|
Background
Primary level education was provided separately for
boys and girls in the Castletownbere parish until as recently as 1994.
The Sisters of Mercy provided formal education for girls since 1878 and boys were
educated in Brandy Hall N.S. The boys school was transferred to a new building in
the North Road in 1932, while a new girls convent school, Scoil Mhuire gan Smál was
constructed in 1962. When the boys and girls school were finally amalgamated in 1994,
a new school was formed called. Scoil an Chroí Ró-Noafa. This new co-educational school
has operated in two separated buildings since that date, namely the Convent N.S. Building and the former Second-Level Technical School on the North Road. Finally, in September 2003, all pupils were located in one school building.
The School
At present there are over 180 pupils attending school from the Castletownbere and Rossmacowen parishes in classes from Junior Infant to 6th class. The many nationalities living in the local area are reflected in the school community. There are 10 teachers, four special needs assistants, secretary, caretaker and nine other part time staff.
The Newly Renovated School
An application was made for new premises when the school was amalgamated in 1994. However, it was not until September 1999 that the Department of
Education granted permission for works to commence.
In the period 1999 - 2002, a design team was appointed, and the Board of Management worked with them and the
Department of Education Building Unit.
Architects appointed: Bertie Pope& Associates
Main Building Contractor: Cahalane Brothers, Dunmanway
Work commenced renovating the existing six classrooms in the
Convent N.S. in November 2002. An extension of 851m2 was added
to this building. The extension consists of 3 classrooms, a special needs area, library, multi-purpose room, staffroom, office, toilets and a general purpose hall. The school site presented a number of difficulties and a large amount of excavation was required. Total cost for the project was over €1.7 million. The school also has two school playgrounds, a full size ball-court and an adventure playground.
The Parents' Association
The school has an active Parents Association which fundraised over €20,000 from the local community to install an adventure playground for the pupils. This year, it is working with the school in providing a school library within the new extension
- The Board of Management
- Bertie Pope& Associates Architects
- Matt O'Mahony, Engineers & Project Consultants
- Kavanagh & Henley Quantity Surveyors
- Malachy, Walsh & Partners, Consulting Engineers
- Cahalane Brothers Builders
Board of Management 2000-2003
- Responsible for Project
- Rev. P. Sheehan P.P. Chairperson
- Paul J. Stevens, Principal
- Ms. Marese O'Driscoll
- Sr. P. Cahalane
- J.J. McLaughlin
- Mrs. A. Holland
- Mrs. T. O'Sullivan
- Mr. J.O'Sullivan
|