New principal to take over at Boyne Community School

Boyne Community School deputy principal Elizabeth Cahill will take over the role of principal of the school next month following the retirement of Cora Dunne. Both Ms Cahill and Ms Dunne taught at the Vocational School in Trim before it amalgamated with St Michael's CBS to form the Boyne Community School in 2001. A native of Kilcock, Ms Dunne has been teaching in Trim for 38 years, and taught maths before becoming deputy principal of the Vocational School in 1994. She joined Boyne Community School as deputy principal in 2001 and was appointed principal in 2003. "It has been very challenging but it was a great opportunity for me to be involved with a new school and to create a new culture down the school. It's a great school and we have created a good team and I'm leave a good legacy behind," said Ms Dunne. She added that it was nice to retire when she is still able to enjoy life and that it is time "to take some for herself and do something different". She added: "Right throughout my time, I have put a lot of structures in place and we are growing the whole time." When asked what she will remember as her greatest achievement, she said the greatest satisfaction is in the small things. "I feel very proud when I see a child become a contributing member of society. People see a bigger picture but it is often the small success stories that have the most impact, like students who do well in difficult circumstances." Boyne Community School opened with 560 students. While numbers did reduce slightly for a time, there are now 650 students in the school. Ms Dunne is enjoying her last few weeks in the school and will retire after the mid-term break in October. Deputy principal Elizabeth Cahill will take over as principal and, like Ms Dunne, she also taught in Trim Vocational School. Ms Cahill taught Irish, English and Communications and joined Boyne Community School in 2001, becoming deputy principal two years later. She said: "It is a community school and I would like to maintain the ethos of the school and move the school forward. We have a good range of practical and academic subjects as well as a varied night class programme. We have a great staff who are very committed, and supportive parents and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead and continuing to work with our staff." Ms Cahill said she would make sure they continue to have a balance between practical and academic subjects and they also have a good students council, good sports facilities, including golf, hurling and kayaking, and a good music and arts programme in the school.