Mission Statement and ethos

As a Presentation School, our vision is to promote the growth of our school community – children, parents, staff and management in a Christian, Catholic/Presentation atmosphere, so that all of us may achieve our full potential as children of God and live as responsible members of society in our world

History

On 29th June 1829, the Presentation Sisters first came to the Parish of Castlecomer. This was the year of Catholic Emancipation and Catholics were now free to practice their religion. Catholic children could attend schools. Three Sisters from the Presentation
Convent Kilkenny volunteered to set up the school in Castlecomer. These were Mother Lewis Aylward, Mother Angela Feehan and Sr. Catherine Aylward. At first, the nuns lived in a four-bedroomed thatched cottage. The nuns taught their first pupils in the sacristy
attached to the parish chapel. This was situated in the churchyard and it later became The Boys’ School.

For over fifty years the nuns had much to suffer from lack of accommodation. In 1879, Mr Charles Wandesford gave an old hospital in Kilkenny Street to the nuns. Part of today's school is built on the site of that hospital. In 1885 St. Mary's school was built and the remaining school buildings in 1898.

In 1937, a Secondary Top under the Primary School Board was begun. In 1959, an application was made to the Department of Education for a new Primary School. After a year or two, permission was granted. The site was a vegetable garden, purchased by
the nuns in 1936. The old Primary School was used as a Secondary School until Minister Mary O’Rourke officially opened the new Community School on 23rd October 1990.

In the 1960s, many developments happened, e.g., the FREE EDUCATION SCHEME began in 1967, hence, student numbers increased. Also, CO - EDUCATION began. The Secondary Top ceased in 1968 and became a Secondary School. In 1996 the B.O.M. submitted a request to the trustees to extend the play area for the school. This request was sanctioned. A grant was obtained from the Department of
Education and in 2000 a new playground was opened. Until 2011, the school had a Presentation sister as principal. Sr Nuala Horan retired that
year.

Margaret Maxwell became the school’s first lay principal and was then succeeded by the current principal, Mary Jacob. She keeps Nano Nagle’s lantern burning bright by leading the school community in the Presentation ethos.
 

Uniform information

The school uniform is a blue jumper, light blue shirt, navy tie, and navy trousers for boys,
navy skirt/ pinafore for girls. The children wear a navy school tracksuit on P.E. and
Drama days. Remember to label all items clearly with your child’s name.

Healthy lunch promotion

Our school has a healthy lunch policy. We have two breaks during the day, to allow children to eat and top up their energy! Sandwiches, crackers and rolls, with fruit, yoghurt and/or cheese are good, healthy suggestions. Children bring water, juice or milk.
Fizzy drinks, chocolate bars, crisps and sweets are not part of a healthy lunch. Don’t forget to label your lunchbox and drink bottle!

Parents’ Council

Our school has an active and very supportive council and it meets regularly. Seán Harnett is the current chairperson and Paula Renwick is secretary. Shirley Dowd is Treasurer. New parents are always encouraged to join.

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Board of Management

A new Board is elected every four years. The current Board meets every six weeks and is involved in the overall management of school life. The Chairperson of our Board is Mr Pat Parle. Parent representatives on the Board are _Gerard Comerford and Martina Grincell. while the community representatives are Catriona Normoyle, David O’Rourke and Fr. Ian Doyle. Michelle O’Sullivan and Mary Jacob are the teacher representatives.