WALK into the staffroom at St Mac Daras Community College, Tempelogue, Dublin and you are confronted with a bright, airy space which comfortably accommodates the school's 70 teachers.
The staffroom walls are painted a buttery yellow and are neatly lined with notice boards. Staff have a choice of seating - pine diningroom chairs set around matching pine tables or low easy chairs at coffee tables.
At one end of the room you'll find a microwave, at the other a much loved snooker table. Tea or coffee - paid for by the staff - comes on a trolley from the adjoining school kitchen where cooked meals are available at lunchtime. Teachers report that the phone, which is hooded to give some privacy, is adequate.
St Mac Daras, a Dublin VEC school which opened in 1982, boasts a board room, an interview room, two conference rooms and a teacher's work room containing lockers, which means that the staffroom is used almost exclusively for relaxation.
Staff have the use of computers - in the computer room and in the school office. "It's a non cliquish and social staffroom," comments Norah Reyes, who is chairperson of the staff social committee.
Yes, groups do form - based on mutual interests (sport in particular) - but they all remain open and friendly towards each other, she says. Each year the school organises an induction programme for new teachers while the committee arranges an evening social outing for them.
"We also organise a Christmas staff party, St Patrick's Day and sports day lunches and we go to an evening race meeting at Leopardstown once each year." Over the years St Mac Daras staff have also participated in treasure hunts, tennis tournaments and weekend hill walking, she says.
Staff agree that St Mac Daras is a good place to work. "There's a nice atmosphere and the buildings are extremely well kept. There's a great pride in the school. Maintenance is constant. As soon as a piece of carpet shows signs of wear it is replaced and the painting of classrooms is on going. The principal (Seamus McPhillips) doesn't wait until things fall apart," they say.
