'Inspired and humbled': New principal in Kildare takes up job
Phil Blythe previously worked with the Senior Leadership Team in Naas College
The new principal of a County Kildare school has released a public message to coincide with him taking up his new job.
Back in June, the Leinster Leader reported that Patricia O’Brien was retiring as the Principal at St Conleth’s Community College in Newbridge.
While expressing her gratitude to parents, students and her loved ones over the years, she also revealed her successor, Phil Blythe.
And now, Mr Blythe has released his own message online to introduce himself to ‘all the education partners linked with St Conleth's Community College’, in addition to the school’s ‘students, staff, parents and guardians, the Board of Management, and the community around Newbridge and the local environs’.
Mr Blythe said: “Thank you for the very warm welcome that I have received in Newbridge over the past month;the kindness, generosity and wishes of good luck in the new role have been warmly welcomed and I look forward to working in this great school going forward.
“While it has been an extremely busy and exciting time in my professional life getting to know so many new faces, I have been totally energised by the welcome from previous Principal, Patricia O'Brien (I wish Patricia all the best as she retires from this position having worked so hard for the school and the community), our fantastic Deputy Principals Gary Evans, Deirdre Fitzgerald and Nicola Whelan, and over the past week by our engaged, bright and wonderful students and our inspiring, caring and professional staff in St Conleth's Community College.
“I would also like to thank our fantastic and utterly organised admin staff Joanna Cuddy and Celine Galligan and our driven and talented caretakers Paul Hinds and Ken Maloney.
“[And also] a thank you to our cleaning team who have ensured that the school looked immaculate upon our return.”
‘CHALLENGING’
He continued: “Moving from my position within the Senior Leadership Team in Naas College, where I have spent the last three years of my professional life as Deputy Principal, and prior to that Maynooth Post Primary School, where I spent eight years as Deputy Principal, has been challenging, as I had invested hugely in the life of both these schools educationally, socially and in extra-curricular and academic areas.
“As I embark on the new role as Principal of St Conleth's Community College, I can definitely say that I am inspired and humbled to be taking on this very important role under Kildare and Wicklow ETB’s patronage.
“I will invest everything I have to continue to nurture and foster the best for this school. Working with the staff in our campus with the Second Level School and the PLC I want to ensure the continued growth of St Conleth's Community College going forward.”
Mr Blythe further said: “I am here to encourage, sustain and develop our staff to support, care for and invigorate all of our students to do their best daily and to grow and mature within a safe and friendly environment.
“It has been a pleasure to meet all of our student cohort and staff members over the past few weeks, and I look forward to meeting our parents and guardians and others in this lovely community around Newbridge over time.
“We as a team in St Conleth's Community College will endeavour each and every day to provide an education centre that caters to the needs and demands of every student under our tutelage.”
He concluded his message with the following observation: “Our school crest features an acorn; an acorn represents education by symbolizing potential, growth, and the journey from small beginnings to great strength, and this is what we will offer our students.”