Principal Mrs McShane leaving Wilson’s Hospital School
The board of Wilson’s Hospital School announced this week the departure later this summer of principal and warden Mrs Niamh McShane. She will take up the position of principal in Bandon Grammar School in mid-August.
Over the last six years Mrs McShane has given diligent service to Wilson’s Hospital School, and her keen interest in student wellbeing is evident in many of the developments pursued there.
She has embodied the school motto, Res Non Verba (actions not words) and always encourages people to be kind.
During her tenure, academic standards have risen at the school and the average Leaving Cert points now stand at 421, while more than 50% of students gain more than 450 points.
The school curriculum has diversified. The introduction of the subject Technology, Coding and Philosophy short courses for Junior Cycle, the LCA programme and most recently a special class for ASD students demonstrates a move towards a more responsive curriculum to meet the wider needs of the students.
Mrs McShane led the team through the challenges brought by Covid-19 with her “persistently cheerful” approach.
Seizing on the enforced break Covid brought to the boarding school, Niamh rolled up her sleeves and oversaw major building work throughout the male and female boarding residences.
Elsewhere on the campus, there is a new all-weather hockey pitch and the school has commenced a major building project that will increase the teaching and learning facility by a third.
Mrs McShane is always cognisant of the students living and learning at WHS and has a keen understanding of the need of the co-curriculum. As a result, there is now a peripatetic instrumental music and drama programme and the students are blossoming with it.
The diversity in after school activities from Open Minds, Debating, Dungeons and Dragons, Christian Union and Philosophy through to Coding, Baking, Crafts and Junk Kouture ensures that students are given every opportunity to pursue their talents and interests.
Raising the Amber flag to acknowledge the work for wellbeing in the school was celebrated this week.
This year Wilson’s have been awarded the Leinster Rugby ‘Development School of the Year’ award, testimony to their progress in the sport.
The partnership made with Mullingar Hockey Club has greatly enhanced the hockey development plan and the success in basketball, orienteering and athletics amongst others demonstrates the energy that abounds.
The school community wish Mrs McShane all the best with her new position.
“We will miss her and the rest of the McShane household from the campus,” said a colleague on behalf of the school.
The board is now commencing recruitment for the 15th principal and warden of Wilson’s Hospital School.
Mrs McShane said that while she will really miss everyone in the immediate and wider Wilson’s community, she is looking forward to moving back to her beloved Munster.
She wished the school every success in the future and promised to keep in touch.
Gach rath uirthi amach anseo!