Statement regarding NABMSE Conference: "Beyond Labels: Every Journey Matters"
Press Statement from NABMSE (National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education) two day Conference Thursday 9th – Friday 10th October 2025
Beyond Labels: Every Journey Matters
The NABMSE two day annual conference was held in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone on the 9th and 10th October 2025. This year’s conference was entitled ‘Beyond Labels: Every Journey Matters.
Speaking on the morning of the conference Patricia Harrington, Chairperson of NABMSE said, “This is an important conference not just for our delegates, but for all those involved in special education"
Michael Moynihan, Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth said, “ that he welcomed the conference theme that every journey matters.
Others addressing the conference included Professor Michael Shevlin of Trinity Centre for people with Disabilities; Amy Ryan, recent graduate of the Midwest School for the Deaf; and Dr Eamonn Carroll of ESRI.
Four Workshops were scheduled for 4pm on Thursday 9th October:
- Beyond the Label of ‘Special Class Teacher’: Exploring Real Stories from Autism Classrooms, Christina Hannify, DCU and Louise Moore, Scoil Mhuire Junior, Newbridge
- Views & Experiences of Transition from Special School: Capturing the Voices That Matter, Leanne Connolly, DCU
- Towards Equitable Pathways from Education to Employment for All – A Social Justice Perspective, Dr Rory O’Sullivan, DCU
- Wake up to Wellbeing “Make life Better”, Stephen Dargan, CEO, Happy Workplaces
Addressing the conference Professor Michael Shevlin of Trinity Centre for people with Disabilities said, “ we’ve got to create new pathways for learners that challenge and engage them, and help prepare them for fulfilling career-careers, not jobs’’
Also speaking at the conference was Amy Ryan, recent graduate of the Midwest School for the Deaf told the delegates that, ‘’ the guidance support and opportunities available to me on the CES Guidance Pilot changed my life path’’
Dr Eamonn Carroll of ESRI told the delegates, “some students in the study were disappointed by the limited range of possibilities available to them after leaving school’’
The conference was attended by school principals, representatives from the NCSE, the DEY, the college of education and other education stakeholders.
For contact: NABMSE at www.nabmse.ie, 045 533753
Full conference programme included below:
ABMSE Conference 2025
Thursday 9th October 2025
10.45am Registration, Tea and Coffee / Exhibition
11.45am Introduction and Welcome by NABMSE Chairperson
12.00pm ‘Learning without Limits: Reimagining the Future’ Prof Michael Shevlin, Trinity Centre for People
with Intellectual Disabilities
12.50pm ‘How Guidance Has Changed My Pathway’:
Amy Ryan, Past Pupil, Midwest School for the Deaf
1pm AGM Registration
1.15pm AGM for NABMSE members
3.15pm Tea & Coffee Break / Exhibition
4.00pm Workshops:
1. Beyond the Label of ‘Special Class Teacher’: Exploring Real Stories from Autism Classrooms, Christina Hannify, DCU and Louise Moore, Scoil Mhuire Junior, Newbridge
2. Views & Experiences of Transition from Special School: Capturing the Voices That Matter, Leanne Connolly, DCU 3. Towards Equitable Pathways from Education to Employment for All – A Social Justice Perspective, Dr Rory O’Sullivan, DCU 4. Wake up to Wellbeing “Make life Better”
Stephen Dargan, CEO, Happy Workplaces
4.45pm NCSE SNA Guidelines-How do these Work for Schools? Brian Matthews, Millett & Matthews, in discussion with Vivienne Wynne, principal, Libermann school
7.30pm Dinner
Friday 10th October 2025
8.30am Registration
9.00am Patrick Whitlow, NCSE and Co-ordinator of the Guidance Pilot
9.30am Minister Moynihan & Panel Discussion
facilitated by Eileen O’Rourke, NABMSE General Secretary
10.45am Tea and Coffee Break / Exhibition
11.15am Hopes, Hurdles and Headway: The Story of Dublin 15’s Autism Class Common Application Trial,
Helena Trench, Principal, Powerstown ETNS.
12.00pm School Experiences and Post School Transitions of Disabled Young People, Dr Eamonn Carroll, ESRI
12.50pm Close of Conference, NABMSE General Secretary 1pm Lunch
This Conference was hosted by NABMSE and supported by the Teacher Education section of the Department of
Education