Principal appointed at Ballymahon Vocational School

Longford-Westmeath ETB has announced the appointment of Michael O’Rourke as Principal of Ballymahon Vocational School in a permanent capacity. Mr O'Rourke has been working with and leading the school in an acting capacity since March 2021. He will become the ninth principal to Ballymahon Vocational School since its establishment in the 1940s.

Originally from Carrick on Shannon in Co. Leitrim, Mr O'Rourke began teaching in 2001 following graduation from the University of Limerick. As a teacher of Design & Communication Graphics, Construction Studies and Woodwork, Mr O'Rourke also worked with the State Examinations Commission on both practical and theory examinations at Junior and Senior Cycle over many years. He was appointed to the position of Deputy Principal of Templemichael College, Longford Town in 2013.

Ballymahon Vocational School is one of eight secondary schools managed by Longford-Westmeath ETB. It has a school population 420 students. There are over 50 staff members including teachers, SNAs, secretary and ancillary staff.

Mr O'Rourke said: “It is truly an honour to receive news of this appointment to the school in a permanent capacity. I look forward to continuing to work with and lead the management, staff and students here in Ballymahon Vocational School. In my time here I have found the town and community to be very welcoming and proud of their Vocational School. The good will expressed and received at every opportunity for the school coupled with the support for our many activities is very strong. I look forward to building on these strong links and building more partnerships locally to enhance our presence in the community.

"It is of paramount importance to me in the role of Principal that we continue to support all our students in achieving to the best of their ability in Ballymahon Vocational School, and that we prepare our students effectively for their life after post-primary education. This school is the very rock that our students start building their futures on or as Seamus Heaney puts it 'Believe, that a further shore is reachable from here'. We aim to give each individual in our care the best of opportunities and prepare them for life outside of BVS.

Ballymahon Vocational School added a new autism class in September 2022. It offers Junior Cycle including Level 2 Learning Programmes, a very successful Transition Year Programme, Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, Leaving Certificate Applied and Leaving Certificate established. It has recently added Leaving Certificate Physical Education and looks forward to the addition of Leaving Certicate Computer Science.

Mr O'Rourke said: "We are a school with excellent teachers and a strong focus on the development of the whole person. At Ballymahon Vocational School we live out our motto 'Where the Individual Matters' in all aspects of school life daily. All interactions and activities are opportunities for learning. This environment allows students to drive, strive and achieve excellence in all aspects of their school lives."

In congratulating Mr O’Rourke, on his appointment, the management team at the school, said: “Ballymahon Vocational School has grown and developed into an excellent school with a quality teaching and learning curriculum being delivered everyday. We join with the entire school community in wishing him well in his role and we are confident that the ongoing development of the school will continue. We very much look forward to supporting him in his new role.”

As a school of Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board, it is a State, coeducational and multidenominational school. Ballymahon Vocational School welcome students of all faiths and none. We foster inclusiveness and equality in a caring respectful community.

Mr O’Rourke takes up the role of principal of Ballymahon Vocational School with immediate effect.