1992 marked the appointment of the first lay Principal of Newbridge College – Mr. Patrick O'Mahony – who made sweeping academic changes and oversaw big improvements in the facilities at the school until his retirement in 2006. His appointment came after responsibility for the management of the College had been transferred to the Board of Governors, composed of the Dominican Fathers, teachers, parents and past pupils. In 1992 formal classes on a Saturday also ceased, replaced with an extracurricular and academic study programme.