Welcome to the ‘Let’s Talk Ethos,‘ podcast! Join us as we explore the ETBI Patrons Framework from the diverse perspectives of stakeholders, shedding light on what defines the ethos of ETB schools and what it truly means to be part of an ETB school community. We will also be having discussions with a varied group of influential speakers from across many different backgrounds. Tune in for enlightening conversations that unravels the core values and how they shape ETB schools, diversity, anti-bias, racism and much more.

We would like to extend a special thank you to our friends at the Dún Laoghaire Further Education Institute (DFEi) for their support in recording

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Episode 8 – Ethos Leadership Symposium Panel Discussion

This special episode of  the  Let’s Talk Ethos series, focuses on a panel discussion. At the Let’s Talk Ethos Leadership Team National Symposium, held in Athlone on April 22, 2024, an engaging panel discussion unfolded, chaired by Dr Séamus Conboy, Director of Schools at ETBI. Six Ethos Leads took the stage to share their experiences in bringing the ETBI Patrons’ Framework on Ethos (2022) to life across ETB schools nationwide. The conversation delved into how ethos is being implemented through School Self-Evaluation (SSE), the evolving role of Ethos Coordinators, and the transformative work Ethos Leads are driving in schools across the country. We hope you enjoy!

Episode 7 – Inclusion Begins with ‘I’

In this episode of our Let’s Talk Ethos Podcast series, Niall Mulpeter interviews Dr Johanna Fitzgerald, who is ETBI’s National Inclusion, Special Education and Research Coordinator and is seconded from her previous role as ⁠Head of the Department of Educational Psychology, Inclusive and Special Education⁠ in Mary Immaculate College.  Johanna’s research focus is presently concerned with the development of integrated and collaborative approaches to inclusive school improvement, which provides the underpinning framework for ⁠Provision Mapping⁠, a process supporting inclusive school improvement and leadership development. This podcast invites listeners to reflect on the complex and nebulous concept of inclusive education and to consider how the Ethos Framework supports its articulation and expression in schools. The key message is that inclusion begins with ‘I’.  Johanna draws on the research literature and her lived experience as a SENCO, teacher and teacher educator to reflect on how we collectively and individually conceptualise and experience inclusion in our schools, and offers some practical, evidence-based approaches for listeners to consider.  We hope you enjoy listening!


Episode 6 – Implementing Equality

In this episode of the Lets Talk Ethos podcast, City of Dublin Ethos coordinator Ella Rogers Browne speaks with Director of Schools, ETBI Dr Seamus Conboy. This podcast aims to challenge listeners to think more critically about how they understand and implement the core value of ‘equality‘ in ETB schools. Drawing on research carried out by Dr Conboy, it looks specifically at the work of Pierre Bourdieu and how his theories can help us take a step back from what we are doing and critically examine our practices. It is hoped that this podcast will provide a space for listeners to critically reflect on how they are living out the core value of ‘equality’ in our schools. It also offers some practical advice on how to move beyond somewhat tokenistic approaches to responding to diverse school communities. For more information, visit www.etbi.ie. We hope you enjoy this podcast!

Episode 5 – Travelling the Road Less Travelled

Our next podcast in our Let’s Talk Ethos Podcast Niall Mulpeter interviews Dr Hannagh McGinley. Dr Hannagh McGinley is a member of the Irish Mincéir/Pavee (commonly referred to as Travellers) community. Her research expertise is Traveller education, anti-racism, culturally responsive and intercultural approaches to education. Her roles have included post-primary school teacher, community development practitioner, casual lecturer and module coordinator. Dr McGinley worked as an Education Office at the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) where she was responsible for advancing the recommendations of NCCA’s Traveller Culture and History in the Curriculum: A Curriculum Audit. More recently she was appointed the role of Assistant Professor in Education in MIC Thurles. You can gather more information on Traveller culture and history at the supplementary resources below. Learn more about ETBI Patrons’ Framework here.

Episode 4 – Ethos Coordinators


Our fourth podcast in the ETBI-Let’s Talk Ethos series, we look at a community of practice called the ethos coordinators and the work that they are doing at a national and local level in disseminating and embedding ethos in ETB schools. Lead out by the CNS and ETB Patronage Directorate in ETBI, this working group was established in January 2021 and have been working hard in embedding ethos in schools. So, Let’s Talk Ethos. Listen to Niall Mulpeter, Educational Policy and Development Officer interview this episodes guests at the link above or here. For more information visit www.etbi.ie . A special thank you to our friends at the Dún Laoghaire Further Education Institute (DFEi) for their support in recording.

Episode 3 – Belong To

In this special episode of ETBI’s Lets Talk Ethos podcast Sharon Heron with ‘Belong To’ joins Niall Mulpeter (ETBI) in a conversation about the supports that Belong To offer schools. his podcast aims to support and inform the professional learning experiences of staff in ETB schools in relation to statement of effective practice 4(h) from the ETBI Patrons’ Framework on Ethos. This particular podcast is launched during Belong To’s, #StandUpAwareness Week, which is a time for post-primary schools, youth services, and Youthreach centres in Ireland to take a stand against homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying. Listen at this link, or above. For more information visit www.etbi.ie . A special thank you to our friends at the Dún Laoghaire Further Education Institute (DFEi) for their support in recording.

Episode 2 – Anti-Bias And Anti-Racism Education

In this special episode of ETBI’s “Lets Talk Ethos” podcast, Briana Fitzsimons (Black and Irish) joins Megan Whyte (ETBI) in a conversation on Anti-Bias and Anti-Racism (ABAR) Education. This podcast aims to support and inform the professional learning experiences of staff in ETB schools in relation to statement of effective practice 4(h) from the ETBI Patrons’ Framework on Ethos. Tune in to learn about why a discussion on bias and racism is necessary for all Irish schools and reflect on the steps you can take to prevent and address racism in your school. Listen at this link, or above. For more information visit www.etbi.ie #LetsTalkEthos #ETBStrongerTogether #ETBEthos

Episode 1 – Let’s Talk Ethos

Episode one of the Let’s Talk podcast discusses the ETBI Patrons framework on ethos. This framework is a “culmination of 10 years worth of research, critical reflection, consultation and visionary policy making involving all ETB schools and their 16 Patrons, ETBI and relevant stakeholders“. It defines for the first time what the ethos of ETB schools are at primary and post primary level. This podcast will provide you with an understanding of the ETBI patrons framework on ethos and what it means to be an ETB school. Visit our Spotify channel, here.