St Joseph’s Secondary School is a Co-educational Voluntary Secondary school of 890 students ranging in age from 12 to 19. The school is a DEIS school which means it is recognised by the Department of Education and Skills as a school which requires additional supports to cater for a high level of students who come from low income and disadvantage.
Approximately 30% of the school population has additional needs and 30% of students come from homes where English is not the home language. The school employs 72 teachers and 8 Special Needs Assistants – the total number of employees is 87.
The school prepares students for state examinations at Junior Cycle, Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied. The school is a Digital Strategy School and was one of the first schools in the country to use iPads as a learning tool, teach coding at Junior Cycle and was a pilot school for Computer Studies at Leaving Certificate. St Joseph’s was the pilot school for College Awareness Week and the Trinity Access-linked College For Every Student initiative.
Leadership Team from St Joseph’s Secondary School
Darragh Nealon
Daragh is the Principal of St. Joseph’s Secondary School. Before becoming principal Daragh occupied many important leadership roles including Deputy Principal, Year Head, Guidance counsellor, College for Every Student coordinator, and Student Support Team Coordinator. Daragh’s initial qualification was as a Business teacher and he subsequently undertook postgraduate studies in guidance counselling and a Masters in Education Leadership. Furthermore, Daragh is considered an authority on developing a college-going culture and has presented at a variety of national and international forums.
Darren Byrne
Darren is a Deputy Principal at St. Joseph’s Secondary school. Darren joined the school staff in 2008. Darren’s initial qualification was as a teacher of Art; he subsequently undertook postgraduate studies in 21st Century Teaching and Learning and a Master’s in Education in Cooperative Learning. Darren is regarded as an authority on the development of Student Voice and Learner Voice in education circles nationwide. Darren will act as St. Joseph’s Secondary School Team Leader and represent our team at all Transnational Meetings.
Eimear McCarthy
Eimear is an Assistant Principal at St. Joseph’s Secondary school. Eimear joined the school staff in 2008. Eimear’s initial qualification was as a teacher of Irish & Maths; she has also subsequently undertaken postgraduate studies in 21st Century Teaching and Learning and a Master’s in Education in Cooperative Learning. Furthermore, Eimear is regarded as an authority on the development of School Self Evaluation she is also an expert practitioner in Junior Cycle Key Skills and active learning methodologies, as such Eimear will act as the Irish team’s Bridge 21 model consultant.
The Teaching Team from St Joseph’s Secondary School
David O’Hara
David has been an English and Geography teacher in St. Joseph’s Secondary School for the last 5 years. He has studied at both Maynooth University and Trinity College Dublin. David is interested in collaborative practices and as such he believes that a collective can be greater than the sum of its parts, a belief he hopes to hold true during this Erasmus. David is the subject coordinator for the English department and is a leading member of the school’s communications team.
Chris O’Connell
Chris is a Chemistry and Science teacher with two at St. Joseph’s Secondary School. Chris graduated from DCU with a BSc in Analytical Science and a Professional Master of Education. Chris is also the administrator of the school Astronomy Club, and is also involved with National Science Competitions; BTYSTE and ‘Scifest’. Prior to joining St Joseph’s Secondary school, Chris worked as a Quality Control Laboratory Analyst for over ten years in both Pharmaceutical and Bioanalytical laboratory environments.
Claire Cooke
Claire has been an English, Geography and SET teacher in St Joseph’s for the last three years. She has studied in St Patrick’s College and Dublin City University, where she completed a research paper into the transition from primary to post-primary for AEN students and how to promote inclusivity in the classroom. Claire is a core member of the school’s AEN team and JCSP Coordinator, as well as being a member of the Literacy Team in the school. She is also the administrator of the school’s Homework Club and is the leading member of the school’s Digital Literacy Team.
Meagan Morrissey
Megan is a Mathematics and English teacher who joined St. Joseph’s Secondary School in 2019. She specialised in Creative Writing while studying her undergraduate degree at NUI Galway, before continuing to UCD to complete a Professional Masters of Education. Megan is subject coordinator of the Mathematics department, a member of The Literacy and Numeracy team and a member of The Digital Literacy Team. She is interested in active teaching methodologies, integrated ICT use and teaching students reflective practices.
