Well-known Tipperary school gets second Deputy Principal as numbers continue to swell

Nenagh CBS has appointed a new Deputy Principal

St Joseph’s CBS in Nenagh has appointed Michelle Russell as Deputy Principal, following a rise in student numbers to over 700.

The school, now catering for about 720 pupils, is entitled to a second deputy principal under Department of Education rules.

Originally from Camblin, between Roscrea and Templemore, Ms Russell returned to North Tipperary after nine years working in Dublin.

A past pupil of Our Lady’s Secondary School, Templemore, she studied English and Economics at Maynooth before completing qualifications in Accounting, Business, and Education, as well as a master’s in Educational Leadership.

She previously taught at Ard Scoil Rís in Dublin, where she held a range of leadership roles including co-ordinator of School Self-Evaluation, Transition Year and the Leaving Cert Vocational Programme.

She also supported newly qualified teachers through the Oide programme and served on curriculum and ICT committees, playing a key role in the shift to online learning during the pandemic.

At Nenagh CBS, Ms Russell will share management duties with principal Karen O’Donnell and deputy principal Dermot Brislane.

Her responsibilities include overseeing First, Third and Fifth years, along with school self-evaluation, literacy, attendance, discipline, and the school improvement plan. She will also work with the AEN department, the MGLD class, and autism supports.

She has begun settling into the role and is eager to contribute to the school’s development, particularly with the changes to the Senior Cycle and the focus on inclusive education.