Ronan Scally takes reins as new principal of Ardnagrath NS

Ardnagrath National School in Westmeath has welcomed Ronan Scally as its new principal following the retirement this year of Amelia Keena, who led the school for 43 years.

Mr Scally attended primary school in Multyfarnham before going on to CBS Mullingar. His route into teaching was perhaps unsurprising, with both of his parents being Irish teachers.

While teaching was always part of family life, Mr Scally said he was particularly drawn to working with younger children and chose a career in primary education. Mr Scally joins Ardnagrath having spent the past three years as teaching principal at Milltown NS.

He qualified as a primary teacher in 2012, having studied at St Pat’s College in Drumcondra, before beginning his teaching career at St Mary’s, Mullingar. He also spent a number of years teaching in Dubai before returning to Ireland, where he developed an interest in school leadership.

“I just kind of took an interest in developing leadership capacity, I suppose,” he said.

Mr Scally went on to complete the Professional Diploma in School Leadership (PDSL) at the University of Limerick before taking up the principal’s role at Milltown NS.

He said he was attracted to the Ardnagrath position after seeing the vacancy, having already been aware of the school’s strong reputation.

“I knew that it had a reputation as being a nice school and it was probably the next logical career step for me,” he said.

There are a number of similarities between Milltown NS and Ardnagrath, according to Mr Scally, with both being rural schools serving similar communities and having comparable pupil numbers.

“It was smaller,” Mr Scally said of Milltown NS. “There’s a lot more staff here in Ardnagrath with the special classes.”

Having only taken up his new position on Thursday, August 27, and with pupils returning to school on Monday, August 31, Mr Scally is still very much getting to know the school, its pupils, staff and the wider community.

He has nevertheless received a warm welcome. “Everyone, staff and students, seem happy coming into school,” he said. Mr Scally acknowledged that he has “big boots to fill” following Ms Keena’s 43 years at the helm, but said he hopes to build on the legacy she leaves behind.

In particular, he wants to maintain Ardnagrath’s reputation as a happy and inclusive school that is highly regarded within the local community and further afield.

His immediate priority will not be to make sweeping changes, but instead to build relationships and get to know the school community.

“I suppose it’s concentrating on relationships, getting to know everybody and getting to know the whole school community,” he said.

Mr Scally also hopes to build on existing initiatives within the school while incorporating educational technology where possible.

Sport will be another area of focus for the new principal. A keen sportsman, he plays with Bunbrosna GAA and Crookedwood GAA, and is keen to continue Ardnagrath’s reputation for sporting excellence.

With his first school year now beginning, Mr Scally said he is looking forward to settling into his new role and thanked the local community for the welcome he has received so far.

“I hope to have a long, long and happy time here,” he said.