2002/03 - St. Patrick's College - DCU

COLÁISTE PHÁDRAIG 

DROIM CONRACH, BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 9 

(Coláiste de chuid Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath) 

Annual Report 

2002-2003 

ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE 

DRUMCONDRA, DUBLIN 9 

(A College of Dublin City University)

Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2002/2003 

Contents /Clár 

Page / Leathanach 

2. Foreword by Chairman / Brollach le Cathaoirleach an Bhoird Rialaithe 

3. Introduction by President / Réamhrá ón Uachtarán 

7. Governing Body / An Bord Rialaithe 

8. Seamus Heaney Lecture Series / Sraith Léachtaí Seamus Heaney 

9. Strategic Planning / Pleanáil Straitéiseach 

14. Physical Development / Forbairt Fhisiciúil 

15. Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education / An Lárionad um Fhorbairt 

agus Oideachas na Luath-Óige 

16. The Universtiy / An Ollscoil 

16. Graduation 2002 / Bronnadh na gCéimeanna 2002 

18. The Digital Age / An Ré Dhigiteach 

19. Academic Council / Comhairle Acadúil 

21. Administrative / Support Services / Seirbhísí Riaracháin / Tacaíochta 

• Careers 

• Counselling 

• Chaplaincy 

• Admissions 

• IT Support 

• Freedom of Information 

• Library 

• Resource Centre 

• Cleachtadh Múinteoireachta 

27. Highlights of the Year / Príomhimeachtaí na Bliana 

31. Student Life / Saol na Mac Léinn 

33. Educational Disadvantage Centre / An tIonad um Oideachas faoi Mhíbhuntáiste 

34. Pilot Project on Induction / Tionscadal Píolótach Ionduchtúcháin d’Oidí 

36. International Links / Naisc Idirnáisiúnta 

38. Staff Publications / Foilseacháin na Foirne 

40. Awards / Scholarships / Honours / Moladh / Scoláireachtaí / Onóracha 

41. Financial Report / Tuarascáil Airgeadais 

42. St Patrick’s College in the Past / Coláiste Phádraig in Anallód 

44. Appendices / Aguisíní 

1. Student Enrolment 2002/03 

2. Final Examination Statistics 2002/2003 

3. Graduation 2002 

4. Analysis of 2002 Graduates 

5. Staff Numbers 2002/2003 

6. Staff Appointments/Retirements 

page 1

St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra / Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach 

Foreword by 

Chairperson of 

Governing Body 

I hope you will enjoy reading this 2002/03 

Annual Report of St Patrick’s College 

Drumcondra and find it useful and informative. 

The range of initiatives and activities 

recounted here is impressive by any standards. 

On behalf of the Governing Body, I 

would like to congratulate the President, 

staff and students on all that has been 

achieved. 

As a publicly funded institution, it is appropriate 

that the College should give a full 

and regular public account of all its activities. 

That is one of the functions of this 

Report. Another is to bring the work done 

by the College to the attention of a wider 

audience. 

St Patrick’s College has a distinguished 

history in the area of teacher education. In 

recent years, it has grown and diversified 

especially in the area of humanities. The 

College makes a significant contribution to 

Irish education, life and culture. 

Successive generations of Irish children 

have benefited from the fruits of its 

labours. While such service is its own 

reward, it is important that it should be 

recorded, disseminated, scrutinised and 

acknowledged. 

Guím rath Dé ar mhuintir an Choláiste. 

Brollach le 

Cathaoirleach an Bhoird 

Rialaithe 

Tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh uile sult as 

Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Choláiste Phádraig, 

Droim Conrach don bhliain 2002/03 a 

léamh agus go mbeidh sí ina háis 

úsáideach eolais. Is féidir linn bheith anmhórálach 

as an réimse tionscnamh agus 

imeachtaí a gcuirtear síos orthu anseo. Ba 

mhaith liom féin, thar ceann an Bhoird 

Rialaithe, comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis 

an Uachtarán, leis an bhfoireann agus leis 

na mic léinn go léir as gach ar éirigh leo a 

chur i gcrích i mbliana. 

Mar institiúid a mhaoinítear as ciste an 

Stáit, is ceart agus is cóir go dtabharfadh 

an Coláiste cuntas cuimsitheach poiblí 

agus rialta ar a chuid gníomhaíochtaí go 

léir. Sin ceann de na feidhmeanna atá leis 

an Tuarascáil seo. Ceann eile is ea aird an 

phobail i gcian is i gcóngar a tharraingt ar 

an obair uile a dhéantar sa Choláiste. 

Is sonraíoch an stair atá ag Coláiste 

Phádraig i dtaca le hoideachas múinteoirí 

de. Le blianta beaga anuas tá fás tar éis 

teacht air, agus tá forbairt déanta aige i 

réimse an Léinn Dhaonna ach go háirithe. 

Tá an Coláiste ag cur go mór le 

hoideachas, le saol agus le cultúr na 

hÉireann i rith an ama. Bhain na glúnta 

páistí sa tír seo tairbhe as torthaí a chuid 

saothair le blianta fada anuas. Cé go dtuilleann 

saothar den sórt sin a luach féin ar 

deireadh thiar, is den rí-thábhacht é go 

ndéanfaí an saothar sin a thaifeadadh, a 

scaipeadh, a iniúchadh agus a aithint. 

Guím rath Dé ar mhuintir an Choláiste. 

Dr Michael Herity 

Chairperson 

page 2

Introduction by President / Réamhrá ón Uachtarán 


The growth and development of St 

Patrick’s College continued apace during 

the year 2002/03. The report which follows 

gives a snapshot of activity under a range 

of headings. Whatever yardstick is used, 

the picture which emerges is clear and 

consistent: at all levels, the College is 

active, engaged and focussed. 

During the year, the routine work of the 

College in teaching, research and administration 

proceeded in an orderly and efficient 

manner. Initiatives were launched or 

continued in quality assurance, teaching 

and learning, science education, early 

childhood education and digital education. 

The College has taken a leading role in a 

new national pilot project on teacher induction, 

in collaboration with UCD, the DES 

and the teacher unions. A second series of 

Heaney lectures was organised entitled 

‘Perspectives on Equality’ and a new occasional 

series of lectures for postgraduate 

students was initiated. The quality and 

quantity of research has been enhanced. 

For all of this and more, I wish to pay tribute 

to the commitment of the staff and students 

of the College. 

Student numbers reached an all time high 

with 2,200 students enrolled on fourteen 

different programmes. The influx of such 

large numbers of undergraduate and postgraduate 

students from diverse backgrounds 

has enlivened the College campus 

and enriched College life. It has also 

posed challenges in relation to space and 

resources, human and physical. 

As part of the College strategic plan and in 

response to the dramatic increase in student 

numbers, the College entered into 

discussions with the HEA and DES in relation 

to a building programme. In 1999, the 

then Minister for Education gave a commitment 

that the physical development needs 

of the Colleges of Education were a priority 

for his Department. In the meantime, 

work proceeded on the preparation of an 

agreed master plan, implementation of 

which would transform the College on a 

phased basis and make a significant contribution 

to the quality of education in Irish 

primary schools. Then, in December of 

2002 came the announcement of a pause 

in building projects at third level and the 

establishment of a capital reprioritisation 

review group. 

The Institutional Strategy of St Patrick’s 

College commits the College to enhance 

its contribution to the education system 

through the provision of highly skilled, flexible 

and resourceful teachers. Economic 

prosperity, demographic increases from 

net immigration and a range of government 

initiatives increased the need for primary 

teachers, placing a demand on the 

College to maximise the number of BEd 

places on offer. This has placed very considerable 

strain on the physical infrastructure 

of the campus. The quality, configuration 

and range of existing buildings provide 

an inadequate physical environment in 

which to prepare student teachers. 

In acknowledging all that has been 

achieved, it would be wrong to pass over 

in silence areas where the progress has 

been less conspicuous. The physical environment 

of the College is the most important 

such area. 

page 3


While the third level sector in general has 

benefited from a decade of unprecedented 

investment, the Colleges of Education 

have been less fortunate. There has been 

no significant capital investment in this 

College since 1981. The present campus 

infrastructure, laid out in the 1960s, and 

extended in the 1970s, was designed for a 

maximum population of 800 students, and 

in line with the teaching needs of the time. 

There are now almost three times that 

number of students who need professional 

facilities to prepare them for the challenges 

of teaching primary school children in a 

constantly changing environment. 

The Colleges of Education occupy a distinctive 

position. While they are part of the 

third level sector, they are intimately related 

to the primary sector to the health of 

which they make a vital contribution. 

Investment in teacher education will pay 

rich dividends. To take one example: tackling 

educational disadvantage and the 

related problem of access have been 

defined as key national priorities. The 

shortage of teachers is most acute in disadvantaged 

areas. Repeated research 

studies have shown that effective teaching 

has a greater impact in solving problems 

of educational disadvantage than virtually 

any other factor. All of the evaluations of 

access schemes point to the necessity for 

earlier intervention. High quality teacher 

education is essential to such interventions 

in the early years. 

These twin aims will only be achieved by 

appropriate investment in teacher education. 

St Patrick’s College has a clear 

vision, quality programmes and excellent 

staff. What we now require is a building 

programme. 

Pauric Travers 

President 

The Ireland of the future will be a 

knowledge-based economy, the foundation 

of which will be the primary school system. 

This must be complemented by social 

inclusion which can also be fostered by the 

school system. 

page 4


Réamhrá ón Uachtarán 

Leanadh den fhás agus den fhorbairt 

mhear i gColáiste Phádraig le linn na 

bliana 2002/03. Tugann an tuarascáil seo 

léargas ar na himeachtaí uile a tharla faoi 

cheannteidil éagsúla. Is cuma cén tslat 

tomhais a úsáidtear lena mheas – is é rud 

is soiléire agus is cinnte faoin scéal go 

bhfuil an Coláiste iomlán gníomhach ar 

gach leibhéal. 

I rith na bliana chuaigh gnáthobair an 

Choláiste chun cinn go pointeáilte agus go 

héifeachtúil maidir le teagasc, taighde 

agus riarachán. Cuireadh tús le tionscnaimh 

nua agus leanadh le tionscadail eile 

sna réimsí seo a leanas: cinntiú 

caighdeáin, teagasc agus foghlaim, 

oideachas eolaíochta, luathoideachas 

agus oideachas digiteach. Tá ceannaireacht 

déanta ag an gColáiste sa tionscadal 

nua píolótach ar ionduchtú múinteoirí 

nua, i gcomhar le Coláiste na 

hOllscoile, Baile Átha Cliath, leis an Roinn 

Oideachais agus Eolaíochta, agus le 

ceardchumainn na múinteoirí. Eagraíodh 

an dara sraith de léachtaí Heaney faoin 

teideal ‘Léargais ar an gComhionannas’ 

agus cuireadh tús le sraith nua de léachtaí 

ócáideacha d’iarchéimithe. Cuireadh barr 

feabhais ar chaighdeán agus ar mhéid an 

taighde. Ba mhaith liom díograis na mball 

foirne agus na mac léinn a mhóradh as an 

obair seo uile. 

Ní raibh líon na mac léinn atá cláraithe 

anseo riamh chomh hard – 2,200 mac 

léinn ar 14 chlár éagsúla. Tá campas agus 

saol an Choláiste i bhfad níos bríomhaire 

de bharr go bhfuil an oiread sin mac léinn 

fochéime agus iarchéime ó chúlraí éagsúla 

anseo anois. Ar ndóigh tugann sé dúshlán 

an Choláiste i dtaca le spás agus 

acmhainní chomh maith. 

Agus mé á aithint go bhfuil cuid mhór 

curtha i gcrích againn, ba mhór an feall é 

gan a aithint freisin go bhfuil réimsí ann 

nach ndearnadh an dul chin cinn céanna 

iontu. Is é timpeallacht fhisiceach an 

Choláiste an t-easnamh is mó sa chás 

seo. Tosaíodh ar chlár tógála a phlé i 

gcomhráite idir an Coláiste, an tÚdarás um 

Ard-Oideachas agus an Roinn Oideachais 

agus Eolaíochta mar chuid de phlean 

straitéiseach an Choláiste. Thug Aire 

Oideachais agus Eolaíochta na linne gealltanas 

sa bhliain 1999 go raibh riachtanais 

forbartha fisicí na gColáistí Oideachais ina 

ábhar práinne ag a Roinn féin. Idir an dá 

linn, leanadh ar aghaidh leis an obair ar 

bhunphlean, a mbeadh d’aidhm aige crot 

an Choláiste a athrú de réir a cheile, agus 

cur go mór le caighdeán an oideachais i 

mbunscoileanna na hÉireann. I mí na 

Nollag 2002, tháinig an scéala go raibh 

sos ar an bhfeachtas tógála sa tríú leibhéal 

agus go raibh grúpa athbhreithnithe 

ar thosaíochtaí caipitil le bunú. 

Tá an Coláiste faoi réir ag Straitéis 

Institiúideach Choláiste Phádraig múinteoirí 

le hardscileanna atá solúbtha agus 

seiftiúil a chur ar fáil chun cur le córas 

oideachais na tíre seo. Tá géarghá le bunmhúinteoirí 

de bharr éilimh an rachmais 

eacnamaíoch, an mhéadaithe pobail toisc 

inimirce agus an réimse tionscnamh rialtais, 

agus tá sé seo i ndiaidh éileamh thar 

na bearta a chur ar an gColáiste an líon 

áiteanna ar an gcúrsa BOid a mhéadú. Tá 

brú as cuimse anois ar infrastruchtúr 

fisiceach an champais. Mí-oiriúnach go 

hiomlán atá caighdeán reatha, leagan 

amach agus cineál na bhfoirgneamh atá 

ann faoi láthair do ghnó na hoiliúna múinteoirí. 

page 5


Cé go bhfuil institiúidí an tríú leibhéal tar 

éis an-tairbhe a bhaint as an infheistíocht 

iontach a caitheadh leo le deich mbliana 

anuas, ní raibh an t-ádh céanna ar na 

Coláistí Oideachais. Níor caitheadh 

infheistíocht ar bith leis an gColáiste seo 

ón mbliain 1981 i leith. Dearadh infrastruchtúr 

reatha an champais sna 1960í 

agus cuireadh leis sna 1970í chun freastal 

ar 800 mac léinn bunaithe ar riachtanais 

theagaisc na linne sin. Tá trí oiread an líon 

sin mac léinn anois ann, a bhfuil áiseanna 

cearta ag teastáil uathu chun iad a oiliúint i 

gcomhair dhúshláin na bunmhúinteoireachta 

i dtimpeallacht a bhíonn ag 

athrú de shíor. 

Is eacnamaíocht bunaithe ar eolas a 

bheidh taobh thiar de thír na hÉireann 

amach anseo agus is é an córas 

bunscolaíochta a bheas mar bhunchloch 

aige sin. Beidh an cuimsiú sóisialta fite 

fuaite san eacnamaíocht sin faoi thionchar 

an chórais scolaíochta. Ní féidir na 

haidhmeanna seo a bhaint amach gan an 

infheistíocht chuí a dhéanamh san 

oideachas múinteoirí. Tá fís shoiléir, cláir 

agus foireann den scoth ag Coláiste 

Phádraig. Clár tógála an riachtanas is mó 

atá uainn anois. 

Pauric Travers 

Uachtarán 

Tá áit shainiúil ag na Coláistí Oideachais. 

Cé gur cuid d’earnáil an tríú leibhéal iad, tá 

dlúthbhaint idir iad féin agus earnáil na 

mbunscoileanna, agus bíonn ionchur dlúth 

ag na Coláistí san earnáil sin. Tiocfaidh 

luach saothair mór as infheistíocht san 

oideachas múinteoirí. Mar shampla, 

sainíodh an dul i ngleic leis an oideachas 

faoi mhíbhuntáiste agus le fadhb na 

rochtana mar phríomhthosaíochtaí náisiúnta. 

Tá an ganntanas múinteoirí is measa 

sna ceantair faoi mhíbhuntáiste. Tá sé 

léirithe go han-mhinic ag an taighde gurb é 

an teagasc éifeachtach an tionchar is fearr 

ar réiteach na bhfadhbanna a bhaineann le 

hoideachas faoi mhíbhuntaiste ná rud ar 

bith eile. Léiríonn gach measúnú ar 

scéimeanna rochtana gurb í an luatheadráin 

an tslí is fearr chun déileáil leis na 

fadhbanna seo. Is bunriachtanas é 

oideachas múinteoirí ar ardchaighdeán 

don luatheadráin seo. 

page 6


Governing Body / An Bord Rialaithe 

Governing Body met five times in 2002/03. 

It considered a broad range of issues of 

significance to the College and to the 

Education sector, including: 

• Pilot Programme on Induction (Primary) 

• Audit Committee terms of reference 

• College Budget 2002 (adjustment) 

and 2003 

• Student Intake 2002/03 

• TeachNet Progress Report 

• Building Development Programme 

• Academic Career Structures 

• Draft Policy and Procedures to promote 

respect and dignity at work and to prevent 

and deal with harassment and bullying 

• Designation of College 

• Chaplaincy 

• Strategic Plan for College Library 

• HEA North/South Research Funding 

• Quality Assurance 

• Modular Conversion course for 

Graduates 

• Development of University Linkage 

• Strategic Planning. 

A sub-committee of Governing Body met in 

August to ratify one appointment. 

Governing Body recommended nine new 

academic appointments, ratified three academic 

appointments at contract/seconded 

lecturer level, and noted 13 new appointments, 

of which a number were internal 

posts of responsibility. 

Minutes of thirteen meetings of the College 

Management Committee came before 

Governing Body for noting. 

The members of Governing Body are: 

Dr. Michael Herity [Chairperson] 

Rev Desmond Beirne 

Dr Patrick Burke 

Mr Séan Cromien 

Mr Roddy Day 

Dr Therese Day 

Dr Joseph Dunne 

Ms Helen Fleming 

Ms Marian Hackett 

Dr Thomas Kellaghan 

Dr James Kelly 

Dr Liam Mac Mathúna 

Mr Kevin Mollaghan 

Dr Mark Morgan (in attendance) 

Professor Máire P Ní Chatháin 

Rev. Seamus O’Brien 

Mr Patrick O’Keefe 

Rev Kevin O’Shea 

Dr Margaret Reynolds 

Mr Sean Scally 

Ms Ben Staunton-Collins (in attendance) 

Dr Pauric Travers 

Prof Ferdinand Von Prondzynski 

Mr Martin Ward 

Ms Brigid Weir 

Equality Committee 

The Equality Committee met on a number 

of occasions during the year. It continued 

to discuss and develop a draft policy and 

procedures document on harassment and 

bullying. This document was subsequently 

adopted with some amendments by 

Academic Council and Governing Body. 

A new Audit Committee was established in 

October, with the following membership: 

Mr Pat O’Keeffe (Chairperson), 

Ms Brigid Weir, Mr Roddy Day, Dr James 

Kelly, [Mr Martin Ward, Secretary/Bursar, 

attends meetings].The new committee met 

regularly throughout the year and made 

recommendations to Governing Body on 

areas which required attention. 

page 7


Seamus Heaney Lecture Series / Sraith Leachtaí Seamus Heaney 

for the sessions were Bride Rosney (RTÉ), 

Joe Dunne (St Patrick’s College), Peter 

O’Mahony (Irish Refugee Council), 

Philomena Donnelly (St Patrick’s College), 

Niall Crowley (Equality Authority of 

Ireland), Roland Tormey (Mary Immaculate 

College) and Michael Cronin (Dublin City 

University). 

The lectures drew large audiences and 

generated stimulating discussion. The 

series received significant media coverage 

with a number of the speakers being 

interviewed on national radio and in the 

national press. The organising committee 

was Marian Lyons (chairperson), 

Fionnuala Waldron, Maurice O’Reilly, 

Máirín Nic Eoin, Ann Louise Gilligan, and 

Jones Irwin with administrative assistance 

from Róisín Purcell. 

The second series of Seamus Heaney 

Lectures was hosted by the College 

between December 2002 and April 2003. 

The theme of the lectures was 

‘Perspectives on Equality’. 

The inaugural lecture was delivered by 

Mary Robinson, former President and UN 

High Commissioner for Refugees, on the 

subject ‘Globalisation and The Republic 

of Conscience’. Other speakers were 

John Baker (University College Dublin), 

Ash Amin (University of Durham), Alan 

Smith (University of Ulster), Eva Feder 

Kittay (State University of New York at 

Stonybrook), Kathleen Lynch (University 

College Dublin), and a panel comprised of 

Joe Travers, Ann Louise Gilligan and Mary 

Shine Thompson (St Patrick’s College). A 

wide range of equality issues were 

addressed, including institutional inequalities, 

the discourse of equality, multiculturalism, 

diversity and inequality in education in 

Northern Ireland, dependency and disability, 

education, gender, socio-economic 

background and inequality. Chairpersons 

Following the inaugural lecture on 16 

December, the proceedings of the first 

series Childhoods and its Discontents edited 

by Dr James Kelly and Dr Joseph 

Dunne was launched at a reception in the 

College. The proceedings of the second 

series are currently being prepared for 

publication. 

Mary Robinson, who delivered a lecture entitled Globalisation 

and The Republic of Conscience pictured with Seamus Heaney 

on the night of the inaugrual lecture. 

page 8

Strategic Planning / Pleanáil Straitéiseach 


Implementation of the current strategic 

plan continued during the year with important 

developments which are dealt with 

below. As the current College Strategic 

Plan "Beyond 2000" concludes at the end 

of the next academic year, Governing 

Body agreed that a new Strategic Planning 

Committee should be established with 

membership as follows: 

• President, Registrar, Bursar, 

• two members of Governing Body, 

•two Heads of Department from 

Education and Humanities, 

• two members of academic staff elected 

by Academic Council (one from each 

Faculty), 

•two members of Administrative/Support 

staff, 

• President of Student’s Union, and 

•a nominee of Dublin City University. 

The terms of reference of the new 

Committee are: 

• To advise the College in relation to 

strategic development on an ongoing 

basis 

• To co-ordinate preparation of a College 

strategic plan for 2005-2010 

Departmental/Unit Development 

College administrative staff held an Away 

Day in January which focussed on 

Communications, Time Management (both 

of which were facilitated by Brian 

MacDonald of "Dare to Dream Ltd"), 

Equality (facilitated by Maeve Fitzpatrick), 

Staff Development (facilitated by Martin 

Ward), and Quality Assurance (facilitated 

by Bernie Collins). Agreed outcomes 

include the establishment of a staff development 

committee for administrative staff, 

a more systematic use of the website and 

intranet for internal communications, twice 

yearly meetings of administrative staff and 

follow-up courses on time management. 

The Education Department held a planning 

meeting in Kilkenny on 4/5 September as 

a follow-up to earlier discussions on the 

structure of the Department, teaching, 

learning and research strategy, and 

potential initiatives in the area of in-career 

education. The implications of the report of 

the Review Group on Initial Teacher 

Education and the re-structuring of the 

BEd were also discussed. 

Development of Taught 

Doctoral Programme 

Work on the academic make-up of a 

taught doctoral programme has proceeded 

with a view to bringing the programme 

through the necessary validation and 

accreditation procedures shortly. Atlantic 

Philanthropies has agreed to fund the 

development of the programme in the 

College to the extent of €630,000. 

Quality Promotion 

In common with other colleges, St Patrick’s 

College is obliged under the Universities 

Act (1997) to undertake quality reviews of 

all academic and service departments. The 

College has decided to follow the processes 

and procedures that have been adopted 

in DCU, making only those changes that 

arise from our specific requirements. The 

procedures employed in the College have 

three main stages – self-assessment, peer 

review and follow-up action plan. 

page 9


The College procedure for quality promotion 

is also informed by the recently 

launched CHIU Framework For Quality 

in Irish Universities (2003). As stated in 

the Framework document, "…The goal of 

the quality assurance and quality improvement 

process … is to develop and foster a 

quality culture across all activities…." 

(p.14). 

A quality promotion co-ordinator was 

appointed in October 2002. Since then, the 

main work of the co-ordinator and the 

quality promotion committee has been to 

examine best practice in other institutions 

and to create supporting documentation for 

departments and units who will undertake 

a quality review. Guidelines have been 

drawn up and disseminated to all heads of 

departments. The first quality reviews were 

initiated in Spring 2003 in the Education 

Department (the largest Department in the 

College), and the Education Support Unit. 

The self-assessment phase of the review, 

an internal exercise involving all members 

of department staff as well as students, will 

be followed by peer review group visits 

scheduled for Spring 2004. 

The Quality Promotion Committee has promoted 

key principles such as ownership, 

inclusion and autonomy in its interactions 

with departments and units. It is hoped 

that quality reviews will become the main 

vehicle for quality promotion in the 

College. 

In Career Education 

The College’s commitment to continuing 

professional development was given new 

impetus by the creation of a designated 

post for In-career Education and the 

appointment of Ms Regina Murphy in 

September 2002. Among the duties of this 

post are the enhancement of the preservice/inservice 

continuum throughout the 

career stages, the addressing of teachers’ 

professional and personal needs, while at 

the same time complementing existing programmes 

and courses of an inservice 

nature. 

The Education Department’s in-house 

seminar in Kilkenny at the beginning of the 

academic year provided an opportunity to 

explore the issues and enthusiastic support 

was pledged for involvement of staff at 

a number of levels. Within the college, a 

steering group was established which 

comprises members from the departments 

of Education and the Humanities. These 

are: Siobhan Cahillane-McGovern, Bernie 

Collins, Dolores Corcoran, Maura Coulter, 

Margaret Leahy, Cliona Murphy, Elizabeth 

Murphy-Lejeune, Órla Ní Bhroin, Susan 

Pike and Regina Murphy (chair). 

Terms of reference were agreed and priorities 

were considered. Developments in the 

area, broad policy and recent research 

were closely examined with a view to 

defining the context for the College’s role 

and its purpose for involvement. 

Partnership with other inservice initiatives 

and other inservice providers was explored 

in a number of areas, for example: 

Education Centres, the Primary Curriculum 

Support Programme (PCSP) and the 

INTO. 

Accredited Courses: On-campus 

and Distance Education 

The modular inservice certificate/diploma in 

education has provided the guiding framework 

for the design and implementation of a 

number of accredited courses in areas of 

the curriculum. During November 2002, 

staff in science education commenced an 

inservice diploma in two models: a weekend-based 

course which took place in the 

college, and a distance learning course in 

collaboration with Donegal Education 

Centre and the Institute of Technology in 

Letterkenny. Plans have been put in place 

to offer similar courses in the 2003/04 academic 

year to include visual arts, drama 

and mathematics. An interdisciplinary 

course which embraces intercultural and 

development education is currently in a 

design phase. 

page 10


A website for inservice education has been 

devised which is frequently updated and 

includes feedback forms and information 

requests. To capture the spirit of continuing 

professional development among students, 

a competition to design a logo was 

arranged. The winning design was created 

by Cora MacManus, a final year BEd art 

elective student. Full details may be found 

on www.spd.dcu/inservice. 

Other developments in the area have 

included the Teaching and Learning website. 

The site includes information on 

Teaching and Learning initiatives, College 

courses and other useful links. There has 

also been initial research into Teaching 

and Learning in the College including a 

questionnaire to staff, a questionnaire to 

BEd students - October / November 2002 

and interviews with students and staff. 

Teaching and Learning 

An initiative on teaching and learning, 

funded by the HEA, was launched in the 

College in September 2002. Susan Pike 

was appointed to the position of Co-ordinator 

of Teaching and Learning; she is 

assisted by the Teaching and Learning 

Committee. 

A number of very successful events were 

organised throughout the year. These 

included: 

• Workshop exploring potential for use of 

story in lectures and seminars 

• Workshops on powerpoint for academic 

and administrative staff, facilitated by 

Margaret Leahy 

•Workshops on effective use of audio 

visual equipment, facilitated by Paul 

Murphy 

• Public lecture by Tony Buzan, entitled 

"Learning how to Learn" 

• Staff development day on The Intercultural 

College, facilitated by Fionnuala 

Waldron with Barbara Gill and Barbara 

Wilson of Ireland Aid (formally the 

NCDE). 

This year’s recipients of the Teaching and 

Learning Awards for Excellence and 

Innovation in Teaching were: 

• Philomena Donnelly - for work in the 

area of Philosophy in the Early Years 

• The ICT Team, Education Department, 

for their innovative work on the development 

of ICT in Education. The team comprises 

Deirdre Butler, Denis Twomey, 

Margaret Leahy, Karin Duffner. 

Teaching and learning in 1905. 

page 11


Research 

The promotion and support of research in 

the College (outside the Education 

Research Centre) is the responsibility of 

the Research Committee and the 

Coordinator of Research, Dr Mary Shine 

Thompson who was appointed to that position 

in March 2002. A College strategic 

plan for research has been agreed and 

individual departments have developed 

their own research statements within that 

context. The College has associated with 

UCD in the formation of the Humanities 

Institute of Ireland funded by the PRTLI 

and with DIT in the establishment of the 

Centre for Early Childhood Development 

and Education. Both centres have now 

recruited research students and, in the 

case of the HII, post-doctoral students. 

The research committee disburses funds 

for the promotion of research on a biannual 

basis. The Research Committee 

oversaw the disbursement of €93,517 of 

College funds on research-related activities. 

Information has been disseminated on 

fellowships, funding opportunities and 

other research-related information. The 

Research Coordinator is also a member of 

the Quality Promotion Committee. 

Conferences such as the Moving On Irish 

Research Seminar have been held annually 

in association with DIT, TCD and Notre 

Dame, in order to promote the College as 

a centre of humanities research. 

An inter-college research group has been 

established among Colleges of Education, 

with the full support of the Department of 

Education and Science, with a view to promoting 

joint research projects. 

The annual research report for 2002 was 

presented to Academic Council during the 

year. In the future, staff will register their 

research activities on-line on the 

SPCD/DCU Research Support System 

from which may be generated research 

details in various formats, and which may 

inter alia facilitate attracting research partners 

and funding. Staff seminars were held 

on EU funding for research projects, in 

association with other colleges. The 

College is also actively supporting staff 

members pursuing PhDs by assisting with 

payment of fees, and with flexible working 

arrangements. 

A major innovation this year has been the 

establishment of Fellowships aimed to 

facilitate research and/or professional 

development of staff. Applications are 

assessed by a three member board with 

internal and external membership and fellowships 

are awarded on a competitive 

basis and in accordance with strict criteria. 

Dr James Kelly, Head of the History 

Department, has been awarded the 

inaugural Research Fellowship; Ms 

Frances Murphy and Ms Bernadette Ní 

Áingléis have been awarded Professional 

Development Fellowships. 

Speakers at Moving On Seminar 

page 12


Other developments include the appointment 

of Dr Ciaran Sugrue as full-time 

director of postgraduate studies in education. 

The number of students following 

research degree programmes in the 

Faculty of Education is now 18, and 11 in 

Humanities; an additional two Education 

and three Humanities students have 

deferred their studies. Registered students 

include one student of the IRCHSS, one at 

CECDE, and two international students. 

Research degrees were conferred on three 

graduands in November. 

It is anticipated that these numbers will 

continue to rise with the development of a 

supportive research environment in the 

College. Notwithstanding the restrictions 

on space, facilities for research students 

now include dedicated workstations and a 

limited leisure area. The precedent of 

offering students some financial support to 

pursue research or to present papers at 

conferences has been established. 

Prospective students have been offered 

assistance in the formulation of research 

and funding proposals. The Education 

Department hosted a research skills programme 

for PhD students and supervisors. 

Another significant landmark during the 

year was the inauguration of the Eriugena 

lecture series. Named after Johannes 

Eriugena, Irish teacher and philosopher, 

this occasional series aims to acknowledge 

and encourage outstanding postgraduate 

researchers by offering them a forum 

in which to report their research findings. 

Applications are invited from students well 

advanced in their research. Ms Philomena 

Donnelly was chosen to deliver the 

inaugural lecture entitled ‘Wondering, the 

World and the Universe: Philosophy in the 

Early Years Classroom’ on 19 February 

2003. 

North/South Links 

The Departments of Education, north and 

south, have agreed to provide funding of 

stg£160,000 to support the North/South 

Standing Conference on Teacher 

Education in which the College is an active 

participant. This initiative arose from a 

major conference held in Belfast in 2000 

which brought together representatives of 

27 institutions and agencies involved in 

teacher education on the island of Ireland. 

In the meantime, a small steering group, 

chaired by Professor John Coolahan and 

including Dr Travers and Professor Moran 

(University of Ulster) has advanced the 

issue. It has been decided to collaborate 

with the Centre for Cross Border Studies 

which will provide administrative assistance 

to the Standing Conference. It has 

been agreed to support a number of projects 

and networks in the areas of ICT, 

early years and teacher education, and 

social, environmental and scientific education. 

The College has taken a leading role 

in the latter three projects through the 

efforts of Ms Philomena Donnelly, Dr Andy 

Burke and Ms Fionnuala Waldron. 

One welcome outcome of the collaboration 

between the Standing Conference, the 

Centre for Cross Border Studies in Armagh 

and the College has been successful applications 

for funding from a number of 

sources including the European 

Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. 

Two action research projects – one on 

Early Childhood Education North and 

South and the other on Student Teacher 

exchanges – have been funded to a total 

of €250,000. Ms Philomena Donnelly will 

be one of the lead researchers on the 

early childhood project; the College will 

also have a significant involvement in the 

student exchange project. 

page 13


Physical Development / Forbairt Fhisiciúil 

In the first part of the year, the College continued 

to work with the Department of 

Education and Science Building Unit on its 

Building Development programme. 

However, in December the College was 

notified by the Higher Education Authority 

that all building projects in third level, 

where contracts had not been signed, were 

being paused, pending a review and a 

reprioritisation. The College had been at 

the stage of selection of a project manager 

and of a design team. This represented a 

major set-back, given the huge increase in 

student numbers in recent years, the overcrowded 

and outdated nature of the campus 

and the lack of capital investment in 

teacher education for more than two 

decades. 

The acute shortage of teaching and other 

space is seriously hampering the work of 

the College: corridors are cramped; lecture 

rooms are over-crowded; library space is 

inadequate; the facilities for science education, 

music, physical education, drama and 

other areas are outdated; personal and 

group study space is non-existent. The 

shortage of appropriate sized rooms has 

made the workshop style teaching required 

to prepare teachers for the Revised 

Curriculum well nigh impossible. It prevents 

the effective integration of ICT across 

all curricular areas and provision of sufficient 

hands-on experience in science and 

language laboratories. Government policy 

in relation to special educational needs, 

ICT and the Information Society will be 

seriously compromised if the number of 

teachers is insufficient and/or the quality of 

their training is substandard. 

Notwithstanding earlier commitments, the 

College has been required to submit its 

building project to a newly established 

Capital Review Group which will assess 

and reprioritise all third level building applications. 

The College’s submission was forwarded 

to the Group at the end of the academic 

year. 

The categories under which submissions 

are to be assessed are: national needs 

priority and skills shortage of teachers. 

The College’s submission emphasised the 

national need for qualified primary teachers 

and the lack of capital investment since the 

1970s. Failure to develop the Colleges of 

Education would inevitably have a direct 

negative impact on primary schools and on 

teacher supply. The Government’s commitment 

to educational disadvantage was also 

cited, given that the shortage of teachers 

was felt most acutely in disadvantaged 

schools. 

page 14


Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education/ An Lárionad um 

Fhorbairt agus Oideachas na Luath-Óige 

The Centre for Early Childhood 

Development and Education (CECDE) is 

an initiative of the Department of 

Education and Science managed jointly by 

St Patrick’s College and the Dublin 

Institute of Technology. It was launched by 

the Minister for Education and Science, Mr 

Noel Dempsey TD on 31 October 2002. 

The aim of the CECDE is to develop and 

co-ordinate early childhood education in pursuance 

of the objectives of the White 

Paper 'Ready to Learn’ and to advise the 

Department of Education and Science on 

policy issues in this area. The Centre’s 

brief covers children from 0 to 6 years of 

age in a wide variety of settings, including 

families, nurseries, crèches, playgroups, 

child minders, preschools and the infant 

classes of primary schools. 

The main objectives of the Centre are: 

• To develop a quality framework for early 

childhood education, 

• To develop targeted interventions on a 

pilot basis for children who are educationally 

disadvantaged and children with 

special needs; and 

• To prepare the groundwork for the establishment 

of an Early Childhood Education 

Agency as envisaged by the White 

Paper. 

In its first year of operation the Centre 

focussed on three main areas: 

Consultation, Research and Policy 

Advice. 

The Centre commenced a series of consultative 

seminars with parents, practitioners 

and teachers in October. 

Research 

The Centre has developed a research 

strategy and published a comprehensive 

audit of Irish research in the area of early 

childhood care and education. 

A further audit of provision for children 

experiencing disadvantage and those who 

have special needs is in preparation and will 

be published shortly. 

The Centre in conjunction with DIT and the 

College is currently recruiting doctoral 

research students and post-doctoral fellows 

to support the research strategy. 

The Director and staff of the Centre published 

articles, presented conference papers 

and made numerous presentations in the 

course of their work. 

Policy Advice 

The CECDE is now widely represented on 

national and regional bodies notably the 

National Council for Curriculum and 

Assessment, the National Coordinating 

Childcare Committee, the Preschool 

Regulations Review Group and the Forum 

on Educational Disadvantage. 

The Centre is working closely with the 

Department of Education and Science and 

other relevant Departments. 

Consultation 

The Centre has established strong structures 

for communication and consultation 

including a regular newsletter and a website 

www.cecde.ie. 

A Consultative Committee is in place to 

advise and inform the Centre. 

Pictured at the launch by Noel Dempsey, Minister for Education and Science, of the Centre for 

Early Childhood Development and Education, are Frank McMahon, Director of Academic 

Affairs DIT, Heino Schonfeld, Director of CECDE, and Pauric Travers, President. 

page 15


The University/An Ollscoil 

Under the terms of the 1993 linkage agreement, 

the College participates actively in 

the life and work of the University with 

reciprocal membership of College and 

University Committees including Research 

Committees, Standing Committees, 

Academic Councils, College Management 

Committee and University Executive, 

Governing Body and Governing Authority. 

The University is currently undergoing a 

restructuring process with the reorganisation 

of Faculties and the appointment of 

Executive Deans. This will have implications 

for the two joint Faculties of 

Education and Humanities of which 

College staff are members. These and the 

overall development of the linkage 

between the College and the University 

were the subject of discussions at various 

levels during the year. 

It was agreed to avail of the services of an 

external consultant, Mr Ed Delany, to facilitate 

these discussions. Arising from his recommendations, 

a committee of College and 

University representatives has been established 

to examine the development of linkage. 

The College members of the Committee 

are Dr Liam Mac Mathúna, Dr Mark 

Morgan, Dr James Kelly and Dr Mary 

Shine Thompson. 

Graduation 2002 / 

Bronnadh na gCéimeanna 

2002 

Graduation took place on 8 and 9 

November in the College Auditorium. This 

year for the first time there were three ceremonies 

over two days, as the numbers 

graduating have increased significantly. 

Professor Ferdinand Von Prondzynski, 

President of DCU, conferred degrees on 

627 students from 7 different programmes 

(an additional 425 Certificates in Religious 

Studies were awarded). 

The ceremonies were attended by the 

Chairperson and members of Governing 

Body of the College, representatives of the 

Department of Education and Science and 

INTO, and the parents and families of the 

students. Many retired members of staff 

were also present to meet students and 

colleagues. 

In his graduation speeches, the President 

of the College, Dr Travers, addressed the 

teaching career, the review of teacher education, 

access and disadvantage and the 

financing of third level education. The 

President spoke about the OECD Report 

"Education at a Glance 2002", which compares 

educational data from 27 different 

countries. It reported that despite lower 

levels of expenditure and poorer facilities, 

attainment levels in Irish schools are very 

high. Much of the credit for this goes to the 

quality of teaching. 

page 16


Graduation 2002 

Martina Cregg with her family at Graduation 

Aoife O’Connor being presented with the Vincentian Medal 

Martina Cregg being presented with the Fred Klotz prize 

Gerry Malone, INTO President presents the Vere Foster Medal to Aoife O’Connor 

page 17


Digital Age / An Ré Dhigiteach 

Empowering Minds 

Arising from the success of the 

Empowering Minds project (directed by 

Deirdre Butler), this project is now being 

expanded through the Education Centre 

network. Initially it is planned to start with a 

pilot of 5 centres (Dublin West, Blackrock, 

Kildare, Kilkenny, and Sligo). A preliminary 

workshop was held on 17 May in each of 

these centres, followed by a weeklong 

summer workshop. While the original 

group of 13 schools involved with the 

Empowering Minds project were all primary 

level, due to the high interest level at 

second level, it has been decided to offer 

these workshops to all teachers from both 

first and second level schools. In July, the 

Irish Science Teachers Association held a 

day long workshop at their summer school 

using the computational materials and 

learning philosophy of the Empowering 

Minds project. 

Deirdre Butler has been engaged with the 

Digital Hub (http://www.thedigitalhub.com) 

in designing and coordinating a learning 

strand entitled 'Liberating Learning' for the 

Liberties Learning Initiative. The Liberties 

Learning Initiative has received €1.3 million 

in funding from Diageo Ireland. It is 

planned that a full-time co-ordinator will be 

appointed from the Empowering Minds 

teachers' group who will liaise with Deirdre 

to develop this exciting initiative working 

with 11 primary schools, 5 second level 

schools and a Youthreach group. 

The project will use a wide range of 

expressive computational materials to 

explore what being digital can mean for 

learning. 

TeachNet 

Co-funded by Citigroup and Atlantic 

Philanthropies, TeachNet has now completed 

the second year of its initial three 

year pilot phase. In light of the success of 

the project to date the Board of Citigroup 

Foundation has now approved further 

funding of $250,000 for the extension of 

the project. During the year, 3000 catalogues 

reporting on the first year of 

TeachNet and outlining all the projects 

developed in 2000-2001 were distributed 

to teachers throughout the country. Sixtyone 

new projects have been developed in 

the current school year from primary, postprimary 

and special education teachers. A 

series of 10 professional development 

workshops were developed for the teachers 

concerned dealing with a broad range 

of learning and technological issues. 

Approximately fifteen college staff are now 

acting as pedagogical mentors across a 

broad range of disciplines in the development 

of these projects. The TeachNet 

website (www.teachnet.ie) also showcases 

a number of exemplary student projects 

developed as part of their final year ‘digital 

learning’ course work. 

page 18 

Participants on the TeachNet Project pictured at a function in the Citibank Offices

Academic Council / An Chomhairle Acadúil 


Seven meetings of Academic Council were 

held during the year, including a special 

meeting convened to initiate the drafting of 

a College response to the Report of the 

Working Group on Primary Preservice 

Teacher Education, issued by the 

Department of Education and Science. 

The Standing Committee of Academic 

Council met eight times during this period. 

Among the matters considered by 

Academic Council were: 

• A draft document on policy and procedures 

to promote respect and dignity at 

work and to prevent and deal with 

harassment and bullying 

• Quality Assurance 

• Intercultural education in St Patrick’s 

College: results of an audit 

• Proposal for a new Graduate Diploma in 

Special Education 

• The issue of a modular pre-service 

Graduate course in Primary Teaching 

• The renewal of membership of Academic 

Council sub-committees for the period up 

to 2005 

• Annual reports from sub-committees of 

Academic Council. 

Standing Committee / An Buanchoiste 

This Committee continued with its work of 

considering and dealing with all routine 

matters of academic business, and all 

items of such urgency that they require 

action between meetings of Academic 

Council, as well as contributing to the 

development of policy in a number of 

areas. It reported regularly to Academic 

Council, providing it with copies of its confirmed 

minutes. 

Subcommittees / Fochoistí 

Academic Council’s subcommittees constituted 

for the period 2002-05 continued with 

their work. Subcommittees provide 

Standing Committee with confirmed minutes 

of their meetings on an ongoing 

basis, while they furnish Academic Council 

with an Annual Report. 

BA Mature Students Committee / 

Coiste Mac Léinn Lánfhásta BA 

In liaison with the Admissions Officer, this 

Committee oversaw the interviewing and 

selection of mature applicants for the BA 

in Humanities programme. It provided a 

tutoring system and continued to organise 

a writing clinic to help mature students 

who have writing problems, arising from 

disadvantaged backgrounds or learning 

difficulties. It also participated actively in 

both the College’s Open Day and its 

Induction programme for incoming students. 

BEd Mature Student and Postgraduate 

Entry Committee / Coiste d’Iontráil Mac 

Léinn Lánfhásta BOid agus Mac Léinn 

Iarchéime 

Liaising with the Admissions Officer, this 

Committee organised the interviewing and 

selection of mature applicants for the B.Ed. 

degree, as well as all applicants for the 

Postgraduate Diploma in Education 

(Primary Teaching) programme, January 

2003 – June 2004. In both cases the 

selection process was conducted in collaboration 

with Coláiste Mhuire, Marino, and 

Froebel College of Education, Sion Hill, 

Blackrock. 

page 19


Information and Communications 

Technology Committee / 

Coiste Theicneolaíocht an Eolais agus 

na Cumarsáide 

The Committee again organised competency 

courses for all incoming students on 

the BEd, BA and Graduate Diploma programmes. 

It also organised a range of 

courses for staff members. 

Interdepartmental Committee / 

Coiste Eadar-Rannach 

Among the principal matters considered by 

the Interdepartmental Committee were 

quality assurance, staff development, 

strategic planning, examinations, and timetabling. 

International Affairs Committee / 

Coiste Gnóthaí Idirnáisiúnta 

This Committee continued to organise a 

wide range of staff and student exchanges 

as part of the Socrates-Erasmus programme. 

It also oversaw the North 

American exchange programmes with 

Chico (Cal.), Notre Dame, Merrimack 

(Mass.) and Boston College. 

Staff Recruitment Committee / 

Coiste Earcaíochta Foirne 

The Committee continued with its work of 

identifying the practical implications of 

implementing the proposed changes in 

career structure, which had been endorsed 

by Academic Council in June 2001, and 

which are the subject of ongoing discussion 

between the College, the Higher 

Education Authority and the Department of 

Education and Science. It also addressed 

the issue of staff workloads in the context 

of the rhythm of the academic year. 

Teaching and Learning on Campus 

page 20


Administrative/Support Services/Seirbhísí Riaracháin/Tacaíochta 

Careers Service 

The Careers Service is responsible for providing 

information about employment and 

further study opportunities and guidance 

and counselling facilities for students and 

graduates. The service is provided through 

individual guidance, group workshops, the 

careers website, careers newsletter and 

the careers information section, located in 

the College library. The Careers Officer is 

also responsible for gathering data on the 

first destination of graduates on behalf of 

the Higher Education Authority. Data on 

the first destination of the graduates of 

2002 is located in appendix 1.4. 

Career events and other activities organised 

in 2002/03 included: 

• Website and Careers Library updated 

• Weekly drop-in and appointments service 

• Participation in Executive of AGCSI 

(Association of Graduate Careers 

Services Ireland) 

• Annual employer programme 

• First Destination Survey 

• Joint Postgraduate Fair-GradIreland. 

Workshops in: 

• Career Planning & Self Assessment 

• Guide to Further Study 

• Applying for Teacher Training in the UK 

• Preparing for the Job Market 

• Japanese Exchange & Teaching 

programme 

• Psychometric testing sessions 

• CV and Interview preparation 

• Career Planning for Mature 

Students. 

Adult & Continuing Education 

The Unit is responsible for providing and 

co-ordinating support within the College for 

our mature students, marketing our programmes 

to potential mature applicants, 

co-operating in the selection of mature students, 

conducting research into the destination 

of mature graduates and developing 

initiatives in the area of adult education. In 

2002/03 there were one hundred and thirty 

nine mature students registered in St 

Patrick’s. Eighty were studying for a BA 

and fifty nine for a BEd. An analysis of the 

postal addresses of the eighty BA mature 

students revealed that almost all reside in 

the North Dublin region with just six coming 

from south Dublin. Recent research 

conducted into the factors affecting the 

participation of mature BA students in the 

College indicates that location, size and 

the very positive attitudes of staff are the 

most significant factors in their participation. 

Data on the destination of our mature 

graduates is provided in appendix 4. 

In addition to the informal support available 

to mature students, formal support was 

offered to students through: an induction 

programme, mature student advisory service, 

student counselling and careers service, 

study workshops, and writing clinic. 

There were over 650 requests for information 

about mature student applications in 

2002/03 while there were 190 applications 

from mature candidates. Brochures and 

posters were forwarded to all VTOS and 

Adult Education Centres in the country, to 

the Dublin City and County libraries, to the 

Adult Guidance Counsellors operating 

under the VECs and to Social Welfare and 

Employment Exchanges, Credit Unions, 

Churches, Parish Centres and Area Based 

Partnerships. 

page 21


Student Counselling Service 

A total of 67 students attended for ongoing 

individual counselling this year, an 

increase of 3 on last year. Personal issues 

were cited as the most frequently presented 

issues. The majority of students who 

attended for counselling referred themselves. 

Individual counselling sessions 

numbered 389, the same figure as last 

year. November, February, March and May 

emerged as the busiest months. On average, 

students attended for 6 sessions, thus 

the trend is towards short-term counselling. 

However, some students were 

afforded less or more sessions, depending 

on their need. Students were offered an 

appointment for a counselling session 

within 1-3 days following initial contact with 

the counselling service. Emergency cases 

were seen on the day of contact. 

Liaison work included speaking to tutors 

and lecturers on behalf of students, consulting 

with the college president, the registrar, 

the admissions officer, the chaplain, the 

careers advisor, the Students Union and 

external professionals. 

In addition to providing individual counselling 

and consultations, the student 

counsellor engaged in the following 

activities: 

• Induction Programme for mature 

students 

•Orientation Programme 

• Study Skills Programme 

•Staff Induction Programme 

• Committees - College Equality 

Committee and Irish Association for 

University and College Counsellors 

(IAUCC). 

• Yoga classes for staff and students. 

Chaplaincy 

On twelve consecutive Thursdays during 

the first term, a number of students participated 

in an Alpha Course. Alpha is an 

evangelical programme, supported by all 

the Churches, and used extensively in 

reaching out to young adults. The Alpha 

Course provides an opportunity for anyone 

to explore the Christian faith and consists 

of a series of presentations relating to key 

issues in the Christian life. Each session 

began with light refreshments and the subsequent 

presentation was followed by discussion. 

The decision to present the 

course came through the prompting of a 

small number of students who had previous 

exposure to the programme. A great 

deal was learned about the future direction 

and presentation of the Alpha Course in 

the College. Those who took part were 

appreciative of the experience. The opening 

term presents the best opportunity for 

such events as, after Christmas, student 

horizons tend to be constrained by exams 

and the looming prospect of teaching practice. 

The fact that the exercise was 

stretched over a period of twelve consecutive 

Thursday evenings placed a strain on 

the staying power of some! A Busy 

Students Guided Prayer event took place 

between 24 and 27 February – just before 

Lent. Students who signed up for the 

event made a commitment to twenty minutes 

prayer on each of the four days and 

to a daily meeting with an individual prayer 

guide. A team of prayer guides consisting 

of religious and lay people came into the 

college to provide guidance. The exercise 

was both flexible and tailored to the needs 

and time of each individual. Guided prayer 

involves being open to God, exploring the 

Scriptures in prayer, meeting one to one 

each day with a prayer guide, and praying 

for those participating in the days of guided 

prayer. There was quite a degree of 

interest in the event on the part of students, 

especially those who have been 

involved at some level with prayer groups 

before coming to college. 

page 22


One consequence of the growth in student 

numbers is the diminishment of the sense 

of community in the college. Individuals 

relate to a much smaller group within their 

year, and it is more difficult to learn of 

events, such as bereavement and illness, 

affecting the lives of students. The reality 

is that it is becoming more difficult to sustain 

a chaplaincy outreach to students who 

have experienced bereavement. At such 

times young people are particularly vulnerable. 

Admissions 

Interviews for the Graduate Diploma in 

Education (Primary Teaching), 2003-04, 

took place from 8-10 January. A total of 

791 candidates were invited for interview 

and over 720 attended. There were 20 

two-person boards for the general interview 

and a corresponding number for the 

Oral Irish interview. There were 180 

places at St Patrick’s College, 100 in 

Coláiste Mhuire Marino and 60 at Froebel 

College of Education. (Applicants for the 

120 places in Mary Immaculate in Limerick 

were interviewed separately). The course 

commenced on 10 February 2003. 

The Admissions Office also has responsibility 

for providing information on undergraduate 

and postgraduate programmes 

offered within the College and dealing with 

specific enquiries relating to applications 

and admissions. Applications for most 

undergraduate and postgraduate courses 

offered by the College are processed by 

the Admissions Office. This year, the 

major activities of the office included: 

• Liaising with CAO in all matters relating 

to Admissions 

• BEd and BA mature competition in conjunction 

with the Mature Students 

Committees 

• Post Graduate Diploma in Education 

selection process 

• Selection and Admission of Students to 

Taught Masters Programmes and 

Masters by Research Programmes 

• Higher Options Conference in conjunction 

with the Students Union 

• Open Day in conjunction with the 

Careers Office. 

• Attending Careers Fairs throughout the 

year 

• Attending CAO/Career Guidance 

Counsellors Association Meetings 

• Production of Relevant College Booklets 

• Allocation of campus accommodation. 

Shane Ryan signing autographs at Higher Options Conference 

page 23


IT Support 

The increase in the Postgraduate intake in 

January required an improvement in the 

computer laboratory facilities. Additional 

staff appointments also required expansion 

of the general network infrastructure to 

accommodate the additional office space 

created. 

Accommodation 

• The provision of new pre-fabricated 

accommodation provided one new computer 

lab, F204, as well as allowing one existing 

room, D328, to be converted into a 

computer lab. 

• After successful trials in November and 

December a new printing management 

system was introduced for handling student 

printing. It provides for centralised 

control and user "quotas". This has virtually 

eliminated the problem of queues of 

students at print stations and less callout 

time for IT Support staff to resolve problems. 

• A number of network access points 

where students can use their own laptops 

were introduced on a pilot basis. 

There was a modest improvement in the 

provision of computer services for students. 

General availability of student computers 

and printers are as follows: 

Room No of Computers Printers 

D305 18 1 

D318 60 2 

D328 24 1 

E306 6 

E308 30 2 

E314 6 1 

E218 16 1 

F204 24 1 

Lang Lab 4 

Resource Centre 12 1 

E-Block corridor 8 1 

Music 6 1 

Geography 4 1 

Total 218 13 

Some of these are specific to certain 

courses and some special use terminals, 

such as Library OPAC, are excluded. 

Freedom of Information 

The College continues to be totally committed 

to the spirit of the Freedom of 

Information Act (1997). Policies and procedures 

have been implemented to make 

as much information as possible relating to 

functions and activities of the College routinely 

available without the need to use the 

Act. With this in mind a Records 

Management Training Seminar, organised 

by the Freedom of Information Office, was 

held in May. The objectives of the seminar 

were to provide staff with best practice 

records management, to inform staff on 

compliance with the Freedom of 

Information Act and other relevant record 

keeping legislation and regulations affecting 

the College and also to raise staff 

awareness of the importance of good 

records management. 

A Record Retention Schedule for the 

College has now been drafted. This document 

aims to ensure the introduction of: 

• a retention schedule which lists retention 

periods and disposal instructions for all 

College records, 

• appropriate arrangements for the preservation 

of records deemed to be of 

permanent value, 

• procedures for the timely and secure 

destruction of records no longer required 

for business purposes but are not selected 

for permanent retention. 

Requests under the Freedom of 

Information Act in the Academic Year 

2002/2003: 

Students Staff Corporate Total 

6 1 3 10 

All FOI requests were complied with in full. 

Student/Computer Ratio 10:1 

page 24


Library 

The future development of the library was 

the subject of considerable discussion during 

the year. A strategic plan has been 

developed by Library staff which outlines 

major developments envisaged for the 

library over the next three years including 

expansions to services, staff development 

and the possible relocation as part of a 

building programme. 

Continued integration of the local print collection 

with the growing online electronic 

collections remained a priority in the library 

this year. 

Work continued on the development of the 

bilingual website, which welcomes approximately 

40,000 visitors per annum. 

Electronic subject resources were compiled 

allowing students to search for online 

material, lecturers reading lists and exam 

papers relevant to their chosen subjects. 

Additional online services included electronic 

order forms for Inter library loan, 

journal and book requests, successfully 

reducing paper orders by 90%, 60% and 

30% respectively. This year also saw the 

addition of the "Ask the Librarian" option to 

the website enabling information queries 

from any location. 

Information skills training was provided to 

targeted user groups in IT training suites, 

aiming to facilitate the development of 

Information literacy skills. Training was 

arranged in collaboration with academic 

departments and tailored to meet particular 

subject needs. 

A Distance Education Pilot Project was 

launched providing a service for students 

based in Letterkenny and a link on the 

library website was provided for their convenience. 

An increase of 4.6% to journal stock 

brought the total collection to 611, with 173 

titles now provided, in full text format, 

online. Significant acquisitions included the 

English Short Title Catalogue [ESTC] on 

CD ROM, a considerable investment in Big 

Books which is hoped to facilitate education 

students in their delivery of the new 

curriculum during Teaching Practice and a 

collection of children’s books focusing on 

children with disabilities, dealing with traumatic 

events i.e. bereavement and loss, 

language disorders and dyslexia. There 

were two donations of note during the 

year: Máiread McEvoy, formerly of the 

Education Department, donated valuable 

journals and monographs; and the family 

of the late Dr John Killeen donated books 

on literature including an important collection 

of French children’s books. 

Changing user profiles, particularly the 

increase in research students were manifest 

in the rise in demand for inter library 

loans (23%) and the development of an 

Information desk dealing with research and 

research related queries. 

Staff of the Cregan Library 

page 25


Inter library loan requests 650 

Photocopies 466,115 

Books shelved 225,394 

Books ordered 2418 

Books catalogued 3852 

Books sent for binding 423 

Processing: repairs 5810 

Processing: new items 4484 

Total items purchased 3822 

Resource Centre 

As the number of students has increased 

so too have the services the Resource 

Centre offers. It is now one of the busiest 

units in the College for much of the year. 

In addition to a comprehensive collection 

of book and non-book materials covering 

all curriculum areas, staff, students and 

qualified teachers can avail of an extensive 

range of facilities. These include audio and 

video players, photocopiers, binding and 

laminating machines plus a large bank of 

computers and printers as well as internet 

access. Teaching Practice periods now 

take place during term time from February 

to the end of September putting increased 

pressure on space and time. Staff 

responded with flexibility to provide 

extended late evening opening hours for 

most of the academic year. 

Staff of the Curriculum Resource Centre 

Cleachtadh Múinteoireachta 

For the majority of students, Autumn 

Teaching Practice (TP) 2002 was located 

in the home area of the student and in a 

school selected by students themselves. 

Students undertaking final TP were placed 

in College-assigned TP schools in the 

greater Dublin area, together with a small 

number of students in BEd, Year 1 and 

Year 2 and PG1. For the first time, BEd, 

Year 2 students and PG1 students were 

required to teach all day during this TP. A 

total of 973 students in 710 schools were 

supervised by 83 supervisors and three 

external examiners. 

The BEd Spring TP took place in 

March/April 2003. A total of 1,172 BEd 

students participated. Third Year BEd students 

commenced their final TP on 10 

March with a structured preparation week. 

The school placement dimension of their 

final TP runs for a four-week period. 

Second and First Year BEds commenced 

TP on 24 March for a three-week period. 

A total of 251 schools were used. A total 

of 108 supervisors were involved in Spring 

TP. 

The final TP for the c180 Year 2 students on 

the Postgraduate Diploma in Education 

(Primary Teaching) took place 28 April-30 

May. The students were assigned to 79 

schools in Dublin, Meath, Wicklow, Louth 

and Kildare. 

A total of 18 supervisors conducted student 

evaluations together with 3 External 

Examiners. Year 2 students completed 

their Special Educational Needs School 

Experience (3-20 June) in special educational 

settings nationwide. Year 1 PG students 

(182 in total) completed their first TP 

in 126 schools in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare, 

Louth and Meath on 3 - 27 June 2003. 

A major innovation this year is the launch 

of a comprehensive website on all TP matters 

www.spd.dcu.ie/teachingpractice - with 

a link from the main College website to the 

TP site. 

page 26

Highlights of the Year / Príomhimeachtaí na Bliana 


The Academic Year 2002/2003 was 

marked by many events; the following 

were some of the highlights: 

• In July, an Inter-cultural teacher training 

course was organised by Elizabeth 

Murphy-Lejeune, in College. Seventeen 

teachers took part, 9 Irish MEd students 

and 8 non-Irish students from Austria 

(Graz) and France (Valence and Paris). 

•On 7-8 September, the annual conference 

of the Women’s History Association 

of Ireland was held in the College. The 

theme was "The Flight of the Girls: 

female emigration in the twentieth 

century". Organised by Dr Diarmaid 

Ferriter of the History Department, the 

keynote address was delivered by 

Professor Mary Daly, UCD. The conference 

was opened by the President of the 

College who hosted a reception for delegates. 

•On 20 September, the primary school 

"Building for the Future" awards, sponsored 

by the Irish Independent, were presented 

by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, in 

the Auditorium. The ceremony was partially 

simulcast on the Pat Kenny Radio 

Show. 

• Chuir Foireann Theagasc na Gaeilge, le 

cabhair ó Karen Ní Dhroma, ceardlann 

amhránaíochta ar siúl do na mic léinn 

sa Seomra Caidrimh ar an Déardaoin 21 

Samhain. Bhí páistí bunscoile ó 

Ghaelscoil an Duinnínigh, Sórd, Co. Átha 

Cliath i láthair agus taispeánadh do na 

mic léinn conas amhráin Ghaeilge a 

mhúineadh do pháistí bunscoile. 

•Bhí Ceardlann Lúibíní á reachtáil ag 

Foireann Theagasc na Gaeilge i 

gcomhar le Roinn na Gaeilge sa Seomra 

Caidrimh ar an Luan, 9 Nollaig. Bhí Joe 

Ó Dónaill agus Ray Mac Mánais 

(buaiteoirí an Oireachtais 2002) i láthair 

chun lúibíní a mhúineadh do na mic 

léinn. Taispeánfar do na mic léinn conas 

lúibíní a scríobh agus a úsáid sa seomra 

ranga. 

• Philomena Donnelly delivered the 

inaugural Eriugena Lecture on 19 

February entitled ‘Wondering, the World 

and the Universe: Philosophy in the Early 

Years Classroom’. 

• Dick Riley, former Secretary of the US 

Government under the Clinton 

Administration, visited the College with 

his wife, on 7 October. A reception in 

their honour was hosted by the President 

in Belvedere House, and was followed by 

a visit to the Primary School on campus 

where Secretary Riley met pupils 

involved in ICT projects. 

• Thug Jim Cummins, saineolaí ar an 

dátheangachas agus forbairt chogneolaíoch 

an duine, léacht phoiblí sa 

choláiste ar an gCéadaoin 6 Samhain. 

Ba é teideal a chuid cainte ná Acquiring 

literacy in two languages: the roles of 

home and school. 

Former US Secretary of Education, Dick Riley, signs the visitors 

book in Belvedere House during his visit to the College 

page 27


• Tharla Taispeántas Acmhainní Gaeilge 

sa Choláiste ar an Déardaoin, 27 

Feabhra arna eagrú ag Coláiste 

Phádraig agus ag Coláiste Mhuire, 

Marino. Bhí TG4, Roinn na Gaeltachta, 

Fios Feasa, An Gúm, Foras na Gaeilge, 

Lá, Gael-Linn, Comhdháil Náisiúnta na 

Gaeilge, Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann, 

Comhluadar, an tÁisaonad 

Oideachais, Conradh na Gaeilge, Glór 

na nGael, an Comhchoiste 

Réamhscolaíochta, Comhar na 

Múinteoirí Gaeilge agus go leor leor eile 

ann. 

• One hundred primary schools from all 

over Ireland participated in a Science 

Club Project which involved a collaboration 

between the Institutes of 

Technology and the College, and was 

supported by Forfás under the Science, 

Technology and Innovation (STI) 

Awareness Programme and the local 

Education Centres. It aims to help children 

to develop an interest in science; to 

support teachers in teaching science; 

and to support the new Primary Science 

Curriculum. An induction day was held 

in the College on 5 March, facilitated by 

Cliona Murphy and Tom McCloughlin, 

Education Department. St. Patrick’s 

College hosted an exhibition in the college 

auditorium on 17 May where each 

participating school was invited to display 

a selection of activities. Certificates were 

presented to participating schools by Dr 

Travers and Dara O’Briain of RTE. 

Co-ordinator in the College and Dr 

Nicholas Allen, DIT, the seminar aimed to 

promote discussion on new directions in 

research, among postgraduate students, 

faculty and the general public. The conference 

was opened by Dr Travers and 

the keynote address was delivered by 

poet, writer and journalist, Blake 

Morrison. The other speakers included 

Kathleen Biddick (Notre Dame/MLE), 

Michael McDowell, Minister for Justice, 

Professor John Kelly (Oxford), Professor 

Jane Ohlmeyer (Aberdeen), Dr David 

Wheatley (Hull) and Caroline Walsh (Irish 

Times). 

• On 9 April, John McGahern, renowned 

writer and graduate of the College, was 

invited by the English Department to 

give a lecture to the students and staff in 

the College. His lecture was very well 

received by a captivated audience and 

was followed by a reception. 

• On 2 May, a one day research seminar 

on the European Fifth Framework and 

writing funding proposals was facilitated 

by Dr Sean McCarthy, Hyperion Ltd, 

Cork. The aim of the seminar was to 

develop staff skills in the area of proposal 

writing in relation to European 

projects. 

• The inaugural conference of the Irish 

Society for the Study of Children's 

Literature was held from 9-11 May. The 

keynote address was given by Professor 

Declan Kiberd who was introduced by Dr 

Travers. A wide range of papers were 

delivered by international experts, guests 

from the International Research Society 

for Children's Literature, and by Irish 

scholars of children's literature. 

• The second Moving On Irish Studies 

Research Seminar was held in the 

College on 4-5 April. Jointly organised 

by Dr Mary Shine Thompson, Research 

Philomena Donnelly & Mary Shine Thompson at Eriugena Lecture 

page 28


•On 14 May, a one day seminar was held 

in the College on “Sharing Models of 

Good Research Supervision Practice”. 

This dealt with students' expectations of 

supervisors and vice versa, supervision 

committees, research skills and ethics, 

regulations, pre-registration, avoidance 

of high drop-out rates, professional 

development of PhD students, students’ 

research ethics, and how the College 

might best support supervisors. 

• The 15th Annual Conference of the Irish 

Association of Teachers in Special 

Education (IATSE), was held in the 

College from 12 - 14 June. The Conference 

was opened by Ivor Callely, Minister for 

State, Department of Health and the 

keynote address was delivered by Mr 

Páid McGee. His address which was 

greeted with a standing ovation highlighted 

major changes in the Irish education 

system over the past 40 years with a 

particular focus on developments for 

pupils with special educational needs. 

Páid was presented with a painting by 

the President of IATSE, as a token of 

appreciation for his valued support over 

the years. An opening reception was 

hosted by the President of the College. 

• In June more than 260 participants, with 

a support group for each team, from several 

countries stayed in the Student 

Residences during the course of the 

Special Olympics. The groups were 

from: Costa Rica, Kenya, Seychelles, 

Mali, Tunisia, Philippines, Iraq, Serbia, 

Montenegro and China. In relation to the 

group from China, there was some doubt 

as to whether they would be allowed to 

travel to the Games because of the 

SARS outbreak; thankfully, that was 

resolved before the start of the games. 

There were also 50 Special Olympic 

Volunteers (non resident) on Campus 

throughout the event. A series of social 

activities took place in the College each 

evening. The participants commenced 

their days at 5.00 a.m. with breakfast in 

the College Canteen, before going off to 

various events around the city. 

Bernadette O’Dwyer coordinated the 

arrangements for their stay in the 

College. 

Painted by Chinese participants and presented to the College in honour of Special Olympics stay in the College 

page 29


• On 5 June, the Minister for Education 

and Science, Noel Dempsey, TD, presented 

certificates of participation at a 

reception in Belvedere House to the 

newly qualified teachers who had participated 

on Phase 1 of the Pilot Induction 

Project. A more detailed report on the 

project appears below. 

• ESB St. Patrick’s College Environmental 

Awards were presented in the College on 

18 June. Amongst the guests was Sean 

Rowley, President of INTO. The winners 

were: Hollypark BNS, Blackrock, 

County Dublin. Inspired by the motorway 

being constructed through 

Carrickmines Castle near their school, 

the pupils and teachers created a heritage 

park in the grounds of the school. 

They designed it on paper, transferred 

the drawing scaled up to the chosen site, 

excavated and shaped it and built replicas 

of a round tower, high cross, 

Gallarus oratory, and painted backdrops. 

Students of Hollypark BNS, Blackrock, County Dublin, winners 

of ESB Environmental Awards 2003. 

Wider Horizons Program: June-August 2003 

The year 2003 marked the 15th year of the 

Irish Colleges of Education ‘Wider 

Horizons’ program. This collaborative educational 

venture has now brought together 

nearly 250 3rd year student teachers from 

St Patrick’s College and The Church of 

Ireland College in Dublin, and Stranmillis 

University College and St Mary’s University 

College in Belfast. The students travel to 

the United States where they spend six 

weeks living together and teaching in a 

range of summer-school educational programs 

in the ethnically diverse city of 

Lowell, Massachusetts. It is hoped that 

the insights they gain will encourage them 

to examine their own assumptions, attitudes 

and values in relation to other traditions 

and cultures, and help to inform their 

own professional practice when they return 

to Ireland. Maurice Blease, Trainor, St 

Mary’s University College, co-ordinates the 

program in the North, whilst Carmel Dinan, 

St Patrick’s College is responsible for the 

southern end. To mark the occasion of the 

15th anniversary of the program, the group 

was visited by the Secretary of State for 

Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Paul Murphy, 

MP. He congratulated the students on the 

role they have played in helping along the 

peace process. "Although we have problems 

still", he noted, "The world’s a better 

place than it was 15 years ago in Northern 

Ireland. Today, in front of us, these are the 

people who are going to shape the future. 

The Good Friday agreement wasn’t for old 

fogies like me, but young people like this". 

page 30


Student Life / Saol na Mac Léinn 

The year under review was a lively and 

eventful one in terms of student activities. 

These are some of the highlights: 

• Three third year BEd students accompanied 

by Fionnuala Waldron participated in 

the annual Partners in Education project 

held in Barnscourt, Co. Tyrone. Financed 

by the Pushkin Trust and participating 

Colleges of Education, North and South, 

the project aims to promote creativity 

among student teachers. The weekend 

project included workshops on drama, 

music, environmental art and creative 

writing. 

• On 2 December, medals and playing gear 

bags were presented to 25 College students, 

winners of the Plate in Ladies 

Gaelic Football All-Ireland Freshers Blitz 

2002 and participants in All-Ireland 

Camogie Freshers Blitz 2002 held in 

Athlone (9 November). Séamas 

Dempsey, First Year BEd (Loch Garman) 

and Eoghan Ó Néill First Year BA (Cill 

Mhantáin) were among nineteen third 

level students presented with education 

bursaries at Croke Park on 28 November 

as part of the GAA Games Development 

scheme. Congratulations also to Paddy 

Christie, a College recipient of a Bursary 

two years ago, on winning an All-Star 

award. In presenting the Bursaries, Nicky 

Brennan, Cathaoirleach Chomhairle 

Laighean, CLG, acknowledged the historic 

and continuing role of this College in 

promoting Gaelic games and announced 

the funding of a full-time Gaelic games 

and coaching development officer for the 

College. Tomás Mac Giolla Phádraig, an 

experienced teacher and coach, has 

been appointed to this position. 

• The annual Student Variety Concert in 

aid of the Vincent de Paul was held again 

in December and raised a substantial 

sum of money for a worthy cause. 

Tomás Mac Giolla Phádraig: GAA Promotion Officer 

• On 11 December, Dóchas Éireann organised 

a very successful forum on current 

issues in the GAA. A panel including 

Uachtarán CLCG, Seán Ó Ceallaigh, 

Eugene McGee and Dessie Farrell 

addressed issues posed by a large audience. 

On 29 January, a presentation ceremony 

was held to mark the commitment 

made by students in the training and 

preparation of College teams. Full details 

of all Dóchas Éireann activities are now 

published weekly in the Evening Herald. 

• The seventeenth College Song-Contest 

was held on 3 February before a capacity 

audience. The event was produced by 

Ronan Boner and Cora Cluxton and presented 

by Lisa O’Donnell and Ciarán 

Mooney. The winning entry, composed 

and performed by Eugene Waters, was 

entitled "Night-sky Disappears". It dealt 

with the 9/11 tragedy. 

page 31


• The series of lunch-time concerts 

organized by the Music Department 

recommenced with a concert given by 

members of the College traditional music 

group and a concert of chamber music 

by Purcell, Telemann, Hahn and Hopkins, 

performed by Debbie McCole and visiting 

Erasmus students, Claudia Harte 

(Austria) and Zuzana Liberkova (Czech 

Republic). The Fortuna Consort, an 

ensemble based in Amsterdam and led 

by Laoise O’Brien, gave a concert of renaissance 

music. The final lunch-time 

concert of the year was given by a second 

year student; ensembles included 

trumpet and piano duet, violin trio, flute 

and piano duet and traditional Irish 

group. 

• A four week drama workshop on acting 

skills was run in first semester for BA 

and BEd students by Colm Hefferon of 

the drama team. During the second 

semester Colm explored the possibilities 

and challenges of the drama curriculum 

with students and teachers of the Central 

Remedial Clinic School. 

• On 3 March, Coláiste Phádraig Peil na 

mBan Senior team defeated Sligo IT in 

the O’Connor Cup. Catríona Nee (goalkeeper) 

and Etain Aylward were selected 

on the Third Level Colleges All-Ireland 

Camogie team to play Ashbourne Cup 

winners in March. 

• Sophocles’ "Oedipus Rex" was presented in 

the College auditorium from 26-29 

March. Directed by Pat Burke, the production 

was a collaboration between the 

College and the Dublin Shakespeare 

Society and involved students and former 

students of the College as well as 

pupils from St Patrick’s BNS and Corpus 

Christi GNS. 

In addition, the following awards were 

made: 

Fresher female of the year: 

Fiona O'Reilly 

Fresher male of the year: 

Pat Robinson 

Most improved society of the year: 

the Traditional Society 

Most improved club of the year: 

Men's Soccer 

Event of the year: 

the GAA Forum 

Society of the year: 

the Drama Society 

Club of the year: 

Ladies Basketball 

Sportswoman of the year: 

Suzanne McCormack 

Sportsman of the year: 

Willie Coogan 

AIB Outstanding Contribution to 

Clubs and Societies Award: 

Tom Fitzpatrick 

• The annual College Drama Awards ceremony 

– the Soscars – took place on 15 

May. Dramsoc and MA in Theatre 

Studies productions included New World 

Order, Mystery School, Yerma, 

Mything at Christmas, Lysistrata, 

Shells, Seagulls, Shake’s Shots, 

Oedipus, Medea, Heart of Darkness 

(an original adaptation) and Stars in 

Your Eyes. In addition, a number of 

stage training workshops and a one act 

festival were organised. 

• On 7 May, the clubs and societies ball 

took place at the Regency Hotel. The 

guest speaker was D.J. Carey. A special 

award was made by the students to the 

College chaplain, Fr Eamonn Cowan, as a 

token of their appreciation for his contribution 

to student life and to mark the 40th 

anniversary of his ordination. 

D.J. Carey presents Clubs and Societies Awards 

page 32


Educational Disadvantage/ An tIonad um Oideachas faoi Mhíbhuntáiste 

The Minister for Education and Science, 

Mr Noel Dempsey, launched the 

Proceedings of the National Forum on 

Educational Disadvantage, the Action 

Plan and the Research Report and 

Video: Messages from the Children, in 

December 2002. About five hundred people 

attended the event. The National 

Planning Group for the Forum has agreed 

to continue under a new designation, the 

Partnership in Action Group. The group 

meet twice yearly in order to oversee the 

dissemination of the materials from the 

Forum and to monitor the implementation 

of the recommendations in the Action Plan. 

The work of disseminating the materials 

from the Forum both nationally and internationally 

has been a key activity of the 

Centre this year. All Teachers Centres in 

Ireland have been contacted; presentations 

on the Forum materials along with an 

update on the Action Plan have been 

arranged in twelve Centres. 

The Centre continued its activities related 

to the BEd, BA, Graduate Diploma and 

MEd Programmes: 

•Teaching materials were developed and 

included in the teaching skills manual for 

First Year BEd students. Information 

Packs on Educational Disadvantage 

have been assembled and distributed to 

all Graduate Diploma students. A number 

of 3rd Year BA students undertook their 

final research project in the area of 

Educational Disadvantage and were 

supervised by the co-ordinator of the 

Centre. Four different electives on 

Educational Disadvantage have been 

developed for 3rd Year BEd students. 

The locations are Ballymun, Ballyfermot, 

West Tallaght and Inner City. 

• The Centre has developed a new booklet 

detailing all Government initiatives that 

are tackling Educational Disadvantage. 

Educational Disadvantage Forum 

• Eight students have successfully completed 

their MEd Special Option in 

Educational Disadvantage and graduated 

this autumn. Interviews for a new group 

of students have taken place; twelve 

candidates have been accepted. 

The Administrator for the Centre, Ms 

Suzanne Stone, who succeeded Ms 

Sheila Walshe this year, has responsibility 

for the ongoing updating of the 

Centre’s Primary School Data Base on 

supports and services tackling educational 

disadvantage. The Resource Centre 

on Educational Disadvantage is now very 

well stocked with materials which students 

borrow for their project work in a 

variety of subject areas. 

Arising from a proposal initiated by the 

Centre to the HEA, Ms Vivienne Byrne 

was appointed in September to the position 

of Access Project Officer to develop 

an innovative model of access to the 

BEd for school leavers from areas of 

disadvantage. 

The Centre continues to encourage and 

promote research in areas related to 

educational disadvantage. The College 

has provided funding to support a project 

on a procedure in relation to school 

attendance. 

page 33


Pilot Project on the Induction of Newly Qualified Teachers 

(Primary Strand)/Tionscadal Píolótach Ionduchtúcháin d’Oidí 

The Induction Pilot Project is an action 

research project based on a partnership 

initiative including INTO, ASTI, the 

Department of Education and Science, and 

the Education Department UCD (post primary 

strand), St Patrick's College (primary 

strand) and a number of schools representing 

the range of provision and geographical 

type across the first and secondlevel 

sectors. 

The Education White Paper underlined the 

importance of induction and indicated that 

"a well developed and carefully managed 

induction programme, coinciding with the 

teacher’s probationary year, will be introduced 

for first and second level teachers". 

This project set out to identify the professional, 

employment and social issues 

impacting on newly qualified teachers 

(NQTs) and to make recommendations on 

the development of a national policy on 

induction. 

Phase one of the project commenced in 

Summer 2002; and phase two in 

September 2003. Sixteen schools were 

involved in the first phase of the project. 

Eleven teachers from these schools 

agreed to take on the role of mentor to the 

newly qualified teachers in their own 

school and in other schools, which formed 

part of a cluster. 

The project team headed by Bernadette Ní 

Áingléis (Director) and Seán Ó 

Díomasaigh (Co-ordinator) facilitated professional 

development for the mentors at 

St. Patrick’s College throughout the school 

year and the mentors provided the team 

with valuable feedback through questionnaires 

and at focus group sessions. 

College staff gave generously of their time 

and expertise in the provision of professional 

development. Other expertise from 

the DES, UCD (secondary strand) and 

from abroad was also availed of. The 

early seminars focused on providing 

strategies for mentors to help NQTs deal 

with classroom management, planning, 

communicating with parents and coping 

with special needs children. These issues 

were identified to the team early in the 

year by the NQTs through questionnaires 

and early feedback sessions. Later sessions 

focussed on the process of reflection 

and the role of the mentor in helping the 

NQT reflect on their practice in a meaningful 

way. To help the mentors engage in this 

reflection the team provided seminars, 

which explored the learning process as 

experienced by adult learners. Focus 

group meetings provided a forum for discussion 

for the mentors. 

Pictured with the Minister after he had presented certificates of participation at St Patrick’s College are 

Gareth Burns,Theresa Leahy, Cathy Freeman and Ciara Brogan. 

page 34


Support and professional development for 

the newly qualified teachers followed a 

similar format. The content and focus of 

the seminars reflected the needs of the 

NQTs as expressed at their initial meeting 

in September and subsequent discussions 

with them and their mentors. The team 

was anxious to avoid providing ‘more of 

the same’ type professional development 

to newly graduated teachers and therefore 

sought the expertise of practising teachers 

to deliver most of the workshops and seminar 

sessions. College expertise was used 

where it was deemed appropriate particularly 

in the area of special needs. Other 

topics included classroom management, 

discipline, dealing with parents and evaluation 

and assessment. The feedback was 

very positive and each subsequent session 

responded to evaluations and suggestions. 

In all, the mentors attended eight day seminars 

and the NQTs attended six including 

a facilitation session in September after 

school hours. All sessions were hosted by 

St Patrick’s College. In preparation for 

phase 2, a summer course on mentoring 

newly qualified teachers was held in the 

College. The course was attended by 

twenty four experienced teachers and 

many of these are engaging with NQTs as 

part of the extension of the project. At the 

end of phase two, it is intended that a full 

report will be presented to the Department 

of Education & Science and a conference 

held to disseminate the findings. In June, 

The Minister for Education and Science, 

Noel Dempey, TD, presented certificates of 

participation to the NQTs who participated 

on the induction programme at a reception 

held in Belvedere house. 

Specially dressed for the occasion were NQTs Helen Fagan, Deirdre Coffey and Sinéad Glennon Scoil Mhíchíl Trim with their No 1 Mentor Bríd Gorry. 

page 35


International Links / Naisc Idirnáisiúnta 

The College has been granted an Erasmus 

University Charter, entitling it to receive 

funding from the European Commission for 

student and staff exchange. 

Mic léinn Erasmus 

Students from St Patrick’s College completed 

3-month Erasmus study visits in 

partner institutions abroad: Eugene 

Waters, Jeff Moore (BA), Caitríona Murphy, 

Charles University, Prague; Catherine 

Shevlin, Karen Ivers, University of 

Joensuu, Finland; Sarah Crowe, Jenny 

Fitzgerald, I.U.F.M. Orléans-Tours, France; 

Aideen Coady, Louise Smith, Diarmaid 

Ryan, IUFM de l'Académie de Versailles, 

France; Joan Murray (BA), Ciara Kearney, 

Université de Metz, France; Maria Kirrane, 

Éadaoin Kelly, Kecskemét College of 

Education, Hungary; Jeff Farrell (BA), 

Patrick Doyle (BA), University of Vilnius, 

Lithuania. Chico California: Padraig 

Downey, Muiríosa Nic Cumhaill. 

Mic léinn ar cuairt 

The President hosted receptions for visiting 

exchange students from Europe and 

the US in Belvedere House on 8 October 

and 28 January. Day-trips to the Boyne 

Valley and Trim were led by Dr Gerry 

O’Reilly and Bernie Donnelly on 1 

December and 6 April. Erasmus 

International Evenings were held on 24 

October and 20 February. The visiting students 

came from: St Mary’s University 

College Strawberry Hill, London; IUFM de 

l’Académie de Versailles, Paris; IUFM 

Orléans-Tours, France; Université de Metz, 

France; Université de Haute-Bretagne 

(Rennes 2), Haute École Leonard de Vinci, 

Nivelles, Belgium; ISELL, Liege, Belgium; 

St. Mary’s University College Belfast; 

Charles University Prague; University of 

Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Warsaw; 

ESCUNI, Universidad Complutense 

Madrid; EDETANIA, Universitat de 

Valencia; Escola Superior, Bragança, 

Portugal; Pädagogische Akademie 

Feldkirch, Austria; University of Vilnius, 

Lithuania; University of Klaipeda, 

Lithuania; College of Education, Zsámbek, 

Hungary; College of Education, 

Kecskemét, Hungary; University of Sofia, 

Bulgaria; University of Gävle, Sweden; 

University of Joensuu, Finland; Merrimack 

College, USA: Four students visited from 

Chico University. 

In addition, there were 25 occasional students 

for the USA under the auspices of 

International Education Services 

Programme (IES). 

Cuairteanna teagaisc Erasmus 

The following members of staff went on 

Erasmus Teaching Staff assignments in 

2002-2003: Mary Shine Thompson, Hugh 

Gash, Des Broderick, IUFM de l’Académie 

de Versailles; Paul Downes, University of 

Warsaw; Pat Burke, Charles University 

Prague; Cora Cregan, EDETANIA, 

Universitat de Valencia; Ruth McManus, 

University of Sofia, Bulgaria; Mary Howard, 

Föiskola Tanítokepzó, Kecskemét, 

Hungary; Ciarán Mac Murchaidh, 

Pädagogische Akademie Stams, Austria; 

Uáitéar Mac Gearailt, Universidad 

Complutense Madrid; Susan Pike, 

University of Joensuu, Finland; Gerry 

O’Reilly, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. 

Léachtóirí Erasmus ar cuairt 

The following colleagues visited St 

Patrick’s College on teaching assignments: 

Dr Elsbeth Hurup: Jelling Seminarium, 

Denmark; Dr Stanislav Pechacek, Charles 

University Prague; Dr Leena Lahti, 

University of Joensuu; Ms Rosie Öhler, 

Pädagogische Akademie, Stams, Austria; 

Assoc. Prof. Elvyra Giedriatiene, University 

of Klaipeda, Lithuania; Ms Isabel Chumbo, 

Escola Superior, Braganca, Portugal; Prof. 

Regina Rudaityte, University of Vilnius, 

Lithuania; Dr Agnes Pallai, Föiskola 

Tanítokepzó, Kecskemét, Hungary; Ms 

Christine Strumet, I.U.F.M. de l’Académie 

de Versailles, Paris. 

page 36


Dian-chúrsaí Erasmus 

Funding was received for the following 

Erasmus Intensive Programmes, in which 

SPD participated: "Educating for Peace, 

Prosperity and Democracy"; St Mary’s 

University College Belfast; Dr Catherine 

Maunsell attended the 10-day IP, held in 

Cyprus in April. "Sustainable development: 

a didactic tool of the European 

Dimension"; ISELL Ste Croix, Liège; 

Coordinator: Susan Pike. "Water"; 

Hogeschool Alkmaar, Netherlands; 

Coordinator: Susan Pike. 

International Visits by College Staff (participation 

at lectures or conferences): 

Dr Alan Titley to Renvall Institute, 

University of Helsinki; Dr Ciarán Ó Coigligh 

to New York University; Dr Derek Hand, 

Dr. Pat Burke, Dr. Noreen Doody – IASIL 

Conference Sao Paolo; Dr. Joe Dunne, 

University of Calgary, Canada and 

University of California at Berkeley; Dr Pat 

Burke, Dr Ríóna Ní Fhrighil, Dr Máirín Nic 

Eoin – IASIL Conference, Deberecen, 

Hungary; Dr Liam Mac Mathúna and Dr 

Máirín Nic Eoin, 12th International 

Congress of Celtic Studies, Aberystwyth. 

Erasmus Students visit Newgrange 

page 37


Staff Publications / Foilseacháin na Foirne 

The Academic Research Report for 2002 

compiled by Dr Mary Shine Thompson 

has been published separately. This is the 

seventh report in the current series. It 

lists research completed, published and/or 

delivered by full-time members of staff 

during the calendar year 2002. The following 

are some of the works included: 

• Primary Education: Ending Disadvantage. 

Proceedings and Action Plan of National 

Forum and Achieving Equality in 

Children’s Education. Report on 

Research Project (St Patrick’s College, 

Drumcondra, 2002). 

• Irish Education Studies, Volume 22, no 1 

(Spring 2003), the journal of the 

Educational Studies Association of 

Ireland, was launched at the ESAI conference 

in April. Dr Ciaran Sugrue is general 

editor and Dr Marie Flynn is review editor. 

• Irish Journal of Education, Vol. 31 (2000), 

edited by Dr Tom Kellaghan. This issue 

contains articles in performance on Junior 

Certificate Examination (Nick Sofroniou, 

Gerry Shiel and Judith Cosgrove), the 

relationship of reading achievement and 

leisure activities of fifth grade pupils 

(Judith Cosgrove and Mark Morgan), 

College location as a means of combating 

educational inequality (Catherine Forde) 

and middle management in primary 

schools (Mary Ryng). 

•Ruth Mc Manus, Dublin 1910-1940: 

Shaping the City & its Suburbs (Four 

Courts, 2002). 

• Daire Keogh and Brendan Bradshaw 

(eds), Christianity in Ireland: Revisiting the 

Story (Columba Press, 2002). 

This collection of 23 articles, including 

contributions from Daire Keogh and 

Marian Lyons of the History Department, 

traces the history of Christianity from patrician 

times to the present. It was launched 

by Archbishop Sean Brady. 

•Two new pamphlets in the Maynooth 

Research Guides for Irish Local History 

edited by Marian Lyons: Philomena 

Connolly, Medieval Record Sources and 

Brian Gurrin, Pre-census Sources for Irish 

Demography (Four Courts, 2002). 

• Irish Literary Supplement, Volume 21, No. 

2 (Autumn 2002), Derek Hand & PJ 

Mathews, Irish Editors. 

• Arts and Learning Research Journal (Vol. 

18, 2001-2002) has been co-edited by 

Regina Murphy and Dr Joan Russell of 

McGill University, Montreal. This journal of 

the Special Interest Group of the 

American Educational Research 

Association publishes research from 

across the various arts disciplines and 

arts based research. Volume 19 was 

launched at the business meeting of the 

Arts and Learning SIG, Chicago in April. 

(see http://ijea.asu.edu/). 

Tony Blair being presented with a copy of Daire Keogh’s book - 

Christianity in Ireland; Revisiting the story. 

page 38


• Léarscáil Inis Meáin, a unique map by Dr 

Ciarán Ó Coigligh, including previously 

uncollected place-namesand personal 

names was published by Comharchumann 

Inis Meáin Teo and launched in Inis 

Meáin on 2 March. 

• An exhibition of paintings by Eoin Butler 

of the Art Department opened at the 

Ashford Gallery, Ely Place, from 6 to 27 

February. 

• 1798: a Bicentennial Perspective (Four 

Courts Press, 2003), was launched at St 

Werburgh’s Church on 19 June. Dr 

Daire Keogh is a contributing co-editor 

and Dr James Kelly a contributor. Dr 

Kelly is a contributing co-editor of Irish 

Act of Union: Bicentennial Essays (Irish 

Academic Press, 2003). 

• Marian Lyons and Thomas O'Connor, 

eds, Irish migrants in Europe after 

Kinsale 1602-1820, published by Four 

Courts Press, Dublin 2003. 

• Joseph Dunne & James Kelly (eds), 

Childhood and its Discontents: the First 

Seamus Heaney Lectures (Liffey Press, 

2002) was launched in the College on 16 

December. 

• Gearóidín Uí Laighléis, Seán Mac 

Maoláin agus Ceart na Gaeilge (Lúb ar 

Phár 5: Baile Átha Cliath, 2003). 

• Inside Classrooms: the Teaching and 

Learning of Mathematics in a Social 

Context by Dr Sean Close (Education 

Department), Professor Kathleen Lynch 

(UCD) et. al. was launched by the 

Minister for Education at the Clock Tower 

Conference Room, Marlborough St, on 

16 June. 

• Dr Paul Downes, Living with Heroin: 

Identity, Social Exclusion and HIV among 

the Russian-speaking minorities in Estonia 

and Latvia, published jointly by the Legal 

information centre for human rights, 

Tallinn, Estonia and the Educational 

Disadvantage Centre, St Patrick's 

College. Estonian and Russian translations 

have been published in Estonia. Dr 

Downes with Catherine Maunsell has 

completed the Irish report for the 'Expert 

survey on family-based prevention, 

community-based prevention and indicated 

prevention (early interventions)' 

(2003) for the European Monitoring 

Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction 

(EMCDDA). 

page 39


Awards / Scholarships / Honours / Moladh / Scoláireachtaí / Onóracha 

Undergraduate College Prizes 

• Fred Klotz Memorial Prize – 

To the student obtaining highest marks in 

the academic subject of Mathematics 

Martina Cregg, BEd 

• St Vincent de Paul Medal - 

To the student obtaining the highest 

marks in Religious Studies 

Aoife O’Connor, BEd 

• Vere Foster Medal (INTO Award) - 

To the student obtaining highest marks 

in Teaching Practice and Curriculum 

areas of Education 


• Carlisle & Blake Award - 

To student obtaining highest place in 

Education (Theory and Teaching 

Practice) 


Postgraduate scholarships 

Taught MA 

• Ciara Ní Bhroin 

• Brenda Clifford 

Taught MEd 

MA by Research 

MEd by Research 

• John Kelly 

• Desmond Slowey 

• Sinead O’Reilly 

Staff 

• Dr James Kelly was elected a member of 

the Royal Irish Academy on 15 March. 

The principal learned society in Ireland, 

the Academy promotes scholarship and 

excellence in the Sciences, Humanities 

and Social Sciences. For 215 years, it 

has been honouring Ireland’s foremost 

academics by electing them as members 

of the Academy on the eve of St Patrick’s 

Day. The scholars elected this year, 

included Professor Malcolm Smyth, Dean 

of the Faculty of Science in DCU, 

Professor Pádraig Breatnach of UCD, 

Professor Declan Kiberd (UCD) and 

Professor Eunan O’Halpin (TCD). 

Dr. James Kelly 

• On 13 June, Mr Páid McGee was presented 

with the Allianz/Scoil Treasa 

Annual Award for Services to 

Education on the Island of Ireland by 

Mr Stewart Eldon, British Ambassador, at 

a ceremony at the Regency Hotel in 

Dublin. In a fitting tribute to his 36 year 

career as Director of Special Education 

in this College, the citation read : ‘Your 

voice has been strong, clear, visionary 

and influential in the educational cause 

of those with special needs. Through 

your endeavours, you have improved the 

intellectual and social lives of many people 

with special needs, championed their 

cause and developed specialised programmes 

for teachers. The above bears 

witness to your true legacy as an educationalist.’ 

Páid McGee 

page 40


Financial Report/Tuarascáil Airgeadais 

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 

Year Ended 30 September 2003 

Income 2002 2003* 

€ € 

State Grants 8,389,054 9,435,195 

Student Fees 5,638,249 6,811,480 

Research income 

Higher Education Authority 1,243,246 1,315,774 

Other 357,711 320,318 

Other income 2,235,746 1,978,930 

Transfer from Capital Account 354,965 544,393 

Total Income 18,218,971 20,406,090 

Expenditure 

Operating expenditure 16,350,989 18,365,090 

Research grants and contracts 

Funded by HEA 1,271,283 1,460,097 

Project Funded 291,177 197,873 

17,913,449 20,023,060 

Surplus for the Year 305,522 383,030 

Accumulated surplus on income 

and expenditure account 2002 2003 

€ € 

Opening accumulated surplus 1,352,837 1,658,359 

Surplus for Year 305,522 383,030 

At 30 September 1,658,359 2,041,389 

*2003 Subject to Audit 

page 41


S t P a t r i c k ’ s C o l l e g e i n t h e P a s t 

Dóchas Éireann, popularly 

known as ‘Erin’s 

Hope’ or ‘the Hopes’ 

organises Gaelic football, 

hurling, handball 

and camogie activities 

for students of Coláiste 

Phádraig. The success 

of the Hopes in winning 

the 1978 Dublin Senior 

Football Championship 

was commemorated at a 

silver jubilee re-union in 

the McEniff Skylon 

Hotel. It was an evening 

of nostalgia and reminiscence 

– with speakers 

including retired College 

page 42 

Dóchas Éireann 1956


/ C o l á i s t e P h á d r a i g i n A n a l l ó d 

Registrar, Stiofán Ó 

hAnnracháin, club Vice 

President, Andy Burke, 

and Fear a’ tí Mícheál 

Ó Muircheartaigh. 

Dóchas Eireann won the 

Dublin senior championship 

on four occasions 

– the inaugural competition 

in 1887, 1932, 1956 

and 1978. At the silver 

jubilee re-union of the 

1978 team, the changing 

face of Coláiste 

Phádraig was eloquently 

illustrated by present 

team captain Eoin Ó 

Néill. 

Dóchas Éireann 1887 

page 43


Appendices / Aguisíní 

Appendix 1: Table of Student Enrolment – 2002/2003 

Course Year No. Enrolled Female Male 

Bachelor of Arts 1 169 121 48 

Bachelor of Arts 2 133 97 36 

Bachelor of Arts 3 127 103 24 

Bachelor of Education 1 411 372 39 



Grad Dip in Learning Support 1 24 20 4 

Grad Dip in Advanced Studies 

in Special Education 1 25 21 4 

In-Service Certificate 1 4 4 

Master of Arts Taught 1 5 3 2 

Master of Arts Taught 2 38 29 9 

Master of Arts Thesis/Research 2 6 1 5 

Master of Ed (Religious) 1 7 6 1 

Master of Ed (Religious) 2 11 5 6 

Master of Ed (Ph.D) 2 1 1 

Master of Ed (Sp Ed) 2 8 7 1 

Master of Education 1 23 18 5 

Master of Education 2 47 31 16 

Master of Education 3 1 1 

PhD 1 8 6 2 

Post Graduate 1 181 160 21 

Post Graduate 2 178 156 22 

TOTAL 2200 1887 313 

page 44


Appendix 2: Final Examination Statistics – 2002/2003 

Course 

Bachelor of Arts 

Bachelor of Education 

Certificate in Religious Studies (BEd) 

Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary Teaching) 

Certificate in Religious Studies – (Postgrads) 

Graduate Diploma in Advanced Studies in Special Education 

Graduate Diploma in Learning Support 

Graduate Diploma in Advanced Educational Needs 

Master of Arts 

Master of Arts (Research) 

Master of Education 

Master of Education (Research) 

Master in Religious Education (Primary) 

Ph.D. 

Hon Hons Hons Hons Pass Credit Distinct Merit Total 

1 2 2.1 2.2 

2 

15 

1 

10 

8 

2 

2 

25 

9 

39 

110 

54 

25 

64 

236 

100 

17 

22 

222 

15 

83 

1 

1 

1 

145 

80 

1 

5 

24 

21 

1 

3 

122 

383 

368 

170 

168 

25 

24 

2 

36 

1 

34 

1 

11 

1 

Appendix 3: Graduation – November 2002 

Course 

No. Graduated 

Bachelor of Arts 100 

Bachelor of Education 345 

Certificate in Religious Studies 425 

Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary Teaching) 98 

Graduate Diploma in Advanced Studies in Special Education 25 

Graduate Diploma in Learning Support 25 

Master of Arts 7 

Master of Education 27 

page 45


Appendix 4: Analysis of 2002 Graduates 

FIRST DESTINATION 2002 

BEd 

Total graduates: 345; 171 responded 

Employment Status Number Percentage 

Permanent Primary Teaching in Ireland 116 68 

Temporary Primary Teacher in Ireland 51 30 

Other Work Ireland 1 0.5 

Not Available for Work/Study 2 1 

Seeking Employment 1 0.5 

Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary Teaching) 

Total Graduates: 98; 45 responded 


Permanent Primary Teaching in Ireland 33 73.3 

Temporary Primary Teaching in Ireland 12 26.7 

BA 

Total Graduates 100; 79 responded 


Further Full-time Study in Ireland 7 8.86 

Further Study Overseas 1 1.26 

Primary Teacher Training in Ireland 12 15.18 

Secondary Teacher Training in Ireland 10 12.65 

Primary Teacher Training Overseas 11 13.92 

Employed in Ireland Full-time 29 36.70 

Employed in Ireland Part-time 3 3.79 

Employed Overseas 4 5.06 

Not available for Work/Study 2 2.53 

page 46


Employment Sector Entered by BA 

100 students graduated, 79 responded 

Sector Number Percentage 

Teaching 24 30.37 

Health Professionals 2 2.53 

Garda 1 1.26 

Manufacturing 1 1.26 

Financial 4 5.06 

Recreational Services 3 3.79 

Not Stated 1 1.26 

Full-time Study 41 51.89 

Not available for work/study 2 2.53 

Mature Graduates 2002 

BEd 

19 mature students graduated; 10 responded 

First Destination Number Percentage 

Permanent Primary Teaching in Ireland 5 50 

Temporary Primary Teaching in Ireland 5 50 

BA 

25 mature students graduated; 19 responded 

First Destination Number Percentage 

Further Full-time Study in Ireland 6 31.57 

Further Study Overseas 1 5.26 

Primary Teacher Training in Ireland 1 5.26 

Secondary Teaching Training in Ireland 3 15.78 

Employed Full-time in Ireland 5 26.3 

Employed Part-time in Ireland 1 5.2 

Not Available for Work/Study 2 10.52 

Employment Sector Entered by Mature BA Graduates 

25 Students graduated; 19 responded 

Sector Number Percentage 

Primary Education 2 10.52 

Secondary Education 1 5.26 

Library/Information 1 5.26 

Sales Administration 1 5.26 

Nursing 1 5.26 

Full-time Study 11 57.89 

Not available for work/study 2 10.52 

page 47


Appendix 5 (I) - Staff Levels at 1 April 2003 

Category 

Current 

President 1 

Bursar 1 

Registrar 1 

Head of Education 1 

Senior Lecturer 9 12 

Senior Lecturer 7 10 

Lecturer 66 

Assistant Lecturer 2 

Contract Lecturer/Assistant Lecturer 7 

Seconded Academic 10 

Careers, Counselling 2 

Chaplain 1 

Senior Tutor 0.5 

Librarian 1 

Assistant Librarian 2.5 

Library Assistant 10.5 

Assistant Principal Officer 1 

Higher Executive Officer 2 

Executive Officer 10.5 

Clerical Officer 13.5 

Senior Technician 2 

Junior Technician 2 

IT Support Staff 2 

Porters 3 

Maintenance 2 

Housekeeping Supervisor 1 

Cleaners 13 

Total: 180.5 

page 48


Appendix 5 (II): Growth in Staff and Student Numbers 1989-2003 

Students 

2200 

2000 

1800 

1600 

1400 

1200 

1000 

800 

600 

400 

200 

0 

1989/90 

1992/93 

1996/97 

1997/98 

1998/99 

1999/2000 

2000/01 

2001/02 

2002/03 

Academic Staff 

120 

110 

100 

90 

80 

70 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

1989/90 

1992/93 

1996/97 

1997/98 

1998/99 

1999/2000 

2000/01 

2001/02 


Support Staff 

120 

110 

100 

90 

80 

70 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

1989/90 

1992/93 

1996/97 

1997/98 

1998/99 

1999/2000 

2000/01 

2001/02 


page 49


Appendix 6 – Staff Appointments/Retirements 

6.1 Academic Appointments 1 September 2002 

Name 

Department 

Ms Siobhán Cahillane-McGovern Education (Reading) 

Ms Bernie Collins Co-ordinator of Quality Promotion * 

Ms Dolores Corcoran Education – Curriculum Maths (Secondment) 

Ms Sorcha de Brún Teagascóir/Léachtóir i Roinn na Gaeilge (ar conradh) 

Mr Charlie Dillon Roinn na Gaeilge (ar conradh) 

Dr Noreen Doody Teaching Fellow, English 

Ms Bernadette Dwyer Education – Reading (Secondment) 

Dr Marie Flynn Education (Sociology) 

Dr Hugh Gash Education (Graduate Programme in Teacher Education) 

Dr Derek Hand English 

Ms Anne Hession Religious Studies 

Ms Mary Howard Education – Drama (Secondment) 

Dr Brenna Katz Clarke Head of English Department 

Dr Catherine Maunsell Education (Psychology) (Contract) 

Dr Mark Morgan Head of Education Department 

Ms ReginaMurphy Education (with responsibility for In-Career Education) 

Ms Máire Ní Bhaoill Education – Teagasc na Gaeilge (Secondment) 

Ms Órla Ní Bhroin Education – Teaching Practice (Secondment) 

Dr Ríóna Ní Fhrighil Roinn na Gaeilge 

Mr Seán Ó Díomasaigh Co-ordinator of Pilot Induction Programme 

Mr Andrew O’Shea Senior Tutor 

Ms Susan Pike Education(SESE – Curriculum Geography)Co-ordinator of Teaching and Learning* 

Dr Ciaran Sugrue Director of Post-graduate Studies in Education* 

Ms Rosemary Warren Education (Visual Art) 

* new posts of responsibility filled by existing staff. 

6.2. Central Support Staff Appointments 

Name 

Position 

Ms Meabh Allen Clerical Officer in Registrar’s Office (contract) 

Ms Gillian Clarke Clerical Officer in Humanities (contract) 

Ms Evelyn Cuddy Executive Officer in Education 

Ms Ciara Magennis Human Resources Manager (contract) 

Ms Sabine O’Dwyer Clerical Officer in Humanities (contract) 

6.3 Retirements 

Ms Mary Sheridan retired as General Operative from the College Cleaning Staff in January 2003. 

Mr Páid McGee retired as Director of Special Education on 31st August 2003. 

page 50

COLÁISTE PHÁDRAIG 

Droim Conrach 

Baile Átha Cliath 9, Éire 

(Coláiste de chuid Ollscoil Chathair 

Bháile Átha Cliath) 

Fón: + 353-1-8842000 

Feacs: +353-1-8376197 

Láithreán Gréasáin: www.spd.dcu.ie 

ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE 

Drumcondra, Dublin 9, Ireland 

(A College of 

Dublin City University) 

Telephone: + 353-1-8842000 

Fax: +353-1-8376197 

Website: www.spd.dcu.ie

2002/03 - St. Patrick's College - DCU

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