May 2011
NEWB announce the appointment of Ms. Clare Ryan as Chief Executive Officer

The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB), the national agency with responsibility for encouraging and supporting regular school attendance, participation and retention, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Clare Ryan as Chief Executive Officer.

Clare began her career in Patrician College, Finglas and served as Home School Community Liaison Co-ordinator. She also worked as the National Co-ordinator of the Early School Leaver Initiative and Assistant National Co-ordinator of the Leadership Development Service (LDS) with responsibility for social inclusion. She previously held the position of Principal at St. Leo's College, Carlow and has worked as an associate with LDS both in facilitating in-service for newly appointed Principals and Deputy Principals as well as lecturing and tutoring on the Post-Graduate Diploma in Educational Leadership with NUIM/LDS.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr Cathal Flynn, Chairperson of the NEWB said: "Clare is committed to educational disadvantage and has a thorough knowledge of current service initiatives. She holds the view that enduring change can only be created through meaningful and respectful collaboration with school communities, families and with the child. The Board views her experience as integral to progressing the extended remit of the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) to develop a single, strategic approach to attendance, participation and retention in schools to meet the needs of children who are at risk of early school leaving or of developing attendance problems."