Principal Appointed to Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone

Welcome for New Principal at Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone

 The Interim Board of Management of Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone has announced the appointment of Mr. Brendan Waldron as Principal of the College.  Mr Waldron will take up the post at the beginning of February 2017.

A native of Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo, Mr. Waldron is a member of the Athlone/South Roscommon community, living in Bealnamulla for a number of years. He has strong links with local community and sporting organisations.  Mr. Waldron is a graduate of the University of Limerick and Maynooth University. At present he is working 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. Over his career, he has also has been involved in many aspects of education and leadership, including ICT and educational policy development.

Responding to 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 25^th January in Summerhill at 7pm.”

The Patron of the College, Bishop Kevin Doran said: “I warmly welcome the appointment of Mr. Brendan Waldron as Principal of Coláiste Chiaráin. He has significant experience both in teaching and in supporting teachers, which will be one of his key tasks in the years ahead. Coláiste Chiaráin is intended to ensure that young people in the West Athlone area will have the option, in their own community, of a Catholic education to the highest academic standards. It seems appropriate, therefore that the new Principal is someone who has established his own roots in that same community. I look forward very much to working with Brendan.”

The Chairperson of the Interim Board of Management of Coláiste Chiaráin, Mr Frank Smith noted how the appointment of Mr Waldron as Principal marked another significant and exciting milestone in the development of the new College. He said: “I congratulate Mr Waldron and wish him well in leading and shaping the College into the future. Today, in a particular way, I would also like to thank Mr Gearóid Ó Conámha, Principal of St Aloysius College and Mr 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 as Principal over the summer of 2017.”