Our school relies on the strong community of students, parents and teachers to bring our culture to life and to run the school efficiently and effectively. Relationships are at the core of everything we do. By fostering positive, open and honest relationships, we believe that there will rarely be any problem that we can not solve together.
The Board of Management is a dynamic and unifying force which manages the school on behalf of the patron. The Board must uphold the characteristic ethos of the school and is accountable to the patron for so doing, under the Education Act 1998
A key priority for the year 2024/ 2025 is for the Board to work through the latest iteration of the Looking At Our School (LAOS) 2022 document.
During 2024/ 2025, the Board intends to work on identifying effective and highly effective practice in its own work and to work to support teachers and the senior leadership team to do the same in their areas of responsibility.
Principal: Jonathan Browner, (Secretary to the Board of Management) Please click here for further details
Deputy Principal: Matthew Quinn (in attendance) Please click here for further details
Samantha Holman (Chairperson, appointed 2023):
Samantha Holman is CEO of the Irish Copyright Licensing Agency and teaches copyright law in Ireland and abroad. She has also been involved in setting up an organisation to mentor parents of children with autism (PRISM DLR) and is currently doing a Diploma in Education Law. She is particularly interested in inclusive education and promoting school as a partnership between students, parents and staff.
Louise Callaghan:
Louise Callaghan is an award-winning accountant with many years experience in both the private and not for profit sectors. For the past number of years she has specialised in not-for-profit management and has also worked in developing advocacy awareness and skills with primary and post-primary students across Ireland.
Louis is the current Chairperson of Le Cheile Youth Mentoring, a community-based volunteer mentoring and family support service, which works with young people involved in or at risk of offending.
Mark Cookman:
Mark Cookman lives locally and is one of the community representatives on the Board of Management. Mark spent his teaching career in Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock where he taught Geography and History until he took up the position of Guidance Counsellor. He was appointed Deputy Principal of Newpark in 2006, a role from which he has recently retired.
Siobhán Corry:
Siobhán is an experienced second-level teacher and principal who has recently retired as a senior advisor with the Joint Managerial Body (JMB) which advises school principals and Chairpersons on school management.
Eddie McGinn: Please click here for further details.
Suzin Staunton: Please click here for further details.
Leo Bergin:
Leo has a background in education, having taught and/or held middle- management positions in primary schools in London, Bangkok, Dubai, Cairo and Dublin. He appreciates the importance of education and knows what good education looks like.
Academic qualifications include a Masters in Education (Leadership and Management) and a MSc. in Management. He also completed a Certificate in Transformative Community Education and more recently, a short course on 'Corporate Governance for State and Public Sector Bodies'.
He considers himself very lucky to have a school like Goatstown Educate Together, and all it represents, for his children in this area. Contributing to the school's continued progress is important to him and he is “honoured to be a member of the Board of Management”.
Dana Conaty:
Dana is a dedicated parent who is passionate about education and the well-being of students. With her strong background in change management, Dana brings valuable insights and a strong commitment to contribute to the growth and success of our school community.
During her professional career, Dana has successfully led numerous change initiatives, working to implement effective strategies that drive progress and improve outcomes with focus on risk management.
Dana actively contributed to the development of educational institutions. As a previous member of the Board of Trustees of the Saint Nicholas Montessori Society of Ireland, she had the privilege of working closely with educators, parents, and administrators to shape policies and initiatives that promote inclusive and high-quality education.
Currently, Dana also serves as the Chair of the Parent-Staff Association here at Goatstown ETSS, where she actively engages with all stakeholders to foster a collaborative and supportive environment within our school community.
Dana is a qualified Change Manager, Agile practitioner and Business Analyst.
tbc
In Goatstown ETSS, we value the input of our students and recognise the importance of their involvement in our ongoing school development. The student council provides a platform for our students' voices to be heard and plays an integral role in student leadership in our school. Two members of the student council are elected to be associate members of the school’s Board of Management.
The Student Council of Goatstown ETSS is comprised of two clan representatives from each clan who have been voted for by their peers. Currently there are 32 members on the Student Council.
The Student Council meets fortnightly. After each meeting the student council representatives feedback topics discussed and gather data and ideas during Clan Tutor time. Once everything is agreed the two Associate Student Council Board members then update the School Board of Management monthly of progress on initiatives that they are organising, to get approval on new initiatives and to allow the board to understand issues from the students' perspective.
For the school year 2025/2026, the student council is aiming to establish itself as an integral part of school life that works with the student body and staff to ensure student voice is felt in all aspects of the school. This will be achieved through reviewing and developing polices (i.e. the dress code), organising and leading at least one whole school event and most importantly developing strategies that will allow the student council to gather data from the student body and creatively devise innovative and practical solutions.
Marcie O’Brien, Clan Johnson
Hello, I am in Sixth Year.
I love to go to work and play the piano in my spare time, this is my fourth year in the student council and I love to be a boss, slay slay slay
Kyla Davison, Clan Johnson
Hi, I’m Kyla in Sixth Year and I enjoy music and politics, this is my second year on student council and I am very excited to contribute this year.
Erica Scalzo, Clan Adeleke
Hi! My name is Erica and I am in Fifth Year. I enjoy reading and listening to music. I was in student council last year, and I am looking forward to continuing to make changes and help the student body.
Bhavya Bharath, Clan Adeleke
Hi! I am in Fifth Year. I enjoy reading and my favourite genres are fantasy and romance. I have been on the student council in the past and helped initiate international day. I hope to continue to make changes in our school and I am going to enjoy student council.
Airat Ishkuvatov, Clan O’Donovan
Howdy! I am a Fifth Year student and I’m looking forward to making the school better for the people. I enjoy playing videogames and going on walks.
Emeraude Halaoui, Clan O’Donovan
Hola! I am in Fifth Year and I am so excited to help make a change in this school that will benefit everyone and have everyone’s voices heard.
Max Healy, Clan O’Gara
Hey I’m Max! I’m in TY and I’m excited for the school trips like Gaisce. I’ve never been in the student council before but I can’t wait to get started and I’m hoping it will be a rewarding experience where I can put forward ideas and use my voice 😊
Ayla Fitzgerald, Clan O’Gara
I’m Ayla and I’m in TY, this is my first time being in the student council and I’d love to help out the school community and hopefully host some fun events for our school and possibly raise money for good causes . I’m looking forward to the trips this year and I hope transition year will make me gain life skills!
Oscar Gnutek, Clan O’hAilpín
I’m 15 years of age and I am very much looking forward to my TY trips and the musical. I hope to organise many cool things for everyone this year.
Adam Hanvey, Clan O’hAilpín,
Greetings, my name is Adam. I’m the ripe old age of 16 and I am looking forward to spreading the schools dominion over south side Dublin and I can’t wait for Gaisce and doing the musical! it should be fun!
Aisling McKenna, Clan O’Sullivan
I’m 15 and I’m in TY. I’m looking forward to get to try all the different subjects I didn’t get to do for Junior Cycle.
Isabel Blankert, Clan O’Sullivan,
I’m in Transition Year, I look forward to the trips we get to go on and the different experiences we will get like the Erasmus exchange.
Rowan Fanning, Clan O’Gara
What’s the jazz?!?!?! I’m Rowan and I’m just starting Transition Year! This is my second time being elected for the Student Council, so I know how things roll. I like participating in group activities where everyone works together, and doing artsy stuff like Creative Writing and Music. I’m really looking forward to all the trips and stuff. It will be a nonchalant blast.
Maebh Coss, Clan Achill
Hi I’m Maebh and I’m in Third Year. I enjoy basketball and going out with my friends. This year I’m looking forward to being in the student council it should be fun!
Harley Smith, Clan Achill
Hi, I am Harley and I’m in Third Year. I like geography, history and I’m looking forward to the junior cycle this year. My favourite colour is blue, my favourite animal is a crocodile.
Lily Melia, Clan Bere
Hello I am Lily, I like music and this year I am looking forward to spending time with my friends and to TY next year.
Oscar Casserly, Clan Bere
Howdy. I’m a Third Year student. I like acting and football. I’m looking forward to trying to make the school a better place through the Student Council.
Michael Barrett, Clan Skellig
I’m 14 and I’m in Third Year this year I’m excited to make great changes with the other student council members. I love Matcha and manga .
Laura Scalzo, Clan Skellig
Hi, I’m 14 and in Third Year this year. I’m excited to help make the school a more environmentally friendly place to be, as well as a more welcoming environment.
Daksh Kumar, Clan Attenborough
Hi there! I’m 13 years old and this year and I’m really looking forward to being a fun and helpful student council member!
Zoe O’Kelly, Clan Attenborough
Hello my name is Zoe I am in Clan Attenborough and I like reading and swimming. This year I am looking forward to being on the student council and helping around the school.
Ahmed El Sheikh Idris, Clan Maathai
I’m 13 and in Second Year. I’m looking forward to badminton on Wednesdays and to write music in music class.
Daniel Dulberg, Clan Maathai
I’m 13 and I am in Second Year. I am looking forward to playing basketball. I am also excited to do my CBA’s
Charles Figgis, Clan Pang
Hello my name is Charles and I am in Second Year. In my spare time I enjoy programming and playing videogames. This year I am looking forward to learning new things in Applied Tech.
Ruairí Coss, Clan Pang
Hello, I am in Second Year. I like playing basketball and other sports. I have never been in the student council but I am excited to be a representative this year. I will try to make the school a better place and enjoy myself.
Lizzy Scott, Clan Cú Chulainn
Hi! I’m 12 and I am in First Year. I’m looking forward to helping the school change and helping them make school more fun. I enjoy doing karate and I love cats.
Sophie Connolly, Clan Cú Chulainn
Hi! I’m 13 and I’m in First Year. This year I am looking forward to making great changes to the school. I like to play football and read.
Mae McCormack, Clan Danu
Hi! I am in First Year. I love to dance, read and listening to music. This year I am looking forward to doing home economics and making new friends!
Maia Whelan, Clan Danu
Hi! I am in First Year. I like to listen to music and play GAA. This year I am excited to be apart of the student council and try to make the school a better place!
Saoirse Davis, Clan Lir
I’m in First Year and I love football, badminton and I am in a scout group. I’m looking forward to helping my class and the school.
Luca Gubellini, Clan Lir
I’m in First Year and I like football, swimming, running, food and video games. I’m looking forward to the student council.
The Parent Staff Association is the structure through which all parents/guardians/carers of students in our school can work in cooperation with the Board, Principal and staff to achieve the best possible education for their children.
Message from PSA chairperson, Dana Conaty:
We are happy to report on the formation of Goatstown ETSS Parent Staff Association with 10 members from the parent body and 2 staff. A chairperson and treasurer have been selected from the parent members.
Our immediate objectives are to:
1) Agree and put in place the PSA constitution
2) Collate feedback on homework policy
3) Plan a community building event
The PSA is excited to support our school in its developing journey.
The minutes of meetings will be published on this page.
Chair: Dana Conaty
Secretary: Nicola MacCarthy
Treasurer: Denise Fitzsimons
Board of Management: Moya Carey
Staff Representatives: Jonathan Browner, Eddie McGinn, Máire Toomey
Provides a platform to represent the views of parents to the Principal and Board of Management.
Acts in an advisory and consultative capacity in relation to school policies.
Provides a forum for discussion on general issues of interest or concern.
Promotes and fosters effective cooperation between staff and parents.
Aids in the organisation of school events, information evenings and fundraisers.
Upholds the ethos of Goatstown Educate Together Secondary School.
Perhaps you have a skill that the school might benefit from, or have some free time and could help with one of the many school activities. If you would like to offer help, please contact us at psa@goatstownetss.ie.
Parent Staff Association (PSA) meetings take place in the Belfield room at 7pm - dates in school calendar.
FUNDRAISING FOR OUR SCHOOL
We are always searching for innovative ways to raise vital funds for our school. If you have any ideas for a school fundraiser or would like to get involved in managing a fundraising event, please make contact with the Parent Staff Association.
FUNDRAISING FOR THE WIDER COMMUNITY
Here in Goatstown ETSS, we believe in helping to raise awareness about local and global issues. We hope that throughout the year our staff and students will be involved in many initiatives and the organising of fundraisers to support various causes.
The annual pub quiz is an important part of the PSA’s fundraising efforts and all funds raised will be put towards putting books in the school’s library, instruments for the music classroom, and means for the school’s sports teams to compete in interschool competitions.
Every half term we will have a new newsletter to share with parents, staff and students. Our newsletters are produced by our Journalism Team using Microsoft Sway. The most recent newsletters can be found below: