr Daragh Nealon to the position of Principal. Both positions arise from the retirement of Ms Patricia Hayden on April 12, 2021. Mr Byrne will join Ms Judi O’Boyle who was appointed Deputy Principal in 2014.
Mr Byrne joined the staff of St Joseph's in 2008 as a teacher of Art. He has held many important positions in the school including Student Voice lead, Year Head, member of Student Support Team, Covid Lead Worker. Most recently, Mr Byrne was appointed Acting Deputy Principal while Ms O’Boyle was on leave.
Mr Byrne's initial qualification was as a teacher of Art; he subsequently undertook postgraduate studies in leadership and change management, digital media literacy and a Master’s in Education in Cooperative Learning. Mr Byrne is regarded as an authority on the development of Student Voice and Learner Voice in education circles and is currently Lead Partner for a project with the Centre for Children’s Rights, Queen’s University Belfast and the European Commission to create age appropriate versions of the EC Strategy on the Rights of the Child. Mr Byrne also maintains his links with Trinity College and has presented on Student and Learner Voice at national and international forums.
Mr Byrne joins the senior leadership team at a vibrant time for St Joseph's when plans are advanced to move to a new school campus in the next two years and he carries the good wishes of the entire school community as he undertakes this challenging and rewarding role.