A Chairde,
I am honoured to write to you for the first time as Director of Cork Education Support Centre, following my appointment by the Minister for Education, Helen McEntee. I officially took up the role on 1st September 2025, and I am very much looking forward to working with you all in the months and years ahead.
Many of you will know me from my time at Christian Brothers College, Cork, where I served as Assistant Principal I and Geography Teacher, with particular responsibilities for Digital Learning and School Self-Evaluation. Having also been a member of the CESC Management Committee, I have seen first-hand the incredible work carried out by the Centre to support teachers, SNAs, school leaders, and those working in the early childhood care and education sector.
It is a true privilege to now lead this work. I am eager to collaborate with the dedicated team here in the Centre and to continue working hand in hand with the Management Committee, whose vision and commitment have been instrumental in the Centre’s growth and success. I also look forward to deepening our connections with colleagues across the national network of Education Support Centres of Ireland (ESCI). Together, we will build on these strong foundations to provide professional learning opportunities that are inclusive, innovative, and of the highest quality.
I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Seán Horgan, who has led CESC with distinction over the past five years. Seán’s steady leadership, particularly during the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, has left an enduring legacy of resilience, collaboration, and innovation. His deep appreciation for Irish history, particularly the Civil War era and the foundation of the State, brought a rich dimension to his work. Seán ran our very successful local history summer courses, which were always fully booked and a highlight for many, combining great fun with valuable learning. On behalf of us all, I extend our warmest wishes to Seán, Lorraine, and their family for continued success and happiness in the future.
As I begin this new chapter, I look forward to engaging with you all, listening to your ideas, and building strong partnerships that will enhance the professional lives of educators within our Cork catchment, and beyond.
Is mór an onóir dom scríobh chugaibh don chéad uair mar Stiúrthóir ar Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Chorcaí, tar éis dom a bheith ceaptha ag an Aire Oideachais, Helen McEntee. Thosaigh mé go hoifigiúil sa ról ar an 1 Meán Fómhair 2025, agus táim ag tnúth go mór le bheith ag obair libh go léir sna míonna agus sna blianta amach romhainn.
Beidh aithne ag go leor agaibh orm ó mo thréimhse i gColáiste na mBráithre Críostaí, Corcaigh, áit ar fhreastail mé mar Phríomhoide Cúnta I agus mar Mhúinteoir Tíreolaíochta, le freagrachtaí ar leith as Foghlaim Dhigiteach agus Féinmheastóireacht Scoile. Ós rud é go rabhas im bhall de Choiste Bainistíochta Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Chorcaí (CESC) chomh maith, chonaic mé go pearsanta an obair dochreidte a dhéanann an tIonad chun tacú le múinteoirí, le Cúntóirí Riachtanas Speisialta, le ceannairí scoile, agus leo siúd atá ag obair in earnáil chúram agus oideachas na luath-óige.
Is fíor-phribhléid é an obair seo a threorú anois. Táim fonnmhar comhoibriú leis an bhfoireann dhíograiseach anseo san Ionad agus leanúint ar aghaidh ag obair lámh ar láimh leis an gCoiste Bainistíochta, a bhfuil a bhfís agus a dtiomantas ríthábhachtach i bhfás agus i rath an Ionaid. Táim ag tnúth chomh maith lenár naisc le comhghleacaithe ar fud líonra náisiúnta Ionaid Tacaíochta Oideachais na hÉireann (ESCI) a dhoimhniú. Le chéile, tógfaimid ar na bunchlocha láidre seo chun deiseanna foghlama gairmiúla a sholáthar atá cuimsitheach, nuálach agus den chaighdeán is airde.
Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas ó chroí a ghabháil chomh maith leis an Uasal Seán Horgan, a bhí i gceannas ar CESC le clú le cúig bliana anuas. D’fhág ceannaireacht sheasta Sheáin, go háirithe le linn dhúshláin gan fasach phaindéim Covid-19, oidhreacht bhuan athléimneachta, comhoibrithe agus nuálaíochta. Thug a mheas domhain ar stair na hÉireann, go háirithe ré an Chogaidh Chathartha agus bunú an Stáit, gné shaibhir dá chuid oibre. Reáchtáil Seán ár gcúrsaí samhraidh staire áitiúla rathúla, a bhí lán i gcónaí agus a bhí ina mbuaicphointe do go leor, ag nascadh spraoi iontach le foghlaim luachmhar. Thar ceann gach éinne, guím rath ó chroí ar Sheán, Lorraine, agus a dteaghlach go leana séan agus sonas iad amach anseo.
Agus mé ag tosú ar an gcaibidil nua seo, táim ag tnúth le bheith ag obair libh go léir, ag éisteacht le bhur smaointe, agus ag tógáil comhpháirtíochtaí láidre a fheabhsóidh saol gairmiúil oideoirí laistigh dár gceantar i gCorcaigh, agus níos faide anonn.
Le gach dea-ghuí
Edmond Hussey
Stiúrthóir | Director
