ISM Team 2025 - 2026
Hannah O’Connor
Deputy Principal
My name is Hannah O'Connor and I am delighted to be continuing in my role as Deputy Principal of St. Patrick's NS this year. As I continued to work closely with Ms Harper, some of my duties and responsibilities include leading the ongoing work of embedding Bí Cineálta into our school culture, overseeing child protection and safeguarding—including the implementation of the new Child Protection Procedures for 2025—and acting as the School Safety Officer. I am also the lead for the curriculum area of SPHE (Social, Personal and Health Education). I look after assessment across the school, including our standardised testing, and serve as the Droichead Coordinator, a role I truly enjoy as it allows me to mentor and support newly qualified teachers. I also have the pleasure of being Year Head for 6th Class this year. I look forward to working alongside all members of the school community to strengthen our partnerships and ensure the best education and overall school experience for our pupils.
Caragh Miller
AP1
My name is Caragh Miller, and I’m so excited to be rejoining the wonderful community at St. Patrick’s NS. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to teach in several international schools and have held senior leadership roles, including here at St. Patrick’s. I’m passionate about creating a holistic learning environment where every child feels valued, confident, and supported to reach their full potential. One of my favourite parts of teaching is getting to know each student’s unique journey and supporting their growth both socially and academically. St. Patrick’s is such a special place — a community that fosters self-belief, independence, and a genuine love of learning — and I’m thrilled to be part of it once again. This year in my role as AP1, I’ll be leading STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and supporting the implementation of the new Maths Curriculum. I’ll also be coordinating resources as the school's Resources Coordinator, updating policies related to STEM-focused weeks, and working closely with Ms. Harper on the school’s 5-year plan. In addition, I’ll be involved in SNA training and meetings with Ms. Van Rooy and supporting school communications such as Instagram and the website alongside Ms. Dodd. I’ll also be taking on the role of Year Head for 4th Class and contributing to our SSE (School Self Evaluation) process in collaboration with the Principal and Deputy Principal. I’m really looking forward to working together and contributing to another inspiring and productive year at St. Patrick’s.
Emma Van Rooy
Acting Up AP1
My name is Emma Van Rooy. I am a caring and enthusiastic primary teacher who loves helping every child reach their full potential in a happy and inclusive classroom. As Head of Learning Support, I work with Ms Harper, teachers and families to make sure every child feels supported and confident in their learning. I’m also a Droichead Mentor, and I really enjoy guiding and encouraging new teachers as they begin their careers. I currently teach 4th Class Beech and serve as Year Head for 1st Class, helping to create positive, engaging learning experiences across the school. Building connections, nurturing confidence, and inspiring a love of learning are at the heart of all I do.
Alizia Gisler
AP2
My name is Alizia Gisler, and I have been teaching for 25 years, primarily in the senior classes of the school. Most recently, I stepped into the role of Deputy Principal, where I supported Ms. Harper in the day-to-day running of the school. I am also proud to serve as the staff representative on the Board of Management. As the school’s lead for the Creative Clusters Programme, I coordinate a collaborative initiative with Transition Year students from Temple Carrig, delivering a digital wellbeing and online safety programme to 6th Class pupils. This project builds on a successful pilot myself and Ms Harper launched last year and reflects my strong commitment to supporting students in their transition to secondary school. I ensure all Educational Passports are completed thoroughly and that comprehensive handovers take place with receiving schools. Throughout my career, I have always enjoyed supporting and mentoring newly qualified teachers. I recently completed Droichead PST (Professional Support Team) training, which enables me to guide and encourage NQTs as they begin their professional journey. In my AP2 role, I have been actively involved in the development and review of the school’s literacy policy. I also promote whole-school engagement in the annual “Write a Book” competition, helping to foster a love for writing among pupils. To further support Gaeilge in the school, I introduced the weekly “Frása na Seachtaine”, which encourages conversational Irish across all classes. I have also led the Junior Entrepreneur Programme for many years. This exciting initiative allows students to explore creativity, teamwork, and business skills as they develop and market their own products. It’s always inspiring to see the enthusiasm, collaboration, and friendships that grow during the programme. In addition to these roles, I am Year Head for 5th Class, providing ongoing support to the teaching team in the areas of planning, curriculum, and pastoral care. As I continued to work closely with Ms Harper, some of my duties and responsibilities include leading the ongoing work of embedding Bí Cineálta into our school culture, overseeing child protection and safeguarding—including the implementation of the new Child Protection Procedures for 2025—and acting as the School Safety Officer. I am also the lead for the curriculum area of SPHE (Social, Personal and Health Education). I look after assessment across the school, including our standardised testing, and serve as the Droichead Coordinator, a role I truly enjoy as it allows me to mentor and support newly qualified teachers. I also have the pleasure of being Year Head for 6th Class this year. I look forward to working alongside all members of the school community to strengthen our partnerships and ensure the best education and overall school experience for our pupils.
Rachel Flynn
AP2
My name is Rachel Flynn. This is my eighth year working at St. Patrick’s, and I am currently teaching Junior Infants. It has been a pleasure to join the leadership team, and I am excited to work alongside Ms. Harper and my wonderful colleagues in continuing to support our school community. This year, I am taking on the role of Year Head for Senior Infants, where I will support the teachers and classes through collaborative planning and by attending relevant meetings. I am also on the Bí Cineálta Wellbeing committee which champions kindness and supports our updated anti-bullying policy. As part of this work, I will continue to lead the Bí Cineálta Student Wellbeing Committee, encouraging the student voice and promote a positive, inclusive school environment. In addition to my teaching and wellbeing roles, I share leadership of the curricular areas of Literacy and Gaeilge alongside Ms. Gisler. Together, we support the development, monitoring, and implementation of whole-school strategies to ensure high-quality, engaging, and inclusive teaching and learning. As part of my wider leadership duties, I help monitor key policy review dates with Ms Harper and support staff in staying up to date with relevant documentation. I will also work closely with the PTA to help maintain and update our school noticeboards, ensuring the school environment remains informative, welcoming, and student-centred. I support the coordination of both long- and short-term planning across the school to promote consistency and high standards. I am passionate about early childhood education, student wellbeing, and collaborative school leadership. I look forward to continuing to work with parents, staff, and students to ensure a happy, safe, and supportive school experience for every child at St. Patrick’s.
Sian Dodd
AP2
My name is Sian Dodd. I'm really excited to be joining the ISM team for the first time this year as Head of 3rd Class. This role brings together two things I’m passionate about: creativity and supporting others. As part of my post, I will be working closely with Ms Harper and I’ll be assisting staff with ICT throughout the school including laptops and printers to help keep teaching and learning running smoothly. I’ll also be lead for the curriculum area of Art and leading whole-school art projects and coordinating community displays—an area close to my heart, having spent the past few years developing creative initiatives throughout the school. In addition, I’ll be managing our art resources and supporting the school’s social media and website, helping to celebrate and share all the wonderful things happening at St. Patrick’s with the wider community.
Wendy Wood
Acting Up AP2
My name is Wendy Wood. As part of the In-School Management team at St. Patrick’s NS, I am privileged to coordinate An Cuan, our Autism classes, and to work closely with the pupils, parents, and staff who make this such a special part of our school community. I am a Special Education Teacher with Postgraduate qualifications in Autism Studies and in Special Education and Inclusion, and I am deeply passionate about supporting inclusive education for all.
Erica Guiry
Acting Up AP2
My name is Erica Guiry. As a dedicated member of the school management team and a recent graduate of the Master of Education in Inclusion and Diversity, I am deeply committed to supporting and celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures, nationalities, and abilities that make up our school community. My focus is on fostering an inclusive, united environment where every child feels recognised, valued, and empowered to thrive. I am passionate about creating meaningful teaching and learning opportunities that honour our differences while nurturing a strong sense of shared belonging. I look forward to continuing my collaboration with the gardening committee to ensure our school garden offers a calm, nurturing space that supports regulation, well-being, and connection. This space also acts as a central hub where our wider school community can come together to promote sustainable practices and environmental responsibility. Through our Green Schools and eco-friendly initiatives, I look forward to supporting our cycle of continuous observation, action and review, ensuring our school environment actively contributes to national energy-saving efforts and models positive environmental practices for all. I also look forward to working with Ms Harper and supporting our fantastic team of teachers, SNAs, and staff which includes my role as year head for 2nd Class. This will include participating in the coordination of school events such as Active School Week, Wellbeing Week, and seasonal celebrations like our Christmas activities.
