Principal appointed to new Athlone secondary school

It was announced today (Thursday) that Brendan Waldron has been appointed as principal of Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone, the new secondary school which will amalgamate St Aloysius College and St Joseph's College, Summerhill. 

The announcement was made by the new school's interim board of management, which said Mr Waldron would take up the post at the beginning of next month.

Mr Waldron is a native of Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo. He has been living in the Bealnamulla area of Athlone for a number of years and has links to local communuity and sporting organisations.

He currently works with the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) on secondment from Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath, where he taught Construction Studies, Materials Technology (Wood), Technical Graphics and Design and Communication Graphics.

His work with PDST included supporting the professional development of teachers and schools nationwide – in particular with Transition Year, Technology Subjects and ICT in learning, teaching and assessment.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Waldron said: “I am delighted to have been appointed the first Principal of Athlone’s newest second level college – Coláiste Chiaráin. The new amalgamated school represents an exciting and hugely significant development for Athlone and South Roscommon.

“I am committed to working together with the staff, students and parents of St Aloysius College and St Joseph’s College, the College Board of Management, the Diocese of Elphin and the entire community to ensure that Coláiste Chiaráin will be a welcoming centre of learning where every student will be cared for as he/she develops physically, spiritually and intellectually during their secondary education.

“I am also very much looking forward to leading the process for the construction of a new state of the art school building on the Summerhill campus which will bring with it some of the very best educational facilities in the country.  In the near future, I hope to meet prospective students and their parents at Coláiste Chiaráin’s first enrolment night on Wednesday, January 25, in Summerhill at 7pm.”

Mr Waldron's appointment was welcomed by the school's patron, Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran, and by the chairperson of the interim board of management, Frank Smith.

“I congratulate Mr Waldron and wish him well in leading and shaping the College into the future,” said Mr Smith.

“Today, in a particular way, I would also like to thank Gearóid Ó Conámha, Principal of St Aloysius College and Liam Nally, Principal of St Joseph’s College for their support for and continued work on the new school project and to wish them well as they complete their terms.”

The new amalgamated school is due to commence at the Summerhill school from September.