New Principal, new school - Jim Twohig, a former woodwork teacher, has been appointed first among equals at the newly established John the Baptist Community School in Hospital, Co Limerick.Twohig is one of more than 40 new principals who have been appointed to positions in the secondary, community and comprehensive sectors this term. Of these, two are religious appointments.The school in Hospital, which has an enrolment of 850, is an amalgamation of Presentation de la Salle Secondary School and the local community college.This year marks the end of one era and the start in a number of schools. At St Brendan's Community School, Birr, Co Offaly, brother Dennis Minehane, who has been principal since the school was first established in 1980, has been succeeded by vice principal Tom Foley.There are changes, too, in Kerry. Tony Behan, formerly acting principal at Presentation College, Listowel, takes over St Brendan's College, Killarney. The "Sem", as the school is known locally, is a diocesan college founded in 1860.Moves around county Cork include Syl Barrett, who takes over at Beara Community School from Ted Owens, Owens has moved to Glanmire, Co Cork, to head up the new community school there.Anthony O'Loughlin, a former vice president of the Secondary Schools Principals Association of Ireland and principal of St Mary's Academy CBS, Carlow has moved to one of Ireland's most historic one of Ireland's most historic schools - the North Monastery Secondary School, Cork.The all boys school, which has an enrolment of 840, is the alma mater of former Taoiseach Jack Lynch and is legendary in GAA circles.Dubliner Paddy Lavell has been appointed principal of St Louis Community School, Kiltimagh, Co Mayo. The school's former vice-principal succeeds Hugh McTigue, who has retired.Three new principals have been appointed to Loreto schools this year. Dr Delores MacKenna, who has been appointed acting principal of Loreto Secondary School, Foxrock, Dublin, is the first lay principal to be appointed to the school. She takes over from Sister Brede Quirke, who is on a career break.Elizabeth Cogan, who succeeds Sister Fidelis at Loreto High School, Beaufort, Rathfarmham, Co Dublin, is also the first lay principal to be appointed to that school. Meanwhile, Sister Carmel Swords has taken up the position of principal of Loreto College, Swords, Co Dublin.In Dublin's city centre, Michael Finucane, who has been teaching business studies at O'Connell Street in North Richmond Street since 1969, is that school's new principal. Former principal John Weir, meanwhile, has moved to St Louis School, Dundalk, Co Louth.