Inver College in Carrickmacross saw the arrival of their new principal last week. Mr Thomas Sharkey is a teacher of Gaeilge and History. He started his teaching career in St Macartan’s College in Monaghan and continued to teach in Ardee Community School and Bush Post Primary School in County Louth. After a short spell as Deputy Principal in Beech Hill College, Mr Sharkey was appointed by CMETB to lead Inver College. Mr Sharkey has also been recently appointed as a Peace Commissioner by Minister Frances Fitzgerald.
“My focus for Inver College is the delivery of success and the celebration of every student’s achievements. I have a great ambition for every child who walks through our doors. I enjoy meeting the school buses and parent’s cars each morning outside our gates, greeting the students and setting a positive tone for each school day.
Mr Sharkey spent 8 years working as an Advisor within the Department of Education and Skills, promoting the delivery of Literacy & Numeracy, Assessment for Learning, ICT, School Self Evaluation and the new Junior Cycle.
“They were exciting years and working so closely with department inspectors has sharpened my ability to manage the work of a school and drive student success. I have been an examiner with the State Examinations Commission for many years and love calling to lessons to advise students on exam technique, focussing on success criteria.
“Inver College has embraced the newly reformed Junior Cycle and is the only school in the town and area to deliver the modern programme. Continuous Assessment which allows students to be aware of how they learn and how to manage information is central to the new Junior Cycle. Inver College was founded to support economic and social change and it is our ambition to deliver for a modern innovative economy and society for years to come.
Speaking of the future Mr Sharkey remarked “I told the staff and many students that I am 40 years of age and don’t expect to retire until I am 68. That leaves me with a 28 year career ahead of me as Príomhoide of Inver College – I will see many changes and all for the good.”
