Eileen Donohoe appointed as new principal of Athlone Comunity College

Eileen Donohoe has been appointed as the new principal of Athlone Community College. Ms Donohoe, who has served as vice principal at the school since November 1993, will succeed Val O'Connor when she takes on the new role on Monday next. Mr O'Connor was the school's principal for 26 years but is now taking up the position of acting chief executive of the Westmeath Vocational Education Committee. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent this week, Ms Donohoe described her appointment as "a great honour" and said serving as a school principal was "the pinnacle of a career in education." "Having worked closely with Val O'Connor since 1993, I am aware of the responsibility to the greater community that the job brings as well as the needs of all the students that enter Athlone Community College," she stated. "I am looking forward to continuing the great work that has been taking place in the school over the last many years." A native of Clonbrusk, Ms Donohoe lives in Barrymore with her husband, Tom. The couple had two children who attended the school, Claire, who is completing a PhD in surgery, and Thomas, who is an actuary. A former Business Studies teacher, Ms Donohoe said that the ethos of Athlone Community College was to ensure that every student who attended the school would receive a well-rounded and rewarding education. "In my role as principal, I hope to continue to focus on the needs of the students and ensure that the overall quality of education in the school continues to evolve and flourish," she said. She described the reaction of colleagues to her appointment as very positive and said it had given her great hope that she could build on the successes of the school over the coming years. "I believe that the staff of Athlone Community College are among the best in the country and I'm sure that they are looking forward to the new challenges that lie ahead as much as myself," she commented. Ms Donohoe received support and well wishes from her family and others in Athlone following her appointment. "I'm sure my parents would also be very proud as they instilled a love for education and a strong work ethic," she said. She wished Mr O'Connor well in his new role and said she greatly enjoyed working with him. "Although there will be a transition period over the next few months, as there would be in any change of management within an organisation, I will ensure that the changeover of management will be seamless for students and that the quality of education will continue to be the foremost focus of the school," she said.