Rachel has over 20 years’ experience in education at Primary level with the last 13 years as Principal. Her current role is Principal at St Patrick’s National School, Greystones, a position that she has held since 2019.

“It Takes a Village” is a community wide initiative born out of growing concerns about rising anxiety levels among primary school-age children in the Greystones / Delgany area. The initiative has resonated in the community and has become a collaborative effort involving all eight primary schools in the area and is supported by the principals of the three local secondary schools. The mission of “It Takes A Village” is to support and empower primary school children, parents, guardians and teachers with well-being and digital awareness skills. A key goal of “It Takes A Village’’ is to recruit two play therapists to provide support to children, parents, teachers, and principals in all eight primary schools. The initiative has also led to the introduction of a ‘Voluntary No Mobile Device Code’ that has been implemented by all eight primary schools. The code has attracted interest from parent’s associations across Ireland and globally, including the UK, North America, Europe, India and Australia.

The “It Takes A Village” initiative has been discussed and is supported by Government ministers to include Ministers Simon Harris, Stephen Donnelly, Norma Foley and Mary Butler. It has also received support from local politicians in Wicklow to include Jennifer Whitmore TD and local councillors.