LAY principals have been appointed at two Dominican schools. This represents "firsts" at both all girls' schools the Dominican College, Wicklow, which is 126 years old, and St Dominic's Secondary School, Ballyfermot, Dublin, which was established 40 years ago.

Margaret O'Flaherty, from Tramore, Co Waterford, is the first lay principal of the Wicklow college. The former boarding school has almost 600 girls and 30 staff members. "It's a big challenge," she says. "You're continuing in the very proud tradition of the Dominican Sisters. The ethos emphasises the education of the whole person. It's not on academic achievements solely. With the huge developments in personal growth, it's very much in tune with what, has always been the Dominican way.

A teacher of Irish and German, O'Flaherty has been teaching in the school for 21 years. Two of her children are at the school, while two others are past pupils.

Outgoing principal Sister Julie Newman has been at the helm for the past 10 years. Next year the only remaining Dominican sister on the staff will be school chaplain Sister Jeanette Kiely.

Taking over at the Ballyfermot school is Geradine Hackett, a Dub liner currently teaching at Colaiste Chiarain in Leixlip, Co Kildare. She has been teaching business studies there for the past 15 years. "St Dominic's is a very caring school," says Hackett. "They provide a very broad education and the curriculum is very developed."

Outgoing principal Sister Brid Roe is to become her order's first director of education.

Two third level appointments. Professor David Mackenzie is the new head of the Spanish department at UCC. Also at UCC Professor Robert Yacamini, formerly of the University of Aberdeen, has been appointed head of the department of electrical engineering and micro electronics.