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 18 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 2024/ 2025, 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,
CHAIRPERSON
Hello, my name is Marcie and I am in Fifth Year. I enjoy playing the piano and going out with my friends. I am looking forward to host the students from Spain.
Kyla Davison, Clan Johnson
PR OFFICER
Hi, I’m Kyla in Fifth Year and I enjoy music and politics, this is my first time on student council and I am very excited to contribute to this year.
Erica Scalzo, Clan Adeleke
Hi! My name is Erica and I am in Clan Adeleke. I love listening to music, especially Taylor Swift! This year I am looking forward to activities in Transition Year.
Denisa Virlan, Clan Adeleke,
SENIOR SECRETARY
Hello, My name is Denisa I am a Tranistion Year student in Clan Adeleke. I enjoy walking my dog and history and this year I am looking forward to helping resolve students concerns.
Mack Vallely, Clan O’Donovan
Hi! My name is Mack I am in Clan O’Donovan I enjoy playing football and basketball and this year I am looking forward to making the school even better!
Una Zeile, Clan O’Donovan
Hello, my name is Una I am in Clan O’Donavan. I love drawing and embroidery. I hope to accomplish as much as possible as a member of the student council and make the school a better place for everyone.
Tadhg Atkinson Salam, Clan Markievicz
PSA REPRESENTATIVE
Hello, my name is Tadhg and I am in Clan Markievicz. I like video games and boxing. I am looking forward to the robotics competition in January next year.
Theo Cassidy, Clan Markievicz
PSA REPRESENTATIVE
Hello, my name is Theo and I am in Clan Markievicz. I D and D and history. This year I am looking forward to getting my junior cycle exams done.
Jack Bergin, Clan Pearse,
TREASURER
Salutations, my name is Jack and I am in Clan Pearse. I enjoy meeting new people and playing sports. This year I am looking forward to leading this school to victory in all aspects of life.
Adam Hanvey, Clan Pearse,
DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON
Greetings, my name is Adam and I am in Clan Pearse. I love playing GAA and going out and playing football with my mates. I am looking forward to making this great school tremendous once more.
Rowan Fanning, Clan Collins,
JUNIOR SECRETARY
Hello, my name is Rowan and I am in Clan Collins. I like music and playing basketball. This year I am looking forward to completing the Junior Cycle and heading into TY.
Isabel Blankert, Clan Collins,
BOM REPRESENTATIVE
Hello, my name is Isabel and I am in Clan Collins. I like football and listening to music. This year I am looking forward to completing Junior Cycle and going into TY.
Maebh Coss, Clan Achill,
PR OFFICER
Hi! My name is Maebh and I am in Second Year, Clan Achill. I like to play basketball and am looking forward to making a change in the school.
Áine Duval, Clan Bere
Hello, my name is Áine, I like reading writing and animals, my favourite animal is cats, I’m looking forward to helping out on open day.
Harley Smith, Clan Achill,
PSA LIAISON
Hello, my name is Harley and I am in Second Year, Clan Achill.
I like to play football sometimes, with the boys and learn Spanish while also studying the globe. I am also looking forward to making a change in our exquisite and delightful school.
Daniel Callaghan, Clan Skellig
Hello, my name is Daniel, I like karate and basketball, and I joined the student council to help make change within the school and make it a better experience for everyone else
Sophia Evers, Clan Bere
Hi. My name is Sophia, I’m in Clan Bere, I like reading, and my favourite book is Mistborn Final Empire. This year I am looking forward to helping our school be more eco friendly.
Sophie Kelly, Clan Skellig
Hello, my name is Sophie, I like music and dance. This year I am looking forward to the school musical and helping be a part of the student and to represent skellig.
Sarah Brennan, Clan Attenborough
PR OFFICER
Hello my name is Sarah I am in Clan Attenborough and I like sports and going to Dundrum with my friends. This year I am looking forward to helping around the school.
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.
Eve Brennan, Clan Maathai
Hi my name is Eve I am in Clan Maathai and I like art and I like reading. I am looking forward to studying art as an actual subject this year!
Daniel Dulberg, Clan Maathai,
TREASURER
Hi my name is Daniel and I am in Clan Maathai. I like reading and doing sports. I am looking forward to doing chess and playing basketball this year.
Charles Figgis, Clan Pang
Hello my name is Charles and I am in Clan Pang. In my spare time I enjoy programming and playing video games. This year I am looking forward to progressing my coding skills.
Enerel Kherlen, Clan Pang,
BOM REPRESENTATIVE
Hello my name is Enerel and I am in Clan Pang. I like playing football and basketball and also going to UCD or my estate to hang out with my friends. This year I am looking forward to playing with the football team and contributing to the school.
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: